Thursday 28 February 2013

Writer - Martin Owton

I'd like to welcome you to my interview with writer, Martin Owton.  Enjoy.

Martin Owton


Hello Martin, can you please introduce yourself?
I'm Martin Owton, from Camberley, Surrey.
How long have you been writing?
Since 1994 when I picked it up again after messing around in bands.
What first got you interested in writing?
Always was from the age of 9 or 10
Do you attend a writing group?
I attend Rushmoor writers and The T-Party. Started with both of them in 1997.
Why do you attend a writing group?
For support, critique and networking and now to pay it forward to newer writers.
What is the most valuable thing you have taken away from your writing group?
Their support, that I’m not crazy trying to get my work professionally published. Secondly that by learning to analyse why other people’s stories don’t work and what they need to change to make them work makes one a better writer.
What genre(s) do you write?  What drew you to this/these genre(s)?
SF/F – This is primarily what I read and know how the genre works.
Are there any genres that you don’t enjoy writing?  Why?
Lit fiction, inspirational.  I am a plot-driven writer and prefer books to have a complete story arc.
What types of things do you write?
I did my learning with short stories before becoming mainly preoccupied with novel length fiction. I used to write song lyrics when I was in bands.
Have you ever had anything published?  
25 short stories, mostly paid, some in pro-level US magazines.
Have you sent your writing to agents/publishers?  Have you received any rejections?
Represented by Shiel Land Associates.  First novel did not get picked up by publishers, second novel about to go out to them.
Would you consider self-publishing/e-publishing?  
I would consider it, but the major difficulty is making your work stand out from the endless sea of self-published works, most of which are not very good. 

Do you have a writing routine?
I write mostly in the late evening after I’ve had all day to chew over what happens next.

Do you start out with a complete idea for your stories, or do you just start writing and hope for the best?
I like to have about half to story before I start and then expect the rest of it to grow.


Do you have an editing process?  
I have several people who read my early drafts before the 2nd draft goes to my writing groups.


How do you come up with your characters’ names and personalities?
Misheard names, people I’ve known across the years.
Who/what influences your writing?  Where do you get your inspiration from?
Many influences from Alister MacClean/Hammond Innes type thriller to David Gemmell and Glen Cook. 
How important is it for you to share your writing?
Very.
Have you ever attended an open mic night for spoken word performers, and either an observer or a performer?
Not as yet.
Have you ever entered any writing competitions?  Have you ever won?
Yes, a few nothing significant.
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given?
Fix it in the rewrite.
What advice could you give to a new writer?
Just do it. 
What do you enjoy the most/least about writing?
Getting a new idea.   Struggling through that period about half way through a story when it feels like it isn’t turning out right.
Apart from writing, what are your other hobbies/interests?
Used to play a lot of sports, run pub quizzes.
If you could have written anything, what do you wish that could have been?
‘The Devil You Know’ by Mike Carey.
What types of things do you read?  Do you think your writing reflects your book tastes?
Mostly I read the opposition, plus historical non-fiction.
What are you working on at the moment?
Sequel to my first novel (that failed to sell) while I wait to see if my second novel is going to get picked up. 
Do you have a website/blog/twitter/facebook dedicated to your writing?  
Would you be able to provide a short piece of your work? 
Hardcastle's Dragon
Squire Hardcastle tethered his horse to the post beside the horsetrough at the corner of the marketplace and paused to brush the dust off his coat. 
“Mind him for us lad.” He tossed a farthing to a cross-eyed boy who sat nearby   and set off up a side street of handsome stone houses. He stopped at a doorway and peered suspiciously at the small brass plate on the wall; it read Office of the College of Wizards. He tugged on the bellpull beside the plate and waited.  Presently the door opened and an elderly woman conducted him inside. 
The interior smelt pleasantly of lavender and the beeswax polish that had evidently been lavished on the wall-panelling and floorboards of the corridor. Squire Hardcastle could feel the maid’s disapproval boring into the back of his head as his hobnailed boots scuffed across the floor. The corridor ended at a door which was equally as well polished. He  knocked gently on it just below the plate that read J. Hoskins, Clerk to the Wizards
© Martin Owton 
Thank you Martin. 

Wednesday 27 February 2013

LLBG February

This last month we were asked to read The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.  I wasn't really looking forward to reading this as I'd seen the film a few years ago and didn't enjoy that.  However, as with most book/film adaptations, the book was much better than the film.  I'm not going to say that the book was brilliant, but it was more enjoyable than the film.  As hinted in the title, time travel plays a big part in the story, which can be a bit confusing as it jumps about all over the place, but you do get used to it.  The story is a bit limp (in my opinion - that's why I didn't really enjoy the film), but the book is beautifully written.  Audrey Niffenegger has a wonderful way with words, so the text is easy to read, and although the story does get boring, I still wanted to read it because of how it's written.

Apparently, the book group had already read this book a few years ago (before I joined), so a few of the members didn't read it this time around.  Those of us who did, didn't really like it.  The time travel element confused most people, as the story jumps all over the place.  There were also a couple of people who pointed out plot flaws with the time travel.  As I'm not a scientist, or a Dr. Who fan, I can't say I know too much about time travel.  However, apparently if the present you and the future you are in the same place at the same time, the universe implodes.  There are a few occasions in the book where present and future characters spend time together, and, as far as I'm aware, the universe didn't implode.

So, all in all, this book is very *meh*.  Read it if you want, but if you don't, you're not missing out on much!

