Meet fellow Clean Indie Reads (aka Flinch Free Fiction) author, Maria Farb

Today I’d like to introduce you to my fellow CIR author, Maria Farb. Maria, would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?

Ever since I climbed up to the rafters of our barn at age four, I’ve lived high adventure: scuba diving, hiking, climbing, and even riding a retired racehorse at full gallop–bareback. I love the thrill and joy.

Stories give me a similar thrill and joy. I love living through the eyes and heart of a hero who faces his internal demons and the heroine who fights her way free instead of waiting to be saved.

I create high fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and poetry. I live a joyful adventure with my husband and six children. I am a Christian and I love my Savior.

Wow, a racehorse, at full speed, bareback … or six children!  Wonder which is scarier? (I’m a horse person myself, but couldn’t imagine having six children when you only have two hands! Quite the accomplishment!)

So … before we hear about your books, I have three questions for you so people can get to know you a bit. First, how much time per week would you spend writing? Or are you a full-time author?

I’m a full-time homeschooling mother of six.

I write in the early morning before any one wakes up, sometimes in the afternoon when kids are playing, and in the evening when my husband plays with our kids. The early morning hours are my favorite and most productive writing times. On a good day I can get several thousand words before any one else wakes up.

I keep a notebook handy to capture ideas when I don’t have time to write. My rushed penmanship is near unreadable, even for me, so I type up all my notes each evening.

Ha Ha Ha! I have notes all over the place, but luckily, I can read mine! Second question, what inspired you to become an author, and how old were you at the time?

Some of my earliest memories are laying on the carpet listening to my dad read out loud. We explored the worlds of Narnia and Middle Earth. We cried with Corrie Ten Boom in The Hiding Place. We voyaged with The Kon-Tiki and to Grass Beyond the Mountains.

As a teen I made up stories to help my little sisters go to sleep. It backfired. We stayed up for hours continuing the tale. The King’s Trial was born in those late, whispered nights.

I started writing seriously when my youngest started sleeping through the night (two years ago).

Wow, I LOVED all the stories in Middle Earth, but didn’t discover Narnia until I was an adult. But I share your passion for fantasy of that type, and must indeed have a look at your books! Third and final question, what are some fun, random facts about you?

• As a child, I couldn’t walk across a room. I danced, spun, skipped, ran, or otherwise moved, but I couldn’t just walk.
• I took calculus at a community college at age 14. I planned to go to MIT and become an astronaut. Plans changed—in wonderful ways.
• I lived in St Petersburg, Russia for half-a-year teaching English to kindergartners. I learned to wash my clothes in a bathtub, filter and boil my drinking water, and love my sweet, crayon-eating, kids. My next book is based in Russia and on one of my favorite Russian tales—Vasilisa and Staver.
• I love reading to my children. We’ve enjoyed books from Dr. Seuss to Les Misérables. Maniac Magee is one of our favorites.
• I love climbing, rappelling, and horseback riding. But I hate roller coasters and bungee jumping.
• I’ve journaled almost every day since I turned seventeen. I capture conversations, descriptions, happenings, and quotes. I explore ideas. Through the years I’ve written well over a million words. It prepared me to become an author.
• I live with a vivid imagination. I dream in 3-D, technicolor, and occasionally with my eyes open. This is a bane when it comes to nightmares. I will not watch horror movies.
• I have an accent. People often ask me where I’m from. Maybe it’s my reader accent. I’ve read out-loud enough different books in character, that perhaps it stuck.

Well, it’s a shame we live so many miles apart (as given I’m in Australia, we’re no doubt far apart no matter where you live), as you sound like someone I’d love to meet in person! Thanks for coming here today to talk to us. Now, before we go, let’s learn a bit about your books.

 

In a land where stories of the Shadow Demon keep children shivering in bed and tales of the Yorel bring hope to the commoner, Yosyph is both the reason for their fear and their hope.

Find this book on Amazon, by clicking here.

 

 

 

What readers are saying:

One of the best books I’ve read with wonderful characters who grow on their journeys, stellar writing, fantastic world-building, and a twisty, nail-biting plot.- Katy Huth Jones, author of the YA-fantasy series He Who Finds Mercy

M.L. Farb has created a rich world with deep, relatable characters. – Carol Beth Anderson, author of the Sun-Blessed Trilogy

I wholeheartedly recommend this clean fantasy adventure! – Annie Douglass Lima, author of the Annals of Alasia and the Krillonian Chronicles

I was struck by the beautiful prose from the first page! – Kristin Fink (Amazon Reviewer USA)