Marilyn Monroe from Mercedes King's 'A Dream Called Marilyn'

We’re thrilled to be talking to Marilyn Monroe from Mercedes King’s, A Dream Called Marilyn. It is a pleasure to have her with us today at Pimp That Character!

Thank you for your interview, Marilyn.  How old are you and what do you do for a living?

I’m 36 and I’m an actress. Maybe you’ve seen some of my movies, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like it Hot, The Misfits? I’ve been in movies for a while now, and there are times when it’s a struggle. Most people tell me I’m wonderful, but I’d like to try more challenging roles.

What would I hate the most about you?

I have heard people say such things about me. They complain that I’m late or hassled, that I don’t know my lines when I’m on the set. That’s not always true. I’m not perfect, of course, but I work with Paula (my acting coach) so I can be a better actress. People also say I drink too much and take too many pills. To be honest, I’m not taking any pills at the moment. I just think that if you don’t fit into a certain box for people that they can get angry with you.

What is in your refrigerator right now?

Grapefruit juice and Dom Perignon. My housekeeper Eunice does all the grocery shopping, and there’s no telling what else is in there, but I like grapefruit juice for breakfast sometimes. And who doesn’t like a little champagne now and then?

What is your most treasured possession?

Well, right now it’s my red diary. I keep it close by. I like to write down poems and quotes that are encouraging, among a few other things. Oh, I’d tell you if I could, but I’ve been told not to.

What is your greatest fear?

Lately, I’ve been worried that someone’s in my house, watching me. You see, I have a secret, and there are people who don’t want me to share that secret. I have to be very careful. But I trust Charlie, my new doctor, and I know he’d help me, if there was ever any real trouble.

Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?

Why, yes! I think she showed that I wasn’t as crazy as everyone thought. I’ve had my moments, and I’m not your typical actress, I suppose, but in the end, it really wasn’t my fault.

Who is your best friend?

Lately, Charlie has been a good friend. He’s my new psychiatrist! I’ve needed someone to talk to. You see, I’ve been seeing someone. He’s someone special and very important. He made me promises and said we’d be together, but now, he isn’t returning my calls. I’ve been upset about this, and Charlie—he’s a doctor—has been very reassuring and kind. I don’t know what might happen, though.

Do you have children?

No. I’ve been married three times and never had a baby. Oh, there were times when I was pregnant, but complications arose. I think I’d be a wonderful mother, really. I know what it’s like to come from a difficult home, and I could give so much to a child.

Someone is secretly in love with you.  Who is it and how do you feel about that?

I’ve had lots of someones in love with me. Most of them aren’t so secret. In the past, I had a habit of falling for my gentlemen co-stars. Oh, not always, of course, but there were times when that on-screen passion played out in real life. I’ve usually felt happy about this. But there comes a time when a girl wants more, when she wants forever and not just an affair.

If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?

I think I would be more careful with the pills I’ve been taking, and some of the company I keep, well, they can get testy with me. But you see, I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. I really didn’t.

About the Author

A founding member of Sisters in Crime Columbus, Ohio (affectionately dubbed SiCCO), Mercedes King can be found elbow-deep in research, reading, or enjoying the local bike path. Combining her love of pop culture with history, she created A Dream Called Marilyn, a fictional take on the last weeks of Marilyn’s life. With an unquenchable thirst for a bygone era, she’s also written O! Jackie, a fictional take on Jackie Kennedy's private life--and how she dealt with JFK's affairs. Short story fans would enjoy The Kennedy Chronicles, a series featuring Jackie and Jack before the White House and before they were married. Visit Mercedes’ website at www.mercedesking.com to find out more.

For More Information

• Visit Mercedes King’s website.
• Connect with Mercedes on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Mercedes at Goodreads.
• Visit Mercede’s blog.
• More books by Mercedes.
• Contact Mercedes.

About the Book:

Title: A Dream Called Marilyn
Author: Mercedes King
Publisher: Triumph Productions
Pages: 177
Genre: Historical / Modern Historical / Psychological Thriller
Format: Kindle

In the summer of 1962, nothing could prepare Dr. Charles Campbell for his first meeting with new client, Marilyn Monroe. A reputable L.A. psychiatrist, he’s been hired by a studio executive to treat and subdue the star, no matter what it takes. Although he’s been warned about Ms. Monroe’s unpredictability, she’s not what he expected. Gaining Marilyn’s trust means crossing doctor-patient boundaries, and trying to separate fact from Hollywood-fed-rumors proves destructive to both Charles’ career and his personal life. As Marilyn shares her secrets and threatens to go public with information that could destroy President Kennedy’s administration, Charles’ world turns upside-down. He sinks deeper into her troubles than he should, but Charles becomes determined to help her, even though it means endangering Marilyn’s life and risking his own. 

For More Information

• A Dream Called Marilyn is available at Amazon.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.