This is the first in my series of interviews with novelists. Every day this week, I’ll feature a different writer of fiction. Today, I’d like to introduce Margaret Brownley.
Hi everyone,
First, I want to thank Patricia for kindly inviting me to visit today.
My writing career began, and ended, early. I wrote my first book in fifth grade—a mystery without an ending. I was on a roll until I reached eighth grade. Unimpressed with my essay on why I wanted to be a writer, my English teacher flunked me and told me not to even think about becoming a writer.
Discouraged, I put my dream aside until years later when I volunteered to write the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, my former pastor said, “Maybe God’s calling you to write fiction.”
I don’t know if that’s what God had in mind, but I wasn’t about to take any chances. I immediately began work on a novel. Five years and four books later I received what is known in the business as the “call.”
I’ve since made the N.Y. Times bestseller list and am currently writing historical romance. Waiting for Morning will be released January 2013 and A Bride for All Seasons will be published June 2013, followed by Gunpowder Tea in October. Not bad for someone who flunked eighth grade English. Just don’t ask me to diagram a sentence.
Margaret’s Approach to the Writing Process
I wouldn’t know how to begin outlining a book. I’m not much of a planner which makes dinner a nightly surprise. To me the fun of writing is the suspense of not knowing what’s going to happen next. That’s what keeps me jumping out of bed each morning and rushing to the computer.
I start with a short blurb—a paragraph or two—which includes the basic idea. I then write out a simple sentence and let my characters reword it. Once I’ve determined character “voice” I then look for frame of reference. A poor person has a different way of looking at things than a rich person. A gambler’s daughter has a different world view than one brought up in a strict Christian home. Once I have the voice and world view down, I’m ready to go.
With Regard to Fleshing Out Characters
I’m a big Post-it note fan and they’re all over my desk and screen. When the Post-its are gone I know my book is finished. What doesn’t fit on a Post-it stays in my head.
The Flow of the Story
It seems to me that the more books I write the harder it gets. You’d think it would be easier, but it’s not. I’m always trying to “grow” my work by finding more effective ways to tell a story.
Margaret can be reached through her website: http://margaretbrownley.com
She’s also on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Bloggers note: I have read a couple of Margaret’s books. I highly recommend them. You’ll enjoy the unique circumstances, twists and turns and excellent writing.