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 26th March, and we will be discussing Ancestral Vices by Tom Sharpe.

Writer - Eleanor Stoneham

I'd like to welcome you to my interview with writer, Eleanor Stoneham.  Enjoy.

Eleanor Stoneham



Hello Eleanor, can you please introduce yourself?
Hello I’m Eleanor Stoneham and I live in South East England, UK.
How long have you been writing?
From as soon as I could write my sister and I used to produce little magazines, with stories, puzzles etc to give to friends and family. In my work I had to write loads of reports for clients and to record my research projects. Now I’m retired I can write what I want again – it’s much more fun!
What first got you interested in writing?
Surrounded by books all my life, I guess it was inevitable I’d want to write them myself some day.
I was the same.  I think I've got more books in my house than anything else!  Do you attend a writing group? 
Yes; the local group of the Association of Christian Writers.  We have fun and fellowship, and critique each others’ work. It’s useful and takes me away from the laptop for an evening!
What genre(s) do you write?  What drew you to this/these genre(s)?
Non-Fiction – in the spirituality, religion and mind/body/spirit genres. The idea for both books came to me in a flash and I knew I had to go away and write them.
Are there any genres that you don’t enjoy writing?  Why?
I don’t think I could write a novel – probably because of my scientific and accountancy training to report on facts! But you never know!
What types of things do you write?  
Non-fiction as I’ve said, but I have dabbled in poetry strictly for myself – none of this has yet seen the light of day. Perhaps I’ll experiment putting some of it on my blog. And I write articles that promote my work or about issues of the day that I feel strongly about.
Have you ever had anything published? 
My first two books have been published. I learnt lots about publishing and writing by going to writers’ conferences, where I was told that any decent book will find a publisher eventually and the average number of rejections to get there is 12. My first book was accepted on the 13th attempt! Getting a publisher for book number 2 was much easier. 

Why Religions Work: God’s Place in the World Today (2012) Circle Books http://www.amazon.com/Why-Religions-Work-Place-World/dp/1780994966/
And Healing This Wounded Earth: With Compassion, Spirit and the Power of Hope (2011) O Books http://www.amazon.com/Healing-This-Wounded-Earth-Compassion/dp/1846944457/
And quite a few articles have been published over the last few years in various types of magazine, always for free!

Would you consider self-publishing/e-publishing?
I did consider self-publishing but in the end found a publisher and think that the marketing support is much stronger from a publishing house.  It's hard going it alone, I think.
Are you interested in eBooks, or do you prefer the old fashioned paper-made books?
I love e-books and have a Kindle but I also love real books – the feel, the smell…and Kindle cannot yet replace the beauty of well produced books with colourful illustrations.
Who/what influences your writing?  Where do you get your inspiration from?
The inspiration comes when I’m least expecting it – from what I am reading at the time – from life experiences – from discussions.
Do you have a writing routine?
I was advised early on to make sure I write daily – it’s good practice! I’m probably most creative early morning and late evening. When I have a writing project in full swing I have to go away to concentrate for 2 – 3 weeks in total immersion. There are so many distractions at home.
Do you start out with a complete idea for your stories, or do you just start writing and hope for the best?
I start with the definite idea and have learnt from my first book to plan what I am going to say very carefully before I begin writing in earnest. My second book was much easier to write for that reason alone.
Do you have an editing process?  Do you have someone else read over your work?  Do you read your work aloud to yourself in front of the mirror?
I self edit – and perfect everything as far as I possibly can before it is sent anywhere. That can mean rewriting a chapter several times before I’m entirely happy with it. Actually you can never be entirely happy with it – there’s always room for improvement but you have to know when to stop!!
I send sample chapters to interested contacts who may then write an endorsement for me and their comments can be very helpful.
Good grief no!!
What do you enjoy the most/least about writing?
The most? The writing  process and the satisfaction of seeing it in print. The least? All the PR work, although even that can be fun. Giving talks to groups can be scary but also very satisfying. Someone told me that successful authors spend more time on PR than on the writing. I can believe it.
Have you ever entered any writing competitions?  Have you ever won?
No. Except as a child yes I guess I did, and won. I have a beautiful big leather bound dictionary as a prize that I use to this day. As a child I thought it was a very boring prize but now I treasure it.
How important is it for you to share your writing?
Very. My books and articles, however lightly written, have a serious message that I want the world to read.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given with regards to writing?
Write every day and keep editing.
What advice could you give to a new writer?
Don’t give up the day job. Very few writers make a serious living out of it.
Oh but wouldn't that be lovely?!  Apart from writing, what are your other hobbies/interests?
I walk, cycle, and love my garden and my allotment where I grow all my own vegetables. I’ve done a couple of long distance charity cycle rides but the training doesn’t get any easier!! I read avidly.
And I’m very busy as an altar girl and verger in my local Anglican church.
What types of things do you read?  Do you think your writing reflects your book tastes?
Mainly non-fiction around my research for my books. But I do take light reading on holiday, for train and plane journeys, and enjoy a good whodunit.
Do you have a website/blog/twitter/facebook dedicated to your writing?
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m trying to write a book about the idea of depression as a spiritual journey, with a biographical approach. It’s actually a thinly disguised autobiography and I’m not sure if I can pull it off yet.
Would you be able to provide a short piece of your work?
I put excerpts on my website and blogs.
Thank you very much Eleanor. 

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Writer - Ruth Snowden

I'd like to welcome you to my interview with writer, Ruth Snowden.  Enjoy.

