Not necessarily frequently asked, but definitely questions I’ve received. I hope you find a few of the answers interesting.
What do you do with your spare time?
What spare time? Once you’re a writer, there truly is no such thing as ‘spare’ time in your life… ever! That’s because you can always fill any time with writing. Most of us all have time that we choose to do what we like with. I mostly choose to write, but I wish there was enough time available for many other things. I love to read and have always tried to read at least an hour a day since I was a child. Thought not always able to manage it now, I still try.
I like art, but mostly as a hobby. If I can find some spare time for that, it relaxes the mind. Many artists refer to drawing as a meditative state, and I can understand why. When you become so absorbed in what you do, you forget the rest of the world and its troubles, you can truly relax for a short time. Writing does that for me to a certain extent, but I find the mind is still active when writing in a way it isn’t when drawing or painting. I’m not saying it’s the same for everyone, but that’s how it is for me. Alas, I’m seriously out of drawing practice owing to ‘not enough’ time. I used to do some cross-stitch, but it’s taking longer to complete a project because other things draw my attention. Good for long trips, though. When the dog was alive, taking her for walks took up a great deal of time, although I wouldn’t change that for the world. I like holidays — who doesn’t — but I enjoy exploring whether it’s in my country or abroad. I seldom sit on a beach unless it’s reading a book.
Does someone else take care of your website?
No. Somehow, I’ve managed by trial, error, and necessity, although a friend helped set up the basic files for me, so don’t ask me how to do it. In 2015 I split my site up into separate linked ‘sites’. It’s a marketing suggestion for multi-genre writers to make their work more accessible, more easily found by readers so they can find the genre that most interests them readily. All the main info is here but it’s made the upkeep of separate portfolios easier.
What influenced the design?
Someone asked me this question some time ago when my site was much more elaborate than it is now. My answer then was that I was thinking of one of those shops you come across in places such as Devon or Cornwall, sort of small, sometimes dark, a treasure trove. My site has changed with me over time and I hope developed into something more streamline and user-friendly.
What are you working on now or next?
Difficult to answer. It changes constantly, obviously. I’ll write a short story if I’m struck by an idea, or if I am struggling with something, I may take a break and turn to a short idea, a writing exercise, anything to get my mind working again.
For longer work, I try to complete the draft, then take a break from it before revising it with a fresh eye. There’s no set duration for this, whatever the length of work. This dormant time after a draft may even last a few months if I can afford to wait, or if I am caught up in other things with more immediate deadlines. Then, of course, the delay is owing to the necessity. The important thing is to get the story down. If I’ve some kind of deadline on a work, then obviously I simply cannot put it aside for months. Even then, I like to take a week or two off from a project to refresh my mind between my personal drafts, which isn’t always possible between edits with a publisher.
In the past, I’ve been called on to write an article on short notice, sometimes to fill a space or cover a specific subject. The shortest notice I’ve had was a request for a medium length article with a polite but blunt, “Could you do this today?” And yes, I managed, but that doesn’t mean I want to make a habit of it.
What do you write? Why do you write in more than one genre?
The simple answer to both these questions is I write as I read. My reading taste varies and therefore so does my writing. My varied taste has given me a rich field to work in, even though it has caused me some problems — I might be better known and even more successful if I stuck to one genre. Saying that, most of my non-romance work contains dark themes.
I don’t like fantasy or any of those things — I prefer reality.
This is more a comment than a question, but one I hear frequently. Although I write in different genres, a large proportion of fantasy seems to dominate my work. My simple reply to this is that when an author writes fantasy, they are still writing about the real world. The setting is just another tool to explore the human condition, but it’s one that often gives the writer greater scope. If you don’t believe me, then look into the background of Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes. The Lord of the Rings has dissertations written concerning its contents, but for many, Tolkien’s work explores self-sacrifice. I’ve done similar things, often with good cause. You can give an argument a unique twist and perspective by altering the setting.
Do you express personal opinions in your writing?
Yes, and no. Every writer likely expresses an opinion in their work, but I (and I believe this is true of many writers) express other people’s opinions too, even if it contradicts my own. Therefore, whatever the subject, even if the story seems to spearhead a certain cause, I wouldn’t advise anyone to surmise that is how I feel.
A writer has to show a protagonist and an antagonist in their work, so it’s good to write from viewpoints that aren’t your own. It’s even necessary. If you ask me directly for my opinion, if I didn’t know you, then I probably wouldn’t answer. My opinions are between me, my friends, and my family, or I will express them appropriately when they can make a difference.
A writer friend of mine once said he liked to ‘push people’s buttons’ and I understood what he meant. I mainly write for reader enjoyment, but it’s nice if it prompts someone to think. Still, it’s not intended to stand as a soapbox. If I want or need to do that, I’d take a more active role to stand up for my beliefs.
What was your first published story?
I would say my short story, Silver Apples of the Moon. Actually, it was my first acceptance, but it wasn’t the first to see print. That’s just how publishing is. These things take time.
Do you suffer many rejections? Does rejection ever get you down?
I wouldn’t say many to both questions. I’m choosy about what I send where. I always joke that I had fewer rejections than Stephen King did before I had a story accepted. In fact, I had just one, and that was largely because I sent it to a semi-inappropriate market. They were impressed enough to give me advice and following their guide and through a little market research, I found the perfect publication to submit it to.
Every writer feels bad when they have a rejection, but for me it doesn’t last long. I bounce back fast, and it usually makes me more determined. It’s part of the process, and a rejection doesn’t mean the story is not good. There are so many reasons a publisher will turn down work, none of which has anything to do with the quality of the writing. If you don’t learn how to handle rejection, the chances are you won’t make it as a writer, and may even give up early on.
What about criticism?
Criticism, as opposed to rejection, is another matter. I don’t mind constructive ‘critique’ — I even approve of it — but there are plenty of groups for that. If an editor is kind enough to explain a rejection, it can mean they saw something good in the work that was worth taking the time over, as they are very busy. I listen to all comments and then temper that with my judgement.
Often, if a remark or the advice is good, you’ll know instantly. This isn’t the same thing as someone yelling that they really hated a story. Fine, but explain why you hated it. It’s also not the same as someone missing the point of your story. I’ve had that happen. I’ve had a reviewer complain about one aspect of a story and then less than two days later a reader gush over the book for the same detail. That’s just part of writing. You’ll get one person who will complain over a certain point that a hundred people have loved. It’s all opinions, personal likes and dislikes. You can’t please everyone. And the one thing I admire J.K.Rowling for was she said she’s not taking dictation.
There are two ways I handle this: if I have an ‘answer’ for the point raised, then I don’t worry too much. If I don’t, then I pay attention to it and apply it to future work or when a rewrite occurs.
Interviews:
In June 2009, Barbara Custer of Blood Red Shadows and Night to Dawn Magazine interview me:
Read the interview HERE.