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| The winner of the Joan Hessayon Award Evonne Wareham |
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| Jane Lovering winning the Romantic Novel of the Year for Please Don't Stop the Music |
Friday, May 18, 2012
The RNA Summer Party and the Romantic Novel of the Year
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Interview with Charlotte Betts
A warm welcome to Charlotte Betts, winner of last year’s Joan Hessayon New Writer’s Award. Her debut novel, The Apothecary’s Daughter, is a historical set against the dramatic backdrop of the plague.
Tell us about your journey as a writer, how you started, and the excitement of getting that first call.
My first real break was having a story published in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Fiftieth Anniversary anthology, Loves Me, Loves Me Not in 2009. I’d been writing for writing eleven years when I uploaded the first chapters of my seventh novel, The Apothecary’s Daughter, onto the YouWriteOn website. I could hardly believe it when Annette Green emailed me to say she’d like to read the whole manuscript and subsequently agreed to be my agent. Then I won the YouWriteOn Book of the Year Award 2010 and shortly after that Piatkus offered me a two-book deal. Last May The Apothecary’s Daughter won the Joan Hessayon Award and went on to be shortlisted for the Choc Lit Best Historical Read award. It was, and still is, an incredibly exciting ti
me for me.
me for me.
Can you tell us something of your work in progress and how you got the idea for it?
The Apothecary’s Daughter was my first historical novel. I loved researching Restoration London and when I finished it I couldn’t bear to say goodbye to my characters. The Painter’s Apprentice continues the story with the next generation of the same family and is set partly in Richmond and partly in Fulham Palace. It will be published in August 2012.
It is1688. Beth Ambrose has lead a sheltered life within the walls of Merryfields, her family home on the outskirts of London; a place where her parents provide a sanctuary for melancholic souls. A passionate and gifted botanical artist, Beth shares a close bond with Johannes the painter, a troubled resident at Merryfields, who nurtures her talents and takes her on as his apprentice.
But as political and religious tensions begin to rise in the capital, Noah Leyton arrives at their door in the middle of the night with a proposition that turns Beth's world upside down. Meanwhile, Merryfields becomes refuge to a mysterious new guest, whose connections provide an opportunity for Beth to fulfil her artistic ambitions. But she soon realises it comes at a price.
As the Glorious Revolution begins to throw the whole country into turmoil, can Beth find the courage to follow her heart and defend all she holds dear? And change the course of history for good . . .
Can you share with us the craft tip thathas helped you the most?
Daydreaming is a vital part of the writing process for me. I need to see the story happening as if it’s a film before I can write it. I usually go to sleep thinking about what I’ve written and imagining what might happen next. In the morning I’m ready to continue the story.
Do you have a yearning to write some other type of novel, and if so, what genre would it be?
I’d love to write psychological thrillers. I enjoy reading books by Nicci French, Clare Francis and Sophie Hannah, all of which are all contemporary but I perhaps I’ll try writing an historical psychological thriller one day.
What difference did winning the Joan Hessayon Award in 2011 make to your writing career?
The most important aspect for me was that it gave me the confidence and reassurance that I could write and that other people, not only my mother, liked what I wrote. It was undoubtedly helpful to be able to call myself an ‘award-winning writer’ even before The Apothecary’s Daughter was published the following August. I’m not sure I fully appreciated the importance of winning the award at first but the surrounding publicity was fantastic for a debut author.
Does your dog or cat help with the writing?
My lovely border collie, Megan, died a while ago but she used to sleep under my desk and listen to all my plot problems in the most helpful way. Walking with Megan gave me time to think and was a wonderful way to find ideas for my novels.
Do you work with the door locked?
Sadly not, although sometimes I’d like to. Luckily, I’ve learned to keep the ‘writing’ part of my brain ticking over while I deal with interruptions. I’ve perfected the art of looking vague so that everyone learns there isn’t much point in talking to me when I’m writing.
If you could reincarnate yourself as some other author, who would it be?
Mary Stewart. I still love her books and although they are perhaps a little old fashioned now, she is the master of atmospheric writing.
