June Spotlight with Maggie Toussaint
About me. My greatest defining characteristic is my curiosity. When you combine that quest for understanding with an incurable romantic, an active imagination, and a self-starter, you’ve got the “Cliff Notes” on Maggie Toussaint.
About my character, Cleopatra Jones. Cleopatra Jones is indeed my alter ego, and a woman I very much admire. She’s been bruised by the world, shafted by her ex-husband. She’s down but she’s not out – not by a long shot. She’ll do anything to protect her family and best friend, including tracking down a serial killer. Who’d have thought a small town accountant could be so much fun? Check out In For A Penny, my June 2008 release from Five Star, ISBN 9781594146466.
Maggie’s take on crit groups. I have been in several critique groups through the years. Currently I have critique partners that help hone my creativity in different stages of writing. For example, there’s my brain trust, a group of creative thinkers who are a well-spring of examples to fill in all of my “what ifs” With ideas and characterizations in hand, I create the rough draft and polish it – alone. Peers review this draft and make suggestions. My experience is that critique groups have their place, as long as you tailor them to suit your needs. Having each chapter reviewed in first draft stage didn’t work for me. If you want to try a critique group, make sure you can sift through the well-meaning advice and keep the story yours.
Five years from now. In five years I see myself as an established author, one with a solid catalogue of good reads. I’d like to step outside my small press comfort zone, to write a breakout novel that propels me into new markets.
Favs. My all-time writing genres are romance and mystery. I love blending the complexity of a romance with a who-dun-it. My reading favs venture into these and other realms. For instance, I am intrigued by psychic elements in futuristic settings. Jayne Castle and JD Robb are masters of the books I most admire.
A secret. When I was a kid, I believed I could run fast enough to fly. In my airborne mode, I traveled around our rural community. I was always careful not to go too high or venture too far from home. Etched in my head are bird’s eye views that I couldn’t possibly have seen. Though it stretches credibility, it feels very real to me.
Greatest accomplishment. I’ve come far from humble origins but the best thing I ever did, along with my husband, is produce two beautiful and talented daughters. They bring sunshine into my heart.
Maggie’s contact places. Be sure and visit my website, www.maggietoussaint.com, and my consolidated blog at www.myspace.com/maggietoussaint. I’m also on Shelfari, Facebook, Author’s Den, and Goodreads (www.shelfari.com/maggietoussain
Maggie Toussaint
No Second Chance, ISBN 9781601541628
Print: Buy it at Amazon ebook: The Wild Rose Press or Kindle
romance.danger.mystery