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Q. Can you tell us a little about your personal life?
A. I am a medical audio-typist and author. I do the audio-typing for the money and I write because I love it.
Q. You are probably dying to talk about your latest book and how many you have in print?
A. I have two publishers. Whiskey Creek Press where I have three historical novels, and The Wild Rose Press, where I have one contemporary novel, and three historical novels published, another historical is coming out in February 2010. My latest book from The Wild Rose Press, The Trouble With Playboys, is set during the 2nd world war in Australia, England, Singapore and Malaya. It is very close to my heart as my father was engaged to my mother during the 2nd world war, and while he was away fighting, he wrote to her many times and she kept all his letters, and I was able to use the information contained in them to add authenticity to my story. As a child I can remember my father telling us about Singapore being in flames when he made a perilous escape just a couple of days before the surrender to the Japanese. Exciting but terrifying times, and I was privileged to be able to use this information. It added poignancy to the story for me and also, I hope, my readers.
Q. Do you write full time?
A. No, only wish I did.
Q. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
A. Research. I love history. When I am not doing that I enjoy family activities and reading.
Q. Do you hear from your readers much? If so, what do they say?
A. I have had a couple of really nice letters. One dear old man said that he read one of my Whiskey Creek Press novels, Devil’s Ridge, which is set during the 1st World War. His wife left it on a chair and he picked it up, skimmed through a few pages then decided to read it as his father had served in World War 1 also. He said he really enjoyed the story because I mentioned places and battles that his father had been in. I found that very moving actually.
Q. How long does it take you to complete a novel?
A. Depends. I usually write in long hand first. That can take a couple of months, then the revisions, they take longer. Probably about six months from when I put pen to paper to when I send it off to my publisher.
Q. Do you base your stories on past experiences? What inspires you to write?
A. Most of my novels are based on historical events, so I trawl through history books to get information. I do use the experiences of elderly relatives sometimes, and I have had access to family diaries, which is very helpful. There are so many things in our history that should be written about, ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things in dangerous times. My forebears came to Australia in the 1800’s and carved lives for themselves and their families out of a savage wilderness. So why shouldn’t their deeds and exploits me recognised?
Q. What do you find are the best and worst aspects of writing?
A. The worst aspect is promoting. The best aspect, creating new characters and stories and watching them grow. Q. What do you think makes a good story?
A. Strong but likeable heroes and heroines that people can relate to, and a well researched historical backgrounds. Nothing worse than finding historical mistakes in a book. It turns me off the writer for life.
Q. What steps did you undertake to become a published author?
A. I joined writing organizations, entered competitions, then I researched publishers until I found ones that suited my type of story. I think that is vital, choosing the right publisher. It took me twenty years of hard work and sometimes heartache, before I got my first book published, but after that it was much easier.
Q. Regarding the marketing side of being a published author, what do you undertake to promote yourself and your books?
A. I think I would try anything that wasn’t criminal (only joking). I wouldn’t strip, well not with a figure like mine, but other than that I would be game for anything. I have joined several yahoo groups, I partake in blogs, and I have been known to pay for advertising as well. Word of mouth, newspaper interviews and library talks have figured in my promotional endeavours. I do have a great website too.
Q. Where do you see yourself as an author in five years time?
A. Hopefully on the New York Times best sellers list.
Q. Is there any advice you’d like to give aspiring writers?
A. Never give up on your dream of publication. Keep trying no matter how the odds are stacked against you, and you will eventually succeed.
Q. What can we expect from you in the future?
A. I have a couple of longer stories that I am working on. Both set in in Australia during the 1870’s, that I am hoping will catch the eye of one of the large publishing houses.
Q. How can readers keep up with your achievements? Do you have a website or a blog?
A. My website is: http://www.margarettanner.com
Thank you so much for interviewing me. Aussie Authors is one of my favourite websites. In 2007 I won the Aussie Authors of the Year Award, which I count as one of my finest achievements.
AA. Thank you Margaret, for such an interesting and in-depth Interview.
Interviewed by Suzanne Brandyn September 2009
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