Tamara McKinley answers TWENTY QUESTIONS

 

Tamara McKinley is author of Matilda's Last Waltz,
Summer Lightning, Jacaranda Vines, Undercurrents, Dreamscapes,
Windflowers and the Oceanna Trilogy. Her latest book is The Ocean Child, available from Amazon.
Read her blog on tamaramckindley.blogspot.com.
Tamara is also writing as Ellie Dean and her latest title is Always in My Heart, which is part 5 of the Beach View Boarding House series.

1/ What first attracted you to writing?

I’ve always loved reading, and really enjoyed making up stories as a child. My family had a very interesting background, and I always knew that one day I would write it all down

2/ How did you come to write your first book?

I was forty, my children were leaving or had left home, and I was going through a nasty divorce and had bailiffs banging on the front door. To stay sane I began to write my family story. It took two years, but by the end of it, I realised that writing was something I could do as well as enjoy. It was then that I started to write fiction novels.

3/ What is the best thing about being an author?

Being able to disappear into an imaginary world where I can be in charge of what happens!

4/ And what’s the worst?

Trying to write and have a life at the same time. Writing demands absolute commitment, and is ultimately a consuming and rather selfish occupation. Family, friends and loved ones need to understand this – and I’m lucky, because they are very supportive.

5/ Which is your favourite book?

I have just finished reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and the language of the prose and the sheer brilliance of it is quite haunting.

6/ What do writers groups offer.

Writers’ groups are brilliant for the beginner. Writing is a solitary occupation and one can get far too close to one’s work and it’s invigorating and helpful to have someone else’s point of view. Anderida Writers and Tunbridge Wells Writers’ groups were a huge help to me, and now I am published and successful, I can give something back to groups with talks and workshops, and am presently the patron of the Hastings Writers’ Group, which has a huge well of talent that needs direction.

7/ Tell us about your work experience.

I wrote six novels before I got a two book deal with Hodder & Stoughton with my psychological thrillers, Reap the Whirlwind and Queen’s Flight. The next two thrillers were rejected, so I returned to writing mulit-generational family sagas, and Matilda’s Last Waltz became a world-wide bestseller. Piatkus UK (now part of Little Brown) took Matilda and the next five titles, Jacaranda Vines, Summer Lightning, Windflowers, Dreamscapes, and Undercurrents. My next project – a trilogy following three families’ fortunes against the backdrop of Australia’s history from 60,000 years ago to 1917 was rejected by Piatkus, but taken up by Hodder & Staughton. Lands Beyond the Sea, A Kingdom for the Brave, and Legacy have sold all over the world and been shortlisted for several literary prizes. Hodder then rejected my next book, and now I am with Quercus, who have recently released all six back catalogue titles (not including the trilogy) s e-books as well as releasing The Ocean Child as both paperback and e-book. Firestorm and Morning Glory are also to soon be released. In the meantime, I am now writing as Ellie Dean. The Beach View Boarding House series is set on the south coast during WW2, and follows the trials and tribulations of the family who own the boarding house – as well as those billeted there. There’ll be Blue Skies, Far From Home, Keep Smiling Through, Where the Heart Lies and Always in My Heart have consistently been in the best-selling charts. All My Tomorrows is due for release in March, 2014, and I am presently writing Reaching for the Stars, which will come out in August, 2014. There will be at least one more title to add to the series.

8/ Have you ever had an embarrassing moment?

I’ve had plenty of embarrassing moments – the latest was introducing someone to the wrong editor. She wasn’t happy!

9/ What do writers need most?

Writers need tough skins and an ability to accept criticism and rejection. They need an unfailing faith in what they can do – and the tenacity to keep on doing it regardless. They need time and space and silence to be creative – but above all they must be able to tell a story that will hook the reader..

10/ What are you reading at the moment?

I’ve just started Reginald Hill’s A cure for all Diseases – finding it a bit tough going, but know it’ll be worth it in the end.