Ruth Snowden



Hi Ruth, can you please introduce yourself?
I'm Ruth Snowden, from Cumbria.
How long have you been writing?
I wrote my first book when I was eight, which was a long time ago! I've been writing professionally for about 15 years.
What first got you interested in writing?
I spent a lot of time ill in bed as a child and began writing to amuse myself.
Do you attend a writing group?
I attend Whitehaven Writers. I started going in about 1998.
Why do you attend a writing group?
In order to meet other writers, get ideas and feedback, and to give something back by encouraging other people.
What is the most valuable thing you have taken away from your writing group? 
Friendship. Inspiration.  And a pair of green amber earrings.
What genre(s) do you write?  What drew you to this/these genre(s)? 
I write non fiction in the holistic/alternative/psychology field. I was drawn to this genre by my life-long interest in dreams - this interest, plus my degree in psychology, brought me my first commissions. I also write magical fantasy type fiction for children and adults. I was drawn to write fiction because I love reading stories, particularly good children's stories. I have also written poetry since I was a child, when I read poetry at home and learned poems off by heart at school.
Are there any genres that you don’t enjoy writing?  Why?
I'll have a go at most things, but I'm not much good at romantic fiction - probably because I don't enjoy reading it, so it doesn't flow. I don't think I could write a historical novel either, because I haven't the patience to research it properly - I prefer to make stuff up! Probably lots of others, but I can't say I have tried them all by any means.
What types of things do you write?
Mostly books. Also poetry, blogs, tweets and the occasional article for newspapers and magazines.
Have you ever had anything published?
I have had many books published by HowToBooks, Hodder, McGraw-Hill, Piccadilly Press and Wild Women Press. You can find out more and buy most of these on Amazon. See my author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Snowden.
Most of my adult non- fiction books are about Freud, Jung and dreamwork.
My children's books are magical adventure stories. I am concentrating on these at the moment.
More information about some of my books and work in progress can be found on my blogs - see question 29 for the links.
I have also had lots of newspaper and magazine articles published, but not many recently, as most seem to use in-house writers these days.

Have you sent your writing to agents/publishers?  Have you received any rejections?
Yes - publishers listed above, and I have an agent. I have had loads of rejections over the years but thankfully a lot of positive results and commissions too!
That shows that the hard work pays off and you have to take the rough with the smooth.  (sorry, I think I just swallowed a book of clichés!)  Would you consider self-publishing/e-publishing?  Why/why not?  Are you interested in eBooks, or do you prefer the old fashioned paper-made books?
I have recently self-published two children's novels on Kindle. The first The Island That Wasn't There was published originally in paperback by Piccadilly Press. Return to Hildaland is the sequel.  I love books in both forms - paper and electronic - each has its own merits.
Who/what influences your writing?  Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my creative inspiration from nature, landscape, history, myths, legends, literature, people and ideas from my writers' group. My dreams are also a rich source of ideas. Some of the more zany episodes in my stories have been lifted directly from peculiar dreams of mine, and I am not above poaching those of friends as well, but only with permission!
How do you come up with your characters’ names and personalities?
I don't know where my characters come from - they seem to find me! Often I dream about them, or they wake me up in the morning with vivid ideas and demand that I write about them. So I guess they arise from my unconscious. Often a character is an amalgam of people I know, and may also have some aspect of myself, past or present. I sometimes take names form gravestones, or from the telephone directory. Occasionally I earwig conversations in cafes and pick up interesting names and snippets!
Do you have a writing routine?
I don't have a routine at all. I dislike routine and write when the muse takes me. Sometimes I let my mind lay fallow for a few days, but then I might write obsessively for weeks. I am often very creative around full moon.
Do you start out with a complete idea for your stories, or do you just start writing and hope for the best?
I usually begin with words, phrases, characters and visual imagery then kind of throw them all together and watch what happens, like watching a film. I never know at the outset what is going to happen.  I am not an organised writer when it comes to fiction - this is strange seeing as I also write non- fiction, which has to be very organised.  I think the two genres use different parts of my brain. 
Do you have an editing process?  Do you have someone else read over your work?  Do you read your work aloud to yourself in front of the mirror?
I always edit my own work thoroughly and then brace myself to have it pulled apart again by editors, friends and my agent before it gets published. My agent has an almost supernatural ability to winkle out the bits I know deep down are no good! I also read stuff aloud at the writers' group - it's amazing how many errors you can spot that way, and I get feedback too.  But not in front of the mirror, no.
What do you enjoy the most/least about writing?
I enjoy it when I read back through something I have written and feel amazed and wonder where such fantastic stuff has come from. I enjoy it when I get `into the zone' and my words flow effortlessly.  And I enjoy it when I meet up with my creative friends and we bounce wild and zany ideas around. And I guess I hate it when I get stuck in one of those dreary cycles of stupidly trying to write something to `fit the market.' This utterly kills my creativity. And I hate marketing, public appearances and tax returns. I just want to get on with the writing in peace and I have a strong inner conviction that really those things ought to be someone else's job.
How important is it for you to share your writing?
Essential. I am a story teller - what's the use of telling stories to nobody?
Have you ever entered any writing competitions?  Have you ever won?
Yes I have entered a few, with little success, but I once won a competition in the Independent, to write the first paragraph of a novel.
Have you ever attended an open mic night for spoken word performers, and either an observer or a performer? 
I have performed open mic poetry a lot in the past but I don't enjoy it - in fact I find it draining  and a bit embarrassing. It has had a very negative effect on me actually - I no longer write poetry much, because the whole poetry scene seems to be about performing and showing off. I am an introverted poet L Surely I am not the only one?
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given?
Less is more, so edit rigorously. When I first became a professional writer a publisher told me that my great strength lay in the way I used words sparingly and left the reader to use their own imagination. A common error in inexperienced writers is to overdo the explaining!
What advice could you give to a new writer?
Keep going even when things get tough. Write from your soul.
Apart from writing, what are your other hobbies/interests?
Druidry, nature, caravanning, crafting, artwork, playing the Celtic harp, yoga.
What types of things do you read?  Do you think your writing reflects your book tastes?
I read all kinds of things. Magazines, blogs, tweets, websites, novels, good children's novels and non-fiction, especially in the alternative health and spirituality area.  So yes, my writing definitely reflects my reading tastes.
If you could have written anything, what do you wish that could have been?
Exactly the things that I have written!
That's a great attitude!  Do you have any favourite lines from novels/plays/poetry/songs, or any favourite literary quotes?
How on earth do I choose? I collect more of them all the time and record them in my journal. Here's a recent one that really made my spine tingle. It's from The Resurrectionist, by James Bradley:



