Question and Answer
Did you always want to become a writer?
Yes. I have wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. When I was five, I used to make up stories using my Sylvanian Families and write them down or make little videos with them. Then, when I was a bit older, I would aim to write a novel over the summer holidays. I rarely managed to finish any of them, but it was a start. Dying to Live was only the second novel I ever completed. Anything that I have started to write is put into a file labelled ‘started books and bits’ waiting to be completed or pulled apart to be used somewhere else.
How do you write?
I usually write on my laptop, locked away in my study. Sometimes, when I’m planning a bit of a novel I’ll sit with a notepad in front of the TV or on my bed (or in it, depending on how cold it is). On days when I want to write a lot I turn my phone off and disconnect my wifi so that there are no distractions.
I don’t tend to plan my novels. I have a beginning, middle and end and then I sit down and start writing. I don’t like planning my novels too thoroughly. I let the characters create their own stories.
Quite often I find it easier to write in the middle of the night than in the day because there are fewer distractions once everyone has gone to bed.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?
Barely a day goes by without spending at least ten minutes staring at a blank computer screen. Often, if I can’t write one bit (or can’t write it exactly how I want it) I’ll leave it, start a new part of the novel and return to it later. Starting a new scene, one that I really want to write, usually overcomes any writer’s block and taking the dog on a long walk helps as, by the time I get home, I’ll usually know what it is I want to write.
How do you start writing a new novel?
I don’t have trouble thinking of ideas for new novels because I usually have lots of ideas scribbled down somewhere. My problem is that, often, new novels demand to be written before I’ve finished the one I’m working on, so it’s usually just a case of finishing one before starting the next one. Saying that, I usually have at least two on the go at the same time.
Who’s your favourite author?
Am I allowed to have two? Katie Fforde and Freya North because I love their writing style and they both have amazing talent for creating characters, plots and everything else that a romance novel needs.
What’s the last book that you couldn’t put down?
Love letters by Katie Fforde. I stayed up until 4am reading this book. Read it (if you haven’t already).
Did you always want to become a writer?
Yes. I have wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. When I was five, I used to make up stories using my Sylvanian Families and write them down or make little videos with them. Then, when I was a bit older, I would aim to write a novel over the summer holidays. I rarely managed to finish any of them, but it was a start. Dying to Live was only the second novel I ever completed. Anything that I have started to write is put into a file labelled ‘started books and bits’ waiting to be completed or pulled apart to be used somewhere else.
How do you write?
I usually write on my laptop, locked away in my study. Sometimes, when I’m planning a bit of a novel I’ll sit with a notepad in front of the TV or on my bed (or in it, depending on how cold it is). On days when I want to write a lot I turn my phone off and disconnect my wifi so that there are no distractions.
I don’t tend to plan my novels. I have a beginning, middle and end and then I sit down and start writing. I don’t like planning my novels too thoroughly. I let the characters create their own stories.
Quite often I find it easier to write in the middle of the night than in the day because there are fewer distractions once everyone has gone to bed.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?
Barely a day goes by without spending at least ten minutes staring at a blank computer screen. Often, if I can’t write one bit (or can’t write it exactly how I want it) I’ll leave it, start a new part of the novel and return to it later. Starting a new scene, one that I really want to write, usually overcomes any writer’s block and taking the dog on a long walk helps as, by the time I get home, I’ll usually know what it is I want to write.
How do you start writing a new novel?
I don’t have trouble thinking of ideas for new novels because I usually have lots of ideas scribbled down somewhere. My problem is that, often, new novels demand to be written before I’ve finished the one I’m working on, so it’s usually just a case of finishing one before starting the next one. Saying that, I usually have at least two on the go at the same time.
Who’s your favourite author?
Am I allowed to have two? Katie Fforde and Freya North because I love their writing style and they both have amazing talent for creating characters, plots and everything else that a romance novel needs.
What’s the last book that you couldn’t put down?
Love letters by Katie Fforde. I stayed up until 4am reading this book. Read it (if you haven’t already).