Friday Feature: Journeys Toward Publication and Beyond: Margaret Golla

Welcome to today's Friday Feature interview! Today I have a veteran of the writing world. Please give a warm welcome to Margaret Golla. She is writing Middle Grade Fantasty, although she has written in a number of age groups and genres. I have read the beginning of one of her wips--and I have to say, I think that sooner rather than later, you will be reading an update here that she has been snatched up by an agent. I loved what I read! Please give her lots of love, and remember to leave her a question in the comments--she'll be by to illuminate us further! And don't forget to check out her blog on the way out! 


Welcome Margaret! Why don't you start by telling us a bit about yourself!

In 2001, I started writing. I was almost 40 years old and wanted to find out if I could write a book, exactly like every other mother who had a kid and only worked part-time. Oh, I’d written off and on for the previous thirty years--more off than on, come to think of it. So I joined RWA and a local romance chapter, completing four manuscripts, one novella, and one short story, but I never could get into the angsty emotional crap. I liked plots, not mushy feelings. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy READING them, but I couldn’t write one if my life depended on it. 

I started thinking, if I didn’t write romance what DID I enjoy writing about? Fantasy creatures. But I didn’t think I wrote big enough for traditional Sci-Fi/Fantasy, so I thought about it and realized I LOVED writing young. So I switched from writing romance to middle grade in mid-2008. I wrote ten easy readers, one picture book, two short stories (I posted them as serial blog stories), and one middle grade novel. I’m currently working on the second of the potential series, with an idea for #3.

Margaret, tell us, what are you currently working on?

I have a middle grade light fantasy series that I’m working on. The first in the series generated a few requests. . . and subsequent rejections, but I like this character and I’ll continue to write about her adventures.

What made you start to write seriously?

The same reason many women turn to writing . . . or some other habit, I had a kid. It was 2001, I was almost forty and had a newborn so, of course, I wondered if I could write a book. And no, I wasn’t born with a pencil or computer in my hand like many writers claim. I basically didn’t write for most of my life. When I was twenty-four, I took a creative writing course at the local Junior College (I had a BS in Medical Technology and was working night shift at a local hospital, so I needed an outlet). Uhm, let’s just say that after THAT particular experience I didn’t write for over fifteen years. Okay, part of that decision was because I purchased my first horse and spent all my extra time training, riding, and jumping her . . . well, that and killing time at the barn. It was a great place to hang—love the smell of horses, leather and sweat.

What stage are you at, currently, in your journey toward publication? And--how is that going for you? Has anything surprised you about this stage?

Uhm, writing, revising, querying, revising some more, query again, starting new story, blah, blah, blah. The book I’m currently writing is my seventh. I have four romances, one fantasy, one novella, ten easy readers, and two picture books under the bed. I’ve been along this path before, and YES, I do have to say it gets easier—in a sense. Form rejections used to debilitate me. Now, I realize my writing A) isn’t what they’re looking for, B) doesn’t interest them, C) isn’t saleable, or D) they don’t get. I’ve learned to get over myself and realize that this is a business. Everyone wants to make money, but if they don’t see a sure thing most agents/editors aren’t willing to take the chance.

If you had to pick one favorite blog, what would it be?

This is a tough one. I assume you mean blogs that are not my own. :) I do have a habit of blog hopping in the morning and I visit so many of them. I’d probably have to say, Bookends, Pub Rants, and Janet Reid are my faves. The agent blogs are very insightful and the information they provide is invaluable. I do troll some author blogs, but prefer hitting glogs—more for bang for your buck.

Margaret--glogs? I had to google that! And I came up with a few different things--you're talking about group blogs, right? Can you tell us about a few glogs that you check out?

Glogs: Hm, I read so many agent blogs, but the main glogs are: Murder She Writes, Query Tracker blog, Twisted Sisters (some of my romance friends that actually kept in touch), Writing Sluts (my old romance chapter), Writer Unboxed (a few GIAM buddies), Magical Musings (GIAM buddies). I check them every day, but I don’t necessarily read them, depending on my time constraints and topic. I don’t belong to a glog. I tried one out, but found out that I ‘don’t play well with others’. :-P

What is a favorite blog post that you have written?

