1. What made you start writing?
I’ve always loved to write, and though I dabbled in it through high school, college, and much of my adult life, I never hoped to get published. It was more of a hobby, something I loved to do and couldn’t not do. I truly believe that writing is something God placed within me from the beginning.
2. How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?
I’ve been writing for publication since 2005 when my agent called me from the ACFW conference with the news of a 3-book contract with Barbour for my new pirate series! I only had one book written at the time and no idea what the other books would be about—had not even submitted a proposal for a series. Frankly, I didn’t expect to get a contract, but I guess God had other plans.
3. How do you handle rejections?
No one really handles rejections well. It cuts to the core of our self-worth. It hurts and causes us to doubt ourselves and God. But it is so important to seek the Lord when these things happen. He has a plan for every rejection, and for every acceptance. He knows what is ultimately best for us and where He wants us to be. It’s all about trust and patience, two things that are not easy to cultivate, but are essential for our walk with Him.
4. Why do you write?
For a number of reasons. I write because I love to write. I write to entertain my readers, to thrust them into an adventurous world where real people face real struggles. I write to show them how much God loves them and that He’s always there for them, that He has a plan for them, that He’s just as powerful today as He was in Biblical times. In essence, I write to glorify God.
5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?
I love to cook, garden, and oil paint, and hang out with my husband and kids.
6. What are you working on right now?
A wonderful romantic adventure set in 1803 London during the start of the Napoleonic wars. My heroine is sent to London to spy for France or her brother will be killed. She becomes the governess for a British Admiral’s son but much to her dismay, ends up falling in love with the stern admiral. The Falcon and the Sparrow releases in fall, 2008
7. Do you put yourself into your books/characters?
Absolutely. There is probably a part of me in each character I create. How could there not be? Even the villains! My mother told me after she read my first book that she would have known it was written by me even if my name had not been on it. Interesting, huh?
8. Tell us about the book you have out right now.
The Restitution is the third book in my pirate trilogy, but you don’t need to have read the other two to enjoy the story. It is the tale of a noble lady ravished by a pirate who chose to keep the resulting child and consequently was banished from high society and her parents. Now, raising the baby on an island under the care of a reverend, she wakes in the middle of the night to find her baby has been kidnapped. When the boy’s father shows up to offer his help, she finds she has no other recourse than to accept it, but as the couple set sail in pursuit of their son, she notices the once fierce pirate has changed. Can she ever forgive the man who ruined her life? And will they be able to rescue her baby before it is too late?
9. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Writing is a tough business and you must be very serious and dedicated to deal with the ups and downs. Make sure this is God’s will for you, and then throw your heart and soul into studying your craft. Join a critique group and network with other writers who can help you. Study books that are best sellers or award winners to discover their secret. Be disciplined in your writing, and don’t let the market dictate what you write. Get your direction from the Lord and never give up until He says so.
10. How important is faith in your books?
Faith is everything in my books. If you have read anything I’ve written, you have seen a very strong spiritual message woven into the plot and into all my character’s journeys. To show God’s love and power is the whole point of my stories.
11. What themes do you like to write about?
In The Redemption, I wrote about the unconditional Love of God as Father. In The Reliance, the theme was relying on God, trusting Him when everything falls apart around you. In The Restitution, the theme centered around not only forgiveness, but giving up everything that we hold important to us and putting the Lord first.
12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?
The Reliance, book 2 in my pirate trilogy, is my favorite because through my main two characters, I show the two separate paths one can take when tragedy strikes: Trusting God no matter what we see going on around us, and turning away from Him in anger. I show the consequences of each choice and yet how God’s grace and love surrounds both characters.
13. What is your writing schedule like?
When I’m under contract, I try and write 2000 words a day. I do that in between being a housewife and mother, ie. Chores, errands, cooking, phone calls, appts… etc.. But the Lord always provides the time.
Thank you so much Margaret for having me on your Blog today!
God Bless
