Sue Fortin: Behind 'The Girl...'

Today, we speak to author, Sue Fortin, who writes romance, mystery and suspense for Harper Collins' imprint, Harper Impulse.

2015 saw a real spike in the word ‘Girl’ being used and, for me, I always think of Stig Larsen books as the forerunner for the trend, with Gillian Flynn following up closely behind. So,

when my publishers said they wanted to call my new novel The Girl Who Lied, my knee-jerk reaction was Really? Hasn’t it been overdone? There are so many ‘Girl’ books out there, did the publishing world really need another one?

My initial reaction was fueled by a debate I had followed on social media where some people positively hated the word ‘girl’ used when clearly the book was about a woman. For some, girl could only refer to a child or, at a push, young adult.

After the email suggesting The Girl Who Lied, I spent the next seven days bombarding my editor with every alternative I could think of. I was like some mad woman possessed, hounding my friends and family for different suggestions. My agent wasn’t spared either and it was, in fact, her reassurance that began to sway me. Indeed, there had even been a recent article about ‘The Girl’ titles, see HERE.

Broadly speaking, when readers see ‘The Girl …’ in the title, it is a clear indication of what to expect. (i) A strong female character (ii) an ordinary woman in an extraordinary situation (iii) a darker read (iii) mystery and suspense.

Slowly, I began to have a change of heart as my book ticked all of the above. It is full of lies, the characters all tell lies, even though they believe it’s for the right reasons. My main character, Erin, was a teenager when she first lied, so perhaps the title was even more suitable than I first thought.

I was finally convinced when I spoke to several other authors, who, without exception, said to run with it and trust the marketing team’s experience. So, that’s exactly what I’ve done and am now totally on-board with the title. Just as an aside, I’ve seen ‘The Woman …’ being used a lot, so perhaps that’s the next trend on the horizon.

About Sue:

Sue Fortin's originally published debut novel was awarded the INDIE Brag medallion and later when published by HarperImpulse was short-listed for the Joan Hessayon Award (2014). Sue was also short-listed for the Festival of Romance, New Talent Award (2013). Her second novel, Closing In, reached number one in the Romantic Suspense Kobo chart at the end of 2014. Sue blogs regularly with the online writing group, The Romaniacs

Lover of cake, dragonflies and France, hater of calories, maths and snakes, Sue was born in Hertfordshire, but had a nomadic childhood, moving often with her family, before eventually settling in West Sussex.

Sue is married with four children, all of whom patiently give her time to write, but, when not behind the keyboard, she likes to spend her time with them, enjoying both the coast and the South Downs, between which they are nestled.

Links:

Facebook Sue Fortin Author

Twitter @suefortin1

Website & Blog www.suefortin.com

Amazon Author Page

Thanks you, Sue, and good luck with your book. 

This blog piece is brought to you by Louisa Heaton on behalf of 'The RNA Blogging Team' 
If you would like to be interviewed for the blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

Joan Hessayon Award Contender 2016: Catherine Miller

Image courtesy of
Neaves Brothers Photography

Welcome to Catherine Miller, one of the talented contenders for this year's Joan Hessayon Award and graduate of the RNA New Writers' Scheme. Thank you for answering our questions, Catherine.

How long have you been writing? Is this your first published piece?

I’ve dabbled since my teens. I wrote my first ‘novel’ on my Grandad’s computer, then another attempt while at University studying physiotherapy. It wasn’t until illness prevented me from continuing my physio career that I started to take writing seriously. I had short stories and pieces accepted for anthologies early on and it spurred me on to try novel writing again.

How many years were you a member of the NWS and did you submit a manuscript each year?

I was a member for five years and over that time I submitted two different manuscripts on five occasions. Waiting for You has taken three trips as I had twin girls in 2013 and only had a first chapter to hand-in when they were six weeks old. I wrote about my second submission with this manuscript over on The Romaniacs blog. We have been through what can only be described as an epic journey.

What came first, agent or publisher?

Publisher. Carina UK made me an offer nine days after submission and it was a dream come true! All those years of prep were worth it.

How did you find your publisher?

I submitted the first chapter to the Festival of Romance New Talent Award and was shortlisted for the award in 2013. I had a one-to-one with Carina and they wanted to see it when it was complete. Two years later it was finished and I sent it in.

Do you have a contract for one book or more?

I have a two-book contract and I have just sent the second one into my editor to start the revision process.

When was your book published?

March 10^th 2016.

Tell us something about your book

All Fliss Chapron wants is to be pregnant with her much longed for second baby. As the negative tests stack up, dreams of completing her perfect family feel more hopeless every day, but can anyone really be at fault when it comes to having a child…

Waiting for You is a heartfelt look exploring at what cost the shape of a family should take when life isn’t going to plan and finding happiness in the most unexpected places.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve just finished my second book following Dawn as she deals with the aftermath of being a surrogate. It’s called All That Is Left Of Us.

What piece of advice would you give current members of the NWS?

Make writing your priority. It is so easy to let everything else take precedence. In theory having twins should have stopped me from writing, but instead it made me focus more on what I wanted to achieve when I did get time. If you find yourself with a spare ten minutes, make use of it!

Links:

Amazon

Facebook

Website

Twitter @katylittlelady

Thank you, Catherine, we hope you have a fabulous evening at the RNA Summer Party and good luck with your writing career.

The RNA blog is brought to you by

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to write for the RNA blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com