Can you share a little about your recent book?
Obsessed (second book in Everyday Heroes Series) blurb:
Stalker. Arson. Murder.
When a stalker ruthlessly targets people she loves, a woman flees her old life, creating a new identity as Serena Remington. Her plan to escape the madman and lead him away from family and friends worked for three years. Now he’s back. With nowhere else to run, her only choice is war. Quinn Taylor, her neighbor and a firefighter with expertise in arson, comes to her aid, but will it be in time to save her?
Buy links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo and Google Play
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
I’ve always been a storyteller from a young age. I never thought I would write down those stories I made up when playing with my dolls. I went on to become a special education teacher (27 years). I loved reading and one day decided to see if I could write down a story. That is what started me writing stories for publication.
How long have you been writing?
Since 1977. I would never let anyone see that first story but after that I had the writing bug.
And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?
I wrote for about three years before Silhouette bought my first book in 1980. I’ve written for many publishers over the years: Silhouette (later bought by Harlequin), Dell, Simon and Schuster, Harlequin Love Inspired, and Abington.
How long does it take you to write a book?
Usually between 8-12 weeks.
What’s your writing work schedule like?
Right now I’m recovering from total knee replacement. Usually my writing schedule is to write throughout the day (often 6 to 7 days a week). I do take breaks and do other things like researching and brainstorming.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
When writing mysteries/suspense stories, I often don’t know who is the “bad guy” because I set up several along the way. I don’t want to know. Usually it comes to me about 2/3 of the way through the story—sometimes even later.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
Reading the letters and emails from my readers.
What has been your darkest moment(s)?
I wrote and published over twenty books in the eighties then went through a long period of not being able to sell another book. In the middle of the nineties, I sold seven more books after a dry spell for eight years and almost giving up writing. But I didn’t. Then Harlequin’s Love Inspired bought one of my stories in 2000, and I’ve been writing stories ever since. I’ve now written over 105 books.
Which of your books is your favorite?
Saving Hope, the first book in my Men of the Texas Rangers. It is a romantic suspense about child trafficking.
Who is your favorite author to read?
James Rollins (adventure and suspense)
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened to?
Know the rules for writing, but also don’t be afraid to break them if it makes your story better.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
I’ve experienced many rejections. That is part of this career. The rejections made me stronger and more determined.
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?
Usually it’s my current hero and/or heroine which is Sadie Williams and Brock Carrington in the story I’m writing right now titled Trapped.
Where do you get your ideas?
They just come to me. Something (like a news story) might spark an idea. I often say that God is my muse.
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
Things to look for when writing: developing your main characters and know them well, pacing is important, if you don’t have several reasons for a scene, leave it out or combine with another scene, research when needed but don’t put everything you learned into the story—only what is needed.
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?
Now a writer can be self-published, but there is a lot to learn about self-publishing. Whether you self-publish or try to get a publisher to buy your story, you need to research the market. There are organizations like Romance Writers of America that can help you with it.
Bio:
Margaret Daley, a USA Today’s Bestselling author of over 105 books (five million plus sold worldwide), has been married for over forty-eight years and is a firm believer in romance and love. She is currently writing for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and self-publishing. When she isn’t traveling or being with her two granddaughters, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense/mystery thread and corralling her cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.
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