Hello Margaret, welcome to BrandEducation! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a mother of triplets, married to my loving husband. We live in Houston, Texas, with two dogs and one cat.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I was brought up mainly in Houston. I went to a High School for Performing Arts, Texas Woman’s University in Texas, and live in Houston.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I cook, travel, and float in my pool cause the Texas heat is killer. When the temps cool, I love enjoying the outdoors.
Can you tell us a little bit about your journey?
My mom put me in dance classes at age three since I bounced all over the house, and I kept dancing my whole life. My background in performance arts has heavily influenced my writing and storytelling. I lean into classics due to all the ballets I’ve studied or performed. Yet, I also like modern dance, which places a twist on some of the norms. These experiences pretty much drive the types of stories I desire to tell. They are something based on the classics with a twist.
Storytelling has always been a focus in my life. I’ve always wanted to write but never had the confidence. I’d write a short story, then trash it over and over. I’ve told stories my whole life, be it dancing or acting. It wasn’t until I finished tutoring my triplets through college that I finally put my foot down and said, “This is it!” Once my family overcame their shock, I wrote my first book, then another, and another. It’s those great classics from ballet and theatre training that inspire me. Folk and fairy tales that I put a twist or a spin on creating innovative stories.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Creative
Outgoing
Humorous
What inspires you?
Ironies of life
History
Tales of true love
Share something our audience wouldn’t know about you?
Outside of the triplets, which I get asked about in every interview, I’d like to share some quirky things about myself. An interesting fact of having only triplets, I don’t know what having one kid is like.
I collect earrings and have since college.
I watch Gordon Ramsey a lot to be a better cook.
My writing space used to be the great room of our home. AKA: Grand Central Station, where everyone came and went. We carved out a space for me and converted an unused wet bar into a study/beverage nook I use as my office: perks, coffee maker, and mini fridge. My only complaint is that it’s still open to the rest of the home.
How did you get into writing and doing this work?
Being in performing arts, I’ve always told stories. Whether they are my own or others, I’ve always wanted to convey a story and message.
It wasn’t until I finished tutoring my triplets through college that I finally put my foot down and said, “This is it!” Once my family overcame their shock, I wrote my first book, then another, and another. It’s those great classics from ballet and theatre training that inspire me. Folk and fairy tales that I put a twist or a spin on creating innovative stories.
What are your goals and aspirations?
When I started, I only wanted to finish writing a book. When I met that goal, I set another and another. As I accomplished these goals, my husband asked, “What will you do when you publish…. get famous?” The question floored me. I hadn’t signed a contract at the time, and it forced me to consider that if I keep reaching my small goals, I needed bigger ones.
I want to get both seven-book series published that tell one larger story. Then, the entire story from both series would be made into cable TV or film.
Where can our listeners connect with you online?
My socials. @mizardauthor on all platforms. Margaretizardauthor.com or from my publisher, Wild Rose Press.
Listen to Thistle in the Mistletoe with Margaret Izard below.