5 Questions With: M.J. Neary

Posted November 16, 2009, 2:11 pm in Arts


Marina Julia Neary is an award-winning historical essayist, multilingual arts & entertainment journalist, published poet, playwright, actress, dancer and choreographer. A specialist on the obscure works of Victor Hugo, she has lectured at the French Alliance. Her historical tragicomedy "Hugo in London," featuring the adventures of the French literary genius in England during the Crimean War was produced in 2008 and recently acquired by Heuer Publishing. A sequel, "Lady with a Lamp: an Untold Story of Florence Nightingale," premiered in 2009 as a theatrical benefit for The Wyatt Foundation. 


"Wynfield’s Kingdom" is her first novel, in which she celebrates her love for Victorian history and the Romantic movement. The novel was published by FireshipPress, a publication specializing in historical and nautical fiction.


In addition to her writing career, Neary has a career in the performing arts. She has starred in several independent horror films shot in CT and NY. In the 1990s, she competed in various talent competitions in New England and placed second in Miss LaSalle beauty pageant.   

But guess what? She's also Growing Bolder. Marina, or M.J. as she's known in the literary world, didn't start pursuing her dreams until after the age of 30, and now she's doing everything she can to prove it's never too late.



1. You've just met someone in an elevator and they ask what you do. What's your answer? How did you get to where you are today?
 
I am a playwright and a novelist, first and foremost.  How did I get there?  A lot of legwork.  If you are passionate enough about your art, you have to put in many hours of unpaid work.  You start off by making connections in the industry, volunteering for events, educating yourself and what makes the industry tick and what it takes to succeed in it.  My husband and I both have day jobs that pay the bills that aren't related to the performing arts.  In the beginning, you sacrifice free time, sleep, and (yes) relationships.  There will be people who won't understand, approve or support.  But now those sacrifices are starting to pay off.  My novel got picked up by a commercial publisher, and so did one of my plays.
 
2. Do you have any heroes -- professionally and/or personally? Why, and how did they change your life?
 
As a Catholic, I have a long list of spiritual hero figures.  Artistically speaking, I have always admired the works of Victor Hugo and Charles Dickens.  I guess I have a weakness for the dead European males.  They were the ones who shaped my aesthetic standards.
 

3. What does happiness look like to you. Describe your perfect day, or tell us what activities you have in your life, or hope to have, that truly fulfill you.
 
Getting acceptance letters from publishing houses and magazines always brings a smile to my face.  I take pride in my literary work, and having other compliment on it gives me a tremendous energy boost.  Next to God and my family, my readers/fans are the most important people in my life.  They are the ones who make my work worth continuing.
 
4. What does the phrase "Growing Bolder" mean to you? How are you smashing the stereotypes of age?
 
In addition to writing, I have an acting career (feel free to check out some of my projects on IMDB).  I started acting at the ripe age of 30.  It was a whim on my part.  I never thought that acting is something that one would start at the age of 30.  They say, 30 is the new 20.  I have been in 13 independent films, and I keep getting roles offered to me.

 
5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10 years? In 15 years?
 
I plan on growing professionally as a novelist and playwright.  Luckily, in this profession you don't have to worry so much about your looks and your measurements (although I look pretty darn good for a 30-something working mom).  I'm sure that God has all sorts of surprises in store for me.  He's been incredibly gracious and generous so far. 

For more articles in our 5 Questions With series, click here. To learn more about M.J. Neary and her books, click here.


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