11/ Which author do you admire most?

I admire every single author because I know how hard it is these days to get published and to build a readership. My favourite authors are Penny Vincenzie, Lesley Pearse, Judy Nunn, Peter James and Leon Uris.

12/ What did you want to be when you were twelve?

I probably wanted to be a dancer, singer or actress. I always had aspirations for the theatre – or something dramatic.

13/ What is your proudest achievement?

Having my three children – surviving divorce and bankruptcy – and getting published. I’ve achieved far more than I’d ever dreamed through my writing, and was honoured with an invitation to Buckingham Palace to attend a small reception with Her Majesty and Prince Philip – my proudest day – and all because I am an author.

14/ What would you like to see happen in the future?

I’d like to be number one in the English best-selling list, either as Tamara McKinley or Ellie Dean. I’ve achieved that in at least eighteen countries, but it is the UK that matters.

15/ What are your fondest memories?

Of my childhood in Tasmania – and my return there forty years later.

 

16/ What do you think of other writers and/or authors?

See answer to no. 11

17/ Tell us about your hobbies away from writing.

I don’t have much time for hobbies, writing is all consuming.   I like to dance, to socialize and catch up with my friends and family.   I love to travel, take photographs, paint and garden

18/ Where do you hope to be when you’re 70?

Still alive! Perhaps retired – but then I might get bored.

19/ How would you approach writing a feature on a dream holiday?

I’d go on the holiday and record everything, the scents, sights, sounds and atmosphere – then write it and send it to the appropriate magazines. I don’t really do articles or short stories – they aren’t my strength.

20/ What would be the one piece of advice you would give to a writer?

Never give up

 

 

 

Publishing blues



Charlie riding the Intrepid Pony

Why do writers put themselves through it? Is it for the fame and fortune?

If I had thought hard about how long and difficult it would be to get my book out into the world I would never have started writing. Thankfully I wrote for the fun of it! It will be lovely to hold 'The Intrepid Pony Escapes' in my hand making all the hard work worth it. Hopefully I will even sell a few books to people who love ponies and lose themselves in my story.



Keep smiling

Am I the only person to be baffled by a publishing contract? It seems if anything goes wrong it is my fault, but if it all goes right the publisher and distributer and shop or the big A get all the profits. I guess it will be over a year before I see any profit, but even if I do, I only get paid quarterly a month after the money is totalled up and only then if I've earned over a certain amount. Until then that money sits in someone else's account waiting for more of my books to sell.

When is an author successful enough to give up the day job? How many books have most authors written before they have enough money to work as a writer full time. Then there is the small matter of book signing at various venues.  

Being an author is a lonely one person business but I have been blessed with a house husband who brings coffee to my computer and encourages me to keep going.

Publishing- not the final hurdle

I applaud everyone who has worked their hardest to get published and commiserate with those unfortunate authors who have written a brilliant book only to face numerous rejections. it makes winning the lottery seem like a certainty!

Being in a writing group has helped me greatly in my journey. Thank you all those who have helped and encouraged me.  

Well done to Liz Wright who has just published her latest her latest non-fiction book Belle Tout Lighthouse: The Little Lighthouse That Moved after twenty years research.

Thanks Tony, Author of My Life with the Stars, for all your hard work editing my book. I look forward to your next novel.

 

 

Elizabeth Wright answers twenty questions



Elizabeth Wright

Elizabeth Wright, author of From Fancy Pants to Getting There, and her latest non-fiction book Belle Tout Lighthouse: The Little Lighthouse That Moved has provided a fascinating insight into her life.


She agreed to be interviewed adding 'I spend much of my writing life interviewing interesting people for my magazine articles, it will make a pleasant change to be on the 'receiving end.'

