Category: News

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Beauty and the Beat

When I was 9 years old, mom took me and my friend, Trista to see the Go-Go’s at the SDSU ampitheatre.

It was awesome.

It was also my first (and only) vicarious experience with marijuana.

Am I dork or what?

Don’t answer that!

So in the spirit of the Go-Go’s upcoming concert at the Luxor (thanks for the link, Mom!), which one was/is your favorite Go-Go?

Mine is Charlotte.
If you can name the eighth track on their debut album, I’ll send you a signed coverflat of In Between Men.
Besitos,
Mary
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Dude, what’s up with that?

My husband took the Little Dude to baby class yesterday because I’ve been sick with this cold thingy. This particular group, frankly, sucks. It’s way over populated by Newport mommies – big hair, skinny bodies and big boobs that could tip them over if it wasn’t for the big hair.

Ryan had to help clean up and asked two moms to watch the Little Dude. He turns around and my son is half way down the path towards the street! Ryan made it in time but none of those stupid bitches noticed!

Dude if I was there … (picture steam hissing out of my ears!)

But seriously, what’s up with that? I hear people saying that you just can’t let kids run around like you could in the old days, and yet out of those ten mothers, none of them could tear themselves away from their gab fest to watch a toddler. If someone asked me to keep an eye on their child, I’d be on that kid like a shadow. (You thought I was going to say something else, huh?)

Can you imagine how you’d feel if something happened to someone else’s kid on your watch?

Mom tells me that it is only a matter of time before I complete the transition from the don’t-make-waves nice girl to a roaring mama bear.

In the meantime, I’m switching to another class where I hope there are more like-minded parents who actually give a shit.

There. I feel much better.

Mary

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Running Around in a Tank Top Without Shaving

Yes, I did that today. I thought I was okay but after my workout, I realized I’d been flashing armpit hair!

But you know what? I’m cool with it. Anyone who has read my books has looked into my heart and soul. Yes, I may disguise certain people, events and even myself, but publishing my fiction is a bit like running around in a tank top without having shaved. If I didn’t bare it all, if I try to be dishonest, than the stories wouldn’t be compelling and you’d get bored and never remember a word I had written after you finished the book.

However, rest assured that when I came home from the gym and showered, I made sure to take care of business.
Cheers,
Mary
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Quote of the day

Right now I don’t have much to say other than I’m in that part of writing a book where it’s like fishing. Bits of dialogue, character revelations and new plot twists bite and then I toss them into my little boat. My mom forwarded this quote to me yesterday and I wanted to share it with all of you who popped by to see what’s new.

“It ain’t bragging if you can do it.”

-Dizzy Dean

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Top Romance Book of 2006!

This morning, Rosa of Catalina Magazine Book Club told me that In Between Men was chosen by readers as “Top Romance Book by a Latina Author” in 2006.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry because I remember the day I sat down to write this book and the day I finished it. I had no idea that it would be loved by so many readers. So I’ll just say thank you.

This what they said:

In 2005, Mary Castillo warmed our hearts with her debut novel Hot Tamara. This year, she does it again, in true, fast-paced and fun Mary Castillo style with In Between Men (Harper Collins, 2006). According to book club member, Juanita Johnson, the romantic chick lit novel brings readers a truly loveable, but confused, protagonist, Isa, who appropriately finds love after a bump to the head. The believable and fun dialogue between the characters, clearly one of Mary’s best strengths as an author, makes this romantic tale of girl meets boy an enchanting read.

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Resolve or Intend

I gave up resolutions about two years ago. I now have intentions because the word appeals to my Capricorn nature. Resolve is wishy washy. But intend … ah, now that has weight and purpose.

You really have to think through an intention: where to start, how long will it take, what information do you need so you know it is something worth pursuing?

“Worth pursuing” was the key to planning my 2007 production schedule. It is so easy to get frustrated with a story. When I hit the dead middle of a story, I find myself peeking over the fence, so to speak, at a new, shinier, better story idea that would be so much easier (and faster!) to finish.

So this year I took the time to examine my projects for 2007 and narrowed them down to four: two books for 2008 and two proposals for 2009. I used to take great pride that I could whip out drafts in six weeks. But now I need to slow it down. Well, maybe not the first draft. First drafts have an urgency about them: just get it all out and then perfect it in the rewrite.

