This week, we’re talking with Peggy Webb about her book, SAVAGE BEAUTY
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I once took karate lessons and hold a blue belt in Tansu Karate.
Why do you write?
I was born a writer and have been putting my thoughts on paper since I was a child growing up on a farm in northeast Mississippi. There's a strong storytelling tradition in the Deep South. Family reunions meant I'd hear numerous relatives spinning tales that fascinated me. Ask a question in my family and you'd never get a “yes” or “no” answer but an involved explanation. A story. I grew up loving stories, words, reading…and writing. I had poems published in high school and an international magazine column published many years before I became a professional novelist.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
My current book, SAVAGE BEAUTY, was inspired by my love of gardening, particularly of roses. My cozy country cottage is surrounded by flower gardens I designed and planted.I loved the idea of taking something beautiful that is usually associated with happy events–weddings, birthdays, Valentine's Day–and twisting it in an unexpectedly dark direction in a suspense that will keep you up at night.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Though I'm currently writing suspense, I have written in multiple genres. The most enjoyable thing about writing, no matter the genre, is bringing characters to life and making the reader care what happens to them. I consider strong, believable characters to be the heart and soul of my novels.
How would you describe your writing process?
One word. Discipline. I set daily and weekly writing goals based on my deadlines, and I've been meeting them for thirty-five years. This routine allows me the flexibility to enjoy time off with every confidence that I will still finish the book by deadline.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Social media has given me a way to connect with readers on a personal level I never had in my early career. I enjoy seeing photos of their families, their family pets and the places they live. It makes a big world smaller and more intimate. Beyond the obvious marketing opportunities, social media allows me to share bits of my personal life with fans. For instance, I love music. You'll find videos of me playing my baby grand piano throughout my social media pages.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Find your own voice and be true to it. Set goals and deadlines. Write your first draft without stopping to edit. Writing and editing take place in different parts of the brain. Put your first draft aside for two weeks, then go back with a fresh mind and edit the work. Your ear is one of your best editors. Read your work aloud. Does it flow? Does it sound natural? If not, fix it. Not every word your write is a pearl of wisdom. Cut the fluff and the filler. Know your subject. Know your facts. Do your research. In contemporary fiction, don't ask readers to believe the ridiculous and the impossible. Believe in yourself. Write, write, write!
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
There's a bit of magic involved. I don't find my titles; they find me. Usually they arise out of the story. In SAVAGE BEAUTY, the Allistair family breeds roses then names them after literary figures or works. My covers are designed to reflect the mood of the book.
What's your next step?
During November and December I'll be doing lots of wonderful giveaways to promote SAVAGE BEAUTY. You'll find details on my social media and my website (www.peggywebb.com), particularly in my blog. Currently I'm working on a literary suspense novel. Because it's a WIP, I can't yet share details. You'll also see these reveals on my social media and my website.
What book do you wish you had written?
I've written nearly a hundred books in multiple genres, so I can't say there is a particular book I wished I'd written. However, I can point to a handful of my own novels that I'm so very proud to have written. THE SWEETEST HALLELUJAH, written under the pen name Elaine Hussey, tops the list. It's literary fiction, set in the Deep South in 1955 in the midst of social unrest and racial turmoil. It's the story of two courageous women who cross dangerous social barriers to save a child. It's a luminescent story of courage, loss and hope. The late, great Pat Conroy called it “astonishing.”
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I'm always eager to hear what readers think of the book I've just written. Obviously I always hope to see good reviews. Everybody needs a pat on the back. But I read all reviews. It helps me know what readers want.
