Author interview: Writing for Passion & Other Stories Wk 4

This week I interview Margot Justes. Margot is the about-to-be-published author of A Hotel in Paris, a writer who started writing as an outlet, not expecting to be published. I'm sure many of you can relate to her writing and publishing stories. Meet Margot:

Q. What inspired you to write your first book?

A. The proverbial tough day in the office. I had never before attempted to put words on paper, but I started with Dickens' quote from A tale of Two Cities "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," It worked for Dickens so why not me. That is exactly what I felt at that point in time. I will say it was memorable, to this day I still think about it. By the time I finished A Hotel in Paris, my perspective had changed quite a bit and I was told that Dickens could afford to muse but I could not. That was the beginning of learning how to write.

Q. How long did it take you to write it?

A. It took me about four years from start to finish and one more year to sell it. I re-wrote it completely, had to learn what point of view (POV) and head hopping (HH) really meant, that is a tough concept to learn and apply. I can't tell you how many times I edited it, it is a continous process. Even now it is ready to go to the Sr. Editor at Echelon and I am re-reading it one last time before I send it off.

Q. Have you written any other books, and is there any common theme, thread, or concept behind your books?

A. A Hotel in Paris is my first book, my second A Hotel in Bath is a work in progress. I do have a common theme, it is art and travel. I love both, so it was easy.

Q. How did you accomplish the writing of the books? Did they just flow out of you without any effort, or did you have to work at it, or something else.

A. It didn't flow, it was hard work. The musing went incredibly well, dialog was difficult, show don't tell was even worse. I've been very lucky in the people I have met through Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America. I will say that writers are very generous with their time and advice. The Chicago North RWA chapter, is primarily a critique group,and it is a wonderful way to learn your craft and the encouragement received is unbelievable.

Q. What kind of obstacles have you encountered in writing and publishing your book(s)?

A. I really never, ever expected to get published, so I didn't really see any obstacles. It was therapy, it helped me unwind. But as I went further into the process, and everyone kept telling me I had something there, I decided to learn as much as I could and make the story as good as I could. By the time I started to send out query letters, every time I got a rejection I felt validated.

Q. What one or two key pieces of advice do you have for people who want to write?

A. Don't give up and learn as much as you can about the craft. Join organizations, writers are awesome. I honestly have yet to meet a writer that has not taken time out to help a fellow writer.

Q. Tell us a little more about your books - genres, titles, storylines, interesting tidbits.

A. I have only the one, A Hotel in Paris, and of course I had to go back to Paris to do some research. What a job. My heroine is a painter, living in Paris where she meets murder, mayhem and a certain Inspector from Interpol.

Q. Can you share with us what you are working on now, and when will it be published?

A. I am working on A Hotel in Bath. I went on a tour a few years ago and fell in love with that city. The history is simply amazing. I went back last November and can't wait to go again.

Q. Where can we learn more about you and buy your books?

A. I have a website http://www.mjustes.com/ and A Hotel in Paris is coming in June 2008, Echelon Press LLC is the publisher.