It’s Meet the Author Monday! Each week we meet a new author and get to know a little about them, their writing process, publishing experience, and tips for other writers. Today we’re talking to Margreit Maitland, author of Runaway At Sea and Adventurer At Sea.
About Margreit Maitland:
Writing has always been a dream, floating in the back of Margreit’s mind or as long as she can remember. A love for literature was instilled in her by her mother and family in general from an early age. While growing up, she read a wide range of books from the classics to something quick and fun, and adored getting lost in a story. When her grandfather Frost gave her the journal about Robert’s trek across the world, it captured her imagination and bringing his story of joy, heartbreak and courage to life became a passion. She is proud to present this series as her debut to the writing world.
Since the publication of the first two novels in the series, Margreit has launched a Creative Writing Workshop for children aged 10 and up for schools and libraries and is enjoying an opportunity to help students discover their own potential and original ideas. In addition, she and her publisher Stephanie Larkin have collaborated on an online Creative Writing Bootcamp which is available for all writers and aspiring writers age 17 and up. Sharing what she has learned about writing and helping others tap into their imaginations in creating stories is a happy accident.
Margreit is an enthusiastic supporter of literature, education, science, wildlife and nature. The source of which lies in being encouraged (at a very young age – thanks Mom!) to muck around in the mud searching for hermit crabs and other tiny or large inhabitants of the natural world. She enjoys living on Long Island, where she is happily surrounded by beaches and with her two children and Mr. Frosty the cat. In her spare time she can be found staying active and outside whenever possible and with her treasured family and friends. In the future she looks forward to sharing many more stories.
About Runaway at Sea:
Are you looking for an adventure story filled with harrowing feats of survival set against an exciting historical background? Read on, as you will discover …
Something bad and scary is about to happen to Robert. He must make a choice, stay or run. He runs!
Fleeing from danger, Robert and his best friend Michael sneak aboard a ship and hide in a lifeboat, convinced they will start a new life at the next port. When they are found, the real trouble begins.
Trapped aboard a British Naval vessel, the boys must learn to endure a harsh life at sea and figure out how to get off without being shot as deserters.
Torrential storms, a terrorizing bully, a mysterious initiation, and an untimely death during a perilous rounding of Cape Horn fill their months with adventure. An unexpected chance to escape comes and the boys don’t waste a moment. It doesn’t take long for them to realize they have gotten themselves lost in a treacherous jungle.
Sickness plagues them. Spiders, snakes and lurking predators are there at every turn. Robert and Michael must learn to rely on their wits…if they want to survive.
About Adventurer at Sea:
Thrilling twists and turns surround Robert and Michael as they continue their adventures around the world’s oceans. Aboard a whaling vessel with their family of shipmates, a perilous hunt causes the death of a beloved friend and it is the catalyst for the boys renewing their vow to get to America.
On a remote exotic island the boys hunt for wild boar and become immersed in the exotic life of the natives and missionaries. Robert falls for a beautiful young girl and his heart breaks when he has to leave.
A raging storm puts the whaler in jeopardy and the boys barely escape. The fate of the ship is unknown but they are rescued and soon find out they are on their way to war.
A battle ensues and Robert is gravely injured. Unexpected events make his long sought-after destiny uncertain and he has no idea how or if he will ever be able to find America.
Author Interview with Margreit Maitland:
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- What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I haven’t been on a pilgrimage as in traveling, but I did, through my extensive research, meet a few pivotal people. One is a librarian in England where my ancestor was born. She found my family in the town records and created a family tree and wrote me a long letter about my family history. Another was the Director of US Navy History who gave me a two page bibliography that provided me with a really detailed look at the Age of Sail and the mid-1800s.
- What is the first book that made you cry?
I don’t remember which book was the first to make me cry as a child. Although I’m certain it was “Little House on the Prairie” or “Charlotte’s Web”. As an adolescent, I read a lot of books from many genres and I’m certain that one or more Danielle Steele romance novels made me cry.
- Does writing energize or exhaust you?
I have to say both. It feels so good to accomplish something like a scene, chapter and to complete a novel is extremely rewarding. But even though it involves a lot of sitting, it is exhausting because my brain is in overdrive.
- What are common traps for aspiring writers?
I think a constant editing loop can trap any author. At some point, you just have to call it and say this is DONE!
- Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
I don’t have a big ego, but I would think it would be detrimental because you have to be open to all feedback and all opportunities to learn from your readers. If your ego is too big to hear feedback and make changes then that hurts the writing process, in my opinion.
- Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I am using a Pen Name, Margreit Maitland, because I wanted my writing to be it’s own branch of the overall tree.
- Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I am absolutely original. I love creating this story to tell in a way that is just mine!
- Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
I am not sure how to bring imagery to a page without strong emotions. If you can’t empathize with your character’s experiences, growth and interactions with the other characters and overall decisions throughout the story how will your readers?
To learn more about Margreit Maitland, here’s where you can connect with her:
- Website: www.runawayatsea.com
- Instagram: @margreitm
- Tiktok: @margreitm
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/runawayatsea
- GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash
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