On this week’s Corks & Conversation with Maggie Smith episode we enjoyed a fun talk with her about writing women’s fiction with a crime fiction slant. Have a listen …
Maggie Smith joined us to chat about her debut novel, Truth and Other Lies. After a successful career as a business woman, she turned to writing as a creative outlet. She described it as the hardest thing she had done in her life. Her story centers on the dynamics of three women – a young reporter, her politically opposite mother, and an iconic journalist who becomes a mentor. Although there is a crime involved, her book is considered Women’s Fiction. As Maggie told us:
“It’s definition from the women’s fiction writers association, which I’m active in, is that the main character goes on an emotional journey, and emotional arc so they are different at the end.”
But what she summed up the confusion in this way:
“Read what you want – the genre is only there to help people decide ‘oh that might be for me’ or ‘that might not be for me’”
Regardless, we loved her book. She handled the character’s relationships and some polarizing topics in such a way that we think everyone will find middle ground. We suggest you get a copy (indie bookshop.org or Amazon.com) and enjoy it with a glass of Butter Chardonnay like we did!
Maggie also has a podcast called Hear Us Roar where she interviews women’s fiction authors. And just like us, she enjoys the hell out of it! On recording the podcast she says (and we concur):
“Every Monday when I do it, I come down and I say to my husband ‘that is the most interesting person I have ever…’ and he says ‘you do realize you say that every week.’”
Highlights:
5:37 The hardest thing she’s ever done
15:45 Let’s be honest: everybody reads their reviews
16:55 Womens Fiction vs. Crime Fiction
21:45 We (women) need some time, too!
23:00 Cover considerations
29:32 A great Australian reading recommendation
31:40 The most interesting person she’s ever met
You can play the episodes from our website, wherever you listen to podcasts or watch them on our YouTube Channel.
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