Margaret Daley's Intro (8 months late)

Brief Intro:

I am a wife to a wonderful husband, Mike. We’ve been married for thirty-eight years (I was young when we married) and we have one son. Although we didn’t have many children, my son does. His wife is expecting their fourth daughter at the first of April.

In 2000 Steeple Hill bought my first Love Inspired book, and I began my foray into the Christian market. Before that I had written secular books for various publishers. My world changed that day Ann Leslie Tuttle called me to tell me she wanted to buy The Power of Love. Little did I know how much.

Over the years my journey with the Lord has changed and deepened. As I explored my characters’ faith, I also explored my own. I think the Lord had that in mind all along because he kept hinting at me to write for Him, then finally He shoved me. He gave me a story I could only tell one way—His way. Since that time the number of books I’ve sold has climbed to sixty.

All About Me:

1. How I got my first name? I used to think I had been named after Princess Margaret of England, but I wasn’t. I understand there was a friend my parents knew that had the name Margaret and that was who I was named after. I never met her. But thinking you were named after a princess always sounded so much more romantic, especially to a daydreaming young girl.

2. How I got my writing name? My writing name is my real name. You know about Margaret. The Daley came when I married Mike. When I first started writing for Silhouette in the early 80s, I used my maiden name. The publishers (back in the dark ages) wanted a pen name, not your real name. I was so excited finally to be able to use my real name.

3. How I pick my characters’ names, good guy and bad? Most of the time I’m not sure how a name comes to me. Usually I’ll hear one I like the sound of and will remember it. Then when I have to come up with character names, one will pop into my head. I used Colin (So Dark the Night) because of the actor who played Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. I love that movie and he was great. I used Cara because my niece is named that. I’ve used Mike or rather Michael because I love that name. I’ve used Slade because it sounds strong to me. You see there are many reasons why I choose a certain name. I’ve even been known to look in the telephone book for last names. I come up with a first name and then search for a last one that goes with it (never the other way around).

Three Interest Tidbits About Me:

1. Well, I don’t know about interesting, especially three. This one I have to think about. I love writing suspense and reading it, but I couldn’t imagine hurting anyone (I avoid stepping on bugs). Of course, if you saw the books I have in my library, you would wonder—Murder One, Scene of the Crime, Strictly Murder, Deadly Doses, to name only a few.

2. I was a cheerleader in high school for basketball, and I hate basketball (well, now I tolerate it since my husband enjoys it). And the reason I went out for cheerleading was because if we were one we didn’t have to take gym. Practicing the last hour was our gym hour. And I hated the outfit we had to wear in gym.

3. I love to travel and have been many places in the world. My favorite is Tahiti. It is as beautiful as the pictures you’ve seen—Bora Bora is to die for.

All About My Books:

1. How I stumbled into writing suspense…was because I have read so many, and I have a vivid (and some say) warped imagination. I see a situation and love to turn it around and put something suspenseful and dangerous into it. I was at yoga class the other night at church. The teacher wasn’t sure if anyone else was coming and it was time for class to start. She didn’t know whether to go ahead and lock the outside door or leave it ajar for anyone who might come late. Of course, my mind started thinking of all kinds of bad things that could go wrong with that unlocked door, a group alone in the building and darkness outside.

I am a puzzle solver and very analytical. That fits well with my suspense writing. I look at a problem from all angles and have great critique partners who step in if I don’t catch something.

2. My favorite suspense book I wrote and why? Picking my favorite is hard because each one has meant a lot to me, but if I have to it would be Heart of the Amazon because I love the jungle. I’ve even been to a couple of rain forests for research purposes (a whole other story). But not only did I love the setting, the concept intrigued me. Picture African Queen meets Romancing the Stone. That’s Heart of the Amazon.

3. My favorite suspense book I read and why? Amazonia by James Rollins. I love his books and this is the best of them. I love it because of the location but the plot and characters kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Great book!

All About Others:

My favorite author is James Rollins.


My best writing friend is my critique group (Glo, Caron, Vickie, Therese and Jan). They are great and so supportive.

The funniest thing that’s ever happened to me because I’m a writer is researching a book and wondering if I was on the FBI watch list. I could picture myself being carted off to Guantanamo Bay (I think that’s where they send suspected terrorists), never to be seen again. I even warned my husband, especially after calling the FBI office to ask questions. Actually I heard today on the radio the FBI are looking for applicants. I wonder if they could use a romantic suspense writer.

The craziest thing I’ve done gathering research for a novel was learning to scuba dive and dragging my husband along with me. He almost “died” on one dive when the instructor ignored my husband’s signal he was running low on air. Finally Mike took out on his own and found the line to the surface. As he pulled himself up the rope, he ran out of air halfway up.

A real life murder (crime) that fascinates me is when a student of mine was murdered. It has never been solved to this day and it’s been twenty years. I taught children mentally challenged and how anyone could want to murder a student with special needs was and still is beyond me. It was a horrific crime that rocked my world and our school. He was murdered along with his older brother a few weeks before Christmas while his parents were out Christmas shopping.

I’m so excited that we have added more writers to this blog. I want you to get to know as I do these wonderful, talented authors who write for Love Inspired Suspense. What a great group to be a part of!!!

Have an awesome 2009 and visit often!

Margaret