You write fantasy/paranormal romance as Maggie Mundy, and contemporary romance as Maggie Rose. What attracted you to these genres?
Speculative fiction was my first love. It was always a place of comfort to go to when reading. I love everything from Lord of the Rings through to Christine Feehan’s vampires and the Forth Wing Series is my currant fav. I think what attracted me was the escapism and the world building.
The contemporary romance books offer love in a normal world but can be just as challenging. I read Reminders of Him recently and the tension was as strong as any fantasy book I have read. Both have something to offer the reader.
Do you approach each genre the same way?
Nope. When I write fantasy, I have to spend a large amount of time on the worldbuilding. It is another character and if you have magic you need to understand how it works. These stories tend to follow the Hero’s Journey concept, though you can still have lots of romance.
The contemporary books are more character based as it their story of two people and what brings them together or keeps them apart. I tend to have a nasty antagonist in their two.
Are you a plotter? Panster? Or somewhere in-between?
Plotter
I do character outlines, and then I will do a sentence for each chapter. That is not to say those pesky little characters will not change their minds and lead me astray. I tried pantsing and had to do too many rewrites. I say just do what works for you.
What is your favourite part of the writing process?
I think it is when you get that first idea for a story. You have so many thoughts going around in your head. I also like sorting out conundrums when I am not sure how it’s going to move forward and then PING you get an answer. I know I’m weird.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Enjoy what you do. If it’s not fun then why are you doing it? Join groups of likeminded people like Romance Writers of Australia. Writing is a lonely business so find your tribe.
How do you fill the creative well?
This has been a hard one for me as I have been unwell and lost my mojo. I think two things help. Reading and meeting with your fellow writers.
What is next for you?
I have just started writing book three of my fantasy series. I didn’t write anything for the last six months so it’s fun to get back into it. Book two is finished but will need to be edited.
What is your latest release and your inspiration behind it?
My latest release was The Secret of the Essence. It is an epic fantasy and I wanted to create a world where people could get lost in just like I did with books all those years ago.
The Secret of the Essence
Book 2, The Mask Wearers Downfall trilogy
In Majura, the Mask Wearers have mystical powers they receive from a crystal entity, called the Essence. For six hundred years, the crystal beacons they provide, protect the people from the wolf like horde. That was, until now.
Twenty-year-old Cora, did the unthinkable for a female child. She touched a beacon crystal that left her hand deformed, and her mind scarred. Ten years later, she still has nightmares of a strange mask wearer saying she will destroy the land.
When Cora’s settlement is attacked, she develops magical abilities and saves people. Now, she must join the exalted ranks of the mask wearers, whether she wants to or not.
She is magically taken to the capital, Denarius, by a Traveler Mask, called Alenze, who is as handsome as he is mysterious. When he transports her, something goes terribly wrong and she’s convinced it’s her fault?
Cora survives her training as a mask wearer and her relationship with Alenze grows stronger. Then the city is attacked, and she has two choices. Stay and be controlled, or leave with Alenze and try to find and fix the Essence.
As they travel, she sees the land is changing and so are they. But, could someone like Alenze ever love a person like her who has caused all the magic to fail.
Or is he keeping secrets of his own.
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