Ask the Author: M.J. Greenway
Answered Questions (7)
M.J. Greenway
I loved Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones's Diary. They are both lonely and awkward in their own way but he's a protector type that will make sure she always has what she needs. I love that sort of hero.
M.J. Greenway
The best thing about being a writer is the process of creating something that only I can make and getting to share it with other people. That's also one of the scariest parts of being a writer.
M.J. Greenway
There are so many times when I'm inspired by something I've read or watched on TV. For example, I remember reading Gone Girl and yearning to be able to one day write a book that well crafted.
That said, most of the writing time isn't about inspiration, it's just about writing most days and seeing where you get. I write an outline and start with a few characters and conflicts and an idea for an ending. As days pass, more details occur to me and snowball into a full fledged story over time. Walks or bike rides can help too.
For my romantic mysteries, Sarah Starting Over and Greyson Starting Over, I wanted to write about parenting, grief and my friend urged me to write about a disabled character. Because of my childhood love of Murder She Wrote, I also wanted to try my hand and writing a mystery.
That said, most of the writing time isn't about inspiration, it's just about writing most days and seeing where you get. I write an outline and start with a few characters and conflicts and an idea for an ending. As days pass, more details occur to me and snowball into a full fledged story over time. Walks or bike rides can help too.
For my romantic mysteries, Sarah Starting Over and Greyson Starting Over, I wanted to write about parenting, grief and my friend urged me to write about a disabled character. Because of my childhood love of Murder She Wrote, I also wanted to try my hand and writing a mystery.
M.J. Greenway
There are lots of ways to get stories out there now, so if it's important to you, persist and get yours out there one way or another. Find some good beta readers and do some re-writing before submitting or self-publishing. Read some books like Steven King's "On Writing" and Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird." And then figure out how to be patient. I'm not so good at that one.
M.J. Greenway
I try to have a word count requirement and write at the same time each day. Something will come out, it may not be good but that's what re-writing is for.
M.J. Greenway
In my twenties I lived in L.A. I was single at the time and trying to work in the entertainment industry. That was the idea seed for Dating Maggie.
M.J. Greenway
I just finished a new romantic mystery and it is currently being submitted to publishers.
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