I’d like to welcome mystery writer, Maggie King, back to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Walking, listening to music, getting lost in a great story.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Organizing files on my computer.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Pen, paper, computer, good light, cat (but not on the keyboard!), and QUIET.

Things that distract you from writing: Just about anything! Noise especially, whether from mowers, leaf blowers, loud conversations, or screaming children. I don’t work in coffee shops or other public places.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Developing and maintaining the discipline necessary to complete a story worth telling.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The writing that happens in my head. Getting it out of my head and on paper/computer is the hard part.

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: My Samsung Galaxy watch. Love it!

The thing you wished you’d never bought: A magazine subscription that took months to cancel.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: An actor, then a nurse, then an English teacher. I did none of those things. I was a retail sales manager, a customer service supervisor, a programmer analyst, a computer trainer, a non-profit administrator, and, at last--a writer!

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: I’ve volunteered to be a poll worker on November 5.

Favorite places you’ve been: Greece, Spain, Ireland, Costa Rica, New York City, New Mexico, Alaska.

Places you never want to go to again: This is a tough one, as even the least pleasing places can have some appeal. But here’s one: my husband and I got lost in an unfriendly, non-touristy section of Istanbul. If we go back, we’ll steer clear.

The most exciting thing about your writing life: Meeting readers, especially at book clubs. I always love talking about books, my own and others.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: When I first published, writers were advised to engage on several social media platforms 24/7. This mistake was later recognized and advice amended to focus on one or two platforms. Much more doable and writer-friendly.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: “I LOVED your book! Such great characters, and I never guessed who the killer was!”

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “Why do you write mysteries? Why not literary or historical fiction? Write about nice people.”

Best piece of advice you received from another writer: Your best promotion is your next book.

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: Make writing your priority. Schedule time to write, even if it’s very little time---it will add up. Find a schedule that works for you (which isn’t necessarily one that works for other writers).

Recommendations for curing writer’s block: Keep writing, even if it’s gibberish. Gems are born from gibberish. Go for a walk, listen to music, do yard work, any activity that frees your creative expression.

Things you do to avoid writing: Watch YouTube videos and read blogs about writing.

About Maggie:

Maggie King is the author of the Hazel Rose Book Group mysteries. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, Deadly Southern Charm, Death by Cupcake, Murder by the Glass, Second Black Beacon Book of Mystery, and First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder.

Maggie is a member of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, International Thriller Writers, and is a founding member of Sisters in Crime Central Virginia. Maggie graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology and has worked as a software developer, retail sales manager, computer trainer, and customer service supervisor. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, Glen, and cat, Olive.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: http://www.maggieking.com

Blog: https://thewritersinresidence.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaggieKingAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormaggieking/