Ten questions with author Margaret Blake

May 26, 12:30 PMDallas Literature ExaminerErin Russell

Previous Next

5 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Dallas Literature Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Margaret Blake, UK author, writes romance and romantic suspense.

Margaret Blake is a novelist who has moved from historical fiction to romance, and is now writing romantic suspense. The Substitute Bride, which she wrote last year, mixes all three of these genres, and was the best-selling novel at Whiskey Creek Press in March. She is very prolific in her work, and has written under a pen name as well, which was her grandmother's name- Ellen Noone.

She lives in northwest England with her husband, John, and has a son, who is married to a woman Margaret calls the best daughter-in-law in the world. She also has three grandchildren. 

Her latest novel, Shadows of the Past, tells the story of a woman who, while recovering from amnesia, finds herself hunted by a killer. The book is available at amazon, Hale Books, and The Book Depository.

1.      What is the main thing you are trying to accomplish in your work?

To entertain. I write romance, however with Shadows of the Past I have taken a darker theme, that is a first for me. In many ways I am writing the kind of books that I like to read.

2.      How did you learn about writing?

I didn’t “learn” about writing. Writing was something that I did. I could not help myself. From the age of seven I wrote stories and imaginary interviews with my heroes. However, what I did do latterly, was to learn about “genre” Let’s face it, it is no use sending a very serious novel to a publisher that only publishes romance, and vice-versa. It is very important to research your prospective publisher. The easiest way to do that by the way is to peruse the shelves in your local library. In England we have a publication called The Writer’s and Artist’s Year Book” that should be every prospective writer’s bible.

3.      Where has your work appeared?

My books are published by Robert Hale Limited and also I write contemporary and historical romance for Whiskey Creek Press and Wings e-Press.  Some of my earlier works for Robert Hale have been published in Italy and Germany.

4.      If you could only have one book to read for the rest of your life, which book would you choose?

That’s a hard question, I love so many books but if you insist on one, then it would have to be Wuthering Heights. It has everything. It is the perfect book, with so much passion and hatred. The characters are unforgettable. I remember reading it as a teenager. I read it in one session, I could not even eat. 

5.      What was the last bit of writing that you worked on?

My last writing was a book I am currently working on. My writing is going slow at the moment as there are things going on in my life. I like to be disciplined with my writing. I set out every afternoon for my work, but sometimes everything goes astray and you could say I am not a happy bunny at the moment.

6.      Which part of the writing process is most difficult for you, and why?

Editing. I find this very difficult. I find it difficult to forget that I am not just reading the story but that I am looking for errors. I am not bad at my own edits, it is when the book comes back edited from the publisher. I am not good at technique.

7.      Do you work in one genre specifically, or more than one? What is it about the sort of writing you do that attracts you?

I have swapped genres and then gone back to the first. I wrote historical romance first of all, then switched to contemporary romance. Now I am writing romantic suspense. I did write an historical romance for Whiskey Creek Press, which was a lot of fun. I love the medieval period and it was such a joy to write. Surprisingly it turned out to be the No. l best seller at Whiskey Creek Press.

8.      Which story do you wish you had thought of first?

I would love to have written Jane Eyre, the ultimate romance. To have been the first to have written that book – it has everything: romance, mystery, suspense and passion.

9.      What other activities do you enjoy?

I love to go walking in the hills. I am fortunate to live about forty miles away from the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. I go out with a group of walkers and we have lovely days. It sends the cobwebs flying out of my mind and I always feel refreshed when I get back. I like to read, and love films.

10.  Which other author has influenced you the most?

There are too many to name, and each one has influenced me in a different way. The Brontes of course, but many more modern writers too, especially romance writers like Kathleen Woodiwiss, who was wonderful.