Margaret Bennett Interview Published on: 10, Aug 2019
Where were you born? What do you miss the most about your childhood?
Fall River, Ma.
I miss the whaling history in the small coastal towns. I don’t miss the cold weather and snow. I am a very happy transplant in beautiful Port Royal, South Carolina.
How did you begin writing Regency romance novels as a hobby?I’m an avid reader, and while reading a not particularly good Regency romance one evening, decided I could write a one better. So I starting plotting, then writing, and found that I enjoyed creating my own stories as much as reading them.
What inspires you to write about strong, resourceful women in an age where it was thought that women were incapable of taking care of themselves and couldn't own property?Women are the weaker sex, and at some point we all find ourselves in a situation where we feel inadequate, be it physically or in the work place with the “glass ceiling”. I imagine how much more frustrating it would have been to live during the Regency period and how a woman might fight against such inequities. Then I try to add a dash of humor.
How have Kindle e-books helped you to grow as a writer?While I got many encouraging reviews from literary agents, none were inclined to take as a client. When I stumbled upon Kindle Publishing, I finally found a place where I could get my e-books out to the public. It was a real motivator. Then, when I read the reviews of those books, it lit a fire to improve my writing skills and write more stories.
What was the biggest mistake that you made with one of your novels? What did you learn from it?My very first novel disappeared from my screen when my computer crashed. Talk about tears! Luckily my husband was able to retrieve bits and pieces of it, and I spent many hours rewriting it. Now, I always back up my stories.
What is the Lowcountry local chapter about? How would you describe your experience of being a member of RWA and the Lowcountry local chapter?Both RWA and its Lowcountry chapter have given me opportunities to improve my writing and also encouragement. You hear stories of other authors and their struggles and realize you’re not alone, and very often a solution comes out of it.
How was your experience of writing a Regency Historical Romance? What inspired the story of your book, "The Spinster and the Spy"?I love history, especially British history. With England at war with France during the Regency period, the era lends itself to spying and smuggling stories, and lots of opportunities for heroines to become involved in dangerous situations, requiring gallant lords coming to their rescue, of course.
Do you have a specific routine for writing that you follow? Or do you prefer to like whenever and wherever?I try to write each day. I begin my mornings reviewing and organizing new advertising campaigns, then try to settle down to writing. Usually this occurs in spurts, a little here, a little there throughout the day. Quite often, I’ll take my dog Sally out for a short stroll and use the time to work through a plotting glitch.
Tell us a little bit about the book "The Impossible Governess" and your thought process while writing this book.“The Impossible Governess” was fun to write, inventing different ways a new and feisty governess could wreck havoc on a household and a nobleman’s heart. It also helped me to learn more about using dialogue add humor to a story and move it along.
Who inspired the character Amelia in "An Independent Lady"? How do you come up with character names?“An Independent Lady” was the second book I wrote. I like strong heroines, gals who feel strong ties to family, and are willing to take risks to get what they want. This, more than anything, is what inspired Amelia’s character. She has learned how to deflect her brother’s good intentions to see her married until she can find a gentleman she can love.
I do research character names, and most of my main characters get pegged with names because I like them.
Which of all your books are you most attached to and why?“The Spinster and the Spy” is my newest book. It is also the only one in print, using Kindle Publishing. What a joy it was to hold a printed copy in my hands. It also helped that I enjoyed writing about a heroine who isn’t easily dissuaded from following a course of action, especially when she believes the hero is shirking his duty.
How do you feel about the shift of readers from physical books to digital ones?I love the feel of a book in hand, so I had a hard time adjusting to a digital reader. In fact, the only reason I purchased a reader was because I was publishing my first e-book through Kindle Publishing. Now, I love it. Readers provide easy access to novels at very low cost, much lower than printed novels, and many are free. And I can buy a novel at any time, day or night, and get it instantly. How great is that!
Is there anything you would like to say to your readers and fans? When can they expect a new book?Without my readers and fans, I wouldn’t enjoy writing as much I as I do. Nor would I continually try to improve my writing. When they purchase one of my stories, it validates what I write is entertaining, and humbles me.
My next book will be out in September. “The Merchant’s Daughter” tells the tale of a tradesman’s young daughter who is compromised when she awakens to find a naked drunken lord in her bed, and her struggles to break the engagement.
What is the best money you've ever spent as a writer?All the money I’ve spent buying novels and e-books from a myriad of authors and genres. I love reading a good story, but even more, I pay attention to how other authors’ develop their characters, use dialogue to move a story along, and incorporate a period’s setting. The more I read, the better writer I become.
How has your experience with AllAuthor been?AllAuthor has given a terrific new platform to promote my e-books. It helps me to keep up with what other authors are writing, new books coming out, and notifies me of great book deals. A win/win all the way around.
