About author, Margaret Kaine: Born and educated in Stoke-on-Trent, the area known as the Potteries, a quiet yet imaginative girl I always had a dream of becoming a writer. But once married and living in Leicester, a family, two dogs and a career as a lecturer in further education, was a full-time occupation. It wasn’t until I had an ‘empty nest’, that I came to this wonderful world of writing fiction. I attempted short stories at first, gaining encouragement and constructive critiques from a writers’ workshop – I’d advise anyone to join a good one – and had my share of rejections, but eventually became published widely in women’s magazines in the UK, and also in Australia, Norway, South Africa and Ireland. Then obeying the maxim to ‘write about what you know’, I wrote Ring of Clay, set in the Potteries after WW2, continuing to write romantic sagas about life in the Potteries between the 50’s and 70’s, until another six books were published, translations including German and French. It was then that I felt the urge to venture in a different direction and gained enormous pleasure from writing Dangerous Decisions, a more cosmopolitan novel, set in the Edwardian Era, and a romantic historical suspense. Advance readers have said that it reminds them of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs, which I regard as a great compliment.
INTERVIEW
Describe yourself in five words: loves family, writing, chess, croquet
When did you know you were a writer? I think I finally realised that I was a ‘proper’ writer, when my debut novel Ring of Clay won both the RNA’s New Writer’s Award in 2002, and the Society of Authors’ Sagittarius prize in 2003.
What is the writing/editing/publishing process like for you? I’m an organic writer, often beginning a novel with only a character and a vague idea of its theme. For me writing the story is a voyage of discovery in the same way that it is for a reader. I rather like editing, feeling a satisfaction as I prune unnecessary words and repetitions. I think this is where the skills I learned in honing short stories to a required length have proved invaluable. So far I’ve enjoyed the publishing process too with the excitement of the cover design – I absolutely love the one for Dangerous Decisions. Fortunately, during the process of editing and copy-editing all of my books, I have never been asked to make substantive changes. When the publication date finally arrives, it brings excitement tinged with apprehension. Will readers like it, will they think it is as good as the last one? And as I’m sure we all hope for our novels – is there a chance that it will become adapted for TV or as a film.
Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? I like them all, depending on what I’m doing at the time. I still like the feel of a hardback, find it easier to hold open than a paperback, it also looks good on the shelves and keeps its pristine appearance longer. A paperback is cheaper and perfect for the beach, while I find I tend to read an ebook before going to sleep. I like the way that if my eyes are tired that I can enlarge the font. I hope all formats continue to flourish.
How did you celebrate your first book being published? I was in Dublin on a book tour, and going into a high-class jewellers chose a beautiful gold pendant and chain. It’s still one of my favourite pieces.
Who is your favorite author? A tricky one this. My favourite reads seem to be governed by different phases of my life. As a young girl, it had to be Louisa M Alcott, because ‘Little Women’ had such an influence on me that I not only named my daughter after Jo March, but my first heroine was called Beth. Later, I loved Norah Lofts, Anya Seaton, Susan Howatch, Catherine Cookson and the Jilly Cooper early novels. Now, I tend to try to keep up with contemporary writers, constantly impressed by the wealth of new writing talent out there.
What types of characters are your favorite to create? My instinctive answer is – the ones who explode on to the page!
It’s interesting how some characters – either male or female – come easily while others have to be teased into life. When I was writing Dangerous Decisions, I found Oliver’s flawed character fascinating to create. It can sometimes be difficult not to make a heroine too ‘perfect’. I then remind myself of Becky Sharpe in Vanity Fair.
As an author, do you have any rules for yourself? I do remind myself never to forget ‘my reader’. And to try and write a story where the reader will feel just as involved in as I do myself. In Dangerous Decisions for instance, the reader knows of traits in Oliver of which Helena is unaware, and so will – I hope – be anxious for her.
Where is your favorite place to write? I’m lucky in having my own study/refuge downstairs as I tend to write ‘as and when’, rather than in long stints at the computer, otherwise I’d have neck/shoulder/back problems. So even if I’m in the middle of cooking a meal for example and a perfect gem of a phrase comes to me, I can easily pop into my study. I do need my own space to lose myself in writing, and although I know some writers like to have music in the background, I work best in silence.
What do you want your readers to take away from your books? A feeling of escapism, of enjoyment, to have touched their emotions – nostalgia, laughter, tears – insights into relationships and of course romance. And from Dangerous Decisions perhaps all of the above, but also a sense of a glamorous and elitist world, yet one with underlying menace.
A writer must have a…passion to be published – it’s hard and takes determination – be imaginative, interested in people, and able to take on board constructive criticism.
Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects? I’m currently writing another novel set in the Edwardian era. The story is developing to follow three lives. Ella, brought to a London workhouse at the age of six after her mother was, she believes, murdered, and Rory, a clever young Irish youth, whose life is blighted by tragedy. Letitia, a wealthy spinster in her late twenties on a charitable impulse employs Ella as a scullery maid . . .
“Dangerous Decisions” by Margaret Kaine
Blurb of “Dangerous Decisions”:
Have you ever ignored a sense of unease?
