Jen: Readers, please help me welcome Maggie Toussaint to Book Talk this weekend. Maggie, will you please share a short bio with us?
Maggie: Sure! And thanks for having me over. I’m a deep fried southerner, but I did a 30 year stint in the North, one of those “M” states as my family likes to say. I was thrilled to make a sale after ten years of concerted effort of writing for publication. You’ll find me in three RWA chapters, MWA, and SINC, as well as Facebook, MySpace, and Goodreads. I have releases in both romantic suspense and mystery. For more info about my books and published articles, visit www.maggietoussaint.com
Jen: Tell us about In for a Penny and where it's available.
Maggie: In for a Penny is a cozy mystery about an accountant who wishes she’d gone to work when her golf ball lands on a dead guy. Her best friend is accused of murdering the banker, and Cleopatra Jones rallies to her friend’s defense. This book is available in hardcover and large print and may be ordered through book stores or purchased online at Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com. In for a Penny, ISBN 9781594146466, Five Star/Cengage.
Jen: At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Maggie: Promise not to tell? I still have my teenage diaries. *blush* I’ve been writing for years and years but didn’t start writing fiction until the 1990s. I stumbled upon RWA in 1996. But it took another ten years to get the call. I came close several times, but for one reason or another it didn’t happen for me until October 2006. A relatively new small press offered for a romantic suspense I had shopped around. I was excited by their offer, and it was an email instead of a call. Even so, I jumped up and down for a few days. I don’t think my feet touched the ground when I walked either. It was a very big deal in my world.
Jen: How does your family feel about your career?
Maggie: They are incredibly supportive. They believe in me and are my number one fans. I am so lucky.
Jen: How do you approach your writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?
Maggie: Coming out of the world of science, I started writing with outlines, index cards, and spreadsheets. That yielded well plotted books but I didn’t love those books as I should have. For me, there was something missing. As I learned about different writing processes, I ventured over into the go-with-the-flow world and got scared to death. Now I’ve found my happy medium. I write to a couple of key plot points, which affords me a journey of discovery as I write and yet keeps me on track.
Jen: Do you have a specific time or place that you write?
Maggie: I’m a morning writer. I work in my home office. There’s a hummingbird feeder right outside my window; beyond that is a slice of sparkling river.
Jen: How do you pick the character’s names?
Maggie: Names are important to me. I wanted something exotic and down to earth for my protagonist in my cozy, In for a Penny. Cleopatra Jones was just the right touch for a practical woman who had doubts of her sensuality.
Jen: What is it about fiction writing that appeals to you?
Maggie: You’re kidding, right? I’m a sucker for happily ever after. Plus, I get to kill off (on paper anyway, LOL!) the folks who’ve done me wrong.
Jen: What did you do to celebrate the sale of your first book?
Maggie: Dinner at a nice restaurant.
Jen: Who has inspired you as an author?
Maggie: The first book to completely dazzle me was Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. I was captivated by that story. Afterward I read widely, seeking that same level of wonderment. Eventually I realized it was just as satisfying to create these worlds. That’s my goal for every book, to have someone say they loved it so much they had to read it straight through to the end.
Jen: Do you become attached to your characters and have a hard time letting them go, or are you happy that their story is told and you can move on?
Maggie: After such intimacy, I need a divorce. My muse enjoys time outdoors, arts and crafts, and relaxation. Oftentimes I’ll gorge myself by plowing to the bottom of my to-be-read pile as a reward for turning in a book. Then I’m ready to go again.
Jen: If In for a Penny was made into a movie, which actors would you choose to play the leads?
Maggie: I’d like Simon Baker (from The Mentalist) for Rafe Golden and Kate Winslet or Amy Adams for Cleopatra Jones. Simon’s charisma is exactly what I envisioned for my sexy golf pro. And both Kate and Amy are smart, passionate redheads, just like my Cleo.
Jen: What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?
