Have you always been a writer?
I came to writing really late,
after I retired in fact. No! That’s not true. Much of my professional life has
revolved around writing. It has been letters, policy documents, essays and
reports. I quite enjoyed the stimulation of it all but it is what needed to be
done.
I needed to write my first book, ‘Peace of Time’ but I’ve wanted to write the ones subsequently.
The first, I self-published on Amazon. I learnt a huge amount through the
process. I know now that the writing has structural errors but I’m pleased that
I did it. I have learned very much since then. I wrote the second novel and
have started the third. They are all either contemporary or historical
romances.
What prompted you to join the RNA NWS this year?
Having discovered
where I could have done better in my first book and having used Twitter much
more since then I heard about the RNA (Romantic Novelists’ Association). I
decided to apply for their NWS (New Writers’ Scheme) because it offered a
review of a novel which would be very full and honest.
Having managed to keep
my eyelids open late enough on the due date to apply, I was successful.
Coincidentally my second book, ‘Sense and French Ability’ was very nearly ready,
so having finished it, proof read until I nearly knew it off by heart and
edited until I was blue in the face, I sent it off. I waited about eight weeks
for the review. On studying the comments, they have been really helpful and
have given me much food for thought. Some of the comments I was expecting,
having read so much more about structure between writing and submitting it. The
section on characters and being consistent was very useful too. Several of the
other comments I have been able to address during the current edit.
Have you attended any events?
The other
positive aspect in joining the RNA, for me, has been networking and meeting
other like-minded people. I went to the Summer Party. As a complete novice I
was unsure what to expect, what to wear, whether I would be standing alone and
looking lost.
It was a great experience. I met
some Twitter friends; I was able to put faces to names of people in the
business; I picked up little titbits of useful information. The noise was
phenomenal with everyone talking at once. People were friendly. I met some of
the writers who also run the RNA.
It gave me the confidence to go to
the conference from Friday to Sunday in the middle of July. I am really excited
and full of anticipation. Some of the workshops sound really helpful.
What are you planning to do with the MS you submit?
I have
almost finished the final edit following the RNA review of my book. I would
have completed it by now but I lost 40,000 words and had to redo it. I don’t
know how. The lesson is to save it in more than one place so now it’s on a
memory stick and in Dropbox as well as on the laptop!
Currently, I’m
thinking I shall try some Indie publishers as well as some of the big players.
I’m not planning to self-publish again, at the moment. The reason is I should
like to be considered for awards such as the RNA Joan Hessayon NWS Award and
self-publishing would not be eligible. I should also like assistance with
marketing. It is very time consuming to do that and I want to get on with my
next book, ‘The Strong Sisters of WW1’, of which I have written 20,000 words so
far.
What are your literary aspirations?
I enjoy the
process of writing but I need to be honest too. It’s not the money at all but it
would be marvellous to have a popular published novel of which our two
daughters and four grand-daughters could be proud for me.
My mum was a published author of
many titles. She always urged me to write the book in me. My first book is
dedicated to her although she is no longer here to see it. Now that I have
retired I have the time to do just as she suggested and I’m thoroughly enjoying
it all.
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