Author Interview ~ Margaret Daley

Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Holt Medallion, Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines. She has sold sixty-six books to date.

Margaret is currently the Volunteer Officer for ACFW. She was one of the founding members of the first ACFW local chapter, WIN in Oklahoma. She served as vice-president for two years in WIN-ACFW and is still on its board as an advisor. She has taught numerous classes for online groups, ACFW and RWA chapters. She enjoys mentoring other authors.

Until she retired last year, she was a teacher of students with special needs for twenty-seven years and volunteered with Special Olympics as a coach. She currently is on the Outreach committee at her church, working on several projects in her community.

You can visit her web site at http://www.margaretdaley.com and read excerpts from her books and learn about the ones recently released and soon to be released.

When did you decide to be a writer?

About thirty years ago I decided to try writing a story. I’d always been a storyteller but I had to learn the craft of writing—still learning it.

At what point did you stop juggling suggestions and critiques and trust yourself (as a writer)?

Actually quite a few of my early books were written with no feedback from anyone but my editor. I began writing even before RWA (Romance Writers of America) was formed. I didn’t have a group of writer friends. There was no Internet to connect with other writers. It was pretty lonely back then.

Are you a disciplined writer or do you just write when you feel like it?

I am a disciplined writer. I usually write almost every day—some days more than others.

What kind of activities to you like to do that help you relax and step away from your deadlines for a bit?

I enjoy reading, going to the movies, going out to eat with friends, seeing my granddaughters.

What is your favorite novel and what made it special?

Amazonia by James Rollins because it was pure adventure and suspense—my favorite kind of story.

How do you think reading the work of others helps you as a writer?

It’s nice to see how others put a story together. Besides, reading a good story is a form of entertainment for me.

Tell us a little about your latest release:

Love Lessons is an April Love Inspired.

Back cover blurb:

Homeschooling his daughter is new to devoted single father Ian Ferguson. To ensure his child gets a good education, the busy CPA hires a temporary tutor. Twenty-three-year-old college student Alexa Michaels is too young—and too pretty—to be right for the job. Yet his daughter is coming out of her shell and learning. Still, Ian is traditional, and sweet Alexa—who graduated from the school of hard knocks—is challenging some of his old-school ways. Can this dad learn some valuable lessons about love, family and faith from the least likely teacher?

Where did you get your inspiration for Love Lessons?

I wanted something that went along with the series it is part of: Helping Hands Homeschooling. Love Lessons is the first book in my series about homeschooling.

Which character is most like you?

Probably Ian Ferguson, the hero, because I am much more organized than the heroine, Alexa. Knowing what is going to happen is important to Ian. Alexa likes to go with the flow. That makes him crazy.

Who is your favorite character and why?

Alexa because I love her outlook on life. I’m trying to be more like that—not worrying about tomorrow.

Did you know how Love Lessons would turn out? Were you surprised by any of the plot twists or characters?

I’m always surprised by things that my characters do in the story. I’m more of a seat of the pants writer than one who has to write from a detailed outline. I love for my characters to take over and tell me what they should do next.

What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

How important it is to forgive others. When we don’t, we are caught up in the past and can’t move on like we should.

What kinds of things have you done to market this book? Have you found anything that works particularly well?

You should have a good web site. That is relatively inexpensive and a good way for readers to find out about you and your books.

Tell us what new projects you’re working on.

I’m working on my first book in The Guardians, Inc. series for Love Inspired Suspense. This book is called Christmas Bodyguard and will be out next December. The Guardians, Inc. is a group of female bodyguards.

Do you have any parting words of advice?

Don’t give up on a dream.

Margaret is sharing an excerpt from her book Love Lessons tomorrow and giving away a copy on Friday. Be sure to stop by The Borrowed Book for your chance to win!