My Work In Progress
So, you took your first novel 'Girl Meets Boys' down from Amazon in summer 2014. What are you working on now?
Yes, when 'Girl Meets Boys' came down from Amazon I was well aware I don't have a lot 'out there' any more, other than my travel blog, a competition-winning story in ebook, and my writing themed blog on this website. but I have been working on something new for a while now. I've begun a contemporary fiction novel about two sisters, twins, who have just lost their parents in an accident. They take their own separate paths to overcome grief and grow as individuals; one travels, the other sister remains at home where everything is familiar and comforting. It's a story of family, grief, personal discovery and development. There's plenty of action as the characters grow in two separate, but entwined stories.
The working title is 'Scrabble Pieces'. I considered 'Two Sisters' and just 'Two' (that one was scrapped pretty quick though), but as you can probably tell, titles aren't my strong point! No doubt the title of this book will change again before it's published, but I am feeling good about this title at the moment. The reason for the scrabble reference is that the two protagonists in my book have the same tattoo, the "R" Scrabble tile drawn on their wrists as a mark of sisterly bonding.
Last year I also published a vegan cake baking ebook 'Easy Vegan Baking'. Vegans shouldn't be denied cake!
Where did the idea come from for the book 'Scrabble Pieces'?
I remember exactly where I was when I had the initial idea for the book. I was ferry hopping between Greek islands; this one was Naxos to Santorini, I believe. I was nearing the end of a wonderful two week holiday full of beaches and sun, and A story formed with a bit of brainstorming. Excitement for the story grew quickly for me, and those 90 minutes or so became one of my favourite holiday memories - even if it was spent on a rocking, smelling ferry. Now I'm sitting at my writing desk trying to make the best of this novel I possibly can, far from that initial idea. It's a lot of work, hey, JFDI!!!
I shan't say too much here as it might spoil the read, but 'Scrabble Pieces' excites me. I have days when I don't think of much else, even if I'm not working on the manuscript. I'm trying hard to make the characters complex and intriguing, and the structure is something I hope will interest from the reader. There's action, mild horror, romance, and (hopefully) a couple of tear-jerking moments. I would love to be able to make my reader cry. A mark of a good book, I think!
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Hmmm... I struggle to remember celebrities' names at the best of times (with a few exceptions: Gerard Butler, Hugh Jackman, mmm!)... Perhaps Emma Watson could work as Roni, but Rachel would need some further thought. Jennifer Lawrence is my all-time favourite actress, maybe she'd be game...???
But wait! They're twins! Whoever I went with would have a double gig! Ummm.... I need a cup of tea!
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
The best of us know that writing a novel is an epic undertaking, and that's only the beginning. Actually publishing a novel is a whole other ball game. I actually love self-publishing for the control it gives the author - I get final say on the cover artwork, I'm in on all the fun being a marketing whore has to give, and I have no middle man. All the decisions (and profits!) lie with me which give publishing a whole other angle and a steep learning curve.
Of course, I will put the finished manuscript out to a few publishers, but I won't get so obsessed with it as I did with my first book. It was exhausting work, a full time and unrewarding job, trying to find a traditional publisher! I won't be afraid of self-publishing again; it worked for my first novel, and it's been a great experience, being an indie writer.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I'm nowhere near done yet, but I've just hit 22,800 words. I'd love for Scrabble Pieces to become a full length novel (80-100,000 words), but I imagine it might run just short of that. We'll see.
I don't think my book has the legs for a 100,000 word masterpiece... I'd hate for it to turn into a 60,000 word waffle-novel just for the sake of creating a doorstop. The worst thing I could do is to ruin the work I've done by stre-t-ch-ing it out over another 200%. Cut the crap, make it interesting, and keep the reader wanting more - that's what I'm aiming for. Oh, and I'd like to achieve a more successful proof-read before I publish this time - lesson learned there from my debut novel, online dating rom com 'Girl Meets Boys'! It wasn't horrendous, but I know my style and skill has come on leaps and bounds since then. This is a very different (and truly fictional) story compared to my semi-autobiographical stories of internet dating, so I hope it works out!
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I'm not entirely sure... Library Thing suggests many books in grief and family contemporary fiction - take a look and see what you think. There are some beautifully worded titles there, if nothing else!
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I'd enjoyed reading 'Her Fearful Symmetry' by Audrey Niffenegger, and when I finished it I felt inspired to make Roni and Rachel twins instead of mere sisters. My short stories often have a twist and I wanted to transpose this to a bigger level in the form of a novel. I think it's working so far - only my future readers will be able to tell me that for certain.
Lou x
Find me on Facebook...