Elizabeth, whose books are available on Amazon or her website http://www.elizabethwright-thewriter.com/ gave Lynne the following answer

1          When did you first start writing?

I started writing when I was about fourteen. The Argus newspaper used to have a children’s page in the 1950’s/60’s, and, when I left school my parents invested in a pet shop for me. Resultant publicity about ‘teenage businesswoman’ brought about coverage from this junior page. I submitted a few short pieces about the shop and found that I liked seeing my name I print. So I looked around for other submission opportunities; and the trade magazine ‘Pet Product Marketing’ started to take pet related articles, and pay for them. ‘Cage and Aviary Birds’ were happy to use my illustrated reports on World Bird Shows that I had attended as a British team steward. Running the business for 38 years took up most of my time, but when I lost it in the recession of the early 1990’s, I decided to concentrate more on my writing. It needed to be professionalised so I enrolled on a course with ‘The Writer’s Bureau.’ This was one of the best writing moves I ever made, their advice was spot on, my tutor was supportive, and my writing really took off. 

 2          How did you come to write your first book?

Over the years I had built up an extensive portfolio of published work, and through the writing world ‘grapevine,’ Steve Benz, from S.B.Publications, at Seaford, a company that specialises in Sussex related books, asked me to put together a book covering crafts and industries with special links to this county. Called ‘Made in Sussex,’ the 24 chapters included trug baskets, cricket bats, the historic iron industry, glass making, Merrydown Cider etc.

 3          What is the best thing about being an author?



With Danny Pike from BBC Radio Sussex 

For me, I get a great deal of satisfaction seeing my name in print and getting paid for it. I have the freedom to write about anything that takes my fancy, but I still hang onto the day job as I have a mortgage to pay. Additional advantages come in the form of travel freebies, free entry to many places that I might write about, and along the way I have made many new friends. I love all the razzmatazz and recognition that goes with the launch of each book; the radio interviews, press coverage, book reviews.

 4          And what’s the worst?

Probably every writer’s nightmare, the dreaded rejection. I like to think that over the years I’ve learnt the lessons of how to dovetail my features to fit in exactly with editorial needs. But even when, as a seasoned pro, I think I’ve got it exactly right, I still get one or two submissions turned down. And perversely, I’ve occasionally thrown in the odd ‘wild card,’ and had it snapped up by editors anxious to fill a space near publication time. Competition out there is fierce, so you just can’t win them all. But nothing is wasted; I’ll find another outlet for a rejected piece, tweak the feature to exactly suit their needs, and keep trying. A thick skin is essential in this writing game.

5          Which is your favourite book and which was your favourite book as a child?

I have to confess that I’m not a great book reader. My life is full and busy. My only constant read is the Daily Mail, which I avidly read from cover to cover. As a child I loved all the Enid Blyton books, especially those about ‘The Famous Five.’

 6          What do writers groups offer. Do you find using a forum like Facebook or Twitter useful?

I feel that any writer can benefit from belonging to a writers group. We can bounce ideas off each other, give advice and practical help to newcomers, be introduced to editors, agents and publishers, the list is endless, the belonging is priceless.

I am relatively new to Facebook, but, with its wide range of enthusiastic members, I have found it to be a valuable tool in promoting my writings. Twitter I have had no dealings with.

 7          Tell us about your work experience.

A typical working day morning is either as a baby sitter to my grandchildren or behind the counter of a big DIY shop. In both cases I always keep a notebook handy to jot down any amusing comments, incidents or contacts I can write about at a later date. Once home, I have dinner, a quiet read of my newspaper, watch a bit of TV if there is anything interesting. From late evening I will then settle in front of my computer, clear my mind, and get stuck into the serious stuff until possibly about 3-4 am. I never stop looking for anything that might be of use in my writing career, I think I have a built-in radar system that homes in on any useful material.

 8          Have you ever had an embarrassing moment?

I made a horrible blunder about 6 months ago, when I put together a short piece for ‘E The Magazine’ about the famous Belle Tout lighthouse. It was recently sold for half a million pounds; I lost a zero or two in the feature and the owner was horrified to read that I’d stated it had changed hands for a mere £500 instead!!

