Meet S. Marie | Author and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with S. Marie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi S. Marie, what do you want people to remember about you?
What a powerful question. I actually considered this a lot growing up, and well, it is something that I think about now as I create. Before I shifted my focus to my written works, I thought a lot about what I wanted my paintings to say. After all, at some point, every creator has the strange realization that your work will likely outlive you. I pined over what my works would mean, what kind of impressions they would leave – I wanted them to have a purpose. The trouble with that was that I could never decide what I was trying to say with them. I couldn’t pinpoint just one thing. Now that I have shifted my focus to my book series, I find that my purpose is much clearer, in terms of my paintings as well as my books. Stories can do all the things I’d hoped my paintings would do. They ask questions, build emotional connections, provide an escape from reality, and allow for a community of people to arise. That’s the legacy I would like to leave – that my series of books and the artwork that falls within the realm of my world would create something bigger than me, that a community of people who relate to my characters and enjoy escaping into my universe would find one another and that their lives would be better because of it.

I want to be remembered as honest and genuine. I want to be remembered as a kind person that brought empathy and joy to those I knew. I want to make the lives of those around me better and brighter. I want everyone I encounter to have the courage to pursue their dreams.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently, I am working on a fantasy trilogy called The Moon and Her Sun Series. I am a few chapters into the third, and final, book in the series. One of my favorite aspects of being an artist and an author is that I get to bring my world to life in a myriad of forms. Not only am I writing about this world and the characters and creatures that inhabit it, but I also have the ability to bring them to life through paint. I suppose this is something that sets me apart from many other authors in my field and something that I am very excited about doing more of in the future.

In terms of challenges, I would say that shifting my focus from being primarily a painter to being an author was not an easy transition, but it has felt like the correct one. I no longer feel burnt out. I never tire of writing and am so in love with my series that it takes up most of my thoughts, even when I’m not actively writing. There was, and is, a rather large learning curve, however, in this transition. I still feel behind compared to many other indie authors in my field who have been writing full-time for years now, but I appreciate the journey. It has taught me a lot about myself. It has taught me to let go of what I thought my life, and career, would be and to embrace the changes that come with time and growth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I take everyone who visits me in Atlanta to Melton’s App and Tap in Decatur. It is my favorite restaurant and I have been dining there since I was born, literally.

I also take visitors to Stone Mountain or Yellow River, as I adore a good hike. Depending on what they like, I would also suggest shopping in Little Five or Ponce City Market and then would probably end the day with some Doc Bombay’s or Flying Biscuit in Candler Park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
At this point in my career, I really must include my husband in this. He has been the most supportive and brilliant partner I could have ever asked for. He has spent countless hours with me ironing out details in the timeline of my book series, editing, providing a listening ear, and just being there for every twist and turn in my author journey. I truly don’t know where I would be without him.

I would also like to give a shoutout to Colin F. Penndorf, my cartographer and good friend who has and is working with me to create a series of maps that further bring my world into reality.

Website: https://www.authorsmarie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsmarie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556616264210

Other: https://www.patreon.com/subsip

Image Credits
S. Marie