...and on Twitter
Born To Be A Tourist
So, you took your first novel 'Girl Meets Boys' down from Amazon in summer 2014. What are you working on now?
Yes, when 'Girl Meets Boys' came down from Amazon I was well aware I don't have a lot 'out there' any more, other than my travel blog, a competition-winning story in ebook, and my writing themed blog on this website. but I have been working on something new for a while now. I've begun a contemporary fiction novel about two sisters, twins, who have just lost their parents in an accident. They take their own separate paths to overcome grief and grow as individuals; one travels, the other sister remains at home where everything is familiar and comforting. It's a story of family, grief, personal discovery and development. There's plenty of action as the characters grow in two separate, but entwined stories.
The working title is 'Scrabble Pieces'. I considered 'Two Sisters' and just 'Two' (that one was scrapped pretty quick though), but as you can probably tell, titles aren't my strong point! No doubt the title of this book will change again before it's published, but I am feeling good about this title at the moment. The reason for the scrabble reference is that the two protagonists in my book have the same tattoo, the "R" Scrabble tile drawn on their wrists as a mark of sisterly bonding.
Last year I also published a vegan cake baking ebook 'Easy Vegan Baking'. Vegans shouldn't be denied cake!
Where did the idea come from for the book 'Scrabble Pieces'?
I remember exactly where I was when I had the initial idea for the book. I was ferry hopping between Greek islands; this one was Naxos to Santorini, I believe. I was nearing the end of a wonderful two week holiday full of beaches and sun, and A story formed with a bit of brainstorming. Excitement for the story grew quickly for me, and those 90 minutes or so became one of my favourite holiday memories - even if it was spent on a rocking, smelling ferry. Now I'm sitting at my writing desk trying to make the best of this novel I possibly can, far from that initial idea. It's a lot of work, hey, JFDI!!!
I shan't say too much here as it might spoil the read, but 'Scrabble Pieces' excites me. I have days when I don't think of much else, even if I'm not working on the manuscript. I'm trying hard to make the characters complex and intriguing, and the structure is something I hope will interest from the reader. There's action, mild horror, romance, and (hopefully) a couple of tear-jerking moments. I would love to be able to make my reader cry. A mark of a good book, I think!
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Hmmm... I struggle to remember celebrities' names at the best of times (with a few exceptions: Gerard Butler, Hugh Jackman, mmm!)... Perhaps Emma Watson could work as Roni, but Rachel would need some further thought. Jennifer Lawrence is my all-time favourite actress, maybe she'd be game...???
But wait! They're twins! Whoever I went with would have a double gig! Ummm.... I need a cup of tea!
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
The best of us know that writing a novel is an epic undertaking, and that's only the beginning. Actually publishing a novel is a whole other ball game. I actually love self-publishing for the control it gives the author - I get final say on the cover artwork, I'm in on all the fun being a marketing whore has to give, and I have no middle man. All the decisions (and profits!) lie with me which give publishing a whole other angle and a steep learning curve.
Of course, I will put the finished manuscript out to a few publishers, but I won't get so obsessed with it as I did with my first book. It was exhausting work, a full time and unrewarding job, trying to find a traditional publisher! I won't be afraid of self-publishing again; it worked for my first novel, and it's been a great experience, being an indie writer.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I'm nowhere near done yet, but I've just hit 22,800 words. I'd love for Scrabble Pieces to become a full length novel (80-100,000 words), but I imagine it might run just short of that. We'll see.
I don't think my book has the legs for a 100,000 word masterpiece... I'd hate for it to turn into a 60,000 word waffle-novel just for the sake of creating a doorstop. The worst thing I could do is to ruin the work I've done by stre-t-ch-ing it out over another 200%. Cut the crap, make it interesting, and keep the reader wanting more - that's what I'm aiming for. Oh, and I'd like to achieve a more successful proof-read before I publish this time - lesson learned there from my debut novel, online dating rom com 'Girl Meets Boys'! It wasn't horrendous, but I know my style and skill has come on leaps and bounds since then. This is a very different (and truly fictional) story compared to my semi-autobiographical stories of internet dating, so I hope it works out!
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I'm not entirely sure... Library Thing suggests many books in grief and family contemporary fiction - take a look and see what you think. There are some beautifully worded titles there, if nothing else!
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I'd enjoyed reading 'Her Fearful Symmetry' by Audrey Niffenegger, and when I finished it I felt inspired to make Roni and Rachel twins instead of mere sisters. My short stories often have a twist and I wanted to transpose this to a bigger level in the form of a novel. I think it's working so far - only my future readers will be able to tell me that for certain.
Lou x
Find me on Facebook...
...and on Twitter
Born To Be A Tourist