My big intention for 2007 is to slow down, to nurture and do my very best rather than do more.

Cheers!
Mary
P.S. The image is from Art.com
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If you haven’t read my books yet…

I have a suggestion for you.

But first let me say this … I live on a budget and don’t have tons of time to try out as many new authors as I’d like. Of course, I’d appreciate it if you bought the books outright because that’s how I make a living.
So that’s why I’m telling you about BooksFree.com. It works like Netflix where you can rent books and have them delivered to your house. If you haven’t read In Between Men, Hot Tamara or Friday Night Chicas yet, check this service out or go to your local library. (By the way, if your library doesn’t carry my books, drop me a note and I’ll bug the librarian to add it to their collection!)

Cheers,
Mary
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HE WALKS!

I can’t help but share the news that the Little Dude took his first steps yesterday! You’d think he was the first human to accomplish walking but I’m so proud!

And yet, I’m terrified every time he takes off. It wouldn’t be overdoing it if I wrapped him in bubble wrap, now would it?

Rascal the pug is greatly dismayed that he has to run for his life when the Little Dude goes after him.

Happy holidays!

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Authors I Will Read in 2007

I swear this is not a plug for my own work! I just had to show off this gorgeous cover. (Ahem) But if you want to buy the book, it will be in stores May 2007.

Now onto the business at hand … this is a partial list. I didn’t do repeats from my Top Ten because you already know I love them, and I have a room full of gifts that need to be wrapped before this weekend.

6. Margo Candela will make her debut with Underneath It All next month. Read her. You won’t be disappointed!

5. The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason, in Hollywood-speak is “Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Jane Austen.” Ever since I found her on MySpace and then read the teasers about her new book, I’ve been anxiously waiting for this one to hit stores next month.

4. Anne Mallory and I met as brand new Avon authors back in 2004. But having read her historical romances, I know she’s going to be a best seller and I’ll have the bragging rights to say I read her back when. (And that we were bought by the same editor!) Unfortunately I have to wait till August 2007 when her next book, What Isabella Desires, is released. But I won’t ask Avon for an ARC or a freebie. Yes, I will purchase it from my favorite bookseller!

3. Sonia Singh’s Goddess for Hire came out two years before my first book and after I read it, I wondered why Avon Trade bought me. I mean, I wasn’t as good as her! (Author insecurity is a terrible thing.) So when Josie Brown got us together to tour the Hard Rock Cafes, I was a little intimidated. But then after one drink too many at the Hard Rock Cafe in L.A., (it was my first night out without my then five month-old baby and husband) I blurted to Sonia that she needed to start writing more explicit sex scenes because she never showed us what the guys look like naked. It was one of those make or break moments where you could end up with a drink in the face or a laugh. Sonia laughed and we’ve been buddies ever since. Having said that, even if Sonia continues to toy with us in her next book, Ghost,Interrupted, I’ll still read it!

2. Marsha Moyer is in the pantheon of my all-time favorite authors. After reading her first two novels (The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch and The Last of the Honkytonk Angels), I was crushed to discover that her third book had not been scheduled for release. But just the other day, when I went to her website to see what she was up to, I realized there is a publishing God. Her third book, Heartbreak Town is coming in June 2007! Read the first two and you will be mesmerized.

1. Sacha Boutros is a jazz musician not an author and since this is my list, I figure I can fudge the rules a bit. When I was writing the character of Sela from “Till Death Do Us Part”, I could only hear her voice for the longest time. Usually I see my characters first and then hear their voices. But it made sense that Sela (who is a struggling jazz singer and musician) had a very clear, distinct voice. Later when I heard Sacha on MySpace, I went very still like a ghost had just walked into my room. She sounded just like Sela. If you read “Till Death Do Us Part”, I highly recommend that you do so with Sacha’s gorgeous serenade.

Cheers,
Mary

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The Big Tease


Check out the teaser of my upcoming novella, “Till Death Do Us Part” that will appear in the anthology, Names I Call My Sister!

Again, thank you all for your thoughtful comments and emails. By the way if Francoise were here, she’d want me to tell you that she was Gypsy Rose Lee (above) in a former life.

Cheers,
Mary