 9          What do writers need most?

A thick skin - there will be rejections, and knockbacks, these come with the territory. Persistence - you’ve got to keep pushing and promoting your work all the time. No one else is likely to do it for you.

Patience - editors are overworked and understaffed, replies to queries may take a time. Accepted items may not be published relatively soon. I have one commissioned article, written in 2012, contracted to appear in a glossy, upmarket magazine in June 2014. I have heard of one writer who had forgotten about a submitted item, and was pleasantly surprised to see it in print 9 years later!! Don’t wait around for results, just keep sending out your work.

Believe in yourself and what you write - it will show in your work.

The occasional big glass of wine helps!!

 10        What are you reading at the moment?

‘Man Bites Talking Dog,’ by ex-Fleet Street Journalist and magazine editor, Colin Dunne. This is a re-issued book which states that ‘For the best part of half a century Colin Dunne has delighted readers…..with his canny ability to spot….the strange, the odd, the unlikely and the just plain daft elements of human life.’ Highly amusing.

 11        Who is your writing hero?

I don’t have any writing heroes.

 12        What did you want to be when you were twelve?

A ballet dancer. But the ongoing training was too costly.

 13        What is your proudest achievement?

Having my beautiful daughter when I was 42. In the writing world, up to now, it has been the rewarding experience of seeing that first book, ‘Made in Sussex,’ in all the local bookshops. This was surpassed by the publication in September 2013 of ‘Belle Tout – The Little Lighthouse That Moved’ which contains 20 years of ongoing research, and will be a mega production, in hardback and full colour. A lot of work has gone into this and it promises to be a consistent seller, both here and abroad. 'Hopefully, for starters, there will be an article about Belle Tout and the book appearing in the Daily Mail; I've recently been interviewed by the lovely Danny Pike from BBC's Radio Sussex and American magazine 'Lighthouse Digest' have asked me for a well illustrated feature about this lighthouse and availability of the book.'

 

14        What would you like to see happen in the future?

For me personally, I think I would like to expand my writing ability, coming away from my comfort zone. I enjoy writing the odd funny poem. I would love to write a TV sitcom, and, I have a gut feeling that from somewhere inside me I could pull out the script of a highly charged, dramatic drama for TV. I’ve registered with the BBC’s ‘Writer’s Room,’ which helps and advises scribes who are interested in breaking into the film, TV and radio world, and we’ll see where it goes from there.

 15        What are your fondest memories?

Over the years I’ve built up an ever widening circle of good friends. I’ve personally found that creative writers are a friendly bunch, always ready to help one another; most are united in the end cause of getting published. It’s an enjoyable occupation for any scribe.

 16        What do you think of other writers and authors?

I can only speak about those writers and authors that belong to Eastbourne’s Anderida Writers. As the Club’s Membership Secretary I feel a great sense of satisfaction when I welcome a new member and, over time, see them finally get into print, helped along the learning path with oodles of advice, support, a touch of constructive criticism, and large dollops of encouragement by those that have been there, done it and got published. This Club has a high success rate of established authors, article and story writers, poets, film, TV and radio script writers. I’m sure that much of this is due to the fact that we all get on well with one another and ‘pull together.’

17        Tell us about your hobbies away from writing.

Photography is my other love. To be able to market articles it was essential that I also provided the illustrations. I bought a simple digital Olympus ‘idiot-proof’ camera, that has dozens of easy to use options, and it produces terrific pictures. The ‘Daily Mail’ has printed some of my quirkier shots in their ‘Peterborough’ columns; Meridian Weather has used a number of my scenic shots as backdrops to the forecasters. I was 2^nd prize-winner out of 18 in the Kingsmere Association Photographic competition, in 2010. I came just below the short listed winners in ‘Amateur Photographer of the Year’ competition. And I’ve made the front page of the local paper twice with dramatic shots of the rescue of a drowning person, and a suicide under a train. A number of my pictures can be viewed on my website; www.elizabethwright-thewriter.com

 18        Where do you hope to be when you’re 70?

I’m 73 and have no intention of winding down. I love creative writing and learn something new about this hobby every day. I think it is called job satisfaction.

