Author Interview: Maggi Andersen
Hi folks! I'm happy to present to you, Maggi Andersen, a fellow Black Opal Books author. If you remember, she hosted me on Tuesday, so we're doing a semi blog swap 
.
Welcome to my blog, Maggi. Let's start off with a little intro. Tell us about yourself and your writing.
Thanks so much for hosting me on your lovely blog, Empi. I began writing quite late after raising three children and studying for two degrees. I write in different genres, young adult, historical romance, mysteries and romantic suspense. I find it recharges my creativity to change from one to the other. It took me a while to get published, but I see those years as the time I honed my craft and found my voice. It takes ten years to achieve an overnight success, they say.
Good one! What are the differences (or challenges, if that applies) between writing historical and contemporary stories?
Historical romance is more demanding. You have all the elements required of a contemporary novel, but have to research every step of the way. Both genres need the same vital ingredients: more emotions, bigger problems, impossible choices.
Writing a good story isn't easy though, whatever you're writing. Who was it who said it was harder than working on the roads! I wish it was as physical, though, it might improve the part of me that sits on the chair all day.
What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
Dialogue. When I understand my characters and their motivations, it just seems to flow.
What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
Mysteries are complex and require a lot of planning. I tend to be more of a panster (I write by the seat of my pants) and have to call on other skills to map it out, adding the essential ingredients a good mystery requires, foreshadowing, red herrings, characters a reader cares about, and you can't forget the developing romance. It's like weaving a carpet. The best method for me I've found is to write a chapter, edit it the next day, and work out where the next will go before I write it, shaping the story as I go. That way I don't paint myself into corners, although my character still have the ability to surprise me and go off on tangents.
If you were to pick one of your books to become a movie, which would it be? What celebrities would you like to star as your hero and heroine?
Murder in Devon, definitely. I think it would make a great movie. Full of action, shadowy figures and romance! But don't all authors think that about their books?
Hero and heroine: Michael Fassbender and Kate Beckinsale
Oooh, I love Michael Fassbender! Great inspiration. What's your strongest point as a writer?
I'm told it's my setting of the scene and description. My mother was an artist and I'm very visual. I see what I write quite clearly and like to paint pictures with words. Some readers like my heroes too. I'm very fond of Rod Carlisle myself!
What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
Reading is number one. I like movies and the theatre too. A good BBC series, like Downton Abbey. Dining out with friends. I swim and go the gym to keep fit. What I hate most? Housework! DH has taken up cooking dinner, in fear of starvation, I suspect. He's quite good at it too.
Where can we find you online?
Website
Blogspot
Goodreads
Twitter: @maggiandersen
Can you give us a sneak peek at your book, Murder in Devon, and tell us where we can get copies.
BLURB
She wants the truth, but it may cost her more than she thinks…
An ex-patriot-American living in England, magazine reporter Casey Rowan wakes to find one best friend murdered and another seriously injured. Casey is determined to find the killer, despite running afoul of the detective in charge of the case—a blue-eyed Scot named Rod Carlisle, who considers her a prime suspect. As Casey gets closer to the truth, losing her heart to the sexy cop isn't the only thing she risks. Now her life is danger, too.
He wants her, but he may have to choose between love and duty…
Rod has no patience with civilians who interfere in police matters, even hot little numbers like Casey. Though he tries to keep things professional, Casey's beauty and spunk are hard to resist. He warns her that what she's doing is dangerous, but he only succeeds in alienating her. She refuses to listen and goes off on her own with disastrous results. Now Rod's in a race to find the killer before the woman he loves becomes the next victim.
EXCERPT
"Are you with me, Ms. Rowan?" The words pulled Casey's attention back into the room. She took a sip of cold, sweet tea from the mug. Someone's hand reached for her cup, and she moved her gaze up to a pair of concerned blue eyes.
Michael Fassbender
She bit her lip hard, needing to feel something. She wanted to scream and cry, but a cold vacuum seeped through her insides, and a sharp pain at the back of her throat sealed the scream inside. She'd stayed by Tessa's side until they'd taken her away. Don was gone too, packed into an airless body bag, zipped up tight. "I have to go with Tessa," she begged him. "Will you take me to the hospital, Inspector…"
"Carlisle, Ms. Rowan. There's no point in going to the hospital right now. And you can't stay here. Is there somewhere we can take you?"
"I have to know if Tessa is going to be alright."
Kate Beckinsale
"Is there somewhere you'd like to go, Ms. Rowan?"
Casey shook her head. The tears flowed and eased the pain in her throat a little. She sniffed and wiped them away with the sleeve of her dressing gown. "Someone has to take care of Soc." She struggled to gain a hold on herself, not recognizing the strange, high-pitched voice.
"Who's Soc?" A policewoman came to stand beside the man.
"Socrates is Don's cat."
"I see." The policeman stood and spoke into the policewoman's ear. Casey didn't try to listen, her attention drawn to another policeman securing tape to the sitting room door. A fourth packed away his video camera. Be careful of their things, she wanted to say, pick up the cup I dropped.
The blue-eyed man left the room.
"Come on, love." The policewoman took Casey's arm.
"Now, don't you go worrying about the puss. We'll find someone to take care of him. First, we'll go up and get dressed.
Detective Chief Inspector Carlisle has found somewhere for you to stay."
Casey opened her mouth to protest. "Right near the hospital."
She shivered and wondered if she'd ever feel warm again.
***
BUY LINKS
Wow! What an intriguing excerpt. I love detective stories, so this book sounds like it will be fun to read. Thanks, so much for spending time with me today, Maggi. I hope you all enjoyed the interview. And to you, readers and friends, please say hi to Maggi and leave a comment for a chance to win a free e-copy of Murder in Devon.
And in case you missed it, don't forget to check out my interview on Maggi's blog.
Cheers,
