This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
INTERVIEWED BY DEBS CARR
Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for the Novelicious readers and congratulations for making the shortlist for Choc Lit Best Historical Read Award at the forthcoming Festival of Romance and Best Historical Fiction Award at the recent Big Red Read Awards for your wonderful historical romance, The Scarlet Kimono.
1. Highland Storms is the sequel to Trade Winds. What aspect of this book did you enjoy writing the most? The interaction between the hero and heroine, especially when he surprises her. She’s used to boorish men who do nothing but ogle her, so when the hero arrives and is both kind and mischievous rather than lascivious, she doesn’t know how to react. Also the scenes with the heroine’s dog. I love dogs and it was great to have one as a character who actually plays a part in the story.
2. When writing historical novels, do you find it difficult to keep the sense of the era throughout the novel and how do you go about writing the characters’ voices as they spoke so differently then as opposed to how we speak now? Yes, it can be hard to stay true to the period, but once I’m into a story, I’m usually there in my imagination. I went to visit a Highland folk museum in Scotland where you can see for yourself what the houses of ordinary people were like, and I visited castles to get a feel for the higher levels of society – that helped. I also wandered round Edinburgh and travelled through the Highlands – in both you can still imagine what it must have been like 250 years ago. As for the characters’ voices, I try to just give a small flavour of the speech of that time by adding a few words of dialect or swearing, and sometimes by changing the sentence construction slightly. It would be too tedious for a modern reader if I wrote in a more old-fashioned way and I think most people can imagine it for themselves.
3. I was wondering how long it took you to write a first draft, and how many drafts you produce before you feel your books are ready for publication? It varies enormously with every novel. I once wrote a first draft in six weeks, but usually it takes about three months, sometimes longer. Then I tinker with it until I’m so sick of the sight of it, I never want to read it again! That’s when I know it’s ready to be sent off. Of course, the copy editor may have other ideas and I’ll end up changing it some more later, but that’s another story …
4. Do you have a typical writing day? No, not really. I work whenever I feel inspired, so if I’m really into a story I can be writing all day long. If I’m not, then I can go days without touching the keyboard at all. I usually try to sit down at least for a while every day though and I find that if I read through what I did the day before, it pulls me into the story and I want to continue.
5. Can you tell us a little about your journey to becoming a published author? I started writing when my older daughter was a baby because I wanted to stay at home with her, but I didn’t get anywhere for quite a few years. Then I discovered the Romantic Novelists’ Association and joined their New Writers’ Scheme, which was enormously helpful. Being a member of the RNA, I also found like-minded people to talk to, workshops to attend and parties where I could network. I met my editor at one of those parties and asked if she’d consider publishing a historical novel – luckily for me, she did!
6. Finally, what piece of advice would you give to an unpublished writer to help them towards publication? Join organisations like the RNA or local critique groups, attend “how-to” talks and workshops, listen to the advice you’re given and try to network if you can. I’ve also found it very helpful to have a critique partner, someone you trust to give you an honest opinion about your work (as opposed to family members who will say it’s lovely even when it’s not!).
Many thanks for answering these questions.
Highland Storms is published by Choc Lit and is out on 1st November 2011. You can find out more about Christina from her website, blog and can follow her on Twitter @PiaCCourtenay. I'll be posting my review of Highland Storms later today.