This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
The final book in Nadine Dorries’ Four Streets trilogy, The Ballymara Road was published by Head of Zeus on 4th June. The books are inspired by Nadine’s childhood growing up in the Irish Catholic community in Liverpool and she recently told Debs a little bit more about her writing and shared her top five writing tips for our Novelicious readers.
1. Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?
I’m quite strict about my writing time. It is precious and scarce, which is maybe the reason I enjoy writing so much. I begin at six each morning and I’m afraid to say, I write in bed until it’s time to shower and head off to the day job in Westminster. I write in between votes. Each vote takes twenty minutes during which we are more or less trapped, unable to move away from the lobbies. There can be four or more votes at times and so they are dead minutes I use to write it. I write mostly all day Sunday and quite often in a Saturday too and I always write on the train journey to and from work. There is no such thing as a moment with nothing to do in my life.
2. When you are writing, do you use any celebrities or people you know as inspiration?
I never use celebrities. There are many characters I grew up with in Liverpool who I remember and inspire many of my characters.
3. What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?
This is a hard question. Is it Emma? Or Rebecca, or Pride and Prejudice? I can’t say. I love so many. I was an avid reader and I still am. I can’t write unless I’m reading something at the same time.
4. What is your writing process? Do you plan first or dive in? How many drafts do you do?
I dive in and then wish to God I had planned.
5. What was your journey to being a published author?
My journey was interesting. I sent a chapter of a book I had written to Louise Mensch’s agent. He wrote back and told me to stick to the day job. I didn’t write again for six months.
I then gave something I wrote to a friend who gave it to Piers Blofeld from Shiel Land to take a look at. He asked to meet for a cuppa, gave me some tips and told me to keep writing. I sent him the finished book. He put it out to auction to a number of publishers and Head of Zeus spotted it and bought it overnight, literally within hours.
6. What do you think is the biggest myth about being a novelist?
That writing is easy. At times, I find it utterly draining and exhausting and I still love it!
7. What advice can you give to our readers who want to write a novel of their own?
read, read, read, read and study how other authors structure their books and then just do it. Until you start tapping those keys, nothing comes out.
8. What are you working on at the moment?
I have just finished book 4, Ruby Flynn, which comes out in December. I will write book five over the summer recess.
Top Writing Tips:
Eat a good brainy breakfast. I have smoked salmon and poached eggs. It really works.
Write early in the mornings, it works best for me.
Never get into the habit of thinking there is always something else more important that needs doing in the day before you start to write.
Don’t let a day pass without writing at least something. Even if it’s only 100 words,my hat way you are always progressing
Never, ever ask anyone what they think of your work. Believe in yourself and just crack on.
The Ballymara Road by Nadine Dorries is out now!