Maggie: I’ve had women stop me on the street to ask who the real-life model is for my heroes. They want to marry this man.
Jen: What's next for you?
Maggie: I’m finishing revisions to the sequel for In for a Penny, and my agent is marketing a paranormal mystery series. Please keep your fingers crossed on both counts.
Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Maggie: Visit www.maggietoussaint.com. My links page has a listing of my networks, groups, and professional affiliations. I’m only a click away!
Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Maggie: Heck yeah. I’d love to see what folks think about smart versus sexy. I’m giving away a hardcover copy of In for a Penny to one lucky commenter. Which do you like more, a smart woman who doesn’t know she’s pretty or a sexy woman who downplays her intelligence? Explain if your answer is born out of reality or book characters you loved/hated.
Jen: Maggie, thanks for being our guest this weekend. Readers, you heard her. She's giving away a copy of In for a Penny. To enter, leave a comment either answering her question or asking one of your own. You also need to either leave your email address in your post or send an message to admin.bookblog@gmail.com expressing your interest in the contest. The winner will be chosen on Sunday, June 7 around 5:00 pm PST.
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Smart is sexy. A sexy person, male or female, who plays down intelligence in favor of sexuality is smart enough to be manipulative, but how do we know if s/he's smart enough to achieve his/her goals with someone unaffected by sexuality - a straight person of the same gender, a child, etc.? A smart person, on the other hand, should have the intellectual capacity to understand how to achieve sexiness (which, after all, requires some adaptation to the eye of the beholder) and achieve his/her goals through a variety of strategies. Bottom line here is that sexy is just one tool and, if you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail. By contrast, brains allows a character to deploy an entire toolbox - for example, a smart but unattractive female could figure out how to make herself sexy to a male, whereas a dumb unattractive female might not be able to accomplish the same thing.
Hi Maggie,
Fun interview! I lie a smart woman who doesn’t know she’s pretty every time. To me, there's never a reason to dumb down.
I've never heard of the northern states referred to as the "M" states. LOL
I find that you've been writing since your teens amazing. I didn't start until I retired from the Navy. Geezzz . . . I'm behind the curve. Nothing new there. *G*
Hey, I have a hummingbird feeder outside my window as well. Great minds! ^5
I think it's neat you know who you'd have play your characters. All I know is Gerard Butler would be my character Duncal *G*
Wonderful blog/interview! I wish you every success!
Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
Romance Edged With Danger
Good morning BookTalk and blogging world! I'm so very excited to be here today. The prize for early birds goes to DB and Diana - thanks for making my morning gals. I'm not even through my first cup of tea yet!
DB - great analysis of why smart rocks. As an adult, I tend to agree, but as a teen, smart pretty much sucked in my high school. Smart wasn't popular and I so wanted to fit in. It wasn't until years later that I realized sexy was a vibe that you put off and that the smart vibe was much stronger. Oh lord. I better shut up now. I could go on abou this for hours. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Diana,
Yes those "M" states - all in Yankeeville - Maine, Montana, Michigan, and so on. I told them Maryland was below the Mason Dixon line but it didn't seem to matter. Because of that whole "M" state thing. LOL. Gotta love your family.
Maggie,
Solving the mystery's puzzle is what continues to keep me reading cozies. So I guess it's the smart woman that works best for me. One of the first television series I watched was "The Thin Man" featuring Nick and Nora Charles. I loved their quick repartee. The actual "Thin Man" movies of the Thirties were even better. They both served as a basis of "Remington Steele," another one of my favorite series - Pierce Brosnan before 007 and Doris Roberts became Marie Barone.
Barb
bique263@gmail.com
Maggie, great interview. In for a Penny sounds like a great book. Your question is an intriguing one. What appeals most: A smart women who doesn't know she's pretty, or a sexy one who downplays her intelligence. Looking back at my own writing, I guess I'd have to say I've written about smart women who don't realize they are pretty. I like smart heroines, but I guess I prefer their beauty to shine as intelligence first, then looks second.
