Author Q&A

I’m never short of ideas for a story. If something crops up when I’m out and about I’ll email it to myself so it doesn’t get forgotten. Ironically, the ideas for other stories tend to crop up when I’m in the middle of a current writing project. Obviously that creative part of the brain is primed.

Once I settle on an idea, I’ll often throw around a few questions, committing the answers to paper. I find the ‘What if…’ question very powerful. I prefer to avoid the laptop at this early stage. The feel of paper and pen just seems to encourage flow a little more.

I will then sit down with some previous templates which I’ve used, and start filling them in. Again, on paper. One of the best techniques I’ve found is the Snowflake method by Randy Ingermanson. It’s a case of starting very simply and then building slowly but steadily. This is pure plotting, and for me anyway, it reduces my rework / redrafting further down the line. If something doesn’t work, this will show you quite early on. Other people are ‘pantsers’ i.e. they fly by the seat of their pants. But I’ve always been a plotter. Horses for courses.

Once those templates are complete (8 or 9 steps), I get down to the business of writing the first draft. And as was drilled into me, it’s essential to allow yourself to write rubbish at this stage. The magic comes later. Just keep the writing going, don’t try and edit at this stage or you’ll never finish. Keep it up, a daily habit if you can to keep that creative muscle engaged and the story alive within.

Good question! I actually see value in both. From a purely aesthetic view I prefer paperbacks, of course. I’ve just finished The Dutch House (Ann Patchett) and loved looking at that cover on my bedside table. I also find with a paperback I’m able to recall where in the book a memorable scene or sentence was, so I can revisit it later. But practically, I’ll also stick my Kindle in my backpack for flights and ensure it is loaded up with at least 2 or 3 new books. The great thing about eBooks, for authors, is that the concept of ‘shelf life’ no longer exists. Likewise, print-on-demand means that paperbacks are created on-the-fly as and when a customer orders one online. No more dusty pallets of books in warehouses which need to go into landfill!

I’m not actually sure I’ve ever encountered it. But I would say that allowing oneself to write ‘rubbish’ reduces the time spent staring at a blank page. The other thing – mentioned above – is the use of the Snowflake method, which effectively gives you a full list of scenes to be written before you even write your first draft. In that way, writer’s block just doesn’t get an opportunity to show its face. Procrastination, on the other hand… don’t get me started on that. Let’s just say the floor space behind the fridge gets swept out more often than it needs to…

I was, yes. In fact, I did multiple submissions to various Agents listed in the extremely useful Artists & Writers’ Yearbook. I kept a spreadsheet of who I submitted to, when, and the responses I got – if any! I was fortunate to have had some pretty positive responses from a couple of Agents. One particular Agent in London told me my book had serious promise, and subsequently gave me a wonderful critique, which I took on board. Unfortunately for me, it was all just taking too long to progress, and – impatient as I am – I decided to politely not pursue it any further.

That’s the beauty of being independent though… Once you’ve got a fully edited manuscript and have sourced a professional cover designer, it’s actually quite quick to produce a paperback and ebook. I can do both now and in theory have them on distribution channels (Amazon, Apple, Google, Kobo, Nook, etc) in a matter of days. I say ‘in theory’, because of course then there’s a LOT of work to be done pre-publication – marketing, promotions, social media, updating websites, engaging with ARC Readers, organising giveaways, talking to book clubs etc. It’s a significant amount of work getting a professionally produced book over the line and ensuring it is suitably supported both pre and post publication, but that’s also what I enjoy about my job… it requires me to wear lots of different hats and that’s what keeps things interesting!

For the next book, I might very well knock on a few more doors. Nothing’s decided yet.

Ha! There are days, when I’m in the thick of writing, when I’ll find myself staring out the window as the various strands of the story start intertwining in my subconscious. This is around the same time as I complete my character templates and think of each character’s quirks and flaws. This really helps drive my story forward. But getting back to your question… I think it’s important to move. Too much time sitting at a desk is not healthy. I take regular breaks, I run, I go to yoga, I get some fresh air when I can. It’s important for mental health and creative resilience to step back from the laptop regularly. I might be in a café when I have an ‘aha!’ moment relating to my story (and that can lead to some strange sideways glances from fellow coffee drinkers…)

For some reason my head and heart keep tugging me back to stories set in the Emerald Isle. Both ‘Breeda Looney Steps Forth’ and ‘The Stranger’s Bed’ are set in Ireland but have Aussie references, so I’m not totally in denial about where I’ve spent the last couple of decades 😉 Saying that, the next book is in planning stage. I want to go into a dark humour story this time around. Lots of quirky characters, a bit of community dysfunction, and a public showdown. Watch this space! (and if you’re interested, join my spam-free email list to be kept informed of future releases).