Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.
Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?
I’m Maggie Blackbird. Age? LOL.
Fiona: Where are you from?
I’m an Ojibway woman hailing from Northwestern Ontario, Canada
Fiona: A little about yourself (ie, your education, family life, etc.).
I’m happily married. We have two gorgeous Alaskan Malamutes we call our fur babies. I previously worked for an Aboriginal Employment and Training Agency as a Program Officer for fifteen years. My husband is a pharmacist and we have our own business.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news.
I’ve released two books through eXtasy Books that are part of a series (The Matawapit Family) called Blessed and Redeemed. My third novel, Sanctified, is currently with my critique partner. And I’m drafting the fourth and final novel for the series titled Renewed.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always had an active imagination so story-telling came naturally to me. Because I had a stressful job that took me all over Northwestern Ontario, into Manitoba, and also southern and central Ontario, writing in my hotel room was a great way to unwind once business had concluded for the day.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’m not sure. I would simply say, “I like to write.”
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book was a product of my imagination, written around the mid nineties. I simply wanted to put the characters I’d daydreamed about onto paper. Nothing more. And it was fun. I wrote seven novels based on that one book, but they’ll never see the light of day.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
I wanted a title to reflect what I thought the romantic couple’s love story was about, so I named the very first book I wroteAlways.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
I am a sucker for emotion, so there is a lot of emotion in my stories. As for what’s challenging, I’d say my weakness is too much internal narration, which is something I’m working on.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I can’t say it’s based on actual events. I take an idea or incident and run with it. Such as issues or problems the Indigenous People of Canada are facing today.
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
My books take place in Northwestern Ontario, which of course I’ve travelled all over, so I guess I do travel. I like to get a feel of a place to incorporate it into the story.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
eXtasy Books cover artist Martine Jardin.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Not really. People can take whatever they want from it, but for me, it’s simply telling a romantic story a couple faces and the obstacles they overcome to be together.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
I really enjoyed a book by Zakarrie Clarke. She’s a wonderful writer. I finished reading Darkness Dawns a couple of months ago, and I was impressed by her prose. Her wit. Her ability to draw me into the story. When I closed the book, I was like, “wow.”
As for my favourite author, I’d say Johanna Lindsey. She introduced me to the romance genre and I can still re-read her books to this day. I love Johanna’s voice, her depth of emotion in a story, her ability to put me in the minds of the characters, her wit, and her humour. Most of all, she creates memorable characters that stay with me long after I’ve finished the book.
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
Other authors. There are a lot of great people out there willing to help. If not for Kat Duncan, who knows what would have happened. I owe her a lot.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
I sure do. This is what I’m doing now on a full-time basis.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I’ve been asked this before, and I always say, “It is what it is.” Each book is a learning experience.
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I’m always learning something. One thing I never stop doing is honing my craft, finding new ways to promote myself, market myself, and balance my schedule because my schedule is insane. But I’m getting better in each area.
Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
I loved the look, voice, and intimidating presence of the late Native American actor Sonny Lanham in his prime, during his Predator and 48 Hours hey-days. As for my heroine, Bridget, I’m not sure which Indigenous actress I’d choose.
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?
I’m not one for giving advice, but the best advice for me was,“Butt in chair and write. You can’t edit a blank page.”
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Thank you for purchasing my books. Your support is very much appreciated. I hope I met your expectations. And I hope you continue to read what I write.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Last night I finished Let Your Heart Decide by Lily G. Blunt. Tonight, I’ll be starting A Kingdom of Slaves by Wendy Rathbone.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
No LOL I’ve been reading since I was old enough to understand reading.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
Laugh? Funny movies. Funny moments. Life. Cry? People who hurt animals or children.
Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
Jesus Christ. It’d be an interseting conversation.
Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?
