1. What inspired
you to write REMEMBER ME?
I was inspired by character to write REMEMBER ME. I
became fascinated with
the name Layla (which underwent numerous spellings), and how it mushroomed into
the character of a woman who was ready to deal with her personal conflicts,
regardless.
2. What were your goals for REMEMBER ME?
My goals for REMEMBER
ME. were to take an old device, amnesia,
and connect it to
the popular adage that's been paraphrased many times: "You can't know where
you're going, if you don't know where you've come from" to see where it
would lead me/Layla Griffin. It also allowed another challenge which was
creating a more developed character from one who had no memory.
3. What should a reader get from a Margie Walker romance?
I always hope readers get the passion I share with
and for my characters,
as well as get caught up in the intrigue and feel for their plight to root
for their ultimate victories -- love and justice.
4. Why do you like suspense in your romances?
Suspense and romance are representative of the
concepts of hate and love.
Since I believe all relationships have to be worked on (probably because I've
been married since '75, going on 25 years), I find the element of suspense
adds more spark to the characters' lives. Plus, I enjoy the tests of blending
the two elements in a story. Sometimes, it works. . . .
5. How do you format your books, synopsis first? Or do you just sit down
and start writing?
Each story has come differently to me; some require
more work than others.
If I can answer in two or three sentences what my story is about and articulate
the theme, I may just start writing story, then write the synopsis. At other
times, I do a story outline, which allows me to get to know my characters
better.
6. How do you like
writing novellas compared to novels?
Novellas provide a break from the longer novels.
7. Are there any particular themes you'd like to explore in future books?
I believe that the variety and depths of our
interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships are numerous enough to accommodate
some of the storylines I hope to tackle in the future. Depression during the
holidays is one of them, which I give a glimpse into in my upcoming novella.
8. If you weren't writing romance what type of fiction would you write and
why?
Writing romance permitted me entrance into the
publishing world. I chose the
genre deliberately because I didn't see myself differently from any other person
who wanted to experience happy-ever-after in print. My present need to
write romantic suspense represents my evolution as a writer and the personal
need I have for bigger challenges.
9. Which book would you lie to see as a movie? Who would you cast to star
in it?
It's funny you mention that, for just at a recent
signing of R.M., there seemed a consensus among those readers who are familiar
with my work that R.M. is the one. Layla Griffin would be played by Vanessa
Williams, and Paul Diamond would be played by Ving Rhames.
10. What was your publication journey like?
Two years after I began writing in '88, I sold LOVE
SIGNALS to Marron
Publishers, in '90. After what seemed like a four-year drought, Arabesque
came into existence, and I sold A SWEET REFRAIN '94. I've had a story
published every year since then, ("Harvest The Fruits" in SPIRIT OF
THE SEASON,
Dec. '94; BREATHLESS, '95; INDISCRETIONS, '96, CONSPIRACY, '97; PUBLIC
AFFAIR,
'98, "Stone's Joy" in SEASONS GREETINGS, '98.)
11. What is the best part about being a romance writer?
I enjoy the craft of writing, manipulating words and
people's lives. The
romance bolsters my need for seeing my characters' journey come to a
satisfying conclusion.
12. What impact do you think AA romances have in dispelling misconceptions
or stereotypes about African-American?
There's a funny thing about perceptions and long held
beliefs that are
engrained, institutionalized if you will, in our society. They are hard to
eradicate. I'm not sure that AA romances have dispelled misconceptions or
stereotypes. While that may have been an aside wish for many of us who wanted to
see our faces in these stories, I don't believe its reasonable to expect AA
romances to accomplish such a feat. I prefer to think that we celebrate,
reemphasize, and highlight our humanity, thus satisfying that need which we
share with readers (for we are readers, as well) who have longed to see and read
about AA characters in a positive light.
14. What do you do when you're not writing?
I go salt-water fishing, and occasionally, I'll play racquetball.
15. Can you name 3 good books you've read lately?
What A Woman's Gotta Do by Evelyn Coleman; Fire &
Desire by Brenda Jackson; Black Notice by Patricia Cornwell.
16. How does the internet factor into your writing?
None. Internet usage is for social and research
activities.
17. How can readers get in touch with you?
Readers can email me at Malaikar@aol.com,
or www.margiewalker.com, or
they may write me at: 2400 Augusta, Ste 251, Houston, TX, 77057.
18. What are your favorite sites to visit?
My favorite sites are those which contain the
information I need for current writing projects, and they can be almost
anything.
19. Any advice for those who are aspiring to write romance?
Make a commitment! Once the commitment is made, then
you'll find ways and time to work around all the other obstacles.
20. Can you give us a peek at what we can expect from the next Margie
Walker romance?
Kwanzaa Kupendi, meaning Kwanzaa love, is my next
short story, appearing
in the anthology, SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE, along with Brenda Jackson and
Felicia Mason. The story features Michelle Craig, suffering from
depression
during the holidays, and Simon Stevenson, who helps her overcome them.
He had probably been called Red as a child, was Michelle's very next thought,
her heart pounding as she stared wordlessly at him. He had a fair complexion
with a crop of short reddish-brown hair. She'd just bet he was always into
something by the touch of humor around his generous mouth and warm hazel eyes
that were full of life. All that aside, she couldn't get over the enormity of
him, a master of the universe. . . .