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East Moline, IL -
This week Harry Potter mania begins as the sixth book from J.K. Rowling hits the big screen, but there's another author making some magic right here in an unlikely place.
Writing a book is no easy feat...but what about writing it while you live in motel?
"We got here December 15th, it was very cold. I'm not used to the cold," says Marcia E. Riley, children's book author.
Marcia Riley is a Louisiana native and writes books for young teens. Her first children's book hit stores in June, called Sidney and the Five Pieces of Silver.
"It's about a girl who sees the future and her friends and she encounters a ghost and he leaves them riddles and they find different places and have to figure them out to find the treasure," explains Riley.
She's continuing her series, all while living at the Super 8 Motel in East Moline.
"A little different, but you get into your work and you don't think about where you are or what you're doing...you just work," says Riley.
Her husband, Dave, is a contractor for John Deere and they never know when they'll have to move on. So they've been living out of a suitcase, trying to make life as normal as possible with their two dogs. The hotel owner even offered Marcia a job.
"I thought how lonely it must be in a room, so I said, 'Would you like to work here a couple hours a day?' She said, 'Yes I would,'" says Jolan Bellovics, Super 8 Motel owner.
So Marcia works behind the counter and in her off-time, behind her computer each day. The characters in her books are based off family and her dogs, but people in the hotel have given her inspiration too. Her boss, Jolan is the inspiration for a Hungarian fortune teller in Marcia Riley's third book.
"The people who work here, they're always very interesting," laughs Riley.
"I don't know how I feel about that fortune teller. I have to wait until it actually comes out, but she better make me a good one," laughs Bellovics.
Whatever the outcome they're proud of their special guest at the Super 8.
Marcia Riley's books can be ordered online or requested at book stores.
Writing a book is no easy feat...but what about writing it while you live in motel?
"We got here December 15th, it was very cold. I'm not used to the cold," says Marcia E. Riley, children's book author.
Marcia Riley is a Louisiana native and writes books for young teens. Her first children's book hit stores in June, called Sidney and the Five Pieces of Silver.
"It's about a girl who sees the future and her friends and she encounters a ghost and he leaves them riddles and they find different places and have to figure them out to find the treasure," explains Riley.
She's continuing her series, all while living at the Super 8 Motel in East Moline.
"A little different, but you get into your work and you don't think about where you are or what you're doing...you just work," says Riley.
Her husband, Dave, is a contractor for John Deere and they never know when they'll have to move on. So they've been living out of a suitcase, trying to make life as normal as possible with their two dogs. The hotel owner even offered Marcia a job.
"I thought how lonely it must be in a room, so I said, 'Would you like to work here a couple hours a day?' She said, 'Yes I would,'" says Jolan Bellovics, Super 8 Motel owner.
So Marcia works behind the counter and in her off-time, behind her computer each day. The characters in her books are based off family and her dogs, but people in the hotel have given her inspiration too. Her boss, Jolan is the inspiration for a Hungarian fortune teller in Marcia Riley's third book.
"The people who work here, they're always very interesting," laughs Riley.
"I don't know how I feel about that fortune teller. I have to wait until it actually comes out, but she better make me a good one," laughs Bellovics.
Whatever the outcome they're proud of their special guest at the Super 8.
Marcia Riley's books can be ordered online or requested at book stores.