 19        How would you approach writing a feature on a dream holiday?

I would approach this either from an angle of dream fulfilment, or luxury. One person’s dream holiday of going on safari and photographing rarer wild animals would probably not suit another person who would prefer staying at top quality accommodation and being totally pampered. This is all down to the proposed outlet for the completed feature, which should have some kind of ‘fascinating hook’ in the introductory first paragraph. On a visit to the island of Fuerteventura, my hook was to make the statement, ‘When visiting the seaside resort of Caleta de Fuste, before ascending the hills behind this fishing village, you must take with you an apple and a biscuit.’  Another introduction on a feature about the unique top quality B&B at Belle Tout lighthouse on Beachy Head starts, ‘What do King George V, Walt Disney, the BBC and Laura Ashley all have in common?’

Pick one interesting item to write about, rather than make the article appear to be an extension of a travel agent’s sales pitch.           

 20/ What would be the one piece of advice you would give to a writer?

Believe in yourself.

 

Read  From fancy pants to getting there available on Amazon

Elizabeth Wright had it all. A comfortable life, successful business, house, handsome partner and beautiful baby. Then things screwed up. She discovered that the man in her life was being unfaithful, and her prosperous pet centre crashed into a financial black hole. At fifty-two, and menopausal, she was reduced to being a single mum on benefits with the stigma of bankruptcy. Left with just a negative equity house harnessed to a hefty mortgage, she had to face an impoverished lifestyle along with a succession of jobs which either folded or relocated.
In this hilarious book she recounts how she quickly learnt to juggle work and child care, keep an ancient car on the road that already had one wheel in the Great Breaker’s Yard in the Sky, whilst her money-saving efforts to grow her own food, were defeated by thieving blackbirds, munching molluscs and exploding bags of donkey manure. Dog sitting was a disaster, with fleas, mangy animals and an amorous owner with a dodgy trouser zip. There were cockroaches in the takeaway, drunks in the bakery, and a parcel sealing machine with pit bull attitude in the factory.Then, after all her efforts, the Trustees of the Bankruptcy stated that her only asset, the house, was back into equity and would have to be sold to pay the debtors. fighting this, she worked fourteen hours a day, raised the required £30,000, kept the house, had the bankruptcy annulled and, with a great sense of humour, wrote this book.

Blues on the cut

ready to touch up the blue

It was great to be at the boat again after a prolonged absence. Paul felt his back had recovered enough to service the engine and paint over the various scrape wounds from tunnels, locks and boats that kissed us while moored. after a 3 hour drive along 4 motorways we unpacked our supplies, filled with diesel and headed off... but the engine cut out so we glided into a clump of reeds by the marina entrance.
"Forgot to switch on the diesel," Paul confessed. It does help!
We cruised for an hour to charge the batteries then pulled over for the night. 
Next morning we cruised on to a wide verge ideal for painting. We spent the morning rubbing down and applying paint while our lurcher relaxed watching the world floating by. After lunch we cruised to a nearby winding hole spun round and moored up to tackle the other side. It was great to hide all the blemishes, but the paint had faded badly.
Next morning Paul prepared the side for painting while I walked Lottie Lurcher, and then I tackled the paint. I was slapping the blue paint on happily when a narrow boat slid round the corner. There where three crew members grouped round the tiller but they were yelling encouragements to a small black and white spaniel which was trotting after them along the towpath. I was surprised there was nobody with it as it is easy to get onto the roads and the one they had just gone under was bustling with lorries.
The little dog had clearly had enough of her walk. First she stopped and looked at me appealingly but got no response as I had a paint tin in one hand and a loaded brush in the other. Ignoring Lottie she leapt aboard our boat and curled up on our bed.
Meanwhile the owners were calling Jilly, Jilly, Jilly as they floated into the distance.
Jilly ignored them and closed her eyes before a bemused Lottie, who clearly thought it was bad manners to visit and go straight asleep.
I waved my paintbrush madly at the disappearing boat, yelling "she's in here." At last they pulled over and a reluctant crew member came trotting back to reclaim the visitor. I just hope Lottie doesn't follow Jilly's example and start dropping in on other boaters. At 35 kilograms she could be a touch intimidating in a narrow space.
One thing is for certain - it's never boring on the cut.

