Author Interview Miss Mary’s Daugther

1) How long have you been writing?

Encouraged by my publisher father, I have written stories all my life…which is quite a long time.

2) What is your favorite genre to write?

Modern historicals, twentieth century I suppose, though I enjoy writing romances. It depends on my mood.

3) Which genre have you never tried before, but would you like to try out?

Detective fiction

4) Please tell us about your book.

My new book goes back to the Victorian era, so a little earlier than the previous ones. It is set mainly in Cornwall, with some visits to London and is about a dysfunctional family with secrets in its past.

5) Which character was your favourite, and why? Which character was your least favourite, and why?

That would be telling! I have my favourites …so will my readers, so no spoilers. I leave the choice to them.

6) What was the hardest part about writing your book?

Sitting down at the computer to write! I always enjoy the research necessary and often I end up looking up things I don’t need to know, so the answer is, stopping the research and getting on with the writing.

7) What is your writing routine? Are there things you absolutely need to start writing?

I don’t have a routine as such, but work according to the dictates of the day. Some days I don’t write at all; others I work flat out all day. When I go into my study I usually put some soft piano music on, which tells my brain it’s time to get to work.

8) How long did it take you to write your book from start to finish?

That’s a difficult question to answer. The short answer is a year, but often the ideas have been brewing in my mind for far longer than that.

9) Can you tell us about your editing process?

I edit as I go along. When I start work each day I call up what I was working on the day before and work through it again, hoping to move on seamlessly to the next bit. It doesn’t always work, but at least I’m never faced with a blank sheet of paper. Of course the whole book needs to be edited when it’s finished and parts may need to be rewritten, but editing as you go along is usually very productive.

10) Is this book part of a series? If so, how many installments do you have planned?

No it’s not. This will be a stand-alone, one off.

11) Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

If you really aspire to write, then that is what you must do. Sit down and write. There’s no other way to do it and procrastination isn’t only the thief of time, it’s the thief of a good story!

12) Why should everyone read your book?

No book suits everyone. If the book has caught your interest, from the blurb or the jacket, then give it a go. I hope I’ve written about characters who come alive and live with the reader long after they’ve reached the final page.