I am resuming a once-frequent feature here: interviews with thriller and mystery writers, especially (though not exclusively) those who are self-publishing.
Some months ago I encountered British psychological suspense author Maggie James, who graciously interviewed me for her blog. It’s only fair that I return the favor to this talented writer.
The first draft of her first novel, His Kidnapper’s Shoes, was written while she travelled in Bolivia. Maggie was inspired, she tells me, by an impending milestone birthday — along with a healthy dose of annoyance at having procrastinated for so long in writing a novel. (I can relate!) His Kidnapper’s Shoes was published in both paperback and e-book formats in 2013, followed by her second novel, Sister, Psychopath. Her third novel, Guilty Innocence, has now been published, and like her first two, it features her home city of Bristol. She is currently working on her fourth novel.
Before turning her hand to writing, Maggie worked mainly as an accountant, with a diversion into practicing as a nutritional therapist. Diet and health remain high on her list of interests, along with travel. “Accountancy does not, but then it never did,” she says. “The urge to pack a bag and go off travelling is always lurking in the background!” When not writing, going to the gym, practicing yoga, or travelling, Maggie can be found seeking new four-legged friends to pet. “Animals are a lifelong love.”
She and I conducted this interview by email, so American readers should note that I have left in all her British spellings.
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The Vigilante Author: Maggie, why don’t we start with you telling us about your latest book, Guilty Innocence.
Maggie James: Guilty Innocence charts one man’s struggle to come to terms with his past. I wanted to examine how it would feel to discover someone you love is concealing a terrible secret. Natalie Richards’s world is shattered when she finds out her boyfriend, Mark Slater, is on the Violent Crimes Register after being sentenced for child murder several years before. Natalie, of course, is a typical Maggie James character, battling her own emotional demons. Throw in Mark’s nemesis, Adam Campbell, a warped and distinctly unpleasant individual, and the scene is set for a showdown.
The Vigilante Author: The tagline on your website says, “Exploring the Shadows of the Mind.” That’s great branding. But why did you choose “psychological suspense,” Maggie? What prompted your interest in such topics as sociopaths, dysfunctional family relationships, and the impact of emotional stains and wounds from the past?
Maggie James: I’d say my interest from a writing perspective stems more from a desire to explore strong emotions, such as hatred, despair, and the need for revenge, rather than deviant behaviour per se. Given that such issues fascinate me, it’s perhaps inevitable that I chose to write in the psychological suspense genre, following in the footsteps of authors such as Gillian Flynn and Rachel Abbott.
Where my fascination comes from, I haven’t a clue, but it’s fair to say there aren’t many topics I’m not interested in, besides my antipathy to the sport of cricket. The workings of the human mind intrigue me, although I’m sceptical about whether we can ever really comprehend what goes on in another person’s head. I don’t think my interest is unusual. Many people are drawn to the dark side of humanity. It’s the reason Stephen King is so popular. Through crime, thriller and horror fiction we can experience the unthinkable without getting hurt. Bad behaviour tends to interest us more than a goody-goody approach to life, and it definitely provides fertile material for novelists like me.
Take dating for example. It’s the bad guys and girls that are deemed desirable, whereas the steady Eddies, both male and female, are considered boring. We love to flirt with the wicked side of life.
The Vigilante Author: Did your own upbringing contribute in any way to these preoccupations? Or did you have a happy childhood?
Maggie James: Well, I guess I’d fit in better with the stereotyped image of a writer battling his/her emotional demons if I said yes, but no, my upbringing hasn’t played a part in my novels. I had a stable and very ordinary childhood, one in which learning was encouraged, and minus the terrible issues featured in my books. No absent parents, no divorce, no sexual abuse and definitely no murder. Thanks, Mum and Dad!
The Vigilante Author: You had a background as an accountant and then a nutritional therapist. So, what prompted you to become a suspense novelist? Did you always have that desire buried away somewhere?
Maggie James: Yes, the desire to be a novelist has always been with me. When I was a child, I never doubted that, as an adult, I’d write books. When I forayed into the world as an eighteen-year-old, however, I lacked confidence, believing I didn’t have enough life experience to write novels. Whilst I gained in confidence over the years, I slipped into a comfortable rut with my work, and somehow decades slipped by before I wrote anything again. The diversion into nutritional therapy was an attempt to break free from accountancy. The plan was to train in something that interested me and write as a sideline, but it didn’t work out, partly because I never wanted my writing to be a mere adjunct to my main line of work. In the end, I reached the point of no return in my accountancy job, handed in my notice and flew to Thailand. No more diversions; time to start writing at last.
The Vigilante Author: Good for you! That was a courageous step. So, when did you know you just had to start writing fiction? Was there an epiphany, or did you always know?
Maggie James: I’ve always known I wanted to write fiction, yes. However, the turning point for me happened in December 2010. I was a few months into a yearlong trip abroad, staying in a town called Arica in northern Chile. Whilst there, I did indeed have an epiphany — more about that below. My plan before I left the UK was to write a full-length novel whilst I was away, but it just didn’t happen when I was in Asia. I was travelling fast and furiously, packing in the sights of Indochina, which was exhilarating but left little time for writing. Nothing changed after I flew to South America, either. I realised I needed to find a base in which to settle, to allow myself sufficient stability to write.
