Marlene M. Bell Shares Her Journey from Art to Writing International Thrillers
PHOTO: Marlene M. Bell, award-winning author and artist, at her Texas farm where she draws inspiration for her creative storytelling.
Exploring A Passion For Mystery, Romance, And Antiquities
Marlene M. Bell, award-winning author and artist, combines her passions for art, antiquities, and breathtaking landscapes to craft internationally celebrated thrillers blending mystery, romance, and history in vivid detail.
Marlene M. Bell, an award-winning author and accomplished artist, has seamlessly transitioned from a journey in sheep husbandry and visual arts to penning internationally celebrated thrillers and mysteries. Known for her captivating Annalisse series and the standalone novel A Hush at Midnight, Bell’s works are a masterful blend of mystery, romance, and history that transport readers across breathtaking landscapes and heart-stopping adventures. Her unique ability to combine meticulous research with gripping storytelling has earned her multiple awards and a devoted global readership.
Bell’s background as a photographer and painter plays a pivotal role in her writing. Her artistic eye lends a vivid visual quality to the settings in her novels, which range from the historic wonders of Greece and Turkey to the serene landscapes of East Texas. Passionate about antiquities, natural beauty, and human connections, Bell draws inspiration from her love of antique furniture and antiquarian books, as well as the scenic beauty of her Texas farm. These influences shape her narratives, creating textured stories that weave together romance, suspense, and vivid imagery.
Marlene M. Bell masterfully weaves gripping mysteries with romance and history, bringing readers on unforgettable journeys through meticulously researched settings.
Bell’s Annalisse series has garnered praise for its seamless fusion of fast-paced international thrillers with intricate relationship dynamics. One of the highlights of her research was discovering the stunning landscapes around the Castle of St. Peter, also known as Bodrum Castle, in Turkey while researching locations for Stolen Obsession, the first book in the series. Exploring the historic sites with her characters, Annalisse Drury and Alec Zavos, Bell dreams of someday experiencing the wonders of Turkey and Greece herself, albeit without the perils her characters face.
The romantic tension between Annalisse and Alec is a defining element of the series. For Bell, crafting that tension involves a mix of methodical planning and organic storytelling. Drawing on her instincts as a storyteller, she develops initial points of view and lets the interactions between her characters evolve naturally, creating dialogue and moments that feel deeply realistic. Romantic interludes, she explains, also serve as critical “breathers” for readers amid the gripping suspense of the plot.
Bell’s artistic talents are not confined to her writing; they extend to the covers of her books as well. For her Southern culinary cosy mystery A Hush at Midnight, Bell’s love for photography became a central element in the creative process. Drawing from a sunset photograph taken on her Texas ranch, she collaborated with her UK-based designer to create an evocative cover that captures the story’s essence. As Bell notes, a book’s cover is often its greatest asset in today’s competitive market, especially in the age of online shopping.
Transitioning to the cosy southern mystery genre with A Hush at Midnight posed fresh challenges for Bell, who was used to the high-octane pace of her thriller-leaning Annalisse series. Cosy mystery readers, she discovered, prefer a slower, more intimate narrative that avoids excessive gore or violence. Although she found the genre’s restrictions challenging, the experience taught her valuable lessons about balancing pace with the expectations of a new audience.
Looking ahead, Bell plans to dive into a new genre as she works on a domestic suspense thriller set in a wintry rural area. Dedicated to continually challenging herself as a writer, she is also considering a time-travel novel set in the 17th century, inspired by her love of antiquities and travels. Although her initial foray into time travel was cut from an early draft of Stolen Obsession, she envisions revisiting the concept in the future, potentially exploring a historic journey linked to the South Island of New Zealand, a landscape she vividly captured in her novel Copper Waters.
For writers aiming to merge complex genres like suspense, romance, and history, Bell offers this advice: “Mixing genres and doing it well comes with years of experience. The advice I give to all new writers is always the same: read books by other authors and study fiction in general.” She emphasizes understanding genre conventions and reader expectations while encouraging writers to stick to foundational elements in their craft.
Marlene M. Bell’s career reflects not only artistic versatility but also a relentless dedication to storytelling that transcends genres and expectations. Whether readers dive into the romantic intrigue of the Annalisse series or savor the cozy charm of A Hush at Midnight, they’re certain to embark on an enthralling journey filled with vibrant settings and thrilling adventures.
Source: Reader’s House Magazine