What is most likely to stop you from writing?
Guilt. I’m obsessive about fitting in as much writing time as possible but it’s difficult because I work long hours at my day job. If I spent as much time writing as I wanted in my ‘spare’ time there wouldn’t be food on the table and my family would feel neglected.
What would represent a romantic gesture to you?
My husband offering to fetch something from the car for me so my hair doesn’t go funny in the rain.
Thank you for talking to us, Charlotte. We wish you every success with The Painter’s Apprentice.
To find out more about Charlotte’s work visit her website at www.charlottebetts.com
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Interview with Liz Fenwick
Just two days away from the announcement of the 2012 winner of the Joan Hessayon Award at the Summer Party, I’m delighted to welcome contender for this year’s award, Liz Fenwick. Many congratulations on your short listing, with your debut novel, The Cornish House, Liz.
Please tell us about your book, and what inspired you to write it.
The Cornish House tells tells the story of a 38 year old widow and her 15 year old step-daughter as they try and rebuild their lives in an inherited Cornish manor house that is filled with secrets.
The Cornish House had three key triggers. The first was the house which I fell in love with years ago. The second was the hero, Mark. He was a love interest in August Rock - a book I’d written previously that I’m now rewriting as my second book for Orion. He wouldn’t leave me alone until I told his story. The third was due to a visiting teenager. This teen was in that bubble when they see only their needs and their point of view….
The Cornish House had three key triggers. The first was the house which I fell in love with years ago. The second was the hero, Mark. He was a love interest in August Rock - a book I’d written previously that I’m now rewriting as my second book for Orion. He wouldn’t leave me alone until I told his story. The third was due to a visiting teenager. This teen was in that bubble when they see only their needs and their point of view….
How long have been a member of the RNA, and in what way has the organisation been of benefit to you?
I joined the RNA in 2005 and I know I wouldn’t have a book coming out in May 2012 if I hadn’t had the support of the friends I’ve made in the RNA. They have held my hand, poured tea and wine, fed me chocolate, listened to me rant, but mostly they believed that I could do it! The NWS provided brilliant manuscript feedback. The parties and conferences offered networking opportunities.
Do you have to juggle writing with the day job? What is your work schedule? Writing is my day job but I juggle it around a life in three places – Dubai, London and Cornwall. Because of that I don’t have a special schedule, but normally I warm up my brain by doing emails and a bit of Twitter first thing then spend a few hours writing or editing depending on which phase I am in. At lunch I read blogs, Facebook, twitter and newspapers on line. After lunch I work on promotion and general life organization. I find I flag mid-afternoon and this is when I exercise to avoid writer’s bottom. I try and squeeze in a bit more writing before dinner. Evenings are spent reading and watching tv….
You mention Twitter, Facebook and blogs. Any tips for other writers?
First and foremost only do what you are comfortable with. Second is to have fun with it. Time is precious so if you don’t enjoy it - then don’t do it because it will show. Third social networking is about promotion, but not in a direct way especially on Twitter. Twitter is about conversation and ones hopes that in the ‘real’ world people don’t continually shout buy my book in your face five times in two minutes. You need to respect your followers as friends and not as consumers. Facebook is a bit more static and on author pages which exist for promotion you can list interviews, reviews and so on. Finally blogs…they need to be interesting and again not ‘buy my book.’ In the three mentioned social media areas always be friendly, generous and avoid confrontation.
How do you begin when you start a new novel?
I usually begin with the title. This is what seems to crystalize all the material in my head into a workable idea. The title allows me to pull pieces of information I sometimes don’t realize I’ve been hoarding out of the corners of mind. With that in place I usually begin knowing only my heroine’s name, the setting, a few keys scenes and the ending.
Do your books involve research, and how do you set about it?
Yes, they do but I normally don’t know what it will be before I begin. My first draft is filled with notes to myself reminding me I need to find out more information. I tried doing the research beforehand and discovered although interesting I never needed any of it. So now I generally do my digging post draft one and this usually helps me develop the plot a bit more as I rewrite/edit in the subsequent drafts.
