Margaret Daley
LI/LIS author
Love Inspired author Margaret Daley writes at least four novels a year for two different lines. She juggles two miniseries, contributes to other projects, and always remains fresh and timely! The emotional tension in her stories of faith and love resonate with her fans. Here she gives some advice about keeping balance….
I write both Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense. While both are romances, each is quite different to plot. One–Love Inspired–is more character driven while the romantic suspense in Love Inspired Suspense is more plot driven. I like to alternate between these two types of books. My favorite to write and read is romantic suspense, but it’s nice to have a break from the fast paced story with one close call after another. It really challenges me in a different way.
For many years I worked a full-time job and wrote for both of these lines. Now I’m retired, but instead of slowing down, I’m filling the time by writing more stories. So how do I keep everything straight? Organization.
Planning two different series at the same time can be confusing if I don’t keep track of what I’m doing and keep it organized. I have several charts I use to keep the stories straight. I also take notes as I write about the stories. When doing a series (or two at the same time), you can’t mix the stories up. The more complex the series the more necessary for me to keep track of the details.
Another thing I do to make sure I get my book in on time is to figure out how many words I need to write in a week’s time. I don’t do a daily word count because we all have crazy days where we don’t get much written. When I set a week’s word count, I can write more one day than another and still make my goal. I also work in time to edit the story before I send it to my editor. This requires discipline—being able to write almost every day to keep the writing schedule.
This doesn’t mean I don’t take breaks, particularly between books. This step is very important to a writer. We can’t write for long seven days a week, week after week. We have to have down time or burn out. If nothing else, take away from this blog post how important it is to get organized in your writing, to become disciplined in your work schedule, and to take time to play and relax.
You can find Margaret Daley on her website, on Twitter (@margaretdaley) and on Facebook.
Thank you, Margaret, for your practical and valuable advice! Whether you’re on your first or fiftieth title, it’s important to keep a balance in your life.
Happy reading–and writing!
4 replies on “Focus on Harlequin Love Inspired author Margaret Daley”
Great post!
I am currently reading “Her Holiday Hero”!
I hope you are enjoying it, Marcie. I’m currently writing the 3rd book in the series.
I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, Margaret, but I want to be like you when I grow up. 🙂 Blessings!
Thank you so much, Margaret! You’ve always encouraged my writing, and now you’re inspiring me anew with ways to improve my work habits! 🙂 I’m already keeping an “address book” for the characters of my Dainger County, so I can keep track of who lives where, drives what, and is related to whom! 🙂 I especially need the part of taking time to smell the proverbial roses.
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!