world of writing, interview

 -- World Of Writing --

* Today's guest is author Maggie Tideswell , who lives with her husband, Gareth, and their cat, Felix, in Johannesburg, South Africa. They have 3 grown-up children and have been blessed with 2 grandchildren. The paranormal has always interested her and she finds ghost and questions like why some people linger after death and others not fascinates her. Alternative religions has been of particular interest to Maggie. For these reasons, South Africa and particularly the southern Cape region, paranormal and the craft all have a place in her writing. Tideswell has 2 published books, Dark Moon in 2011 and Moragh, Holly's Ghost in 2013. There are many more to follow. Find out more about Maggie via: http://maggietiedeswell.blogspot.com/
  - & - https://www.amazon.com/author/maggietideswell   

 

Q: How have your books gotten published?

I was looking for an agent when I heard that it was easier to find a publisher. I took a few days to work through the Predators & Editors publishers listing and submitted to any who accepted email submissions, accepted unagented submissions and were reading the paranormal romance genre. There were 35 in total. All Things That Matter Press, a small press in Maine, USA was the first to respond. They published both my first and second books.

Q: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I never have less than 3 books going at the same time. I believe one reaches a point in the story telling process when one must take a step back from the story, work on something else for a while, to give the story time to mellow. When one comes back to it, one looks at it with fresh eyes and new perspective.

 
Q: How many books/stories have you written?

In the 20 odd years since I started writing, I completed 7 novels, all in the paranormal romance genre, and have plot lines for 5 more. My 2^nd published book, Moragh - Holly’s Ghost, has now turned into a series, titled Moragh Haunting. I am working on book 2 and 3 at the same time. Mt 3^rd book, Roxanne’s Ghost, which will be published soon, will also become a series. I worry that I won’t have enough time to write everything I still want to.

Q: Do you have any suggestions to help others become a better writer?

Perseverance is a very attractive trait in a writer, so cultivate it. Never give up. Remember that writing is a craft, and has to be learnt like any other craft. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

Q: When starting a book project do you choose the title first, or does that come later?

Oh no, the story names the book. I give a new project a working title, but only when the book nears completion do I know what the title should be.

 

  Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at: http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!