Today, I get the fun of welcoming author Margaret Daley to Tag(g)lines! I’ve read a number of Margaret’s books–but not all 83 yet! 83!
Her topic today is such a good one–issue-driven books and an author’s passion for what she’s writing about. I love hearing why authors choose to write about different topics and issues. And I love mulling over my own passions and how they play out in my writing.
Sidenote…In today’s intro video, in addition to my stumbling over the word “prolific,” we learn one slightly disconcerting lesson: Melissa has serious issues with talking with her hands. It’s a good thing no one was sitting next to me as I recorded. Pretty sure they’d have been whacked right and left.
To write issue-driven books…or not…
When I came up with the theme for Saving Hope, my first book in the Men of the Texas Rangers Series, I was determined to write about human trafficking (and child prostitution that comes from that problem).
I got caught up in the research and issue of human trafficking. It ignited my passion to do something about it. I wanted to write a story that would highlight the issue and how extensive it was in the United States.
After writing Saving Hope, I had a loose framework for my second book in the series–Shattered Silence–about a serial killer targeting illegal aliens along the Texas border with Mexico.
But something was missing for me in the story. I needed an added passion for the story. I needed an issue that I was passionate about. As a teacher I had always been concerned with bullying in the schools. I took it a step further in my book and showed it also in other situations–workplace and a marriage. Bullying became my theme as human trafficking had in the first book.
My third book–Scorned Justice–was about revenge and the lengths people went to for revenge. This isn’t a social issue like my other books in the series, but it is a unifying theme to help me build my story upon. A lot of things are done for revenge and the subject intrigued me.
Severed Trust, my fourth book, came about when I heard of a friend who was addicted to prescription drugs. It started with a painful affliction that he couldn’t control without heavy-duty pain medication. It helped with the pain, but it left him addicted to painkillers.
As I’ve been digging deeper into the issue of prescription drug abuse, I’m shocked at how prevalent it is in the United States. One police officer that works at the state level said about half his cases are connected with prescription drug abuse. Teens are involved as well as adults. Certain prescription drugs can be as additive as illegal drugs like heroin or cocaine. My passion was sparked yet again.
When I can connect with that passionate side of me, I get excited about the story. That’s why issue driven books can be so important to a writer.
But a writer can be just as passionate about a character, a locale or a career. What’s important for a writer is to tap into that passionate subject whether an issue or one of the other aspects of a story. That passion is conveyed to the reader, adding a spark to the story.
Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-three books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.
More about Margaret’s latest book, Shattered Silence:
A serial killer is targeting illegal aliens in southern Texas. Texas Ranger Cody Jackson is paired with a local police officer, Liliana Rodriguez, to investigate the murders.
While the case brings Cody and Liliana ever closer, the tension between Americans and Mexican Americans heightens. As Cody and Liliana race to discover who is behind the murders and bring peace to the area, what they uncover isn’t what they expected. Will Cody and Liliana’s faith and love be strong enough to survive the storm of violence?
Comments 14
I read Saving Hope – it’s a subject that’s caught my heart too! And now I’m waiting to read Shattered Silence:) Great to meet you Margaret.
And Melissa – if you only knew how badly I get teased by my children for talking with my hands! I tend to think it’s a wonderful tool for keeping people on their toes when you’re talking to them.
Haha, I’m glad I’m not alone in my hand-waving-communication. 😉
Great interview. I so appreciated Saving Hope and shared it with many people, starting with my daughter. Such an important message.
An interest in alternative remedies and treatments was the driving force behind my current release and a new series I’m working on. I learned so much through my research…including pain med addiction. 🙂
Ooh, now I’m curious about your new series, Sandra!
Great post. Yes, I believe passion makes all the difference in a story…life too.
Good point, Pat! 🙂
I think a reader can tell when a writer lacks passion for the subject matter. I do like books that deal with larger issues. In many ways, books are responsible for much of the influence and social dialogue about such issues, and it is important to bring about awareness.
Yeah, have you ever read a book where it felt like the writer didn’t actually have passion for the subject? Or was just writing hurriedly? That shows through as well.
Thank you for stopping by, Sandra, Pat, Lindsay and Susan. Thank you, Melissa, for having me on your blog. I, too, talk with my hands.
Sandra, prescription drug abuse is another issue I’m passionate about. I’ve just completed a book about it for Men of the Texas Rangers Series–out next fall. Researching it really opened up my eyes.
And thank YOU so much for being here, Margaret!
Margaret, it’s a pleasure to “meet” you here! You’re such a gracious lady–one that I greatly admire.
I tap into my passion for a particular story/subject through extensive research and personal self-evaluation. I think when we delve into those normally non-broached issues, it drives us to a deeper understanding not only about our characters, but about ourselves, as well.
Great post, Melissa! (And I talk with my hands, too! 🙂 )
Haha, lots of hand-talkers here. I’m not THAT weird, I guess. 🙂
Passion – one of those things I have in abundance (don’t we all?). The amazing thing about writing fiction is that you can weave more than one passion into a story. I love that I can weave my passion for the history of my hometown into the same book as my passion for receiving God’s forgiveness. Each book we write is another taste of our soul – just a little nibble – and there’s so much more where it comes from!
Margaret, thank you for this guest post, and Melissa, thank you for sharing Margaret’s wisdom with us!
Your blog post Welcome Mat Wednesday: Margaret Daley is a mixed feeling. But it remains the most excellent in his own style!!