We were lucky to catch up with Maggie Giles recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maggie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Writing is something I’ve always done. However, I’ve not always done it well. I was not an English major, in fact, for most of my high school and university careers, it was my least favourite subject. Which was weird, since I loved to read and I loved to tell stories. What I didn’t excel at was trying to pick apart the meaning in books, trying to dig into the prose and write an essay on what I’d just read. I didn’t want to break down books, I only wanted to read and write them.

I never considered publishing was an option for me. I figure I’d just write for fun for the rest of my life. Until I met author Genevieve Graham. Through a mutual contact, Genevieve offered to read some of my works and gave me amazing advice. I wrote well, but I had to learn the basics. She sent me to a website called Scribophile, which is an online writing community based around critiquing each other’s works and sharing craft advice.

The platform was daunting. At first, I didn’t want to share any of my work, worse, I didn’t feel like I was someone who could read another person’s writing and offer feedback (something you had to do before you could post your own words.) So I signed up, but didn’t go further than that. A few weeks later I got a message from the site admin asking me if I needed any help with the website since I’d signed up but not actually done anything. It was the kick in the pants I needed to just trust my gut and dive in. I started by reading someone’s first chapter and finding that I had my own thoughts and comments to add in.

Soon I had my first chapter posted and began receiving feedback. I worked with a variety of writers who helped me learn the proper way to tell a story, who recommended their favourite craft books or tips on writing and slowly I developed a writing ability that I just didn’t have before.

To this day my craft continues to improve. There is always more to learn, risks to take and challenges to try. I know with each book, it only gets better and better.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a published Canadian Women’s Fiction and Thriller Author. My debut novel came out on April 19, 2022 it is titled The Things We Lost. This novel explores the idea of what if, as it send MC Maddie back in time ten years to an alternate past where she gets to see and experience her own what if. The Things We Lost is a duel time-line Women’s Fiction novel with elements of suspense. It will have readers giving thanks for what they have and pondering their own what ifs.

I have been writing for around ten years, much of which I spend learning the craft and honing my voice. Writing has always been something I adored, but I never considered publishing until I was in my twenties, and realized it was a dream I could see come true. I have written seven novels and published one.

My second novel is ready for publication and will be out in the world September 19, 2023. This novel is titled Twisted, it is a thriller that follows three points of view, a detective, a madam and an heiress, all twisted together in one convoluted crime. This book will be followed by a sequel in 2024, entitled Wicked. I can’t wait to share both these twisted thrillers with my audience!

The writing industry has been like nothing else I’ve been a part of. I’ve met so many wonderful people, made amazing connections and have seen many careers flourish. It is the most supportive and encouraging community I have been a part of. Writers cheering each other on. The communities I’ve joined, including the Women’s Fiction Writers Association have been a huge part of my writing journey. They’re where I’ve met so many lifelong writing friends.

I aim to create relatable characters and put them in extraordinary circumstances. I believe fiction is a place to escape to, to read about an experience you may never have, but get a chance to see it through someone’s eyes in the most personal way you can. I truly believe in the magic of reading and imagination.

Something unique about me? I have aphantasia. This means I don’t have a mind’s eye, or can be described as a non-visual imagination. All those amazing scenes that authors paint in their books, unfortunately I have no way of actually seeing in my head. Has this hindered my love of reading or writing? Well, no. While I can’t see the same visual paradise that many other readers and writers can, I do feel the emotions behind a character and the suspense of a scene. Honestly, before I found out what aphantasia was, I never felt like I missed out.

I’m often asked if aphtanasia changes the way I write. It absolutely does. I’m a barebones writer one my first drafts, often leaving out description and focusing on the dialogue and plot line along with the character’s actions. The scenery and description are always woven through on my next drafts. If you get a chance to read my work, I’d love to hear if you think my aphantasia played a role in the way I crafted the story.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I definitely wish I’d known about the online writing community sooner. It was something I found after I’d been pursuing writing for a few years and I remember wishing I’d been a part of it earlier, that some of my new connections could have put me on the right path sooner, or I could have sought advice from the professionals I connected with before doing it the wrong way. My advice to anyone starting out on this long and wonderful journey would be to find your people, your community. The ones you can commiserate with and the ones that will cheer you on. My writing community has been the most valuable part of my journey.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love to tell stories. I love seeing what kind of adventures my characters will go on and the people they meet along the way. When I finish writing that first draft and get to see their journey from start to finish, it’s the most satisfying thing. While typing THE END is one of the most rewarding aspects of my writing process, I love when I hear from readers. When someone reaches out and tells me that they loved my book or that my book made them thankful for something in their life, I get that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Another aspect I love about this process is meeting new writers and offering them advice. Since the publication of my novel I’ve had many aspiring authors ask to have a phone call or a chat over coffee to discuss the publishing process and the industry as a whole. Since having experts and a community had such a huge impact on my journey, I often jump at the chance to provide that experience for other writers, hoping something I share with them will make a difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maggiegiles.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggiegiles_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggiegiles225/
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/maggiegiles_
• Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21745663.Maggie_Giles https://www.tiktok.com/@maggiegiles_

Image Credits
Photos: Captured by Kirsten The Things We Lost: Ashley Santoro Twisted: Nat Mack