Meet Author Margaret Mayo

Hi, my name is Margaret Mayo and I write romance. 

People are often surprised to hear that Margaret Mayo is my real name and not a pseudonym. I like alliterative names, I think they’re far easier to remember. I won’t tell you my maiden name but it definitely doesn’t have the same ring. English was my best subject when I was at school – I even remember correcting the headmaster once for spelling the word safety wrong when he was giving a demonstrated talk on road safety. And that was something for me because I was a very shy child – and actually still am. I’d rather pour my thoughts out on paper than talk to someone face to face.

Writing for me is a fulfilling job. I’m far happier doing this than when I used to go out to work, but – because I began writing while I was still in employment – I look back on my first few years of being a romance writer with fond memories. Why? Because I did most of it where I worked in the offices of a small UK branch of a Danish company. I was PA to the Managing Director and sometimes I was alone in the office with very little to do. Writing, therefore, became my companion. I wrote romance because it was something I’d always read, and it actually still is my preferred genre.

 

When I’m not writing I love reading – mostly romance, although I do enjoy the odd thriller. I always have two books on the go – one in the smallest room in the house, and one beside my bed. You’d think I’d have problems remembering each story but I don’t.  Right from when I first learned to read I’ve always had my head buried in a book so I suppose it’s no surprise I became a writer. One of my favourite books is The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, first published in 1989. In fact just mentioning it makes me want to read it again. It’s an epic story of love, passion and revenge. Another one is Little Women by Louisa M Alcott. This was given to me as a Sunday School prize and is much treasured.

My other absorbing activity is painting – both watercolours and acrylics. I belong to an art group near my home and we meet for half a day once a week. It’s creative work of a different kind and I look forward to the time I spend with other like-minded people. It makes a welcome change from sitting alone in my office (even though I always have a gorgeous hero to keep me company). I paint mainly flowers or landscapes and we hold local exhibitions.

Writers are usually plotters or pansters. I fall into the latter category. I know what my heroine and hero do for a living and I know what the situation is going to be when they first meet, and maybe I know a couple of things that will happen along the way, but as far as the rest of the story is concerned I let my brain do the job for me. In this way, I find it as interesting to write as it is to read. I quite often find myself saying, “I didn’t know this was going to happen.” I like absolute quiet when I’m writing and woe betide my husband if he interrupts me when I’m in full flow – unless, of course, he brings me in a much needed mug of coffee! The study is my room – and is usually the untidiest room in the house. Bookshelves are overflowing, my desk is littered with papers – notes to myself, research, stuff that needs attention. In truth, I’d rather be writing than think about paying bills. 

I’ve just finished my latest book (all it needs is a title) and am currently gathering together ideas for a new one. One throwaway sentence on Facebook produced some interesting suggestions. As I said earlier I never plot, I much prefer writing into the mist. In that way I’m as surprised as the reader when something I hadn’t thought about happens. Naturally there are times when I have writer’s block, but fortunately these are few and far between.

The most important thing I’ve learned during the course of my writing career is dedication. Writing is not something you can pick up and put down like a book, it takes concentration, dedication and determination. When I’m working on a book I write five days a week as if I was still going out to work. In fact, I always say to my husband, “I’m going to work now.”

And do you know what, I can’t imagine myself ever retiring.  

Please check out these recent publications:

Rachel is shocked when Liam Mallory, former lover, is a prospective investor in the bistro she co-owns. Having once worked for Liam, she helped to almost ruin him. Tricked into it, she had not realised the severity of what she was doing. Then Liam cast her out of his life. When they meet again, Liam has neither forgotten nor forgiven and kidnaps Rachel. What punishment does he have in mind?

Ebook: $2.99   Print: $9.49

 

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

When Abby flies to Paris for a trade fair she is met at the airport by a man calling himself Temple Townsend, a friend of her brother. When he stops her from delivering a parcel for her brother on the grounds of her own personal safety, and whisks her away, she is furious and refuses to believe she is in any danger. Until she's traced to Nantes. Suddenly she's grateful for Temple's protection.

Ebook: $2.99   Print: $9.95

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble 


You may find Ms. Mayo at these locations:
Website: http://www.margaret-mayo.com/
Blog: http://www.margaret-mayo.com/blog/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/margaret.mayo.794
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/61189.Margaret_Mayo