Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a British author who lives in Bristol. I write psychological suspense novels.
The draft of my first novel, entitled His Kidnapper’s Shoes, was written whilst travelling in Bolivia. I was inspired by an impending milestone birthday along with a healthy dose of annoyance at having procrastinated for so long in writing a novel. His Kidnapper’s Shoes was published in both paperback and e-book format in 2013, followed by my second novel, entitled Sister, Psychopath. My third novel, Guilty Innocence, like my first two, features my home city of Bristol. I’ve recently published my fourth novel, The Second Captive. I’ve also written Write Your Novel! From Getting Started to First Draft, to inspire would-be novelists to write their first book.
Before turning my hand to writing, I worked mainly as an accountant, with a diversion into practising as a nutritional therapist. Diet and health remain high on my list of interests, along with travel. Accountancy does not, but then it never did. The urge to pack a bag and go off travelling is always lurking in the background! When not writing, going to the gym, practising yoga or travelling, I can be found seeking new four-legged friends to pet; animals are a lifelong love!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Write Your Novel! From Getting Started to First Draft, and is aimed at would-be novelists who lack the confidence, time or knowledge to tackle their first novel. Not so long ago, I hadn’t written any of mine, thanks to my procrastination issues. Now I’ve published four novels, I’d love to help others do so. Being a novelist is wonderful and if I can inspire anyone to give it a go, that would be great!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, I don’t think so. My writing habits have evolved and continue to do so, but I don’t think I do anything unusual along the way. Perhaps a fly on the wall might say differently!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, as he has been for so many writers, is a huge source of inspiration for me. The man is a master of his craft and I’m especially in awe of his longer fiction such as ‘11.22.63’ or ‘Under The Dome’. How he maintains such quality throughout 800 – 1,000 pages amazes me.
Apart from that, everything I read influences me in some way. If a novel’s good, it’s an inspiration. If it’s bad, I learn what to avoid. School is always in session for we writers!
What are you working on now?
I’m working on another psychological suspense book called ‘Blackwater Lake’. Unlike my other fiction titles, this one will be a novella of around 35,000 words. I’ll be making ‘Blackwater Lake’ free across all sales platforms and from my website. You’ll be able to download it without charge, whether via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple or any of the other outlets I use. Here’s a synopsis of the plot:
Matthew Stanyer fears the worst when he reports his parents missing. Beset with worries about his wife, Evie, whose dementia is rapidly worsening, Joseph Stanyer has been struggling to cope. When the bodies of Matthew’s parents are found close to Blackwater Lake, a local beauty spot, the inquest rules the deaths as a murder-suicide. A conclusion that’s supported by the note Joseph leaves for his son.
Grief-stricken, Matthew begins to clear his parents’ house of two decades of compulsive hoarding. And discovers the dark enigmas hidden within. Ones that lead Matthew to ask: why did his father choose Blackwater Lake to end his life? What other secrets do its waters conceal?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t think there’s any one thing that’s the best way. It’s a matter of patience and persistence, trying new things and being prepared to change your game plan if need be. I’m focusing on growing my email list at present.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get organised before you begin. When I started, I ploughed straight into writing ‘His Kidnapper’s Shoes’ without giving consideration to anything else. After all, I wanted to be a novelist so I should write a novel, correct? Wrong. I should have prepared the ground first before sowing the seed. Isn’t hindsight wonderful?!
I’d say to new authors: set up a website first and get your online presence established. You can build interest in the book as you write by posting sample chapters, draft covers, etc. Learn about book marketing as the novel takes shape so you’re not caught unawares once it’s finished.
Don’t kid yourself that correct spelling, punctuation and grammar don’t matter. They do. Read books about writing and put the advice into practice. That’s good advice for all authors, not just the newbies. Never stop learning. Finally, read voraciously in the genre in which you’ll be writing. You’ll learn so much that way.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I read once that when you’re revising your work, don’t ignore the little voice inside telling you something isn’t quite right. You can kid yourself that the sentence/paragraph/whatever is OK as it is, especially if you can’t think how to fix the issue, but that’s a mistake. Don’t ignore your gut instincts. If you notice something doesn’t work, so will your readers. And they’re not people you want to upset!
What are you reading now?
I’m re-reading ‘The Compound Effect’ by Darren Hardy, an excellent non-fiction book. It’s full of wisdom about how to live a more fulfilled life. Once I’ve finished, I’ll get back to fiction with a Stephen King novel I’ve not yet read – ‘Revival’. Can’t wait!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m considering how best to expand my writing career. I’d like to get my novels translated into Spanish and German at some stage and also turned into audio books. I’m also considering offering a coaching service for newbie novelists. As I’ve already said, if I can help anyone along the writing path, I’d be very happy.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A long-term favourite is George Orwell’s ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’. Bleak it may be, but it’s such a powerful novel and I’ve already read it several times, getting something new from it each time. Next would be a personal development book – probably Jeff Olson’s ‘The Slight Edge’ or Darren Hardy’s ‘The Compound Effect’. Both are packed with great advice about living life to the full, something that would come in handy on a desert island! Lastly, I’d cheat and take an omnibus volume from a classic author such as Jane Austen or Thomas Hardy.
Author Websites and Profiles
Maggie James Website
Maggie James Amazon Profile
Maggie James Author Profile on Smashwords
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