Marina Evans

Marina Evans is a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader who graduated from Southern Methodist University with degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing. During her time with the Cowboys, she cheered under her maiden name/nickname, Rena Morelli. She lives in Arizona now but thinks about her days in short-shorts often. Death of a Cheerleader (UK title) and The Cheerleader (U.S. title) is her debut thriller.

My Q&A with the author:

How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?

I believe the title of my book pulls readers directly into the story. The simplicity of it cuts to the chase, and frankly, my publisher anticipated that it would do well with keyword and internet searches. Originally, I named the book Final Score, but apparently there are many books with that same title. The Cheerleader is simple, effective, and I hope…intriguing!

What's in a name?

I always give a great deal of thought to my characters’ names before selecting them. As an author, names have to feel right, capture a character’s essence, and embody a story’s theme. The Cheerleader is set in Texas, so while I was world-building that bold, football-obsessed culture, it was really fun to mull over names that fit that universe. For instance, the gorgeous cheer captain who falls victim to a murderer is Jentry Rae Randall. Doesn’t that just tell you everything you need to know about her?

How surprised would your teenage reader self be by your new novel?

My teenaged self would be astounded at my new novel. Sorry, that might sound egotistical, but I have been writing for a long, long time! In addition, I tried out for my high school cheer squad but didn’t make it. (I should have known; acrobatics were required.) Then, because I had a dance background, I auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and was chosen! Cheering on the DCC squad in the ‘80s was the best experience of my life. All throughout my life, however, I’ve wanted to become a published author, so dreams absolutely come true if you try hard enough and if you wait long enough.

Do you find it harder to write beginnings or endings? Which do you change more?

Because a suspenseful thriller hinges on its twists and turns, the first thing I do is plot out the big final twist. I typically have the beginning in mind, too. So really, it’s a matter of filling in the middle of the story. Sometimes minor twists or side characters change as I begin to write, but usually the bones of the story remain the same. I always ask, “Who doesn’t love a good twist?” Only, it’s difficult coming up with one no author has done before.

Do you see much of yourself in your characters? Do they have any connection to your personality, or are they a world apart?

It’s been said that a writer’s first book is their most autobiographical. I think there is some truth to that. Therefore, if any characters are close to myself and my personality it’s the ones I created during my first set of books in the romance genre. Now, I feel free to create characters who operate a world apart from me…who are often braver than I…who do unprecedented things. Sometimes evil things, even. (Written with a smile.)

What non-literary inspirations have influenced your writing?

I would say everything around me is a potential inspiration. News stories. Movies. Politics… everything. Sometimes I’m even inspired by conversations overheard in coffee shops. Also, just the other night, I had a mini-reunion with some of my high school friends. Hearing snippets of their recent dramas made me want to include those stories in a novel. But of course, all the names will be changed to protect the innocent.

Visit Marina Evans's website.

My Book, The Movie: The Cheerleader.

--Marshal Zeringue