This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Every single novel by Adele Parks has become a UK bestseller and her work has been translated into 26 languages. Talking about her path to publication, her new novel, If You Go Away, and sharing a few writing secrets, Adele joins us now.
Tell us about your latest book.
If You Go Away is set between 1914 and 1918 in Britain and France. Vivian, a young sexually progressive debutante is hurried into a pedestrian marriage to cover a scandal. War breaks out on her wedding day – domestically and across Europe. Her traditionalist husband hurries to take up arms and escape the disappointment of matrimony and Vivian has no alternative than to take up the management and running of his land, after all everyone is required to do their bit. Even pretty, inadequately educated young wives.
In the meantime, Howard, a young brilliant playwright rushes to the front to see for himself the best and the worst of humanity but was not prepared for how horrendous the worst would be. In March 1916, when conscription becomes law, it is no longer enough for him to report on the War, it’s a legal requirement that he joins the ranks. Howard refuses and is arrested and imprisoned as one of the most notorious conscientious objectors of the time. Disarmingly handsome, famous, articulate and informed, he’s a threat to the government.
Howard narrowly escapes a death sentence by agreeing to take essential work on Vivian’s farm. It’s only then he understands what is worth fighting for…Basically it’s a big, fat epic romance and I’m so proud of it and desperate to know what you all make of it!
Where do you find inspiration for your books?
When I was researching Spare Brides, my last historical romance, I stumbled upon the story of conscientious objectors; I’d never given their plight during WW1 much thought. The more I read about it the more interesting I found the topic. COs were in some ways ahead of their time – I mean it is a fact that if everyone put down their weapons, or refused to pick them up then there would be no war – but it seems a very naive, unworkable view. In 1914 it was certainly a very unpopular view. COs haven’t been given much of a voice, in fact they’ve been vilified and dismissed as cowards. I thought I’d try to rectify that via Howard. Vivian is like many young women I’ve met (and perhaps even once was), sometimes she bites off more than she can chew, sometimes she’s underestimated and sometimes she’s a disaster but in the end she’s magnificent! Most of us just need a bit of time. Even though this is set 100 years ago, I think it’s a very modern book. Vivian is gutsy.
Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?
I always say if there’s such a thing as a muse then mine is a working mum as she visits between the hours of 8.30am and 3.30pm i.e. drop off and pick-up, which shows great understanding! I write 5 days a week and at least 1000 words a day. In addition I research, read and also hope to promote the charities I’m interested in, such as The Reading Agency and The Alzheimer’s Society. I try to swim or walk most days to loosen up my back, and minimize my butt!
When you are writing, do you use any famous people or people you know as inspiration?
Yes, I’ve done both. I find inspiration everywhere. You never know where it will strike. I did a talk at a church coffee morning recently to a group of pensioners, I did it as a favour but in fact I was the one who got lucky! There are stories everywhere.
What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?
I really struggle with this sort of question because there really are simply endless brilliant books and the danger is people tend to give safe answers when asked this. I often say Emma because the heroine is feisty and flawed (which is how I like my heroines) but I know that is a safe answer (no one is going to argue with me that Jane Austen knew a thing or two). It’s true that I adore Austen’s ironic, biting comedy of manners; her tales are often thought of as simple love stories yet they are subtle multi-layered social and historical commentaries. In my opinion Austen is responsible for some of the most remarkable characterizations and wittiest dialogues in the English literature. Emma is a charming, brilliant classic but to name one book is to leave hundreds of other magnificent books out in the cold and I feel terrible doing that!
What female writer has inspired you?
Many, many: Jane Austen, Rosamond Lehmann, Vera Brittain, Marian Keyes, Jilly Cooper, Kate Atkinson, Anne Tyler, Joanne Harris…honestly the list is endless. Some are lyrical, hysterical, challenging, educating, entertaining; they are all inspiring.
Can you give us three book recommendations?
I can give you 100s, books are such a joy but if I have to restrict myself I’d say why not try some of the books that I’m happy to read over and over…
1) Once in a House on Fire by Andrea Ashworth
Andrea Ashworth’s compelling memoir. A compelling story that blends social history with poetic intensity (the 70s are rendered with an acute eye for detail).
2) When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
Spanning four decades, from 1968 onwards, it’s a story about childhood and growing up equal parts laugh-out-loud/heartbreaking, which is irresistible, exactly what I want from my literature.
3) Notes on a Scandal by Zoë Heller
A tense psychological drama which deftly explores humanity's extensive flaws and expansive ambitions in the very small environment of a comprehensive school. The story is about taboo passions.
What is your writing process? Do you plan first or dive in? How many drafts do you do?
I’m a planner. I like to know the characters, the dilemma and the outcome before I begin. Without that much, I feel untethered and don’t enjoy the process as much. A long time ago I was told that each word would work harder if I knew where it was going and that seems to be true for me. That said, I plan the beginning and the end but I allow room for magic, freedom, inspiration (call it what you will) to dance in the middle.
As for drafts, well that’s a harder question, I don’t write the full novel and then edit but I self-edit continually so it’s hard to quantify. Often it’s just one draft (but one where I might have rewritten a chapter six times). However, it’s worth mentioning that there is no right or wrong way to write a novel.
What was your journey to being a published author?
I’ve always dreamed of being a writer, from a very young age but I bided my time. I wrote one novel but didn’t submit it, it wasn’t up to it. I waited until I was at a stage of my life where I knew I had something compelling and different to write. I worked on my novel three times a week for three hours and for five hours at a weekend, whilst holding down an extremely busy day job. I did this for two years, I was extremely disciplined and determined. I then did lots of research on which agent might be interested in my kind of work and I knew my genre inside out; importantly I loved the genre I was writing in and was (and still am) a big fan of all the other writers already in that genre such as Marian Keyes, Jane Green and Lisa Jewell. It paid off, after submitting the pitch and the first three chapters, the first agent I approached said he was interested in my work and he wanted to see the rest of the novel. Sadly it wasn’t complete! I rushed to get something to him and he called me on it; saying the work had potential but wasn’t complete and confident. I took more time and polished up the second draft over the next three months and resubmitted it to him. This time he loved it. In just over a week he had 6 deals on the table. There was an ensuing bidding war and then Playing Away was published with Penguin books. It was a magnificent feeling. Totally amazing.
What do you think is the biggest myth about being a novelist?
I think the biggest myth is that you get to sit in an Ivy Tower away from real life. Maybe that was once true but there are times when writing is very exposing and public. Writers need to be sensitive to do their craft well but we’re also frequently scrutinised (personally and our work), so a thick skin is beneficial! It’s a bit of a conundrum. I imagined it to be a private occupation, this was ignorance – of course it’s public!
What advice can you give to our readers who want to write a novel of their own?
My first big tip for writing a novel is ‘get writing’. Try to write something every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes and even if you’re not in the mood. If you’re stuck for something to write about set yourself tasks, such as describing what you can see if you look out of the window, or your earliest memory or how a new dish tastes. It doesn’t matter what you write, or even if you ever use the exercises in your big novel, it simply develops discipline and exercises the writing ‘muscle’. Also read a lot because that’s essential for all good writers.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m just finishing up a novel that will be published in 2016. It’s a contemporary one. It’s a little early to talk about it but I will say it has a mother/teenage daughter relationship at its heart. There are lots of twists and turns, my heroines often have good intentions but make bad decisions…
Thanks, Adele!