In honor of her late Alaskan Malamute, Zeus,
Maggie uses this as her author photo
S: Good morning, Maggie! Thanks so much for joining me for coffee today. It's cold today in Wisconsin, but I imagine it's much colder in Ontario!
Let's begin with one of my favorite questions--Where do you do your best thinking?
M: Outside while walking the Mals
before the sun and birds rise. It’s very
peaceful and quiet. A time to reacquaint
myself with nature. Once I’ve done my meditation,
I like to let my thoughts wander, and wandering always pays off.
S: (Nods.) I think meditation does much to clear the way for the creative process. For a writer, that kind of mental peace is so important. So what inspires your flights of fantasy?
M: Flights of fantasy? You mean daydreaming? Anything can make me dream up new characters. I’d say right now, music. Saliva’s "Black Sheep" is the tune for me. It goes well with my character, Adam, from Book Two, "Redeemed," in the Matawapit Family Series.
S: Why do you write romance?
M: Because I love reading romance. Seriously, I fell in love with romance a long time ago when my older sister loaned me her Johanna Lindsey novel. Right then I thought, “This is the best thing ever.” From there, I wanted to create characters who struggle to overcome internal and external battles while finding love.
S: There is nothing more enthralling than the process of falling in love. That's probably why romance is the bestselling genre in publishing. Love comes in all shapes and sizes. That fascinates most people. Complete this sentence: “Writing is….”
M: My passion. I love writing. Everything about it.
"Blessed" is Maggie's first book
If
you could live in any period of time, when would it be and why?
M: I’d live in the here and now. I’m grateful for this time period because the
technology available helps a lot of people who are ill. If not for this time period, people I love
wouldn’t be alive if we were living, say, 20 years ago.
S: As an MS Warrior, I can certainly understand that!
If
there is such a thing as reincarnation, what would you like to return to earth
as and why?
M: I’d like to come back as a spoiled
rotten house dog. I mean, what a
life! (Laughs.) Food. Playtime. Walks. Loafing. Sleeping. Lots of love. Woot! That’d be the life!
S: (Smiles.) Since my sister asks her dog what he wants for dinner, I have to agree. As a house dog, life is good!
If you could have any animal in the universe as a pet, what would it be and why?
M: A gorilla. I love them. They’re beautiful. Majestic. Smart. There is something about them that stops me in my tracks. I always gaze in awe at them. Especially the silverbacks.
S: (Nods.) Have you ever looked one in the eye? There is such intelligence there. I always get the sense they want to tell us humans that we're getting it all wrong and they should be running things! (Chuckles.) They might be right.
If a paranormal invited you to host a dinner with five guests, all prominent figures
in history who are now deceased, who would you invite and why?
M: I’d telephone Jesus and ask him to
be the guest of honour. I’d love to
listen to his wisdom. Then I’d send
Crazy Horse a smoke signal, because he was a very courageous man I admire,
although he was Lakota and I’m Ojibway. I’d send out a canoe party to track down Jean-Baptiste Gaultier de la
Vérendrye. He explored this area where I
live and I’d love to hear what the rivers, lakes, and land looked like during
that time period. I’d text Dennis Banks,
an Ojibway activist and founder of AIM, who passed on a few years ago. I read his autobiography and loved it. I have many questions I wish he could answer. And last but certainly not least, I’d write
Jane Austen. Imagine picking the mind of
such a prominent author who inspired many romance writers.
And best of all, imagine the dinner
conversation with these five people present.
S: I am trying to imagine Jane Austen among that group. Would she be the simpering female, overwhelmed by the men in her presence? Or would she seize the opportunity to learn and grow? I guess that's a question for another day...
Tell me, Maggie, what do you crave?
M: Popcorn and chips. Chips are a special treat. I don’t eat them as often as I’d like
to, but I do love my bowl of popcorn
while watching golf.
S: (Winks.) Unfortunately, I watch golf on TV for the eye candy and it takes more than popcorn to get me through that! There are some hotties!
You
are offered one of the following gifts: A day back in time, a glimpse into
heaven, or perfect health. Which would you choose and why?
M: Perfect health. Easily. Then I’d be Sjogren’s Syndrome free. I could resume my old activities. Go anywhere I wish. Work anywhere
I want.
S: (Nods.) I'm with you there. Until I was diagnosed with MS, I did not understand the value of good health.
Maggie, thanks so much for joining me today. I really enjoyed our conversation!
Maggie, thanks so much for joining me today. I really enjoyed our conversation!
If you would like to learn more about Maggie and her books, please visit--
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/maggieblackbirdauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackbirdMaggie/
Next week in The Loft: Author Caroline Clemmons!
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