The first vote of thanks must go to my family. But the RNA and the NWS are right up there with them. There have been many RNA members who have been generous with their time and their wisdom as well as giving me a swift kick up the backside if I wallowed too long. I won’t list them but I hope they know who they are. It is a huge sadness to me that I can’t say thank you again to Penny Jordan for her quiet support and her amazing belief that I could do it. She seemed to sense when I was hitting one of those ‘I’m not good enough’ moments (frequently) and an email would appear to encourage me to hang in there and keep writing.
Does your dog or cat help with the writing?
My cats are terrible pests when I’m working but they are lovely company. Why do they love walking on the keyboard?
Do you work with the door locked?
Open. I work anywhere especially on planes…
How does chocolate help you in your writing?
Chocolate helps with living!
THE CORNISH HOUSE available from Orion May 2012
When Maddie inherits a house in Cornwall after the death of her husband, she hopes it will be the fresh start she and her step-daughter Hannah desperately need. As they pull at the seams of Trevenen's past, the house reveals secrets that have lain hidden for generations. Can a house heal a broken heart?
Thank you for talking to us Liz. We wish you every success with The Cornish House and good luck with the Joan Hessayon Award.
To find out more about Liz’s work visit her website at www.lizfenwick.com, her blog at http://lizfenwick.blogspot.com.
Follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/liz_fenwick and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-Fenwick/188542717850926
This is the last in the series of interviews featuring the contenders for the 2012 Joan Hessayon New Writer’s Award. Thank you to everyone who’s taken part and the best of luck to you all on May 17th. There can only be one winner of the actual award, but you are all winners for persevering with your writing and becoming published authors.
Independent Releases for May
Eileen Ramsay NEVER CALL IT LOVING
ebook
April 2012
£2.60
When Fern Graham, a happily married wife and mother, is invited to Tuscany to meet her hero, a famous Italian tenor, she little knows that her entire life is about to be turned upside down. Fern, a moral woman, finds herself involved in a passionate love affair and nothing will ever be the same.
Ebook
April 2012
£2.05
When her parents were killed in a dreadful coaching accident leaving Louise, at nineteen, suddenly and devastatingly alone in the world, it is to her neighbour, Richard Oakingham, she turns. He supports her through the ordeal, stands beside her at the grave, offers her his love and protection and, after the funeral, when she is at her most vulnerable, asks her to marry him. She does not realise he is an inveterate gambler until it is too late.
Before a year is out, she endures the loss of her own money, the pawning of her jewels, the move from house to apartment, from apartment to furnished room, one room, then another, each smaller and more sordid than the last. She is appalled when she discovers he is prepared to gamble with her life and she has been won in a game of cards by Captain Paul Fourier, home on leave from the Peninsular War. She finds herself with Paul in Portugal, following Wellington’s army as it goes to war, and here she learns why so many women follow their men into battle and here she discovers the true meaning of love.
Eileen Ramsay THE MYSTERIOUS MARQUIS
ebook
May 2012
£1.95
Against a background of forbidding Highland castles and sumptuous London town houses, Elizabeth Ridgeway, more at ease in ancient Egyptian tombs than in the haunts of the ton, finds herself embroiled in rescuing a kidnapped child from the clutches of a wicked but totally inept villain and returning him to his father, the unbelievably handsome, elegant and very mysterious Marquis.
ebook
£2.00
May 2012
Stella Gardiner arrives in Mexico in 1867 to search for her missing naturalist husband and immediately finds herself caught up in Mexico’s civil unrest, not helped by the reappearance of an old love, whom Maximillian, the troubled Hapsburg ruler, instructs to escort her on her quest.
e-book
1 May 2012
£2.40
Life Class. Four very different people attend. They come to realise it’s not just the naked model they need to study and understand. All have secrets hidden from the world and from themselves. By uncovering and coming to terms with the past, they are freed to move on. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/
ebook
£1.91/$2.99
Tom Brodie, has been landed with the uneviable task of preventing headstrong heiress Emerald Carlisle from marrying a fortune-hunter.
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