Fellow travellers had told me about Sucre in Bolivia and what a special place it was. I resolved to go there and stay for as long as it took to write my novel. I’d already conceived the idea for the plot of His Kidnapper’s Shoes from a conversation I had in Vietnam. And that’s what happened. I fell in love with Sucre — it’s a beautiful city, surrounded by rolling hills — and used it as a base to improve my Spanish and write my book. By the end of February 2011, I’d completed the first draft. It was a very emotional moment for me when I typed the last sentence; thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.
The Vigilante Author: I had that exact experience when I completed HUNTER. I think that’s probably common to authors when they complete their first novels.
What books and authors, or real-life people and events, were important influences on you?
Maggie James: Perhaps the most influential has been a friend and fellow author who provided the catalyst for His Kidnapper’s Shoes. She only wrote for fun, having completed several full-length pieces, all of high quality, every one of which I really enjoyed. I felt ashamed when I considered how prolific she was, while I was still procrastinating about starting my first novel. In my hotel room in Arica, I checked out her website and as a result, I knew something had to change for me, and fast. My epiphany had arrived! I administered a very hard mental kick to my butt before resolving to travel to Sucre and buckle down to writing at last.
The Vigilante Author: I find that an author’s first novel sometimes is the most self-revelatory, because it zeroes in on his or her biggest priorities and personal interests. Would that be true of anything in your first novel, His Kidnapper’s Shoes? Why don’t you tell us a bit about it?
Maggie James: I don’t include anything self-revelatory in my novels. I’m a very private person, so exposing my inner self in my novels would be a complete no-no for me. I realise many authors think differently. Stephen King, for example, has said that he started writing as a catharsis to deal with his childhood experiences. I myself know writers who pour their souls into their novels as a way to explore personal issues, but I don’t. In real life, I’m a stable, happy person, someone lacking the demons that torture many of my characters, so I have no need for fictional therapy. I’m glad to say that none of the events or themes in His Kidnapper’s Shoes has touched my life so far; given the somewhat dark subject matter, that’s a relief!
The Vigilante Author: Sister, Psychopath — your second novel — sounds positively scary. Where did you get the idea for that one?
Maggie James: I attended a one-day novel-writing seminar, in which our teacher described a real-life murder. She told us how a woman killed the wife of the man she loved, deluding herself into believing the way would thus be open for a relationship between them. From this, I got the inspiration for the character of Tilly Copeland. When I started considering possible plot lines, I was drawn more to the idea of how it would feel to be Tilly’s daughter, which led to me creating Megan Copeland as the main character. Everything else mushroomed out from there.
The Vigilante Author: Is there some overarching theme that ties together all your work? Something you want to convey or accomplish with it?
Maggie James: The overarching theme is my interest in psychological issues and the plethora of ideas they generate, which I’ll continue to explore for now. As to what I want to accomplish, that’s purely selfish. After delaying my writing for so long, I’m itching to unleash my creativity and keep writing more novels. And of course I want to entertain my readers along the way!
The Vigilante Author: Have you considered developing an ongoing series?
Maggie James: I’ve thought about it, but I’ve not come up with any ideas compelling enough for me to do so. I enjoy creating my characters, but I suspect I’d get bored with them if they kept appearing in my books, even given the fact I could develop them, take them down new avenues. I may well bring the characters I’ve already written into future books to explore new events in their lives, but it wouldn’t be a series as such. More like discrete novels, in which some familiar faces like Mark Slater and Daniel Bateman reappear.
The Vigilante Author: Lots of writers are “seat of the pants” and spontaneous. By contrast, I am a compulsive planner, outliner, and organizer. I have to know my characters and plot inside-out before I start to write. I also tend to work late at night. What about you? What is your writing style?
Maggie James: I’m also a planner, outliner, and organiser, using “the Snowflake method.”
The Vigilante Author: I’m a big fan of its creator, writing teacher Randy Ingermanson, who has just published a new book about the Snowflake method. How has that method affected your writing?
Maggie James: I envisage myself spending more time on the preparation stage in the future, because it makes the writing process flow so much better. With my first novel, I sketched out in one-sentence bursts what I wanted to write for each chapter, plus a few notes about the characters, then set down to write in Microsoft Word. Never again! His Kidnapper’s Shoes ended up a huge 146,000-word creation that took months to revise and prune. I now use Scrivener to plan, write, edit, and publish my novels, and it’s superb. If I could marry a piece of software, Scrivener might well need a wedding tuxedo!
The Vigilante Author: I feel exactly the same way about my novel-writing software, Write It Now. What about your writing schedule?
Maggie James: As for my working hours, oddly for someone who’s a night owl, I find I work best on creative pursuits first thing in the morning. I’ve no idea why that is, but I’ve learned to adapt to it, forcing myself out of bed each day at what seems an unnaturally early hour. I write in the mornings and do my marketing in the afternoons. Works for me!
