Eileen is a Scot,
educated here and in the United States. Her first teaching position was in
Washington DC where her pupils were drawn from America’s top families, the
Diplomatic Corps and politicians. Scary at first, she tells us, but then
Senator X or Ambassador Y became just someone’s dad! Next came a position as
Social Secretary to the wife of a Presidential candidate, followed by marriage and
a move to California where she taught in Migrant Education, every bit as
rewarding as her first job. Her first publications were in America before she headed home.
What
gave you the idea for your book and how long did it take to write?
I’m very lucky I was
asked to write a series of books, Churchill’s Angels, the brainchild of my
editor, Kate Bradley. I spent some time researching the military jobs done by
women during WW11. I choose the areas in which I had some knowledge. Then I
wrote a proposal for four stories featuring four friends. Kate chose the
storyline she thought would be the best to begin the series. Therefore it took
me six months or two years to write the first book!!
Your
books are set in one area of the country. Why did you decide on that location?
The books dictated where
they should be set. I wanted an area that was directly in the flight path of
German bombers and so chose Dartford and Kent’s “Bombers’ Alley”.
How
did you carry out your research?
I read everything I
could find about Dartford’s WW11 experience, and accumulated an immense library
of non-fiction books covering, not only the
history of the war, positions held by “Churchill’s Angels”, but
rationing, fashion, entertainment etc. Dartford’s archivist conducted us through the town, and through its history. Librarians
were invaluable. The world-wide web was helpful and I do have an advantage
since family members have been or are in the military. I visited military
museums, airfields, London hotels, spoke to local farmers, contacted the Milk
Marketing Board, even the archivist at Fortnum and Mason. People were
unbelievably generous and I’m deeply grateful to all of them.
How
do you fit your writing around your home life?
When I was teaching I
wrote from 4.30 a.m. until it was time to wake my children. If I was working in
the evening or weekends, I continued no matter what was going on around me.
Now, except when babysitting grandchildren, my time is my own. My husband
helps with housework and cooking. Housework slips when I’m facing a deadline
and then we blitz the house together. Social life is practically non-existent
but I have boldly invited some friends to dinner – a dear friend, also a
writer, is bringing dessert so at least one course will be delicious!
What
advice would you give to new writers?
Read widely would be the
main thing, I suppose. Don’t stay in your comfort zone. I heard a writer say,
“Write it, and then write it right”, and that’s fantastic advice. Edit
rigorously - reading aloud will pick up errors, repetitions, missing
words. Listen to the flow, the lengths of your sentences. Leave a few days
between readings because your brain and your eyes see what you think you’ve
written. You’ll recognise favourite words – make a list of them and when your
next piece is finished use your search and replace button. Invest in a
thesaurus, put on some Mozart - very calming - and read.
What
is next in your writing life?
I am working on my
fourth Churchill’s Angels book. After that, I don’t know. I have, as always, too
many ideas.
Thank you, Eileen, for
sharing your thoughts with us today.
website http://www.eileenramsay.co.uk
Publisher http://harpercollins.co.uk
Compiled by Natalie and brought to you by the blogging team of Elaine Everest, Natalie Kleinman and Liv Thomas.
Please contact us at elaineeverest@aol.comif you wish to be featured on our blog.Publisher http://harpercollins.co.uk
Compiled by Natalie and brought to you by the blogging team of Elaine Everest, Natalie Kleinman and Liv Thomas.
