Margaret: Born in Croydon, England in 1962, Margaret West was raised with her four older siblings by their mother, a social worker and father, a painter/decorator. Being energetic and animated meant her life in school was extremely interesting and she has fond memories of family holidays to the English coast with her three brothers and sister. Although her father is no longer alive, Margaret still feels he watches over her. Still supported by her mother and the rest of her family, Margaret’s drive to succeed has been a force of strength throughout her life.
Cate: Please tell us about Two Faces One Life and where it's available.
Margaret: Two Faces One Life is a coffee time break short story. It is about two people with quite different disabilities who come together, quite by chance, and forge a bond. It will melt even the hardest heart. You can buy it in print or e-book from www.eternalpress.ca
My new release, The Heart of a Warrior, is very dear to my heart. It took me two years to write and a month to edit out 200 pages lol It is due out on July 7, 2009, and can be bought from www.eternalpress.ca.
Cate: Editing the book of your heart can be heart-wrenching!
At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Margaret: I started writing when I worked for the makers of the James Bond movies. Dick Maibum, a script writer for them, told me the hardest part of writing a script is the first page. That also applied to writing a novel. I did the first page in my lunch break and wrote the whole novel within two months. It had over a thousand pages and has been edited to death over 20 years. Lol I am thinking of getting it published, after all, there is only so much editing you can do to one book!!!!
My first publication was The Crystal Pendulum. A paranormal romance. I enjoyed writing it as it encompassed my spiritual work as well. I sent it off just the once to a publisher and forgot all about it. Then one evening I was dishing up dinner and mashing the potatoes, when my daughter gave me the phone and said a lady with a funny accent wanted me. With the phone propped on my shoulder I continued to mash until I heard editor of… from America…and publish my novel….in my shock the phone fell into the hot potato and I had to take the rest of the call with hot potato burning my ear. My first publication was born.
Cate: Are there any other writers, published or not, in your family?
Margaret: The only novel writer is my sister-in-law. She writes Paranormal erotica and can be found at www.christinaphillips.com.
Cate: Describe your writing in three words.
Margaret: Funny, dark, inspirational.
Cate: Do you have a writing routine?
Margaret: No, I wish I did. If I have a free moment I write. It is as simple as that.
Cate: How many hours a day do you write?
Margaret: On my day off from work I write for about 8 hours, the rest of the time it is an hour here and there.
Cate: How do you pick the character’s names?
Margaret: They just come into my head. I read a lot of various genres. I watch a lot of movies, my mind is a full of useless information lol But it helps me out occasionally.
Cate: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Easiest?
Margaret: Challenging… I would say devising the plot of the story. I have to think it all through before I write so I have a basic idea of what will happen. I can’t just start a story with no basic foundation. The easiest…making the characters grow and come to life. I never have a problem with making them three dimensional.
Cate: What’s the most rewarding aspect?
Margaret: Seeing my book on the shelves in a shop. I can’t help smiling whenever I see them. I think yep, you done good girlie!! lol
Cate: Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?
Margaret: Yes, sometimes. If I am really deeply into the story, my characters come to life in my dreams and I visualize various scenarios for scenes in the book. I used to think everyone did that, but now I know they don’t!!
Cate: What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?
Margaret: It was more than a comment really. Here is a short paragraph from a reviewer of one of my novels. I thought it was lovely and always stuck in my mind.“It is this kind of book that opens new doorways of understanding and empowers others to step out of their hiding and put away the fear of being ridiculed because these authors have paved that path for all to follow. Each author needs to be thanked for being such brave souls and sharing their spiritual truths. This is a book everyone needs to read. It is a book destined to be known, recommended and loved by all who read it now and for many years to come.”
Cate: That’s a lovely tribute.
Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Margaret: I love Mimi Rogers books. They are so funny and full of charm and intrigue. I love all historical, although Catherine Cookson is my favorite, followed by Joanna Trollope.
Cate: What's next for you?
Margaret: I have three novels in the works and a dark paranormal I would love to finish one day. I produce/record my own Meditation CD’s so I am working on that at the moment. Then it will be back to writing.
Cate: You’re a busy woman!
Where can readers find you on the web?
Margaret: My web site is www.margaret-west.com. Come and visit; it is full of diverse things. Leave a comment, respond to the blog on there. I love hearing from people.
Cate: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Margaret: I write a lot of spiritual romances, where the spirit world is forever present, sometimes interfering and sometimes offering guidance. I’d like to know other peoples view on this sort of writing. What attracts them to it? What would they like to ask someone in the spirit world if they got the chance?
Intriguing! Can’t wait to read the responses. Thanks again for being my guest today, Margaret! Best of luck with your releases.
The Heart of a Warrior: When Belinda arrives fresh from England, at her father’s store on the edge of a Navajo reservation, she is faced with not only the news her father is ill in hospital, but the store is being run by Jez Lansdowne, a man she hates and distrusts. Until she can find out why Jez is suddenly her father’s new partner, Belinda is forced to live in Chief Yuma’s storage hut, next to the store.Yuma is annoyed the fiery English woman is living on his land, as the Res is soon closing to outsiders. They clash, but a deeper emotion grows into a love that makes Yuma question his culture and traditions.
