FAQs

As a child, I was a prolific reader and adored creative writing at school, but as I got older, real life got in the way, and the time for reading diminished. It was only when I found myself home alone with four small children aged three and under (I had twins at the end) that I started reading for pleasure again. Swapping books and opinions with another mum friend, we decided to try out hand at writing, and I realised I wanted to write novels for a living.

I began with short stories, but wanted to write more complicated plots and develop richer characters, so in 2010 I started my first novel. I joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association and met up with other aspiring writers. It took eight years of learning the craft and numerous rejections before I was offered a two book deal from Avon, Harper Collins. I wrote two contemporary romantic comedies before I embraced my real passion – history. Starting with dual timelines, I dipped my toe into the murky world of historical romance and wrote two books for Headline Accent. I then signed with Boldwood Books and now have a string of quirky novels to my name… and plenty more to come…

The first and most important thing I would say to anyone who wants to get published, is be realistic. It is unlikely that your first book will get published, so once you’ve got that first manuscript the best you can get it, send it out to agents and publishers, and start writing the next one. Then the next, then the next. Be prepared for lots of rejections. Take criticism on board. Accept that the industry is slow moving and that agents and publishers are horrendously busy people. And know that with each rejection and each new book you write, you are getting better.

Secondly, don’t write for the untold riches and glamorous lifestyle, because the majority of authors struggle to earn a living purely from writing. The Society of Authors estimates that the average earnings for writers in the UK is around £7000 a year. Write because you have to, because your head is overflowing with ideas and because you simply couldn’t imagine yourself doing anything else. If you can make a living from it, that’s a bonus.

One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is giving up on a novel when it gets tough. I can assure you most authors hit the sticky middle and want to abandon their novel EVERY TIME THEY WRITE A BOOK. What makes you a true author is that ability to wade through this to the end, and then go back and edit, edit, edit. To my mind, you should take nearly as long editing your work as you did writing it – certainly for those early books. If you want to be a writer, start your book and finish it. You will learn so much from the process.

Lastly, never stop reading. Read in your genre (so you know what the expectations are for this kind of novel) but also read different genres. Stories are stories and, with publishers always looking for the next big thing, maybe mixing things up isn’t a bad idea…

When I began my journey, I quickly realised I had a lot to learn (and in the case of grammar – relearn). Useful books for grammar were:

“Eats, Shoots & Leaves” by Lynne Truss

“My Grammar and I (or should that be ‘Me’?” Caroline Taggart and J. A. Wines

And for story structure:

“Love Writing – How to make Money Writing Romantic or Erotic Fiction” by Sue Moorcroft

“Save The Cat!” Blake Synder (It’s screenwriting but the principles are the same. Plus, there is now a version for novelists.)

“Take Off Your Pants!” Libbie Hawker

To be honest, all the books on writing start to repeat themselves after a while, but do take a look at a few when you start out.

I highly recommend joining The Romantic Novelists’ Association if your writing has a romantic thread. They are incredibly supportive and I honestly don’t believe I would be published without them. They run the New Writers’ Scheme (see their website for details) which opens every January, but fills up quickly. The Crime Writers’ Association and The Historical Writers’ Association are worth a look, if they apply to you.

Other resources include writing groups and short writing courses and/or writing retreats. These are great for feedback and inspiration, and for focussed writing time. Being an author can be a solitary activity, so make as many real life author friends as you can. Look for local groups or set up your own.

Social media is a great resource. You can connect with others and join useful groups where you have access to writing articles and guidance from people who have trodden this path before you. Tailor these to your genre, and get social media savvy. You will need it when you get that long-awaited publishing deal.