Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A: I was a little slow about that. I wrote my first book at age nine, after reading My Side of the Mountain and was SO inspired to make it my own story. But I never thought of myself as a writer. Even in college, because I was working full time while going to school full time, I wanted to take Creative Writing but was too afraid it would

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: Mary Ellis has written twelve best-selling novels set in the Amish community and several historical romances. Her latest, Magnolia Moonlight, is third of a new mystery series, Secrets of the South, from Harvest House Publishers. Before “retiring” to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate, a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits. She enjoys traveling, gardening, bicycling and

Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?

A: I sold my first novella, a historical inspirational romance titled Perfect Love, in 2001 to Barbour Publishing and then sold my first full-length novel, a contemporary inspirational romance titled Love Comes Home, in 2003 to Love Inspired Romance. Before writing I have had a number of different jobs ranging from model, sales clerk, receptionist to daycare provider.

Q: Do you write in only one genre