Welcome Maggie!
How did you come to write paranormal / fantasy romance?
I started writing in earnest in the early 2000’s when I was at university doing a degree in English Creative Writing and Drama. I thought at the time I wanted to doing acting but when I was asked to write a one person one act play, I decided I liked this writing lark. At the time I had an idea for and epic fantasy. I didn’t tell anyone I was writing back then until I finished a book. That was I started to believe I could do it.
The reason I chose paranormal and fantasy is because that was what I was reading at the time. I loved vampire books with JR Ward and Christine Feehan being two of my favourites. I also loved the classic Lord of the Rings, Terry Pratchett and Stephan Donaldson stories.
What attracted you to the genre?
I loved the romance in a story but I also love the world building. The fact that I could create a whole world where I set the parameters. That being said, you can have magic or unusual beings but you need to explain why they exist. I liked the way the genre can push the way we see our own world and it glory and shortcomings. The romance in these stories often has to work harder to succeed and they have to beat unfathomable odds to stay together. Yes, I like to make my couples suffer but I give them a happy ending.
You also write contemporary romance as Maggie Rose. How do you balance writing two genres?
For the past few years, I have been writing contemporary romance and even though it does not have vampires and witches in the stories I still like to have suspense and a strong antagonist. I think it has helped me to grow as a writer because the story has to hold your attention without being distracted by a fantastical world.
Do you have advice for emerging writers?
Find your tribe. I found it incredibly helpful early on to have Romance Writers of Australia as a sounding board. So many people can help you and you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Finding a good critique partner can be helpful and I had a wonderful one in Delwyn Jenkins. Get good covers, get your books professionally edited. Really think about what path you want to go down. Traditional. Hybrid, or indie.
Are you a plotter? Panster? Or somewhere in-between?
I am 100% plotter. I will write a sentence for each chapter before I write the book. I sometimes do character analysis as well. Some of the things I have done to help with my writing is to pretend to interview a character. You will be surprised how they answer. I also write a list of what they might keep on their bedstand.
By the way, just because I plot does not mean my characters try to go off where they want to go and sometimes, I let them.
What are you currently reading/watching?
Reading
The Iron Flame. Rebecca Yarros’ book has so much world building and detail it is amazing.
Watching
I just finished watching Shrinking which is great. It’s done by same of the people who did Ted Lasso and I laughed out loud. As far as Scfi I love The Expanse. Great story and character development. Loved Firefly and way back I watched Babylon 5.
Tell us about your latest release?
I loved writing this second chance romance. Sometimes you meet the right person at the wrong time. I am glad these two got their happy ending.
Blurb
Jamie was my first.
I was seventeen and he made me feel cared for, even if only for a moment. So much has happened over the last thirteen years. He is now a movie star and I am a woman on the run from an ex.
Is there a possibility that I can have a new start and find love, or am I damaged goods.
Being with me could destroy everything he has worked for.
Do you have a favourite of your characters?
I think Seth from my book, My Immortal Lover. He is gorgeous, six foot tall and full of muscles and rides a sexy motorbike. Did I mention he is immortal and rather good in the bedroom.
This is the blurb.
Cara is a descendant of a witch but is not following that path. She likes to fills her days with food with her Irish-themed catering business. Her nights are another matter; they are full of dreams of a mysterious lover, or nightmares with mutilated bodies. What she doesn't know is that she will be up for the fight of her life on when one man comes to kill her, and another to love her.
In Bath in 1850 a witch is murdered in a ritual, granting longevity to four men. What they are not aware of is that she has bestowed the same power to another man, called Seth, to avenge her death.
So in present day this wasn’t the best time for her Nana to tell Cara she was coming into her power.
Of the original four immortals, Vincent is the only one left and to stop his own long life from fading, he needs another witch to kill.
Seth was meant to protect the witch’s descendants from a distance, but with Cara he can’t stay away. He has to make a choice to love Cara, or avenge the original death and possibly die himself.
Cara didn't ask for any of this but when her friends and family are threatened, she will have to accept her destiny or live with the pain of loss.