`My father died when I was twelve. We found him half a mile from the house, huddled in the wall's low lee. His face turned away from the world, into the dark stones, his body half covered by the snow. The sky overhead as fragile as an egg.' 
That's what I mean by less is more - there is so much power in these few stark sentences describing the harsh reality of life for ordinary people in Victorian England. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author - although this one is not for the squeamish!
What are you working on at the moment?
I am working on editing several of my children's books and getting them up on Kindle. A bit of a steep learning curve there! This is the area I am really concentrating on at the moment, as I would dearly love to get well known as a children's writer. So any promotion in this area would be much appreciated - I have included an extract below in question 31. See also children's book blog link below.


Also working on a series of books for women about getting in touch with your inner Wise Woman and keeping a spiritual journal. See Wise Woman blog link below.
Do you have a website/blog/twitter/facebook dedicated to your writing?  
For details of all my available published books: See Ruth Snowden author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-SnowdenMy blogs all have extra material that is not in my books, and updates about work in progress. The addresses are as follows:For dreamwork: www.exploringdreams.blogspot.comFor Wise Woman stuff: www.wisewomanjournal.blogspot.comFor children's books: www.hildaland.blogspot.com
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
You can also follow Cocklepuss, the magical catfish from Hildaland, on Twitter @Cocklepuss
And myself on Twitter @RuthSnowden

Would you be able to provide a short piece of your work?  
(The following is an edited extract from The Island That Wasn't There, an exciting magical adventure story for children aged 8 upwards. You can buy the Kindle edition, and its sequel Return to Hildaland, on Amazon.)
`Her skin was pale blue-green, and it looked kind of slimy, like a fish. She looked really ill, I thought.

Half of her was buried, under a mass of twisted seaweed and bits of old rope, so I could only see to her waist. But she looked about my size, perhaps just a little bigger.
I nearly screamed when I saw her eyes. They were huge and very dark, like fish eyes, or some sort of weird insect thing. The silver-grey light from the clouds reflected in her wide-open pupils.
She smiled then, sort of, and began to speak. Her lips were thin, and her teeth were pointed – sharp-looking. But her voice was quite ordinary.
‘Thank goodness,’ she said, rather unexpectedly, ‘can you help me get out of this lot?’ She pointed to the seaweed that was tangled all round her legs. I hesitated for a moment – I was still wondering if she was some sort of giant insect . . . or an alien maybe?
I yanked the seaweed off and then began untwisting some hairy old blue rope. All of a sudden a big lump of weed came away, and I could see her legs underneath. She had weird tights on. Sort of fishnet ones made of gleaming pearly stuff.
I stared for a moment, forgetting it was rude. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, pulling a long strand of green weed out of her hair. It was exactly the same colour, so it looked as if she was actually pulling her hair out.
‘Your tights,’ I said, ‘I’ve never seen any like that. They’re really cool,’ I added hastily.
‘Tights? What are tights?’
I pointed. ‘On your legs. Your stocking things.’
She looked really blank. Her wide black pupils stared into me, swallowing me like dark holes in the sea. ‘Legs?’ she said, with a slight shudder. `Mermaids don’t have legs. We have tails!’ '
 
© Ruth Snowden 
Thank you very much Ruth.

Monday 25 February 2013

Writer - Nick White

I'd like to welcome you to my interview with writer, Nick White.  Enjoy.

Nick White


Hi Nick, can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Nick White and I’m a writer living in Staffordshire.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was a child – I took it up more seriously in my 20’s following a serious illness.
What first got you interested in writing? 
All through high school I had a great English teacher who brought the world of the imagination alive to me. It was partly down to her and it was partly because I loved reading and listening to people tell stories. 
What genre(s) do you write?  What drew you to this/these genre(s)? 
When it comes to fiction I’m attracted to magic realism, cult fiction and classic ghost stories - anything with an element of beauty in it. I’ve written science fiction, children’s stories and journalism. I’ve also written about 100 poems but am currently focusing on prose.
 Are there any genres that you don’t enjoy writing?  Why?
There are lots of genres which I’ve never tried. I think I would have trouble writing decent historical fiction because of the amount of research necessary.
What types of things do you write? 
I’m a qualified journalist so I’ve written a lot of non-fiction news and features. There are some techniques which are true to both journalism and fiction – especially the need to hook the reader in the first sentence.
Have you ever had anything published? 
My first published story was written for my primary school magazine. It was plagiarized from a science fiction comic. It could have taught me that the way to get ahead is to copy someone’s work – but I remember feeling so guilty about the finished story. I was so afraid that other people would spot that it had been copied that I never did it again.
I’ve had hundreds of pieces of journalism (many of which I never saved) published in local papers, specialist magazines and websites. My first published short story was a children’s story called ‘The Princess Who Wanted Snow’ in an anthology called An Advent Calendar of Stories in 2009. After that I self-published a collection of poetry called Compliance is Futile as an eBook and print on demand book. And I’ve just had two science fiction short stories published by a small publisher in an anthology called Otherwhere and Elsewhen.

