Interview with Maggie Brendan

Maggie Brendan is a member of American Christian Writers (ACW) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She was a recipient of the 2004 ACW Persistence Award. An active student of Colorado’s history, topography, and botany, Maggie has spent years studying both the landscape and the rich folklore of the early territory of Colorado.

Her first novel, No Place For a Lady (first in the Heart of the West series) will be released in January 2009. The Jewel of His Heart will be released in Fall of 2009. Maggie is also quoted in Word Weavers, The Successful Writer’s Critique Groups, released in June. She currently leads a writer’s critique group that is in its fifth year. A screenplay of her first novel has been optioned to Hallmark.

Maggie has experience in media and print production and has a particular interest and affinity with radio. She also writes reviews for some of her favorite authors, which can be found on her blog, http://southernbellewriter.blogspot.com.
Maggie is married with two grown children and four grandchildren. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, singing, painting, scrapbooking and being with her family. She lives in Marietta, GA.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your writing, and your publishing journey.

I started writing in 3rd grade and wrote a small book called The Silver Crown and I still have it today. In 5th grade I wrote my second book, a mystery. I continued to write short stories and poetry throughout the years but never considered publication. The about five years ago, my brother, now deceased, and also a writer, said he liked the story that I was writing. He told me that I was a good writer, and that I should finish it and try to get published. The very thought scared me to death.

Soon afterward, I took a course at church called "Write His Answer," and I felt that writing was what I was supposed to be doing after the course. So I attended the ACW conference in Atlanta and the Denver ACFW the same year and it bolstered my creative drive tremendously. The next year I attended the ACFW Nashville conference and started sending my work out. I was able to sign with Tamela Hancock Murray and it wasn't long until we had a three-book contract with Revell for my series, Heart of the West. No Place For A Lady will be available Jan. 1st. The Jewel of His Heart will be out in the fall of 2009. The third and final title hasn’t been decided. I'm currently working on that book.

How much time does it take to research your stories – what balance would you say there is between research and actual writing?

I usually spend a lot of time writing and as I go along, I stop to research whatever crops up at the time. Once I start my research, I can sometimes spend all day reading a topic and then find myself continuing to read well past what info I need, just for pure enjoyment. I try to keep a balance between writing and research by highlighting a scene or typing in red what must be researched. I continue writing the scene or chapter and then do the research and then return later to correct or add in dates or details. I create a character sketch document after I write enough to make a good description, and then later a timeline.

Describe for us, if you will, your writing style, as in plotter vs. seat of the pants. Do you put more time into developing characters or plot or are they equal?

I’m definitely a SOTP! LOL. I start with an idea and just starting writing the story. Not until I’m two thirds through do I stop and do a rough outline or story synopsis. Normally, I still won’t have the ending exactly at this point. I try to develop my characters as I weave my plot to show some growth in the characters
personality through whatever life deals them.


Was there a person who inspired you to write?

Yes, my brother, though I also was inspired by reading Zane Grey books while I was a kid. He actually started writing after I did, but I stopped to raise my family. I know without his belief in me and his encouragement, I would not have worked as hard. I think he made me see that it was an actual job and not a pastime. He wrote seven novels under the pen name of Jess McCreede before his untimely death four years ago. It totally changed my life and made me realize I had not a moment to waste.


Do you consider writing a calling or more of a season of your life for right now?

I feel it’s a calling for me and a desire that I think God implanted in my heart when I was just a child. I always wanted to write.


What do you do when you find yourself overwhelmed with all the stuff that goes along with writing and publishing?

I take a break and get out of the house for a few hours. Sometimes I take a walk, or I will “piddle” in the house doing little things that need to be done until I can concentrate on the writing-related things that I must do. Sometimes I just call my writing buds to gripe, or call my daughter or my sisters. Whoever is home gets to listen to me. LOL. Then I’ll go back to my computer, take a deep breath and type up a “To Do List” starting with the most important items to take care of first.

Do you find a particular theme recurring in each of your stories? If so, how does that theme relate to your personal life experience?

For the answer to this question and part two of Maggie's interview, come back tomorrow! If you would like to enter the drawing for Maggie's book, don't forget to post a comment with your email in the form name (at) company (dot) com.