Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was one of the few people born in the capital of the United States – yep right in DC itself. Maybe that’s why I think everything from zoos to museums should be free!
Now I live in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia surrounded by clear lakes, hills (we call them mountains) and forests.
My husband Parker and I OD’d on the Mother Earth News. That explains the chickens on the front porch, the canning supplies strewn around my kitchen and the vegetables piled in bushel baskets on the back porch. It has nothing to do with my allergy to housekeeping. When inspiration hits you have to ignore the dust and go write!
I’m working on my third book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
All the books are titled In His Footsteps which is also my website – http://inhisfootsteps.com – with a different focus for each book. The first is In His Footsteps: How I Gave My ToDo List To God and Got More Done, More Sleep and Less Stress. It’s for women like me who have more to do than day to do it in.
The one I think of as second is on marriage – God as marriage counselor. It’s still in process, just like our marriage. My editor and I are letting it rest – another word for ignoring it in hopes it will write itself.
The one that just came out is In His Footstep: The Mission Years – How We Sold All We Had And Followed As God Created Miracles and New Hearts. It’s about senior missionary service. You know those wonderful people who go around helping and inspiring and serving in their retirement years? So do we, and we weren’t them. Fortunately, God took over and we were stunned as we watched one miracle after another take place in spite of ourselves. He is amazing!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
um no. Unless you count getting up at 4:30 AM and writing until 6:30, then going back to bed for a short nap until the alarm goes off at 7:15 an unusual habit.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Judy Blume with Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird and Orson Scott Card’s Speaker For The Dead. They all write compelling stories infused with compassion. That’s what I aim for. I have a note on my file of edits that says, “Write it with Love.”
What are you working on now?
I’m back at work on the second book of what I thought of as a series of three – although they can be read out of order.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still figuring that out. I speak to groups – church and service groups – and that sells books. And I’ve done two Kindle promotions that catapulted me to best seller status in a couple of categories. But then it dropped off after a couple of months. I don’t know how people find the time to both write new books and promote their finished books but I’m trying to figure it out.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Join a critique group. If one or two people suggest an improvement, take it or leave it. If three people do, you better listen. A good critique group will pull your best writing out of you and make your book a joy – after all the pain of rewriting, of course.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not to decide is to decide. When I’m putting off making a decision I remind myself that something is going to happen if I do nothing and so by not deciding I’ve basically decided to let that happen. Usually that gets me going.
What are you reading now?
Three books. I just finished a light Christian romance for my relaxing time. For business I’m reading Perry Marshall’s 80/20
What’s next for you as a writer?
It’s either finish that second book or end up with a very clean house – which is what I do to avoid tackling that editing process. I’m hoping for (no wait, DECIDING on) option 1.
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Bible. I started reading it in second grade especially when I was upset or sad. It always made me feel better. Still does.
Author Websites and Profiles
Margaret Agard Website
Margaret Agard Amazon Profile
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