HOW TO PLEASE EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS

 

Lynne Hale asks Tony Flood 5 new questions. 

Tony Flood with Freddie Flintoff

Tony Flood author of fantasy adventure The Secret Potion and celebrity book My Life With The Stars, and co-author of a collection of intriguing short stories in Twists in the Tales, has provided tips on what editors and publishers want in his latest interview.

Tony, whose books are available on Amazon or through http://www.celebritiesconfessions.com/ and http://www.fantasyadventurebooks.com/ , gave Lynne the following answers:

 

1 Can you tell me what you are currently working on and planning?

Tony: I have started a new fiction book - a thriller in which a glamorous lady is forced to help the police track down a murderer - there's plenty of suspense, a sprinkling of humour and a large slice of sizzling sex.

 

2 Have you won any awards or competitions recently?

Tony: Yes, I won the Anderida Writers Cup for their annual short story competition for the second successive year. It's a Flood family hat-trick as my wife Heather won the previous year.

Tony receiving the Anderida Writers cup

 

3 Do you enjoy editing other writers' books?

Tony: Yes, it is very fulfilling helping other writers to improve their text and, in some cases, their story lines. I am getting a lot of satisfaction editing your own book The Intrepid Pony Escapes, which you have written very well. This is a genre that I normally wouldn't read but I am enjoying it.

 

4 How do you improve other authors' books as an editor?

Tony: There are many ways to do this. Lots of writers are guilty of repetition by using the same word repeatedly, especially the words 'said' and 'that', so I change those. They also fall into the trap of 'information dumping' by giving too much background detail early on. It is much better to drip feed details about the characters and their backgrounds than try to provide most of the information in one chunk. Other writers don't develop their characters sufficiently with the result that some of them are bland. Editors and publishers love good characters and plenty of quotes. But the quotes have got to be realistic - otherwise the characters and the story can lack credibility. Some writers come up with interesting stories but their grammar or phrases can be improved - for example, they omit quotation marks or comas and apostrophes. One common error is to use 'its' instead of 'it's'. These may seem small things, but if the grammar is incorrect it is very annoying to the reader. Comas are vital to show where pauses come, so I make sure these are inserted. It is surprising how many times writers miss typos or spelling mistakes, which drive editors and publishers mad.

 

5 Can you give us any other writing tips?

Tony: Use your imagination to the full - don't let your story lines or characters be dull. Also edit your own work by cutting out unnecessary detail that does not further the plot or develop the characters. Minor characters like a ticket collector at a railway station do not need to be described if they have nothing to do with the plot. Make sure your story has shape and structure - it is usually best to write from the point of view of the main character. Readers can find it confusing if the author writes from Mary's point of view and then switches to Jane's point of view. Authors are encouraged to have 'hooks at the start of chapters or new scenes to grab readers' attention, but make sure these 'hooks' are not contrived.

 

HERE ARE TONY'S ANWERS TO THE PREVIOUS INTERVIEW I DID WITH HIM

1            What first attracted you to writing? I loved the fact that writing can provide others with so much information and can sometimes influence them. That was why I created a school newspaper and became editor of it. Some years later I joined a local newspaper as a junior reporter when I finished my education at the South East London Day College and greatly enjoyed covering a variety of news stories. 

