I met Mary at my first book signing in February in Austin. She and a girl friend drove down from Indiana, rolled into town, got a tattoo on her arm in the shape of Texas and signed some books and rolled out. That how I like to roll, too. – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

1. How old were you when you got your first tattoo? I got my first tattoo a few weeks after my 18th birthday. I was terrified, so I started out small. I got a tiny, pink ‘M’ on the back of my right hip. The pain was nothing and I loved it!

2. How many tattoos do you have? I can’t count my tattoos now 🙂 I consider them “pieces”. For instance, I have my entire back done (my back pieces). They are several tattoos, separate ones, that have eventually just covered my back. I have my left arm pieces which consist of a my half sleeve, forearm, back of arm, and wrist. I have chest pieces on my sides as well as a left tricep piece. I added a new one on my right inner arm too! I have large thigh tattoos on both legs, calf tats, feet, and more! If I had to try to count, around 30-40!

3. What inspired you to get you first tattoo or favorite tattoo? My first tattoo was of course, our of rebellion. I will be the first to admit that. However, as I matured and understood the beauty and meaning, I began to appreciate it on am entirely different level. Every tattoo that I have Hilda great meaning to me, telling a story that is significant in my life. I can’t pick a favorite; some tell stories of love, sorrow, and loss while faith is scripted on my skin as well. I am proud of every single one.

4. Tattoos on a significant other, like or dislike? Explain why? I love tattoos. They are exotic, beautiful, and the makings of a person’s story. I also understand that not everyone likes them. My husband does not have any.

5. Do the character’s in your books have tattoos? If so pick a character and tell me their tattoo story? Yes!!!!! Lyla, the main heroine within The Scars and Sorrow Saga who is a lot like me, has three, all of which I have myself. Hers mean a lot. She has a lotus flower. They are gorgeous blooms that are a symbol of enlightment. They start their journey is dark, murky water; not an ideal or pretty environment. Yet, they rise to surface when they are ready to bloom, showing that beauty is possible through ugly. Lyla is proof of that. Her lotus flower is on her ribs while mine is on my foot. She also has the Virgin Mary along her spine, as faith is important to her. I have the same, though mine is on my chest. Lastly, she has ‘Only God Can Judge Me’ in Hebrew between her shoulders, a mantra she tries so hard to live by. I have that in regular English on my back, something I try to remember.

If you want to connect with Mary, check her and her books out online.

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