Mary Beesley lives in St. George, Utah.
What are some names of the books or other media you have created?
Dragon Blood and Wolf Pack are books 1 and 2 in the Draco Sang Trilogy, a YA fantasy series.
To Unite a Realm is my adult fantasy.
Betting on Love, is my romantic comedy.
My next project is a women’s fiction piece.
What inspired you to become a creator of media?
When I found out I was going to have a fourth child, I got discouraged and overwhelmed. God inspired me to start writing stories. At first it was a place for me to be creative and decompress, then I fell in love with it. I took classes and worked hard to practice and improve. I write because I want to, and I’m good at it.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
The first moment when I was reading my manuscript and I realized it was good, really good. It hit me that I’d finally found what I want to do with my talents and time. That sense of rightness and belonging has filled me up and fueled me through hard writing sessions and painful rejections.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?
Don’t give up. Take a rest, but don’t quit.
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?
Be patient! With yourself and your work and your editors. Read a lot. Becoming a great writer takes time. Enjoy the journey because there is no finish line. Give yourself grace and trust your gut. Art is subjective, don’t let someone else’s negative option of your creation become your own. Your voice is unique and important. It will take time and effort and learning to be a good writer. Put in the work.
What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?
Nature. Being out among the beauties and intricacies makes me want to create. Observing humanity. Reading books, essays, and poetry. And of course, writing. Writing begets writing.
What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?
My creativity is incredibly important to me, and I try to honor it. I respect my writing time by making sure to schedule it when my mind is most active and fresh. I own my art. I write from my heart and don’t force stories that don’t feel genuine or important. It’s hard work to write well, and I expect round and rounds of edits. The time at the keyboard is only a fraction of all that goes into a story. Thinking time is vital, and I don’t skimp on listening to the silence and going on walks.
In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?
In all my books, I aim to show the light and hope amidst the darkness. There is pain and grief in every life. I try to be real about that place but show the rays of goodness and courage that are there to be found.