This contest has introduced me to many talented writers that I did not know beforehand. The first place winner, Nancy Glaubius, writing as Margo Lukas, is one of them. An awesome writer and a delightful person, Nancy took a moment to answer my questions about her writing and more …
Rachelle: Margo, please tell me a bit about yourself.
Margo: Currently, I am an unpublished ROMANCE writer. I love the romance genre! I read in almost all sub-genres and love the variety that is available for the readers. My love affair with the romance novel began at a young age. I was a helper at our local library and had to shelve many, many romance paperbacks. How could I resist those stories with such beautiful people on the covers?
I started writing seriously a few years ago. I hope to get Half Moon Rising published, but whatever this book’s fate, I plan to continue writing romance for a long time. I also plan to be a wonderful wife and be a loving mother to my two little girls … in those hours between writing!
Rachelle: I thoroughly enjoyed Half Moon Rising. In less than 1,000 words, you managed to give a hint of CJ’s visions and her case, as well as introduce the hero in a dramatic way, and insert a paranormal experience, as well as paint a wonderful picture of the bar she’s in. All of this was done seamlessly and left me wanting more. Did this scene come naturally for you or did you find it hard to write?
Margo: The first draft of the scene came easily. But I have to edit and revise what I “see” in my mind, so that it comes across to the reader in an interesting way. I had to cut and reword quite a bit to get my scene under 1000 words, but it came out of revision much better than how it started.
Rachelle: How did the idea for Half Moon Rising come to you?
Margo: Would you believe the first seed of this story came from seeing a carnival at a local mall parking lot? There was a “Haunted House” and I thought … what if teenage werewolves goofed off by pretending to be “fake” werewolves in a haunted house? That scene didn’t make it into my book, but that’s what got me started thinking about a werewolf story.
Rachelle: Is there anything else you’d like to say about Half Moon Rising?
Margo: I’ve had fun writing this story, so I hope I can find a home for it in the publishing world. I’d really like to write a sequel or two for some of the secondary characters that I’ve come to care about (including the teenage boy CJ is tracking in this scene).
Rachelle: Why did you decide to write paranormal romance?
Margo: My prior manuscripts were contemporaries, but I love to read paranormals, too. I knew it would be a challenge for me, but I was eager to try something different.
Rachelle: What do you find hardest about writing?
Margo: Finding large chunks of time to write … which in our busy times is a problem for anyone trying to accomplish something major. I’ve given up all television except for “My Name is Earl” and “The Office”!
Rachelle: Are you working on any other projects?
Margo: I’m in the revision and polishing stages for Half Moon Rising, so that’s all I’m concentrating on at the moment. I have a folder of more ideas, and once I’ve started submitting this book … I’ll reach in there and start another.
Rachelle: Who has influenced your writing the most?
Margo: Most recently … Leigh Michaels! She was a great teacher in my Gothom Writer’s class. My late grandmother was an avid reader (and the town librarian who gave me the above mentioned library job). She always let me read anything I wanted, and that gave me exposure to great authors in all genres and the chance to read lots of non-fiction, too.
Rachelle: When you’re not writing, who (if anyone) do you like to read?
Margo: When I find the time to read anything other than the newspaper …. which is surprisingly less since I’ve started writing this novel … I devour any historicals from Lynn Kurland, Mary Jo Putney, and Julia Ross. I read the Blaze line, and recently picked up my first Secrets volume from Red Sage, containing the novella “Out of Control” by a certain Rachelle Chase. That was some hot reading!
Rachelle: Every writer gets asked this question, so I have to ask it … where do you get your ideas?
Margo: I observe the things and people around me and ask “What if?” Ideas just grow from there.
Rachelle: Is there anything else you’d like to say about yourself or your writing?
Margo: I am thrilled to have been a part of the “Chase the Dream” contest. It’s so cool you are helping to open doors for unpublished romance writers. Everyone had such interesting entries … it’s great to read the new and unusual things people are writing. I think we might be seeing some of these names on bookstore shelves soon!
Rachelle: Thank you, Margo, for taking the time to tell us a bit about yourself. And thank you for the kind words about my work and the contest! I wish you continued success in your writing and look forward to buying a copy of Half Moon Rising …
Chase the Dream Writers Contest 