Helena Standish knows that a good marriage would enhance her father’s social status but she’s wise enough not to accept any handsome fool. The wealthy and enigmatic Oliver Faraday is considered an ideal match, so why does Helena have faint misgivings?
Nicholas Carstairs has little patience with frivolous pleasure-seekers or an upper class that closes ranks against outsiders. Why then is he entranced by the lovely ‘girl in the window’ – a debutante who would appear to be both of those things?
A champagne celebration at Broadway Manor marks the start of a happy future for Helena, but no one can predict the perilous consequences of her decision or the appalling danger it will bring.
**Contact Margaret:
Email: margaret.kaine@tiscali.co.uk Website Facebook Twitter
So nice to see Margaret Kaine on your lovely blog, Isabella. Margaret has been a great help to me as a newly published author. Reading Dangerous Decisions ATM and really enjoying it.
Thank you, Lizzie. I’m reading your own latest, Boot Camp Bride – what a roller-coaster!
I’m very much looking forward to reading your book, Margaret, it’s on my TBR pile and sounds wonderful!
Thank you Christina. Our TBR pile grows ever higher doesn’t it. But at least we’ll never be lost for something to turn to! x
It’s on my Kindle too, Margaret! It sounds as if you really enjoyed writing it and with the Downton ‘feel’ it’s bound to be a winner.
Thanks, Chris. Yes, I loved the research and would have loved wearing the elegant clothes too! Especially if I’d been born into the higher echelons.
Fab interview. It sounds like a very interesting book!
Thank you, Rhoda. I certainly hope that readers agree with you!. x
I’ve always loved your books, Margaret, and am so enjoying the new one. It’s sure to be a real winner. You work so hard, and deserve every bit of your success.
Love the blog, too. A perfect showcase!
Bless you June, and you know how much I enjoyed your debut one. I’m looking forward to your next novel due out soon.
Really liked your blog, Margaret – sums up exactly what it is to be a writer and why we feel impelled to write. Looking forward to reading the whole of Dangerous Decisions (already downloaded), extracts of which I’ve been privileged and intrigued to hear at our Writers’ Workshop. Seems you’re really hooked on the Edwardian era, and look forward to hearing the fate of Ella, Rory and Laetitia soon. Meanwhile, here’s wishing you every success with Dangerous Decisions.
Thanks Margaret. And aren’t we so fortunate to be members of such an excellent Writers’ Workshop. Thank you for your good wishes and good luck with your own forthcoming book.
You are all such lovely people, in addition to being excellent writers yourselves. It’s such an exciting time when a new book goes into the outside world. Thank you all for your kind comments. x
Loved reading this blog entry, Margaret, so insightful and helpful to budding writers. I have downloaded your new book and look forward to reading. Best of luck with sales, etc. The novel you’re currently writing sounds intriguing. Look forward to it. 🙂
You are all such lovely people, in addition to being excellent writers yourselves. And I owe you all an apology for being so late in replying, but circumstances just got in the way! It’s such an exciting time when a new book goes into the outside world. Thank you for your kind comments. x
Another one for the to be read pile! Sounds like a really interesting book x
I hope so, Alison. I certainly loved writing it, especially the research.
Thank you for your comment. x
Dangerous Decisions is a wonderful story. You will be shocked and surprised by the events as they occur. Great interview Margaret. I love the cover.X
Thank you Cathy, it has been a new venture for me and as you say, the cover is fabulous!
Great interview, Margaret. Dangerous Decisions is waiting patiently on my Kindle.
Thanks Liv. I think Kindle’s have to be patient, there are so many tempting books to download! I hope you enjoy it. x
I’ve bought Dangerous decisions, Margaret, but have been held up because i am currently reading the last book in the Ann of Green Gables series, very relevant to this centenary of the start of WW1. Anyway I’ve bumped you u the top of the long queue for my next read a
If this novel is in the genre of Downton as you suggest I shall really enjoy it, particularly as it won’t be interspersed with adverts twice as long as the story episodes!. Will write a review after I’ve read it.
Thank you, Margaret, I really hope you find the book absorbing. And I know what you mean about the adverts, that’s why I record so many TV programmes so that I can whizz through them! x
Such a fascinating interview, Margaret. Dangerous Decisions is on my kindle too. Lovely to hear more about you. I tend to write ‘organically’ as well. Love your way of describing that. X
Thank you Sarah. Writing organically can be a bit scary sometimes, but then as the chapters continue, all seems to reveal itself. Exciting. I do admire though the writers who can plan ahead, even write graphs. The very idea makes me want to go and lie down!
What a fascinating interview, Margaret,
I love the sound of your work-in-progress, too! I’ve got Dangerous Decisions on my iPad and am looking forward to reading it.
I hope you like it Beverley. So many books we want to read, why can’t there be more hours in the day!
I always say I am not into historicals – but I am gradually being persuaded… I think Dangerous Decisions may well be the point at which I stop saying that – and instead say – I love them!
I used to say that I wasn’t into contemporary romantic fiction Janet, but since reading some of the ones published by Choc Lit, I’ve become quite a fan.
I hope Dangerous Decisions does that for you too!