Please help me give a big Hoosblog welcome to Maggie Dallen!

I’m thrilled to have Maggie here today, and not just because she also writes YA sports romance—although that’s what first made me aware of her. We first met on Facebook and I’m just blown away with her productivity. She has So. Many. Books. and every one of them sound amazing! (I admit I haven’t read them ALL…yet.) Let’s get started!

Maggie Dallen is a big city girl living in Montana. She writes adult and young adult romantic comedies in a range of genres. An unapologetic addict of all things romance, she loves to connect with fellow avid readers on Facebook or at maggiedallen.com. To keep up to date with her new releases (and for giveaways, sale alerts, and sneak peeks), sign up for her monthly newsletter.

Tell us about your book.

My latest book is a YA contemporary romance, Charming the Cheerleader. It’s the first book of a duet and my first time writing interconnected timelines. It was such a challenge!

Here’s the blurb:

Will the new guy in school be the one to win the bet and thaw the ice queen? Maybe. But only if he doesn’t fall for her first.

Conner and his stepsister are new to town, new to Talmore High, and very new to this whole step-sibling situation. As of three weeks ago they were only children…and now? Well, now their parents’ newly wedded bliss is wreaking havoc with both of their lives.

Not that Conner is worried. He might be the new kid but he’s never had a problem being the big man on campus. Until now. No one at this school seems to have gotten the memo that he’s beloved. The girls aren’t swooning and the guys are looking for any excuse to kick his butt back to California. When his stepsister throws out the challenge, it’s a no brainer. If he can make head cheerleader Rosalie “The Ice Queen” Farlow fall at this feet, he’ll have it all.

But then again, if he wins the bet…he’ll lose her. And what’s the use of having it all if he loses the only thing that matters?

Order on Amazon | Other online retailers

Now for the fun stuff!

What’s your favorite genre? Do you read what you write?

I write YA contemporary romance, sweet adult contemporary romance, and historical romance, and my favorite genre to write changes by the minute. It depends which project I’m working on and which ones I’m most excited about. I have a short attention span so I tend to tire of a genre if I’ve written too many of those books in a row. I read in all of these genres and so many more! Most books I read fall under the romance category, but I read in a wide variety of subgenres. Lately I’ve been on a big romantic suspense kick.

I really admire how varied your books seem to be, yet they all are clearly part of your brand.

What’s your favorite part about writing?

Being able to work in my pajamas! Also, life is never boring when I’m writing. There’s always fun plot twists to brainstorm and new romances to dream up. Whenever I’m quiet for too long, my family knows that they’ve lost me to my fictional worlds.

I really envy that you get to be in your pajamas all day, haha. And that’s so true about those writerly silences!

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The sixty percent mark of any current work in progress. I don’t know what it is but that’s where I always want to bang my head against a wall. It’s the part where it’s no longer my new, fresh idea but the end still feels far away, and no matter how much I’ve brainstormed and outlined, the plot starts to feel murky. I’ve probably written close to seventy-five books by now and yet I still get stuck every time!

This is always such a relief to hear. I usually hit a wall about that same point, where I start to question why I ever thought someone would want to read that story. (Also, SEVENTY FIVE BOOKS??)

What’s an activity unrelated to writing that you love?

I’m a knitter. I LOVE to knit. Lately I’ve been making lots of hats because they’re small enough that there’s a good chance I’ll actually finish. Have I mentioned that I have a short attention span? Other than that…eating. Does that count as an activity? It should. I’m very good at it.

Eating and knitting—yes. I would love to learn to knit someday and am jealous of those of you who know how to make things to WEAR out of long strings.

Who’s your biggest cheerleader?

My husband. He’s so supportive of my writing career and I’m very grateful for that. I love to try new things with writing—sometimes those new ventures lead to a win and sometimes they’re a fail but I love knowing that my husband has my back either way.

That’s the best feeling ever!

Now I’d like to play a fun little game called This or That. As a writer, I find that a lot of interviews ask the same questions, so I always appreciate sharing something new about myself. I’m super excited about these questions—and I hope you enjoy them!

Introvert or extrovert? Introvert.

Morning or night person? Morning (I get my best writing done between 5 am-10 am!)

Coffee or tea? Both. I love caffeine.

Sweet or salty? Sweet a million times over.

Eternal summer or four seasons? Four seasons.

Mountains or beach? Do I have to choose? I live in Montana so mountains are all around. For vacation, the beach is a great change of pace.

Dogs or cats? I’m not really into pets.

Over 5’5” or under? Over.

Left or right-handed? Right.

Hoodie or yoga pants? Pajama bottoms (like yoga pants but completely unflattering.)

I much prefer to write in the morning as well. The day hasn’t had a chance to bombard my brain yet, plus I feel accomplished the rest of the day instead of having that task hanging over my head.

Maggie, thank you so much for spending this time with me and my readers. Readers, you can find Maggie at these links—and be sure to check out Charming the Cheerleader!