Have you sent your writing to agents/publishers?  Have you received any rejections?
Plenty of rejections for pieces of writing. Realistically I’m expecting more. I have no helpful advice on how to cope with the rejections as I don’t handle them well myself.
I think you just have to realise that some of the greatest authors received hundreds of rejections too.  Well that's what I remind myself every time I receive one!  Are you interested in eBooks, or do you prefer the old fashioned paper-made books?
I think eBook publishing offers more choice and opportunity for writers and that can only be a good thing.
How do you come up with your characters’ names and personalities?
Names are the easy part – I often get surnames for characters from gravestones (to me it feels like a way of raising the dead). 
I interviewed someone a little while ago who said she got her names from gravestones.  I've spent hours trawling through baby name books or online random name generators, but I think I may start walking around the graveyard.  There's a church just along my road, so that could be a good place to start.  What is your writing routine?  Do you write daily or just when you feel like it?  Is there a certain time of day where you are at your most creative?
Like most writers I struggle to find enough time to write as I juggle writing with my job and with housework. I write whenever I get the chance and this often means that I’m writing on my mobile phone. I do my main writing on an old computer with Windows 98 and no internet. Coffee is my only requirement.
Do you start out with a complete idea for your stories, or do you just start writing and hope for the best?
Like many authors I make a plan and always know the end from the beginning.
Do you have an editing process?  Do you have someone else read over your work?  Do you read your work aloud to yourself in front of the mirror? 
After the plan I then write out a first draft. I will go over the whole story at least twice before I feel it’s good enough to be seen by anyone else. Then I may read it to someone or let someone read it. After that I usually make more changes based on the feedback I get.
What do you enjoy the most/least about writing?
I love most of the process and I love starting and finishing a story. The research can be great fun too. What I struggle with is the competitive nature of writing to be published. The world of journalism is no more competitive than the world of writing fiction if that is any consolation.
Have you ever attended an open mic night for spoken word performers as either an observer or performer?  Did you enjoy it?  Why/why not?
I’ve read out a couple of my poems at an open mic night. But I’m more of an introvert so I don’t usually do any kind of public speaking unless I absolutely have to. 
How important is it for you to share your writing?
It is important to me. I’ve met plenty of writers who will write for themselves and who don’t feel a need to be published. I’m often in awe of them and can’t help feeling that they are more grown up than I am.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given with regards to writing?
Try not to libel anyone. The law is a very dangerous thing.
What advice could you give to a new writer?
Practice. Hook your readers with the introduction to a story. It doesn’t matter if it isn’t that great at the first draft. Care about your story and about your readers because if you do your readers will notice. 
What types of things do you read?  Do you think your writing reflects your book tastes?
Classics, cult fiction, anything else that I like the look of. Folk tales, ghost stories, literary fiction.
Do you have any favourite lines from novels/plays/poetry/songs, or any favourite literary quotes?
Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Do you have a website/blog/twitter/facebook dedicated to your writing?  
I have a website: www.nickwhitewriting.com
and a twitter account @nickcwhite.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m currently collaborating with a careers professional on a project to release a non-fiction eBook for young people called What Rocks Your World. She has written it to inspire young people to understand their skills and talents and to get the life they really want. My plan is to proof-read, edit and publish it as an eBook later this year.
I’ve also just written the first draft of my first novel and am planning to have it finished by the end of the year.
Would you be able to provide a short piece of your work? 
This is the start of my short story ‘Stranded in Eternity’ taken from Otherwhere and Elsewhen.
He revived with a smile on his face. When lay preacher Greg Pacifico opened his eyes he knew that he had died and was in heaven. Greg was lying on dewy grass and there were birds singing all around him. The last thing he could remember was driving along a country road at night. It had been winter and he had been on his way back from a church service. He should have been concentrating on the road rather than congratulating himself on the success of his sermon by singing Christian choruses. There was a blur and a moment of confusion as something ran out in front of his car. He had turned the wheel suddenly, skidded on black ice and watched as the trunk of a tree seemed to race towards his windscreen. After this there was just a feverish dreamtime.
© Nick White 
Thank you very much Nick. 

Friday 22 February 2013

Writer - Sue Russell

I'd like to welcome you to my interview with writer, Sue Russell.  Enjoy.

