When did you start writing? |
I've always remembered reading, and writing seemed
a natural progression from that. I was writing pony stories when I
was 12; I wanted a pony and we couldn't afford one, so I invented
my own. She was a palomino, called Tara
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Have you always wanted to be an author? |
I never thought I was good enough to be actually published!
I went to a girl's Secondary Modern, where, back then in the
late 60's, it was normally assumed we would become nothing more
ambitious than housewives, secretaries or shop assistants. My
careers talk was not very helpful. I knew I wanted to write,
so I said I wanted to be a journalist. I was told, very
condescendingly, "Don't be silly Helen, you can't type."
Nothing at all about my ability in English.
Interestingly, I still cannot type, using only about four fingers. Touch typing is beyond me. | |
Did you enjoy school? |
No. Apart from English, which I loved, the rest of
it was a total waste of time, especially Maths.
When doing my mock exams before leaving school, in the days before the compulsory curriculum, I remember arguing that I would be better employed concentrating on my English exam, rather than bothering with the Maths that I was hopeless at. No-one listened. I think I got 3%, and that was probably for getting my name right! I hated having to conform to the "one size fits all" way of education. Everyone is an individual, and has their own particular gift, not necessarily an academic one. The trick is to find that gift, and use it. | |
Which is your favourite out of the novels you have written? | The Kingmaking will always be special to me as it was my first adult novel to be published, and I also have a soft spot for Harold the King, which is probably my best serious historical fiction.
Sea Witch is the one I wrote out of pure love for the subject (and the hero!) though. | |
Do you write to a set routine? |
No. Any author who says they do, cannot also have a family
to look after, dogs and cats to feed, horses to exercise
or a daughter who doesn't drive and needs to get to places.
As Jane Austen (sort of) said: "There are times when you find your nearest and dearest have made a pact to foul things up for you. However, the human race is programmed to survive. The amount of undusted rooms, non-haute-cuisine meals and weed-filled gardens it can take is really quite staggering!" I try to write or research or read through every day, but quite often, if I am really into writing, I work from mid-evening to the early hours when it is quiet and I am not likely to be disturbed. I have a theory that at night, most people are asleep, so there is more inspiration and imagination floating around in search of employment. | |
Who chooses the titles? |
I do, but there is usually discussion. I had intended to call Shadow of the King
"The Remnant", but my publishers said it sounded too much like Remainder - which is a publishing term
for books that have not sold. They are frequently pulped!
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Do you design the jacket covers? |
No, although I do sometimes have a say in them.
I'm getting more belligerent on that front though. The original hardback and paperback cover for The Kingmaking was horrendous, yet the first edition Trade Paperback with a man dressed in a wonderful wolf-skin cloak was beautiful. My publishers for some unknown reason decided to change it. I cannot think why, but fortunately I still have the original painting. | |
Which are your favourite fiction authors? | It depends on what my latest project is. While writing about pirates, Frenchman's Creek was top of my list, along with the maritime works of Patrick O'Brian and James L. Nelson among others.
My cherished author, though, is the wonderful Rosemary Sutcliff, while my friends Elizabeth Chadwick and Sharon Penman come a close second. Suzanne MacLeod's fantasy books have recently become firm favourites. | |
Do your husband and daughter enjoy your books? |
Sadly, both of them are severely dyslexic, and find reading such huge
tomes very daunting. However, they are very supportive when helping
with the research I do, and Kathy is particularly helpful with anything
involving the horses. She has three of her own, and is a semi-professional
showjumper.
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