2            How did you come to write your first book? I was keen to write for children and when my wife Heather came up with the idea of a young girl searching for her kidnapped brother, I developed it. This resulted in my first fictional book The Secret Potion, with Jody Richards finding herself in a fantasy world in which she has to battle against evil wizards and witches and possibly the world's worst monster.
3            What’s the best thing about being an author? Being told by readers that your book – and the characters in it - have given them a lot of pleasure.

4            And what’s the worst? Having to spend hours checking and rechecking your manuscript – and then marketing your book!

5            Which was your favourite book as a child? The first book I can remember enjoying as a child was Enid Blyton's Five Go To Smuggler's Top.

6            What do writers groups offer? Writers groups help writers develop their skills and grow in confidence by offering advice, feedback, support and informative guest speakers. Facebook and Twitter can be useful tools – if you have the time to fully utilise them.

7            Tell us about you working experience (as a journalist.) I was probably the country's youngest Sports Editor at the Lewisham Borough News at the age of 17 or 18. I later became Sports Editor of the Kentish Times Series, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and the Richmond and Twickenham Times. I worked in Fleet Street for the Sunday Express, News of the World and The People, and was Controller of Information at Sky Television. I was also editor of a national magazine – Football Monthly.

8            Have you ever had an embarrassing moment? Yes - interviewing a Millwall footballer without knowing his name.

9            What do writers need most? Endless patience and persistence.

10        What are you reading? A thriller called Fallen by Karin Slaughter.

11        Who is your writing hero? Sidney Sheldon, the Academy Award-winning American writer. The nearest I have come to emulating him is to win the Anderida Writers' award!

12        What did you want to be when you were twelve? A footballer or a journalist. I settled for the latter as I did not have the skill to become an English George Best.

13        What is your proudest achievement? Being appointed editor of Britain's oldest soccer magazine Football Monthly.

14        What would you like to see happen in the future? Unknown authors being given more coverage by the media and websites to turn their books into best sellers.

15        What are your fondest memories? Enjoying a happy childhood living with my grandparents, who were publicans in South East London, and visiting my mother at weekends.

16        What do you think of other writers and/or authors? I greatly enjoy and admire thriller writers who have the ability to develop plots within plots like Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, David Baldacci and Paul James.

17        Tell us about your hobbies away from writing. I still play veterans football on a Sunday morning (some may say I simply shuffle about nicking the odd goal and not contributing much else). I also love eating out and going to the theatre – I write theatre reviews for the Brighton Argus.

18        Where do you hope to be when you’re 70? That's not too far away so I expect to be still be living in Eastbourne with my wife and fellow author Heather Flood.

19        What was your dream holiday? It was my honeymoon with Heather which we spent in three fabulous locations – Hong Kong, New Orleans and Hawaii.

20        What superpower would you like to have? To be able to foretell the future. Not only could I warn of impending disasters, but I could make a fortune by investing in the stock exchange or predicting the outcome of sporting events!

Thank you Tony for this interview. I was interested in how early you started your career and that your first job was as sports editor. 

Editing ping-pong

Editing a book is like jumping a clear round

When I sent my editor my final version of The Intrepid Pony Escapes having pruned 60 pages out I  thought he would put in some comma's, tweak the grammar and cut out some boring sentences. Far from it. He's asked for character descriptions and improved the text by moving parts of paragraphs around. He has asked questions about the plot where the action is unclear, and made helpful suggestions to clarify things. He was even worried that my protagonist was bullying one of the girls as it put her in a bad light. As bullying is key to the book I had to explain that she only realises she has been bullying when a friend is bullied and has to decide if she wants revenge that badly. I personally don't want my protagonist to be a goody-goody as there is good and bad, kind and selfishness in everyone.
The good news is I am halfway through reading the final edit and know the book has improved through the process. the bad news is I will have to go through this all again to read the new amendments to the document. Does it ever end? When will I get to the point where Tony and I agree no more can be done? I want to see this book in print, but I long for it to be the best version it could be. Maybe we will finish soon.
Editing a book is like jumping a clear round in a show jumping competition. You do what you think is a perfect round but then have do it all again in the jump off over higher fences. However long the process takes I'm glad the books being edited, as  the final product should be a work to be proud of.
Thanks Tony, keep on editing!