Smiles,
Steph
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for a great interview and I loved the excerpt of your book.
IMHO, a smart woman who doesn’t know she’s pretty wins hands down! I read primarily Historical Romances of the Regency era and women were encouraged to 'hide their intelligence'. The stories I like best are those where the heroine doesn't follow convention...she might not always flaunt her smarts, but she doesn't bury it under a rock either.
One thing I can't stand is the TSTL heroine. That is probably the only thing that will make me stop reading a book, no matter how good the storyline might be.
BTW, I'm a transplanted Yankee from Michigan, born & raised there and I never heard of them called 'M' states either.
Hey Maggie!
Great interview. I personally go with smart every time. So much of our culture is hung up on looks when it comes to women, and sadly so many women crash completely when they realize they just aren't a size 2 or they aren't 22 years old anymore. But yet intelligence is something that is so much more precious, though rarely appreciated in real life.
I've got a hummingbird feeder just outside, too. It's the total joy of my summer :)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Looks like smart is winning, hands down! And to think I wasted all those early years angsting about not being sexy, LOL!
Hello to Barb - and I love The Thin Man too. Nick and Nora were a great couple. I was also a fan of Remington Steele. Pierce Brosnan was one of the first TV stars to ever leap off the screen and into my imagination.
Steph - great attitude about women you've got going on there. I like the way you said that beauty can shine through intelligence.
Karen H in NC - hello! Unconventional heroines are favs of mine too. My fav author in that venue is Amanda Quick. I've got every one of her titles on my bookshelf. As for the "M" states comment, I'm fairly certain that originated in my wacky family. Thanks for stopping by.
And to my bud, Ellen a big hug for walking with me through this awesome journey of publication. I don't think I was ever size 2. Back in my day, you went from kids sizes to the 5-7-9 shops. And kid's sizes were clunky, definitely not cool, like they are today. (How odd that I would remember that!)And how lovely that you enjoy watching hummingbirds too. They are such a marvel of engineering and magic.
a smart woman who doesn't know she's pretty wins in my opinion because she is not only smart but she is pretty to others and this gives her a bit of both worlds. She wins either way.
With 'smart' you can go places forever and accomplish things that last forever whereas 'pretty' gets lost over time/with aging.
thanks for being here today and I'm glad to see that your book is in large print.
Great interview, Maggie!
I don't think sexy and smart are mutually exclusive. But then, it's all in the writer's hands... As a woman, I appreciate a positive role model for younger generations to look up to. Smart and feisty are a good combo. Someone willing to stand up for what s/he believes in.
Congrats on your release! Best of luck.
Hi Maggie,
Wonderful interview - your zest for life shines through! My first thought regarding your question was, why do we have to choose? I love women who are both smart and sexy, and know it and can handle both... superwoman! Given a choice, I would always go for smart but unaware of being pretty. I've never warmed up to women who hide behind their sexuality and downplay their intelligence, unless there's a specific purpose. But isn't it all about plot, and either scenario can make for a great story! Thanks for sharing with us,
Tracy D
darlingromance@yahoo.com
Great interview! I go for the smart women myself. I don't care for the women that use their sex appeal to get what they want. You can still get what you want just by being smart and you don't have to use your body to do it.
I have one question do you enjoy doing the research for your books?
lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
I am so glad to see so many new and friendly faces here at Book Talk.
For RobinL - smart doesn't fade like beauty, that's for sure! I was very excited that my book came out in large print. Large print books mean that I don't need my "reading" glasses, LOL.
For Cate - I like the combo you mentioned: smart and feisty. Just saying "feisty" out loud and you've already got attitude. To me that's what great characterization is all about - attitude.
For Tracy D - I've never written about a woman who dumbed down to get her way, but I've seen plenty of instances on TV and the big screen. A movie comes to mind right now, one with Kathleen Turner, and I can't for the life of me remember the title. I think she played a woman who sought to control others with her sensuality.
