When did you start writing?
I have always loved stories; reading them, writing them - playing
them out in my head.
I think I have always had ideas, characters and situations floating
around inside there as I never seem to be able to switch off.
When I really put pen to paper was probably when I was 11. I loved
English at school and was thrilled with any creative writing projects. One
of my particular favourites I still have a copy of and I actually intend to
adapt in my adulthood. It was set in the mining industry in a small town
that I named Pottersville. I plan to feature the first page I wrote word
for word from that age on my blog. I have started background work on this
already but it will be a long work in progress as it will involve some
heavy research.
From then on, particular every summer hols, I would read the likes
of The Famous Five and Nancy Drew mysteries, then immediately write my own
version.
What is your favourite writing style?
I have written my children's book The Ruby of Egypt in the
third person and my current work in progress, Miss Pooshoe, is in
the first person. I am still in the early experimental years of my writing
and I am yet to work out which one sits more comfortably with me. I suppose
writing in the third person can open up a book more with different
insights into different characters and how they perceive things from their
point of view. However, writing in the first person allows me to explore
that one character's depth in immense detail; really feeling and thinking
what they are. I still have a lot to learn but at this moment, it is in the
first person (apologies - rather a long answer for such a short question!)
Where do you get your writing ideas?
A lot of it is from everyday things; overhearing a conversation in a
shop, witnessing a female scrap over a self-checkout til (true story)
in a supermarket. Sometimes the most bizarre things can trigger an
idea; a Marks & Spencer’s advert sparked an idea for a short story
once. In my current work in progress, a chick-lit, my ideas
are all drawn from my experience of being redeployed from my job
and the book is tinged with daft things that I have said or done over the
years. It is by no means a memoir but people who know me will certainly see
a lot of myself in the main character, Maggie Bell. My self-published book,
The Ruby of Egypt, came from my
love of the topic of Egypt that we did at school, I have had the image
of a black cat sloping across the sandy dunes of Egypt in my head
since I was about 7 and this book spawned from that.
What's the best thing about writing?
Getting lost by immersing yourself completely in someone else's
world for sometimes hours at end. I am always astounded at how the words
and stories just flow and I am continually amazed at how characters develop
and take on a personality of their own - sometimes changing the direction
of the story without even realising it yourself.
I love how you can create any character in any situation and script
what happens. It is so satisfying when a plot comes together; and even more
satisfying when others enjoy your book.
What’s the worst thing about writing?
I think I may be with a majority of writers here when I say editing
and proof reading.
With editing, naturally I always want to change things; continuous
improvement in order to get it to that perfect stage. But being a
perfectionist, I despair that I will never get there. Miss Pooeshoe has
been through one round of editing and is currently with proof readers. I am
about to embark on round two of editing and I know that there is already so
much I want to change. I think that once I do get it to a standard where I
am happy to publish it; I will go back to it in years to come and want to
edit the hell out of it.
I have found that already with The Ruby of Egypt. However, I
think it is only natural that as we grow and progress as people, as well as
writers by developing, learning and reflecting on our writing, that we want
to improve past manuscripts.
Oh and of course - Writer's Block.
What do you do when you're not writing?
I work full time doing shift work; six days on four off. So in my
six days on I try to cram reading into there whenever I can then on my days
off (in between writing) I go to the gym, spend time with my family, I love
to shop and The Metro Centre is a swift 15 minute drive away so I am a regular
visitor there. The retail therapy is great and also the people watching and
story opportunities are fantastic.
Do you like reading?
I LOVE reading! Up until sixteen months ago it was normally a
book by my bed that took ages to read as it was a few snippets a night or a
holiday read. Now, I try to make it part of my routine, particularly after
reading Stephen King's On Writing, that encourages you to read whenever you
can; in a doctors waiting room, on your break at work, snatch a moment when
you can and read, read, read!
What are you reading right now?
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Today I welcome author Gemma Wilford to the Realm. Gemma is the author to the children's adventure story "The Ruby of Egypt." I'm so glad you could join us today, Gemma!
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