Sue Russell


Hello Sue, can you please introduce yourself? 
I’m Sue Russell, writing as S.L.Russell, and I live in Kent, UK.
How long have you been writing?
Since I first learned how, aged 5! But with serious purpose for about twelve years.
What first got you interested in writing? 
I have always made up stories. For me the need to write is like a mental itch that must be scratched! 
Do you attend a writing group?
Yes, I’ve belonged to a critique group for several years and find it a learning experience.
What genre(s) do you write?  What drew you to this/these genre(s)? 
I write chiefly contemporary  adult Christian fiction with a British background, and I believe I was called to write in this genre.
Are there any genres that you don’t enjoy writing?  Why? 
I’m not keen on romantic fiction. I don’t mind a love element within a bigger story, but for me boy-meets-girl on its own doesn’t have enough in it to hold my interest.
What types of things do you write? 
I’ve written some short stories for the critique group, and some poetry, but my preferred medium is the novel.
Have you ever had anything published?
I have a trilogy self-published: (‘Leviathan with a Fish-hook’ 2009, ‘The Monster Behemoth’ 2010, and ‘The Land of Nimrod’ 2011.) I can be found on Amazon under S.L.Russell.
Brilliant, I'll go and have a look.  Have you sent your writing to agents/publishers?  Have you received any rejections? 
Yes, and yes.
You mentioned earlier that you have self-published.  How did you find that?  Are you interested in eBooks, or do you prefer the old fashioned paper-made books? 
My experience of self-publishing has been good, but now I would like to try a more traditional route if possible. My existing books are paperbacks but are also available to be downloaded to Kindle if you have one. I have a Kindle and I enjoy it but I also love paper books.
Who/what influences your writing?  Where do you get your inspiration from? 
I suppose my reading has influenced my own books. I don’t really know where inspiration comes from: perhaps from reading or observing the world.
How do you come up with your characters’ names and personalities? 
From living and studying people, eavesdropping on their conversations! Names are very important and I take great care when choosing them.
Do you have a writing routine?   
I don’t have a set routine. When ideas are flowing I write till I am tired or interrupted, or till I feel I should stop for a while to think. 
Do you start out with a complete idea for your stories, or do you just start writing and hope for the best? 
I have a broad outline of the plot and know my characters well before I begin, but things do change as you go along – so a bit of both. 
Do you have an editing process?   
I edit as I go, and again at chapter/section ends, and after the first draft. Then I get trusted readers to go through the Ms and come up with suggestions. I think about these and incorporate some of them into the text. I don’t read aloud – perhaps I should. 
Sometimes reading aloud is quite helpful, especially when writing dialogue.  What do you enjoy the most/least about writing? 
I love all aspects of writing, but I’m not mad about publicity and marketing. 
Have you ever attended an open mic night for spoken word performers as either an observer or performer?   
No; the nearest I got to this was reading a few pages aloud at my first book’s launch.
Have you ever entered any writing competitions?  Have you ever won? 
I have entered a few at the Winchester Writers’ Conference, but I didn’t win.
How important is it for you to share your writing? 
Very. For me the object is to communicate with other minds and imaginations.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given with regards to writing? 
Don’t give up.
What advice could you give to a new writer? 
Have realistic expectations, keep learning and improving, believe in yourself. And don’t give up! 
Apart from writing, what are your other hobbies/interests? 
Music: I play flute in a band, I am our church organist, I have a few piano pupils, I sing in a Choral Society. I like to walk my dog and hang out with my friends. 
If you could have written anything, what do you wish that could have been? 
Lots of things. ‘Gilead’ by Marilynne Robinson springs to mind. But in the end we must write as ourselves with our own voice.
What types of things do you read?  Do you think your writing reflects your book tastes? 
I read a broad spectrum of genres, but am not keen on anything too light and fluffy. I haven’t read anything which is at all like my own books. 
Do you have any favourite lines from novels/plays/poetry/songs, or any favourite literary quotes? 
Lots: many from the Bible or C.S.Lewis. 
Do you have a website/blog/twitter/facebook dedicated to your writing?  
My website is www.slrussell.co.uk 
My blog is www.suerussellsblog.blogspot.co.uk 
I have facebook page Christian Author Susan Russell
What are you working on at the moment?
I have just finished editing the second draft of my latest novel, a stand-alone unconnected with the trilogy but in a similar genre, with the working title ‘Lost sheep.’
Is there anything else you’d like to add? 
Thank you for the interview. I haven’t added any photos either of me or of my book covers because they can be seen on Amazon or on my web site. 
Would you be able to provide a short  piece of your work? 
Excerpts of each volume of my trilogy can be found on Amazon uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/S.L.-Russell/e/B003C01LC6/) or on the publisher’s website www.authorsonline.co.uk
Thank you very much Sue.

Thursday 21 February 2013

Writer - Sheila Skillman

I'd like to welcome you to my interview with writer, Sheila Skillman.  Enjoy.

Sheila Skillman


Hi Shelia, can you please introduce yourself?
My writing name is SC Skillman and I live in Warwick.
How long have you been writing?
Since I was 7 years old, when I used to fill little exercise books with stories.
What first got you interested in writing?
The adventure stories of Enid Blyton inspired me; I found them so exciting and engaging, I wanted to write stories myself.
Do you attend a writing group?
Yes I belong to 2 writing groups  that meet quarterly in Leamington Spa, and in Kenilworth.
What genre(s) do you write?  What drew you to this/these genre(s)?
I write romantic suspense. My recognition of this evolved as a process of self-knowledge, gained by simply writing the stories I wanted to write, about the subjects that engaged me.
What types of things do you write?
Novels.
Have you ever had anything published?
Yes, I published Mystical Circles, romantic suspense novel – see www.scskillman.co.uk for further info.