The Vigilante Author: What would a fly on the wall see if it watched you while you work?
Maggie James: Probably me spending too much time on Facebook! I am reasonably self-disciplined when it comes to writing, but I’m easily led astray, especially by email, social media, or anything techy. I love tinkering with my website, for example!
The Vigilante Author: Alas. I plead guilty, too.
Maggie James: A fly would also bear witness to my frustration at my terrible typing — I really am hopeless, despite numerous attempts to improve. I often hurl abuse at my blameless computer as yet another typo reveals itself on my monitor. For someone who values correct spelling and punctuation (British-style for me, of course), it’s maddening!
The Vigilante Author: What is your opinion of the traditional versus independent publishing debate?
Maggie James: Do you mean the current dispute between Amazon and Hachette? I don’t believe in biting the hand that feeds me. Amazon has been a godsend for my career as a novelist. I believe what they’re doing with book sales is good for both authors and readers, and is the way forward in this digital age. The traditional published route is dying a death, hastened by its own intransigence. Amazon have led the way for much-needed change and I’m proud to support them. I’ve emailed the CEO of Hachette with my views as well as signing the public petition opposed to the company’s stance in this matter.
The Vigilante Author: I agree, and I’ve done the same. But can you comment more broadly than just about the Amazon/Hachette dispute?
Maggie James: If you mean which is the best route for authors, it’s a no-brainer. Through self-publishing, writers retain control over their titles and career, as well as standing a good chance of earning much better money. A while ago, I was offered a publishing contract, and whilst I was flattered, I had no hesitation in turning it down. The terms were terrible and I remember thinking “why would anyone sign a contract like this, when self-publishing is so easy and advantageous?”
The Vigilante Author: Do you have any advice for aspiring, or even currently practicing, authors?
Maggie James: I’d say don’t allow anyone to derail your dreams. As I know from my own experience, people can be very negative when they find out you intend to write novels. Don’t take any notice; do what’s right for you, not what will soothe their insecurities.
As for writing techniques, I firmly believe less is more. Prune your work ruthlessly.
Another snippet of advice I’ve found useful is never to ignore your gut instincts about your writing. If something seems a little off, but you’re not sure how to fix it, don’t ignore it and persuade yourself it’ll be okay. It won’t. If it’s flagging itself up to you as the author as being off-kilter, you can be sure it’ll have the same effect on your readers.
The Vigilante Author: What do you do for relaxation and recreation? What do you read?
Maggie James: In the last two years, I’ve developed a regular yoga practice, attending four classes a week, and over the last few months, I’ve added a meditation and spiritual element. I’ve been interested in healthy living for two decades now, so yoga fits in perfectly with that. I also belong to a gym and walk lots, usually with a canine friend or two in tow. I’ve not practised as a nutritional therapist for a while, but I retain a keen interest in diet, linked with a love of food and eating out. My social life relies heavily on restaurant meals with friends!
What else? Well, I love foreign travel, driving, the cinema, camping, and finding new four-legged friends to pet.
As for reading, I like most genres, except for romance, which I tend to find rather clichéd. My favourites are crime thrillers and suspense novels; I’m addicted to Lee Child’s books. I also enjoy contemporary fiction and the classics. I read incredibly fast and can devour even the longest novel very quickly.
The Vigilante Author: What’s next for Maggie James? Any new book on the horizon? When do you expect to publish it? And where would you like your writing to go in the future?
Maggie James: I finished writing the first draft of my fourth novel in June, and I’m now busy revising and editing it. It’s provisionally entitled The Second Captive, and deals with the fascinating psychological condition known as “Stockholm syndrome,” in which victims become emotionally attached to their abusers. In my novel, a young woman is held captive by a disturbed man, and longs to escape. When she succeeds, however, she’s plagued by Stockholm syndrome, finding it hard to shake off the emotional effects of her incarceration. The Second Captive will be published later in 2014, probably in October.
As for where I want to take my writing in the future, that’s something I’m currently considering. I’d like to branch into other genres, possibly dystopia or novels with an element of fantasy in them. Erotica is another strong possibility.
The Vigilante Author: Readers will be interested as to where to find more information about you and your books. Why don’t you tell us about your website, how people can contact you, and where they may buy your books?
Maggie James: My website can be found at MaggieJamesFiction.com. You can find out more about me there, download extracts from my novels, read other interviews, or contact me. The website is also home to my blog, which I update regularly; it’s geared towards fiction readers. A while ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing your good self there as well as reviewing your second novel, BAD DEEDS.
The Vigilante Author: For which I deeply thank you.
Maggie James: Come and check it out!
My books can be found on Amazon via these links: His Kidnapper’s Shoes; Sister, Psychopath; and Guilty Innocence.
You can connect with me via these links:
Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIn; Google+; Goodreads; Pinterest; my Amazon Author Page; and Authorgraph.
The Vigilante Author: Thanks so much for your time, Maggie, and I wish you continued success.
Maggie James: Thank you!
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Photo (c) by Debbie Scott
