According to the bio on her website, Madeline is one of those rare birds - a California
native. She’s lived in Southern California her whole life and loves it (except
for the earthquakes). She married her high school sweetheart, and they have
three sons, all handsome enough to be cover models!
Madeline never intended to be a published author. It just happened. She has always loved to read. The Black Stallion books, Lad, a Dog, Nancy Drew, Mary Stewart. And then she discovered romance novels. One night, when her husband was at work, her kids were in bed, and there was nothing on TV, she sat down and started writing a historical romance of her own. After six years and 31 rejections, she finally found a publisher for Reckless Heart, and she’s been writing ever since.
Madeline also writes paranormal romances under the name Amanda Ashley.
She readily admits that most of her vampire heroes are inspired by Frank Langella’s portrayal of Dracula.
As of this writing, she has published 33 historical romances, 4 Silhouette Romances, 23 paranormal romances, and 11 short stories. Not bad for someone who started writing just for the fun of it. Her books have made the New York Times Bestseller List, the USA Today Bestseller List, and the Borders and Waldenbooks Bestseller lists.
Madeline never intended to be a published author. It just happened. She has always loved to read. The Black Stallion books, Lad, a Dog, Nancy Drew, Mary Stewart. And then she discovered romance novels. One night, when her husband was at work, her kids were in bed, and there was nothing on TV, she sat down and started writing a historical romance of her own. After six years and 31 rejections, she finally found a publisher for Reckless Heart, and she’s been writing ever since.
Madeline also writes paranormal romances under the name Amanda Ashley.
She readily admits that most of her vampire heroes are inspired by Frank Langella’s portrayal of Dracula.
As of this writing, she has published 33 historical romances, 4 Silhouette Romances, 23 paranormal romances, and 11 short stories. Not bad for someone who started writing just for the fun of it. Her books have made the New York Times Bestseller List, the USA Today Bestseller List, and the Borders and Waldenbooks Bestseller lists.
From the interview I did, it looks like Madeline and I share some interests. I also like Native Americans and the Phantom! So here are my questions and her answers:
1. You say you only began to write because you had nothing to do. Kids in bed, nothing on TV, … Was it easy to find the necessary inspiration?
Yes, the words sort of poured out of me… I lived that book 24/7 … saw scenes in my mind while I was driving my kids to school. I probably shouldn’t have been on the road since, in my mind, I was on a horse back in the Old West <G>
2. After completing you first Native American novel, how difficult/easy was it to have it published?
Well, I didn’t sell the first one I wrote first. I think it was my third book I finally sold. In a way, it was easy, since I never expected to sell anything. It was just sort of a game. I’d send out a query or the manuscript, get rejected, and send it to the next publisher on the list. Finally, after six years and 31 rejections, I sold Reckless Heart to Leisure Books.
3. Do you employ an agent, and if so, what are the advantage of this?
I didn’t have an agent when I started writing, but I’ve had one for the last 17 years or so. Agents are good for negotiating, for being a buffer between the writer and the publisher. Also, nowadays, some publishers will only accept agented manuscripts.
4. How was your first novel treated by the public and by the critics?
It pretty much came and went without a lot of notice…
5. Can you handle criticism?
Yes, but I don’t like it much <G>
6. Why do you write as both Madeline Baker and Amanda Ashley? Was it not easier to stick to one name?
It was my editor’s idea. I was well known for my historicals when I decided to write vampire books. My editor decided it would be wise to use a pseudonym so as not to confuse my readers.
7. Where does you fascination for the Native American come from?
I loved western when I was young, and then I went to Disneyland and there was a native village there with Indian dancers. I was smitten with one of the dancers, Eddie Little Sky. His picture is on my web page. Anyway, I’ve just always loved Indians.
8. And you must be fond of vampires too… Do you believe in them?
Ah, vampires… Frank Langella as Dracula…. Yes, I love romantic vampires… not so crazy about the slice and dice ones. No, I don’t believe they exist.
9. Can you tell us something about your hobbies?
I’m a collector – Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Elvis. I love movies and the theatre, reading, writing of course, and playing with my web page.
10. Who is your own favorite writer? Or your favorite book?
Favorite writer…that’s a hard one. I have several that are auto buys for me- Anne Stuart, Kathleen Eagle, Maggie Shayne, Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher. I think my favorite book is “Phantom” by Susan Kay.
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