I am delighted to be speaking with Margie Gosa Shivers today. Thanks for chatting with us today Margie and welcome to FAR!

Hello Tammy. It’s nice to be here and thanks for inviting me.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m the Founder/Publisher of MGS Publishing which was formed in June 2003 to publish my debut suspense novel, Anonymity: A Tale of Suspense, Seduction and Revenge. I recently published the sequel titled Once Is Never Enough in April 2006. In addition, I hold a fulltime position as an administrator of two HUD funded senior housing corporations in Chicago. I’m the proud mother of one adult son and 4 grandchildren.

Can you tell us about your current release, Once Is Never Enough?

Once Is Never Enough tells the story of Chicago homicide detective, Lester Miller’s plight to begin a new life away from the windy city. After his affair with the married Cara Fleming ends and his second marriage dissolves, he decides to fold shop and move away to work for the FBI. Before he leaves, however, he is forced to help a longtime friend solve one last case - the suicide death of Jennifer Tate, Cara’s best girlfriend. What he doesn’t know is that investigating the months-old suicide will mean dealing with his ex-wife’s current flame, a politically corrupt politician, his friend’s fledging detective agency, Mario Fleming and ultimately, Cara – the woman he loves more than any other.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

I have to say, a lot of my personality was used to create Cara Fleming’s character, i.e., her inner strength, southern values and honesty. Very little of my life experiences are portrayed in my work. At times when I considered invoking things from my life into the storyline, a little voice would say, “No, that’s what you’d do but not the fictional character.” Character development for me, requires more time than writing scenes, dialogue, etc. I really put a lot of work into creating real, unique and realistic characters. My stories are purely fictional and yet as real as I can possibly make them. This is the fun of writing fiction.

If you could be invisible for one hour, what would you do and where would you go?

I’m actually smiling after reading this one because I often daydream and escape off in la-la land to rest my mind which is always over-worked more-so than the body.
Usually when that happens, I think about my characters that still seem so real to me and I gleam joy from thinking about them. I want to know what the major and the minor players are doing…… They hang on and won’t let go. So, that’s where I’d like to go for an hour without interruption. I want to be the fly on the wall, peeping into their world because I want to see or imagine their lives as new conflicts erupt. Seemingly, these mental escapes help to develop new plots.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

Oops, part of my answer is stated in the previous question. Other than daydreaming in my fantasy world, I enjoy relaxing at home, gardening, reading, surfing the internet, and working with computer software. I also enjoy very much spending time with my grandchildren when possible.

Can you tell us about your debut novel Anonymity: A Tale of Suspense, Seduction and Revenge?

Anonymity: A Tale of Suspense, Seduction and Revenge is a family-relationship suspense novel set in Chicago in 2000. Southern bred 28-year old married, Cara Fleming, is forced to leave her six year marriage after someone maliciously framed as an adulteress. Her quest to prove her innocence inadvertently brings her husband’s best friend, Chicago homicide detective Lester Miller to her defense and while they search for the culprit, a secret buried by Mario’s parents for 30-years and someone she meets over the internet provides a direct link to solving her dilemma. Their uphill battle involves a questionable Chicago alderman, anonymous stalkers, her husband’s former mistress and constant interference from her parents and in-laws. Passion and romance creeps into their newfound friendship but can she fall for a man with a reputation of a womanizer? Someone wants Cara dead. Will she find the culprit before her untimely death?

Who would you like to pen a book with, living or dead?

Margaret Mitchell, Walter Mosley, and James Patterson

Can you tell us a little about what you are currently working on?

Sure. First, I’m penning a stand alone novel that will explore the dysfunctional relationship of three disabled brothers living in the same house and their struggle to co-exist or destroy each other.

Simultaneously, I’m writing a spin off from Once Is Never Enough that deals with life in a retirement community. Currently, I’ve not assigned titles to either book.

How has being published changed your life, if at all?

I still consider myself grounded and ordinary which is where I’ll always be regardless of where my literary aspirations take me. Some of my friends treat me like a celebrity, but I don’t know how to handle their new perception of me. I have to work a day job to earn a living which is fine because my day job is also a passion.

What was the first story you ever wrote?

At the age of 15, I wrote a one act comedy titled, Ms. Mamie. I grew up in the Mississippi delta with two parents, four sisters and five brothers. We couldn’t afford a television, only a radio. I performed the part of Ms. Mamie and somehow everything I said and did was hilarious. It became a mainstay in our household whenever someone would say, “Margie, do Ms. Mamie.”

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I hope that my books provide a great escape and that they will leave readers entertained and wanting more.

Thank you for taking time to speak with me today Margie.

I’ve enjoyed doing the interview and I want to thank you again for this opportunity.

If you'd like to read more about Margie, you can visit her website.

Interviewed by: Tammy