AUTHOR INTERVIEW with MAGGIE BISHOP

Maggie Bishop is the author of four published novels set in the Mountains of North Carolina and a fun cat book titled, Meow Means Me! Now! She's an Air Force brat with an MBA who loves to write.

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Who is the one person who most encouraged or influenced you to be a writer—and why?

My mother, Pearle Bishop. She gave me my first laptop, way back when they cost over a thousand dollars. I was raised in a family of readers and thought everyone was that way. One of the biggest shocks when I met my husband was that he did not have bookcases full of books.


How long have you been writing? In what genres do you write?

I started with romance and turned to murder. My first novel, Appalachian Paradise, a romance, came out in 2002. A cold case mystery snuck into Emeralds in the Snow. I’ve been writing mysteries ever since.


Tell us about your Appalachian series.

In Perfect for Framing, released November 2008, greed and a lust for power led to murder in a clash of personal versus public needs. Murder at Blue Falls has Jemma, who leads trail rides on her parents’ guest ranc,h as a suspect in the murder of neighborhood dogs as well as a man. Emeralds in the Snow involves skiing at Sugar Mountain, an emerald mine, and a cold case murder. Award winning Appalachian Paradise takes place on a five-day backpacking trip in the spring amongst the bears, boars, and girl scouts.


What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

The most difficult part of writing is the discipline to write on a regular basis. I’ll get on the internet to do promotions and two hours are gone. My best creative time is in the morning and that’s when I have to write.


What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.

Perfect for Framing has trouble a-brewing at a mountain Property Owners Association. It is available through my website http://maggiebishop1.tripod.com, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Independent book stores.


What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?

One Shot Too Many will be released in the Spring of 2010. In it, Detective Tucker takes the lead and Jemma Chase spends time with the horses on the family’s Blue Falls Dude Ranch deep in the North Carolina mountains near Boone.


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?

Think about your dream writing life. When would you write? How long? How many days a week? Where? Start taking steps to achieve that dream.


What writers organizations claim you as a member?

Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, and High Country Writers in Boone, NC


Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.

April 18, Storytellers Bookstore, Wake Forest, NC
May 23, Todd General Store, Todd, NC
May 30, Tuckers on Main, Blowing Rock, NC
June 12 & 13, Chapters Bookstore, Galax, VA
Come by and chat!


Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

I enjoy presenting workshops at writer’s conferences as a way to give back to all the authors who taught me about the craft of writing.


What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):

Website: http://maggiebishop1.tripod.com
Blog is with the Dames of Dialogue including Christy Tillery French and Caitlyn Hunter http://damesofdialogue.wordpress.com