Francis Wait answers Twenty Questions.



Francis Wait

Francis is author of The Survivalists – Getting There which is being launched on Friday 6th September. You can find this book on www.franciswait.com/ Francis has already had two of his intriguing short stories published as one of nine authors calling themselves ‘The We’re Not Dead Yet Writers’ in the much praised ‘Twists in the Tales’ (available on Amazon or through http://www.fantasyadventurebooks.com/).

1 When did you first start writing? I always wanted to write from an early age, and started when I was twenty but my writing was all in longhand and I wasn’t very successful.
 

2 How did you come to write your first book? I purchased a computer in 1995 and ideas I that had been floating around in my head suddenly became possible to get down on paper easily and quickly along with editing and changing the story line.

3 What’s the best thing about being an author? I like the power I have over the story line, if someone I speak to gives me another insight into a character I might change it to make the tale better, or I can do it myself if I wish.

4 And what’s the worst? The worst has to be editing, especially quotation marks. I had to take lessons on how to place them with the correct stops or commas.

5 Which was your favourite book as a child? I have no special book that was my favourite, but I liked the Biggles books when I was a child.

6 What do writers groups offer? Writers groups offer so much to budding writers with gentle criticism or praise it help them. Although I have both face book and twitter, I don’t tend to use them much.

7 Tell us about you working experience I have had several jobs, I worked as a storeman in an off licence, a re-upholsterer, I worked as a plasterer for most of my life and latterly as a builder. I was in the army in the 60’s for two years on National Service. I worked in Belgium for ten years and at that time I worked in France and Holland. In between I did several professions too numerous to mention. I did anything to bring money into my house to support my family.

8 Have you ever had an embarrassing moment?  Yes, many times. Probably the worst was when I was 17 and got caught in a garden shed with a girl, by her father.

9 What do writers need most? Experience; nothing can replace that. I use many of my life’s experiences in my books.

10 What are you reading at the moment? Books by an author called William Stuart Long, although I suspect he is probably a woman.

11 Who is your writing hero? My writing hero is Wilbur Smith, I think his books are the best read that I have ever had.

12 What did you want to be when you were twelve? When I was twelve I wanted to be a tennis star. I was quite proficient at it, but at that time it was quite a snobby pastime and I came from the wrong side of the tracks. Also there was no money in it as it was all amateur.

13 What is your proudest achievement? I gave up smoking about 25 years ago. I was on about 40 a day then. I bought my first brand new van with the money I saved.

14 What would you like to see happen in the future? There are too many to list here. My top desires would be to see immigration stopped, and make all immigrants pay for two years into the NHS before qualifying for free medical treatment. I’d like golden pensions to civil servants to cease. I’d ban all foreign aid to despots who buy 747’s to travel in and siphon off the money into private bank accounts.

15 What are your fondest memories? My fondest memories are going to my uncle’s farm for the summer holidays; I helped gather the harvest on hay wagons, milked cows and worked all summer. There is no greater pleasure than going down to the hen house in the morning and bringing back eggs for breakfast.

16 What do you think of other writers and authors? I like other authors and writers because they have a great deal of expertise in their chosen profession. I like their imagination and dedication in what is probably one of the poorest paid pastimes to have, yet they rarely give up.

17 Tell us about your hobbies away from writing. I live in sheltered housing where I organise entertainment for the other residents. I also try in my daily life to help as many people as I can.

18 Where do you hope to be when you’re 70? LOL. I’m 74 now. I want to be a really successful writer ASAP although time goes on.

19 What was your dream holiday? My dream holiday was a month in Australia marred by the fact that I was prosecuted for importing fruit into the country. Full story is in my book with changed characters.

20 What superpower would you like to have? I would like to have the superpower to change the world to make it a better place, but that would require too many different powers so it would be impossible.