What are you currently working on?
I am going back to my first love and first book I wrote so long ago. It is an epic fantasy with romance. It will be coming out later this year and will be called The Secret of the Essence. It will be a trilogy.
What can we expect from you in the future?
More paranormal and fantasy romance. Watch this Space.
Maggie Mundy / Maggie Rose
I live in Adelaide, Australia with my husband. I’ve always loved reading fantasy, paranormal and contemporary romance books and decided the stories in my head needed to be written down. It was either that or start on medication. I write hot sexy men and women who have troubled pasts and are looking their soul mate. I may make them suffer along the way but you always get a happy ending. I believe romance can be fun to read and write, but it’s exciting to spice it up with the uncertainty that comes with suspense where the rules can be broken.
For the past few years, I have been writing contemporary romance and even though it does not have vampires and witches in the stories I still like to have suspense and a strong antagonist. I think it has helped me to grow as a writer because the story has to hold your attention without being distracted by a fantastical world.
Do you have advice for emerging writers?
Find your tribe. I found it incredibly helpful early on to have Romance Writers of Australia as a sounding board. So many people can help you and you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Finding a good critique partner can be helpful and I had a wonderful one in Delwyn Jenkins. Get good covers, get your books professionally edited. Really think about what path you want to go down. Traditional. Hybrid, or indie.
Are you a plotter? Panster? Or somewhere in-between?
I am 100% plotter. I will write a sentence for each chapter before I write the book. I sometimes do character analysis as well. Some of the things I have done to help with my writing is to pretend to interview a character. You will be surprised how they answer. I also write a list of what they might keep on their bedstand.
By the way, just because I plot does not mean my characters try to go off where they want to go and sometimes, I let them.
What are you currently reading/watching?
Reading
The Iron Flame. Rebecca Yarros’ book has so much world building and detail it is amazing.
I just finished watching Shrinking which is great. It’s done by same of the people who did Ted Lasso and I laughed out loud. As far as Scfi I love The Expanse. Great story and character development. Loved Firefly and way back I watched Babylon 5.
Tell us about your latest release?
His First Temptation
This is book three in the Aussie Heartthrobs trilogy.
I loved writing this second chance romance. Sometimes you meet the right person at the wrong time. I am glad these two got their happy ending.
Blurb
Jamie was my first.
I was seventeen and he made me feel cared for, even if only for a moment. So much has happened over the last thirteen years. He is now a movie star and I am a woman on the run from an ex.
Is there a possibility that I can have a new start and find love, or am I damaged goods.
Being with me could destroy everything he has worked for.
Do you have a favourite of your characters?
I think Seth from my book, My Immortal Lover. He is gorgeous, six foot tall and full of muscles and rides a sexy motorbike. Did I mention he is immortal and rather good in the bedroom.
This is the blurb.
Cara is a descendant of a witch but is not following that path. She likes to fills her days with food with her Irish-themed catering business. Her nights are another matter; they are full of dreams of a mysterious lover, or nightmares with mutilated bodies. What she doesn't know is that she will be up for the fight of her life on when one man comes to kill her, and another to love her.
In Bath in 1850 a witch is murdered in a ritual, granting longevity to four men. What they are not aware of is that she has bestowed the same power to another man, called Seth, to avenge her death.So in present day this wasn’t the best time for her Nana to tell Cara she was coming into her power.
Of the original four immortals, Vincent is the only one left and to stop his own long life from fading, he needs another witch to kill.
Seth was meant to protect the witch’s descendants from a distance, but with Cara he can’t stay away. He has to make a choice to love Cara, or avenge the original death and possibly die himself.
Cara didn't ask for any of this but when her friends and family are threatened, she will have to accept her destiny or live with the pain of loss.
What are you currently working on?
I am going back to my first love and first book I wrote so long ago. It is an epic fantasy with romance. It will be coming out later this year and will be called The Secret of the Essence. It will be a trilogy.
What can we expect from you in the future?
More paranormal and fantasy romance. Watch this Space.
~~~
Maggie Mundy / Maggie Rose
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