Yes. I love golfing. I’m a golf junkie. I love playing fantasy golf, too. I pick players who I think will win and then watch the broadcast on the Golf Channel and see how I did. I also love working in the yard. Hubby and I live in the country on fifty acres, and we have five cleared. It’s wonderful being out there wedding flower beds, mowing the lawn, planting new flowers or trees. Walking is another activity I enjoy. Every morning the Mals and I head out for a good hour and fifteen minutes to enjoy the sun rise and nature.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
It’s a little strange but I steer clear of romance LOL, which is weird because I love romance novels. But when it comes to TV, I enjoy watching cozy murder mysteries or golf tournaments. My fave shows are Grantchester, Sherlock, Murdoch Mysteries, Frankie Drake Mysteries, and Love It or List It and Love It or List It Vancouver. For movies, I love action films, like the Predator series.
Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?
Food. I’m pretty simple. My faves are bannock, wild rice, and popcorn. My fave colour is purple. And music is too big of a question to answer because I’m a die-hard music fan. My genres of choice are heavy metal and hard rock, but I can listen straight across the spectrum, from old skool doo-wap and outlaw country to the harmonizing of the Eagles and the Everly Brothers to country rock like Credence Clearwater Revival and Bob Seger. I even enjoy disco acts like Abba. Music is a beautiful thing.
Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
I’d be golfing 24/7.
Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?
With those I love most: my family and friends.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?
She tried her best to make full use of every 24 hours each day.
Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?
Yes, I do, it’s https://maggieblackbird.com
The Matawapit Family Series published by eXtasy Books.
In the wilds of Northwestern Ontario, the adult children of a domineering Ojibway church deacon find their faiths crumbling and their beliefs faltering when a vengeful former lover, an ex-fiancé out on parole, and a seductive family enemy challenge Emery, Bridget, and Jude in a duel of love, loyalty, and values that threatens to destroy their perfect Catholic lives and family.
(Each book can be read as a stand-alone)
Book Two – REDEEMED
A single woman battles to keep her foster child from his newly-paroled father—a dangerous man she used to love.
Blurb: Bridget Matawapit is an Indigenous activist, daughter of a Catholic deacon, and foster mother to Kyle, the son of an Ojibway father—the ex-fiancé she kicked to the curb after he chose alcohol over her love. With Adam out on parole and back in Thunder Bay, she is determined to stop him from obtaining custody of Kyle.
Adam Guimond is a recovering alcoholic and ex-gangbanger newly-paroled. Through counselling, reconnecting with his Ojibway culture and twelve-step meetings while in prison, Adam now understands he’s worthy of the love that frightened him enough to pick up the bottle he’d previously corked. He can’t escape the damage he caused so many others, but he longs to rise like a true warrior in the pursuit of forgiveness and a second chance. There’s nothing he isn’t willing to do to win back his son–and Bridget.
When an old cell mate’s daughter dies under mysterious circumstances in foster care, Adam begs Bridget to help him uncover the truth. Bound to the plight of the Indigenous children in care, Bridget agrees. But putting herself in contact with Adam threatens to resurrect her long-buried feelings for him, and even worse, she risks losing care of Kyle, by falling for a man who might destroy her faith in love completely this time.
Author Bio: An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.
Buy Links:
eXtasy Books: https://www.extasybooks.com/product/product/?series_id=1534&product_id=6400
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/redeemed-64
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/redeemed-maggie-blackbird/1131420357?ean=2940156449866
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/redeemed/id1461774399
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/936605
BookStrand: https://www.bookstrand.com/redeemed-2
Author Links:
Web Site: https://maggieblackbird.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/maggieblackbirdauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackbirdMaggie/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18176196.Maggie_Blackbird
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maggie-blackbird
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-blackbird-032798169/
authorsinterviews 
Thank you for such a lovely interview, Fiona. 🌹I sat, reading away, enjoying every word…and then almost fell off the sofa. Thank you Maggie, so, so much.❤
YW, Zakarrie!
🌹❤🌹
Reblogged this on Enchanting Adventures.
TY for the reblog, Emery Lily. I’ll be sure to check out and follow your blog.
I think your selling yourself a bit short – you don’t publish a series without being an author (or writer if you prefer). That said, best of luck to you with the series finale.
TY for reading, Armen. It’s much appreciated. 🙂
Great interview!
TY, VJ!