That’s hard. Some of my posts have been about memories that I use in my stories, or catalysts in your life, or simply a middle grade short story that I wrote and broken up into installments. I don’t know, so why don’t you pick one?

Margaret, if I had to pick, I would pick your serial blog stories. What a cool idea for blog posts! Everyone check out Margaret's latest serial--featuring her MG protagonist, Rhee Webber. So cool! Margaret, what online resource have you found most helpful?

Again, a toughie. Agent Query. Query Tracker, Preditors and Editors. Absolute Write.

Margaret--it takes a lot of support to write--what kind of support have you found helpful? It must have been difficult to switch genres, and community.

This picture is part of an online goals group I’m in--GIAM—they are the best friends in the world! Back L-R Melanie Atkins, Me, Karin Tabke, Marilyn Auer; front L-R Amy Atwell and Liz Lipperman.

In October 2004, Amy Atwell started a group she called, WritingGIAM—Goal setting, Inspiration, Amity, and Motivation. Originally, it was open only to RWA PRO members—writers who had finished a novel and were in the process of trying to sell that novel. She said she started it to keep herself on track with her goals, but it became more than that.

Though we emerged from an RWA sanctioned loop, this loop is not restricted by any National group or club, BUT it has benefited and grew strong without the pettiness some groups get. We have authors published with romance, mystery, small press, Epubbed, or unpubbed and some of them edited for various publishers. We all benefited from their frank and open discussions about the publishing biz, including contracts, agents, editors, etc.

What is said on that loop STAYS on that loop. GIAM has a cap of 50 members, but due to demand, Amy has started 4 GIAM loops and recently one called Go PRO, for writers in the process of finishing and polishing their first manuscripts. I don’t know what I would have done without this group. When I switched from writing romance to MG, I was basically kicked out of my local chapter due to the constraints of membership (not just writing, but writing ROMANCE).

After having support of my romance ‘friends’, but then turned loose because of I didn’t write it any longer—hurt. GIAM helped me though the tough times and I KNOW every one of those ladies are backing me 100%. We trust each other. This is the GIAM homepage, scroll down if anyone is interested in joining.

Margaret--that sounds amazing. That kind of support really makes a difference! I love finding new ways to connect with writers. Tell us, what has been your biggest trial in writing?

Patience. For a woman who is infinitely patient with everything else in life, the whole publishing biz is the most trying.

What tricks have you acquired to make you write or create when you don’t feel up to writing?

A timer. Thirty minutes on and fifteen off.

Tell us about a book that has impacted your writing life.

Again, there are so many of them. There is one book that I was reading when I finally ‘got it’. The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler.

What is your practical goal with your writing? Do you have a reach-for-the-stars goal that you would like to share?

I’ve been in the trenches so long that I get excited when ANYONE shows an interest in my story. Recently, I received a form rejection for a requested full manuscript and my response was, “Huh, at least they used letterhead and thick paper.” Trust me, it’s taken me YEARS to get to this point. I used to shut down when I received a form rejection on a query letter. But in answer to your question . . . Practical goal: write funny and enjoyable middle grade stories. Pie-in-the-sky: see my book in print.

So far, what has been the best part of your writing experience?

Creating new worlds.

If you could create the perfect place for you to write in, what would it look like?

Exactly where my desk currently resides.

In the kitchen with a window overlooking our swimming pool and koi pond.

If you could be a character in a book, and live within their world, what character would you be?

My current protagonist, Rhee Webber. Yeah, I have to admit that I’m pouring a lot of myself into her character.

What other distractions are in your life?

Oi! I’m easily distracted! Not a good thing. I have a nine-year-old who attends the school behind my house. I garden, crochet, read, workout, and goof off any chance I get.

And, just because I’m curious, coffee or tea?

Both. Two cups of coffee when I get up, read emails and blog hop. Tea when I need to get up, walk around, or just hold something warm in my hands.

Margaret, thanks so much for the wonderful interview! I really love the bit about the GIAM group, I'm definitely going to check that out. And thanks for stopping by to talk with us today! Everyone, please leave a comment or question for Margaret in the comments! And, remember to give Margaret some love on her blog, too.