Anything to do with children; picture books, early reader chapter books, mid-grade fables. My first two books are about mythical characters such as elves, mermaids, fairies, and other made-up characters. I also write mid-grade/teen historical novels.

I work every day -- first I outline my book, then start writing -- I try to have at least 20 chapters of 1000-2000 words for my mid-grade books. Each chapter is read to my critique group. When I have finished the first draft I send it to my beta readers, who catch any obvious errors in the story line. I rewrite it for corrections, and self edit it several times. When I am happy with the manuscript I have it professionally line edited. -- I once more give it another edit. When I am sure it is readable I e-publish it. My last task is to put it into a print book -- than comes the hard work. Promoting.

My latest book is third in the mid-grade fable series, PIXIES OF THE FERNS, Fernella's Magic. Fernella must find her magic before her father will give his blessings to her marriage with Freddie. When humans threaten the Fern Pixies’ home, Fernella and Freddie take off in Freddie’s flyer to find a new place where the Pixies can live in safety. A crash leaves Freddie badly hurt. Fernella braves the wilds of the Mt. Hood foothills infested with the evil Imps to find help. She faces moles, blizzards, and floods, and she connects with an ancient forest creature who, may or may not, help her find her magic.
This story came to me when I spend a summer cooking in a camp for girls by the Sandy River in Oregon, where ferns grow plentiful and the trees grow tall.

I have started a new project. For many years I taught in my own preschool where I wrote stories, songs, class activities, puppet dialogues, and poems. I have opened my cyber preschool, sharing these activities freely on line with teachers, parents, grandparents, and care givers. The website is www.ms-marge.com

I think that covers should give the reader an idea of who the book is about. I have two artist that does the covers. One does my mid grade Fables, and one does the historical series. Both bring out the main character in my story with their cover paintings.

There are several way I find to market my books; On my Blog, and Face Book writers pages. I also sign up for interviews at various book readers/writers pages. I sell them at local book fairs and book signings, and outdoor markets. Several specialty stores have them for sale at their shops.

I grew up on a farm in Nebraska, and raised my family near the Platte River, which is featured in my latest series, Hank of Twin Rivers.

I became serious about writing stories when I opened my pre-kindergarten school as a young mother myself. Whenever I needed to teach a new concept I would create a story character and write a story related to that concept. Most of my characters were squirrels, bumble bees, rabbits, birds, raccoons. These become my "Back Yard" Friends.

My books have all been published with Smashwords. When I see my book out there, I am encouraged to keep on writing and publishing new books.

Bringing a character to life, and leading him/her through heart rending conflicts, until at the end he/she finds the solution to the problems. Of course, like all authors, the joy of reading a good review adds to the joy of writing.

Without readers (fans) a book is just a bunch of words and comes to nothing. Readers brings a book alive.

I have an e-reader. Since I move around from place to place I find it is easier to take my books with me in that device rather then pack boxes of books around.

Usually I read what my fellow authors write or recommend. I like to get into a series and follow the series through its ending.

I read adult fantasy, mostly, about mythical beings, such as dragons, elves, etc. Also historical romances. .

I remember a picture book of Pixies, that my grandparents gave to me when I was about five. I think that started my interest of reading fairy tales. When I was a girl, around eight, the magazine, Saturday Evening Post, printed serials -- printing one chapter each month. I've forgotten the names of these stories, but I remember the excitement of getting the magazine from the mail box and running to my house to find a quiet place where I could read the next installment. From then on I read anything I could get my hands on, even my father's books of the month selections.

Reading, visiting with friends, walking, and watching the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.

Yes, when I was teaching preschool children I wrote a series of "Back Yard Characters" stories, with a squirrel, a bumble bee, a cranky jay bird, robin, and rabbit. The series began with "TipTop, the last leaf" who was afraid to fall from the top of his tree in the fall. The other characters and their stories were built around the tree and the back yard.