Virginia, You asked about my research. Yes! I most definitely enjoy doing the research part of writing books. Sometimes I get stuck in a research rut and I want to put every detail of an obscure subject in my book, but I restrain myself.
I do a lot of searching online, but I also interview people to get more of an eyewitness account. For instance, an earlier book about a birdwatcher was made more authentic by the comments a birder told me. Many of them carry a huge birding "bible" of sorts in the field and they tuck it in the waistband of their pants. That's not a detail you'd pick up from an online source.
For In For A Penny, I had plenty of insider research info. I played in a 9-hole golf league for a number of years and I was (still am!) a terrible golfer. My husband is a golf pro, so I had plenty of insight there as well. And Madonna, the St. Bernard in the story, was modeled after my daughter's pet, Missie. I had never before met a dog of Missie's temperament and new she had to have a place in one of my books. Now I need to put all the other granddogs in books or they will be jealous.
I am a Southerner,too, and as an author I find this gives me a leg up. People will say, "Oh, from the South...like Faulkner, Harper Lee..." I wish.
Sexy woman who doesn't know she's pretty...I think you can have both and the woman who is smart and doesn't know she's pretty has the advantage, I think. She won't be hung up with her focus on her outside appearance as much, perhaps. Brain and beauty...I don't agree that smart is necessarily sexy. I think it's the combination of these two and a intriguing personality. These three combine to make a woman ready to live and create in today's world.
Joyce Norman
ja329@bellsouth.net
Hi Joyce,
It's always a pleasure to meet another Southerner. Pardon us folks while we do the secret handshake *Maggie turns and high fives Joyce*...
Where were we? Oh yes, sexy vs smart. I found it interesting that you broke this into 3 points: sexy, pretty, smart. I always associated sexy with pretty but I'm intrigued with the notion that sexy might not be pretty. Hmmm. Could be a nugget in a new book.
Whether sexy or smart or pretty, it all comes down to what's in your heart. You can be sexy as sin smart as a whip or pretty to a fare-thee-well, but your actions will prove who you really are. Or at least, that's my two cents.
If anyone is interested in signing up for my newsletter, please let me know. My newsletter comes out on a quarterly basis. Shoot me an email at maggietoussaint AT darientel DOT net and I'll add you to the distribution list. Be the first to know about my next releases!
Maggie, I've seen you on the loops and always enjoyed your emails. In for a Penny sounds like "must read".
Great interview, Maggie. A smart woman would know she is pretty and would know that her appearance is just another asset. Being smart, she'd realize there's more to success and achievemet than a pretty face. On the other hand I can't stand women who are too conceited about their career or degrees. All my heroines have advanced degrees and successful careers. They are assertive but at the same time easy-going and humble in their success.
Hi Mary! What a nice comment. Thanks for your kindness.
Mona, my friend, You are the only one to mention how some smart women cop an attitude about their brilliance. A little humility certainly goes a long way. That's so true. I think its interesting that as a society we think smart and arrogant women aren't attractive, but its rare that we think a man who is smart and arrogant isn't attractive. I'm thinking medical profession, but it could be true across all career paths. Humility is a great complement to intelligence. I know for me personally I find that the older I get, the less I know.
I don't know what time Jen rolls up the sidewalks here at Book Talk, but I'm heading offline for the rest of the evening, but keep on posting those comments for a chance to win. The contest for the book doesn't end until Sunday June 7 at 5 PST. Thanks again for the opportunity to guest at Book Talk. I had a blast.
Great interview!! In for a Penny sounds like another great read. I also think smart is the way to go most of the time. Sometimes the character in a book calls for the looks without the smarts.
Maggie, thanks for being with us. And yes, I'll keep the contest open until Sunday night... give people more of a chance to stop by and comment.
Please remember to that to enter the contest you either need to leave an email address in your post or send a message to admin.bookblog.com. We've had way to many unclaimed books and this way we'll be able to contact you if you're the winner.
