Don’t forget to leave a comment with your email included or email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com if you want to be entered into the drawing for Deadly Exposure, Cara’s Love Inspired Suspense for May 2008. The drawing ends Sunday evening.
1. What made you start writing?
I’ve always loved reading and tried writing novels as a young teen. I’d always hit a point where the history or the plot would stymie me, and I’d stop. Then I started college, career, got married, went to law school, and started a family. Didn’t have much time for writing, but the dream wouldn’t die. A few years ago I went to a book-signing and after talking to an author for awhile, my husband leaned into the conversation and asked if I’d told Colleen I wanted to be a writer. That jump-started the process, and I’ve been writing every since.
2. How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?
I started writing again after meeting Colleen Coble in April 2005. I sold my first book at the ACFW conference in September 2006 – it was a quick process, and I’m so grateful for the way God has guided me and chided me when I need to spend more time with my fingers firmly attached to the keyboard.
3. How do you handle rejections?
Take a deep breath and start writing again. I’ve been fortunate because most of my rejections have fallen in the category of, “While we’d like to, now is the right time” or “are you willing to change this in your book?” So they feel more like a delay than an actual rejection. I have to choose whether to make the suggested changes, but I’ve found the changes only make the books stronger. I’m sure the day is coming when there will be a flat out no, though.
4. Why do you write?
Because I can’t imagine not writing. I’ve always journaled, written letters, etc. So even if there weren’t a contract, I’d still write. It just wouldn’t be in 50,000 or more word chunks.
5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?
I love to read, scrapbook, hang out with friends and my family.
6. What are you working on right now?
This summer I’m writing the Complete Idiots Guide to Business Law and the first book in an Ohio World War Two series. I also have some legal and romantic suspense ideas I’ll try to flesh out between these other two contracted projects.
7. Do you put yourself into your books/characters?
I do. In fact I posted a review I received on Deadly Exposure from a friend who has known me since I was in diapers. She picked up on so many elements of me that got wound into that book. It’s my first, so that didn’t surprise me, but each book has something of me in it. I love suspense. World War Two is my favorite time period. My heroines are often strong women facing challenges to their faith and lives. I can relate to all of that.
8. Tell us about the book you have out right now.
In May I have two books releasing. Sandhill Dreams is a historical romance set at Fort Robinson, Nebraska during World War Two. With her dreams shattered, will Lainie Gardner allow God and a soldier at Fort Robinson to breathe life into new dreams that will bring her more joy than she imagined? Deadly Exposure is my first romantic suspense with Love Inspired Suspense. With a stalker closing in, will television journalist Dani Richards trust her former love and police investigator Caleb Jamison to help her and God to rescue her?
9. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Find and join an organization like American Christian Fiction Writers. I have learned so much from this organization of authors. Also attend conferences, like ACFW’s, where you can learn the craft, and meet the editors, agents, and authors who might be able to help you get to the next level. But most of all, sit down and write. Then write some more. 500 words a day equals a book by the end of the year. You can’t edit and refine a blank screen.
10. How important is faith in your books?
Critical. I couldn’t write without faith. Some plots the faith element is more blatant than others, but the reality of God who is active in the lives of His followers runs through each of my books.
11. What themes do you like to write about?
Finding a place when life is crazy and unexpected. That seems to run through most of my books at this point.
12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?
Wow, this is a hard question. I love each of them for different reasons. Deadly Exposure was the first book I wrote and it is a thrill to see it in print. Canteen Dreams tells some of my grandparents’ love story as well as highlights an amazing homefront story of sacrifice. Each book has to capture me in some way or I wouldn’t have the patience to write it through to The End.
13. What is your writing schedule like?
I write most nights between the hours of 9 and midnight. If I’m under deadline, you will find me writing during those hours and more.
Thanks so much for having me, Margaret!