It’s always fun to sit down with other authors and pick their brains a little.

When their website starts out with this:

Welcome to the world of Maggie Carpenter.

A world where men are Dominant, not domineering.
Where women are artfully spanked and teased, treasured and revered.
A world of handcuffs and spreader bars.
Crops, floggers, paddles and hot hands.
A world of leather and lace, corsets and stockings.
A world of pleasure…

…well, You now it’s gonna be something different!

Maggie is an author with me in the box set Death and Damages, and she has written – ready? SEVENTY BOOKS! 

Maggie has a history in show-business both in front of and behind the camera, but moved from Los Angeles to live in the Pacific Northwest to pursue her writing. She is an equine enthusiast who rides every day, and writes until the wee hours of the morning when her eyes close only because they must.

I’m sure we can all learn a few things from someone that successful. Pull up a chair.

Here’s my chat with Maggie.

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DAN: James Patterson says outlining eliminates most writers block. Agree or disagree?

MAGGIE CARPENTER: Fascinating, especially since his name has been mentioned in several of my recent reviews. I have never outlined a book. Early on I enrolled in a creative writing course given by a prominent author. I had to leave. Outlining was one of his favorite topics. I dream my books. If I hit a point and scratch my head, I think about it as I’m falling asleep, and the answer is with me when I wake up.

Neat system. I’m sure writers everywhere will try it after this interview. (And hopefully not DURING this interview!)

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure in fast food or junk food?

My guilty pleasure? Are you ready? Black corn chips with butter. Gross, right?

Uh… yeah.

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, but it has to be Kerry Gold butter. And don’t ask me how the first one happened. I don’t remember, I only know I rolled my eyes in surprise and extreme pleasure when I popped it in my mouth.

I guess it’s similar to eating butter on a salty cracker. Nobody would give that second glance. We have to expect creative types to be… creative.

How playful are you? Is your REAL Facebook page much more revealing about sides of you that people won’t know from your blog posts or books? Is there a double life thing going on?

 My Facebook page is exactly who I am. I write very naughty novels, but they contain wit and humor, and I believe that comes through in my Facebook presence, in my books, and on my website. (I haven’t had much time to dedicate to my website this year, but that will change in 2019.)  Summary. Yes, I’m very playful.

Is tea a big deal over in England like they make it seem in Downton Abbey? (My wife watches, not me.)

I love this question. I’m not in England, but I am a transplanted New Zealander. The answer is a resounding yes. I was raised in a very proper household. I am distantly related to the Windsors on my mother’s side, and I’m 17,592 in line to the throne–give or take a few thousand. We enjoyed morning and afternoon tea, served with freshly baked scones smothered in raspberry jam and whipped cream. Real whipped cream, not the stuff you shake in a can and squirt out. We often dressed nicely and went out for afternoon tea. The tradition runs strong. I drink only Yorkshire tea from Great Britain. Tea here in the US isn’t tea. It’s an odd beverage originally concocted in a basement somewhere and labeled tea.

What’s a favorite quote of anyone besides you, and one from you?

My father was a brilliant man and I grew up around quotes. He had a quote for everything. I could fill a page, but I’ll suppress my natural urges and offer three.

The first is from my mother. She was an angel. I know. I saw her halo once.

“Don’t lose your head to save a minute. You need your head, your brain is in it.”

From dear old dad.

“There is nothing so constant as change.”

And from me.

“There is no greater freedom than giving up control.”

That’s because I’m a lifestyle submissive. (Smiling)

Most writers are a bit shy. Is that how your friends would describe you (shy), or do you have your readers fooled?

Shy? That’s what my horse does when something scares her. I’m about the least shy person you’ll ever meet.

That’s intriguing all on its own! How many story ideas are in your “good ideas” file? What are some of them?

I won’t share my story ideas. I’m paranoid about that.

I think all writers are, to varying extents.

BUT – I have about five running around my head at any given time. I started to write them down and stopped. Inspiration is everywhere. I’ve written 70 books, and I thank the Book Gods that I believe I have 70 more waiting to be born.

Some people struggle to write one! Are you going for a record?

Which project took you farthest out of your comfort zone?

Loved From The Grave. It’s the first book I’ve written with no graphic sex, and the first book I’ve written starring ghosts. Now I want to write a whole bunch more. I absolutely love this book. Seriously! Strange things happened as I tapped out the story, and though I usually see everything I write in my mind’s eye, the images with this book were startlingly clear.

What about some basic insights, daily routine stuff. What time of day do you prefer to do your writing?

As I mentioned above, I dream my books. When I first open my eyes my creativity is at its peak. Sometimes I’ll find myself in a flow during the afternoon, and late at night I usually have a writing fit. That’s what I call it. Something comes to me and I cannot sleep until it’s laid out. Usually, when I wake up the following morning it will need serious editing, but the substance will be there.

A writing fit. That’s awesome.

Hemingway said write every day. Do you do that?

Great last question. YES! YES! YES!

If social media commitments or ‘life’ gets in the way and I can’t write, I undergo a serious personality change…!

I can’t see that happening to someone so driven.

Gang, please join me in thanking the very prolific Maggie Carpenter for stopping by!

You can check out Maggie’s work at her website or Amazon page