Have you sent your writing to agents/publishers?  Have you received any rejections?
Yes I have sent previous novels to many agents in the past & have collected a number of rejections.
Who/what influences your writing?  Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from family, friends & life experiences, & from my observations of many different people I’ve met over the years. I’ve also been inspired by characters and themes found on Tv & in the movies. I love writing about any environment in which disparate people are drawn together for a period of time in an enclosed setting. I’ve drawn upon my insights into human motivation and behaviour; chief among which is that “nothing should be taken at face value: people are often not what they seem”.
How do you come up with your characters’ names and personalities?
During the course of life, names pop up in various contexts,  and I make a note of those that intrigue me, which I like, or which suggest certain types of character.
What is your writing routine?  Do you write daily or just when you feel like it?  Is there a certain time of day where you are at your most creative?
I write as soon as I get home from delivering my son to school. I prioritise writing above emails/social networking etc. The writing comes first, & I ensure that other activities are programmed for later in the day.
Do you start out with a complete idea for your stories, or do you just start writing and hope for the best?
I do start out with a general idea, and I now believe in having a rough plan beforehand.   In my new novel I have used Snowflake Pro, a very helpful piece of novel-design software. 
Do you have an editing process?  Do you have someone else read over your work?  Do you read your work aloud to yourself in front of the mirror?
I have learned through experience not to seek other people’s opinions until the novel is complete. Then I seek the opinion of someone whose knowledge of the market I respect. “A Passionate Spirit” is currently in the hands of a consultant editor.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given with regards to writing?
Never give up, always believe in yourself despite all evidence to the contrary.
Apart from writing, what are your other hobbies/interests?
Choral singing, theatre, art, cinema, walking, yoga, history, travel.
If you could have written anything, what do you wish that could have been?
“The Moonstone” and “The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins.
What types of things do you read?  Do you think your writing reflects your book tastes?
I read among different genres, both fiction & non-fiction. I don’t think my writing reflects my book tastes other than my interest in the human psyche.
Do you have a website/blog/twitter/facebook dedicated to your writing?
Yes. I have a website: www.scskillman.co.uk and a blog:  www.scskillman.com and a facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/SC-Skillman-Author-Blogger and a Twitter account: www.twitter.com/scskillman
What are you working on at the moment?
My new novel “A Passionate Spirit” is now complete and in the hands of a consultant editor, I’m just about to embark upon my next novel. 
Would you be able to provide a short piece of your writing?

Mystical Circles

1
Arrival

Juliet was trembling. It had all happened so fast. The explosion of anger between the two men. The rush for the car park. The engine roaring into life. As the rear lights picked her out, she dodged aside just in time. The next thing she heard was a loud bang. And the sickening crunch of metal giving way. And a fountain of fragmenting glass.
He’d slammed on the brakes too late.
And it was all her fault.
*****
Juliet’s palms were slippery on the steering wheel; she wiped the sweat away from her upper lip. The air conditioning might offset the strong heat of this June day, but not the burning anxiety she felt. Even the spectacular beauty of the high limestone hills and deep valleys as she headed west from the A417 had failed to calm her. A sign half hidden by the trees proclaimed that she’d found ‘The Wheel of Love’. She turned in at the entrance.
Further down the valley, she could see the two steeply pitched gables of the farmhouse with its mellow honey-coloured stone. It looked idyllic. But that held no pleasure for her; her stomach twisted with apprehension for Zoe.
She drove round the house to the gravel parking area at the back. A Bentley and a Saab were parked up against the woodland fence. She was about to nose her Renault Mégane in between them then realised there wasn’t quite enough room, and reversed into the space on the other side of the Saab. She drew to a halt and turned the engine off.
She pulled a copy of an email from the door pocket. A few phrases leapt out at her with the same force as when she’d first read them. 
© SC Skillman 
Thank you very much Sheila.

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Writer - Veronica Zundel

I'd like to welcome you to my interview with writer, Veronica Zundel.  Enjoy.