Jen
admin.bookblog@gmail.com
HI Maggie and Jen,
Very interesting interview. In for a Penney definitely sounds like my kind of read.
I like a smart heroine who doesn't know she's pretty until Mr. Right comes along and convinces her she's not only pretty but sexy as well. Sometimes a heroine who knows she's hot is boring because there's no discoveries to make within her character. JMHO
rebeccajvickery@gmail.com
I don't think anyone -- man or woman, sexy or not -- should downplay their intelligence. I've met people who do that and it's very sad. It's an awful way to try to get attention.
reading_frenzy@yahoo.com
Smart is indeed sexy, and you show it time and again in your writing and in your real life. I cannot wait to read "In for a Penny". I also want to mention that you are one of the most generous writers I've met. You are more than willing to help those of us still struggling to become published. I salute you, I hug you, and as a mis-placed southerner, I send you deep fried kisses smothered in butter (",)
Debra Key Newhouse writing as Debra McGill
My fav protags are definitely smart women who don't know they are sexy.
Thanks for sharing your call story - and good luck with your next release.
Ah, just finished reading all of the comments, and had to add my two cents about the smart & arrogant issue. I would add that even smart and competent is sometimes frowned on from a woman. It's frustrating in professional life. And unfortunately, I think there is definitely still a good-ol-boys club in many professions.
It certainly can make for another layer tension in a good story . . .
Can't wait to read In For a Penny - may we never reach the end of the to-be-read list!
Kenna
I'm with the majority, Maggie--a smart woman who doesn't know she's sexy is my idea of a great progatonist! I read the excerpt from In For A Penny, and it sounds exciting!
Hi Judy and Rebecca J, Thanks for stopping in.Two more votes for smart! And Rebecca, thanks for adding the slant of character arc to the smart v sexy discussion. I like that angle of discovery of what's there all along, a diamond in the rough, if you will. All of us are diamonds in the rough, right?
LuAnn, you brought up an interesting point - that of smart women trying to play dumb. It never rings quite true, does it? I've yet to meet a man who downplayed his intelligence, but there's a first time for everything. In fact, that might make a good premise for a mysterty...
Hi Debra, Those deep fried kisses smothered in butter - those would be the nonfattening kind of butter, right? Your time will come my friend, just keep hitting that keyboard and believing. Opportunities are out there, but you have to be ready to grab them.
Nice to meet you Kenna! (BTW, I have a friend named Keena and I misread your first name a few times thinking you were one and the same. Silly me!) We haven't tackled competent yet in this discussion, but I ran into that good old boy buzz saw myself in the working world. I'm not a feminist per se, but I do believe everyone should be judged on their own merit, not who they know.
Hello Linda! Nice to meet you. Welcome to the smart women majority. I enjoyed writing Cleopatra Jones, my protagonist, in In For A Penny very much. She's booksmart and only just beginning to trust in her people smarts again.
Maggie, your book sounds wonderful. I absolutely love cozy mysteries. And where you write each day sounds perfect.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Barbara Phinney
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. I hope you sent Jen your address so that you could get in on the book drawing.
I've enjoyed my stay here in the guest chair very much. Thanks so much Book Talk for all the fun.
I'd have to say smart but doesn't know she's pretty is preferable. As long as the smart part isn't overbearing. By that I mean as long as she doesn't act like she's better than others because she's smart.
I hate went smart or gorgeous people let it go to their head!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by this weekend.
Barbara is our winner of the copy of "In for a Penny". Since she left her email address, I've contacted her about the win. If I don't hear back from her by next Sunday, we'll pick a new winner.
Jen
admin.bookblog@gmail.com
Hi Maggie, great interview. Best of luck to you!!
Smart is sexy. There's nothing that makes me grind my teeth more than stoopid movie "herines" who stand by and shriek when there's trouble going on. Dang, grab a chair and bash the bad guy.
~Tanya