Veronica Zundel


Hello Veronica, can you please introduce yourself?
I'm Veronica Zundel, and I'm based in North London.
How long have you been writing?
Poetry since around 1970, and published prose since 1978.
What first got you interested in writing?
I've always been interested in writing, from around the age of eight. My degree was in English literature and after a failed attempt at teaching, I got an 'office junior' job with a Christian magazine publisher and they very soon gave me reviews and other short pieces to do. Having had a couple of articles published in the Baptist Times prior to this, helped me to get the job.
Do you attend a writing group?  Why/why not?
I don't currently attend a general writing group, although I belong to the Association of Christian Writers, as I find it quite hard to find others doing the same kind of writing as myself for the Christian market. However I have just joined a Poetry Society Stanza group and expect to find a lot of help with my poetry from this.
What genre(s) do you write?  What drew you to this/these genre(s)?
I write anything to help Christians think about their faith and to help them feel they are not alone on their spiritual journey. Bible readings notes (for BRF New Daylight) are my staple, but I have also written a monthly column for Woman Alive magazine (formerly Christian Woman) for 30 years, and have had seven books published with an eighth coming out in January 2013. I feel the need to express my faith through my writing but in particular to help Christians ask searching questions, as well as encouraging those who are finding life difficult and wonder if their faith has anything to say to their circumstances.
I also write poetry for my own pleasure, and have had around 45 poems published, mainly in Christian magazines and anthologies.
Are there any genres that you don’t enjoy writing?  Why?
I don't really enjoy news journalism as I am always worried about getting my facts right – I would rather write opinion and personal pieces than factual reports. 
Have you ever had anything published? 
I have had three anthologies published, of prayers, Christian classics and women's poetry, along with two collections of my Bible notes and columns, and two other books – one on dating, and one on depression. My new book is a reflection on the experience of parenting, especially of parenting a child with special needs, and what it tells us about God's parenting of us. It's called 'Everything I know about God, I've learned from being a parent.'
Have you sent your writing to agents/publishers?  Have you received any rejections?
Most of my writing has been commissioned through personal contact with the Christian media in the UK. I don't currently have an agent, and while I have had shorter pieces eg poems rejected, most ideas I have submitted to publishers have developed into books – but these are all publishers I already knew through, for instance, writing Bible notes for them.
Would you consider self-publishing/e-publishing?  Why/why not?  Are you interested in eBooks, or do you prefer the old fashioned paper-made books?
I am thinking at the moment about re-issuing some of my older, out of print books as e-books. I'm a keen Kindle reader myself! 
Who/what influences your writing?  Where do you get your inspiration from?
I think I get my inspiration from God! I'm not sure what other writers influence my prose writing, though I often find the style and content of Catholic or Orthodox spiritual literature more inspiring than the bulk of evangelical writing, which too often just reproduces what others have already said!
For poetry, my influences are Emily Dickinson, Stevie Smith and Sylvia Plath. Although I'm not as good as any of them. 
We all have to start off somewhere, and we are always getting better.  What is your writing routine?  Do you write daily or just when you feel like it?  Is there a certain time of day where you are at your most creative?
I generally write three to four mornings a week and leave the afternoon for other things. My creativity does tend to dip in the afternoon! A lot depends, however, on how close my deadline is!
Do you start out with a complete idea for your stories, or do you just start writing and hope for the best?
I don't write stories, but with my Bible notes and columns, I start with an idea from life or an idea of what the Bible passage is about, and then start writing without a structured outline. It's different for books, where I have to submit an outline to the publishers before the book is accepted.
Do you have an editing process?  Do you have someone else read over your work?  Do you read your work aloud to yourself in front of the mirror?
I edit my work very carefully, often because I have very strict word count limits. I am a compulsive proof reader!
Me too.  But mistakes still manage to slip through!  What do you enjoy the most/least about writing?
I enjoy communicating ideas clearly, asking the questions no one else seems to be asking, and hopefully making people laugh (or even cry) along the way. I love getting letters from readers saying how my work has touched them. What I enjoy least is getting letters accusing me of being a heretic!
Have you ever attended an open mic night for spoken word performers as either an observer or performer?  
Yes, many times, and I always enjoy it – it is a chance to showcase my poetry and get an audience response.
Have you ever entered any writing competitions?  Have you ever won?
I have entered many poetry competitions, won a few third prizes and 'highly commended's, and in 2005 won first prize in the Barnet Open Poetry Competition. In  1983, Christian Woman magazine entered me for the Magazine Publishing 'Best specialist columnist' category and I won first prize, pushing columnists from the Mail on Sunday into second and third places. My finest hour!
Congratulations.  How important is it for you to share your writing?
Pretty important. I find it hard to write and not have anyone read it. A deadline and an advance are great motivators!
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given with regards to writing?
For poetry: 'kill your darlings'. For prose – I can't actually recall any, except once hearing someone say she wanted to write 'healing stories', which has stayed with as an aspiration.
What advice could you give to a new writer?
Read the best literature you can get hold of. Keep sentences short, language accessible, but don't patronise your readers. Never say 'God gave me this poem' – if the poem is bad, it's an insult to God!
Apart from writing, what are your other hobbies/interests?
Reading, singing, TV, film. 
If you could have written anything, what do you wish that could have been?
The poetry of Emily Dickinson, the novels of Catherine Fox, and the early books of Adrian Plass! 
My parents love Adrian Plass.  What types of things do you read?  Do you think your writing reflects your book tastes?
I read a mix of 'literary' and 'lighter' fiction, but avoid chick lit and genre novels (except good crime novels eg Ruth Rendell, Kate Atkinson). I mostly read novels by women as I find they are more involved with their characters. I wish my writing reflected more of what I read!
Do you have any favourite lines from novels/plays/poetry/songs, or any favourite literary quotes?
How long do you have? I could quote hundreds. A favourite line from a play by the Second World War writer Jura Soyfer is 'Humankind cannot have everything at once'. My favourite Bible quote is Hebrews 1:1: In former days God spoke to our ancestors in many and varied ways through the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us through a Son'. It exactly expresses my understanding of how the Bible works. 
Do you have a website/blog/twitter/facebook dedicated to your writing?  
Our family website is www.makewrite.demon.co.uk, with a page about my work, but I am in the process of getting a new website just for my own work, and possibly another for a particular book. 
What are you working on at the moment?
A booklet on 'embodied spirituality' for the Grove Books Spirituality series. 
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
'If you haven't got anything to say that hasn't been said before, don't write'!
Would you be able to provide a short piece of your work? 
This is the poem that won the Barnet Open:
Lost Property 
the first room is all the odd socks,
dropped earrings, special Lego pieces,
the hook to the eye, the dress
that goes with the button you kept to remember
the second is what became of your schoolfriends
and the green eyed boy you loved at fourteen
the third is your dead mother, father, brother
smiling as if they’d never stopped
the fourth is that meeting in a wood
but this time your kiss works
the fifth is all the people
(laughing painting quiet dancing)
you wanted to be
the sixth is who you choose
out of all those people
in the seventh they give you back
all you never had 
then there’s the last
© Veronica Zundel 
Thank you very much, Veronica.