I know I'm in my own little world, but it's OK.
They know me here...

Translate

Monday, August 8, 2011

GUEST AUTHOR: Cheryl Wright

Cheryl Wright is an award-winning Australian author, freelance journalist, and editor. In addition to an array of other projects, she is the owner of the Writer2Writer website and the Writer to Writer monthly ezine for writers. She also owns Resources4Writers.com

She is widely published, including novels, short stories, non-fiction books, poetry, and magazine features. Her work has also been published in anthologies and other collections.

In addition, she dabbles in website design and other creative endeavours. Cheryl presents workshops at schools, libraries, and writer’s conferences, and teaches writing online when time permits.

Hi, Cheryl, it's good to have you here, can you tell us a little about yourself? On a personal level, I’ve been married for 36 years to my own special hero, and have three of my six grandchildren living with me.  I’m often time-deprived because of that, and have to work around school hours etc.

It’s amazing what you can do when you have to.

On a writing level, I have one novel published, and around fifteen non-fiction books. (I have lost track. ☺) I’ve had short stories published (including one in the now defunct Arabella Romance Magazine), articles published in several magazines (was a regular columnist for two), and my work has appeared in several anthologies, including one as the lead story. 

When did you start to write and how long did it take you to be published? I started writing when I was about nine years old, after a hippy substitute teacher came to my school.  He introduced me to poetry, then later short stories.  It was the beginning of my love of the written word.

At the age of eleven I was editor of my high school newsletter.  Everything just grew from there.

After bringing up a young family and finally having some ‘me’ time, I began to take my writing seriously.  In 2003 – about thirty years after my first foray into writing - my first professional publication happened.  In the period of one year I had a magazine column accepted, a short story published in Arabella Romance Magazine, an article on a writing website, and my first novel accepted for publication. 

What sparks your creativity? Anything and everything.  I’ve written short stories after going to the supermarket where a robbery occurred, watched a woman sitting impatiently in her car, and even just closing my eyes and seeing a scene play out in my head. 

What do you think it is about your genre that readers find so fascinating? I mainly write romantic suspense.  It is a very intriguing genre for me.  I love learning about how crime works, forensics, etc.  Going by the number of popular crime shows such as CSI, Law & Order, The Mentalist, etc, that are running on the television, other people find them fascinating too.

In regard to novels, I think it’s the excitement factor, as well as being able to root for the heroine.  Finding out how she’ll get out of the curly situation she’s found herself in. 

Are you a pantster, scener, or plotter? Is it your characters or plot that influence you most? Pantser.  I’m definitely a pantser.  Sometimes that’s good, but I often write myself into a corner.

My characters always influence the story.  Plot is important of course, but as a pantser I always let my characters decide which way to turn next. 

What’s your writing process from start to finish when writing a book? I start off with the smallest gem of an idea.  Usually it’s a first paragraph or a premise.  Once I’ve written that first paragraph I’ll work on a brief outline of one or two pages.

Sometimes I’ll write the last chapter or epilogue, other times I won’t.

That’s it.  As a pantser, I can’t write a plot, otherwise the story is written as far as my muse is concerned.

Sometimes I write the novel from start to finish in chronological order, but other times a scene will be aching to be told, so I’ll write it then slot it in where it belongs.

Can you tell us about your latest release? SAVING EMMA is a romantic suspense, and is a ‘woman in jeopardy’ story.  Her husband has been murdered and the murderers are looking for something, but she doesn’t know what.

Along with her four year old daughter, Sally, Emma Larkin flees her Melbourne home where she meets Gary Bedford.

Unknown to her, Gary is an uncover cop.  He sets the wheels in motion to protect Emma and Sally.

Emma Larkin is running for her life--nowhere is safe. Stalked by her husband's killers, desperate to protect her young daughter, Emma must find what the killers are looking for before she becomes their next victim.

When undercover cop Gary Bedford planned a relaxing break, he hadn’t counted on bumping into Emma. Now he can't resist the temptation to discover all her secrets...

But should Emma trust her life and heart to Gary Bedford?And can they solve the mystery surrounding her husband’s death -- and uncover his deadly secret?   

What is it about your characters that made you want to tell their stories? I’m one of those inquisitive types. ☺

I like to know what makes people tick, and why they do the things they do.  Emma and Gary are no different.

Emma was acting strangely when Gary first met her, and he needed to know why.  Once he found out the truth, he set the wheels in motion to keep Emma and her four-year-old daughter, Sally, safe.

Can you share a few fun facts about the geographic locations where your novel takes place? I tend to write about places I’ve been to in the past, or have been recommended by other people.

Before embarking on a new novel, I usually revisit them to get a feel for the place as it is today.  The other reason for visiting again is to absorb the atmosphere and observe the people. That means the novel will reflect the setting better.

One of my novels is set is Maldon in country Victoria, and like my other settings, I visited there.  I booked a room and stayed for a few days.

I immediately embarked on a tour of the town.  I’d been told it was Olde Worlde but didn’t expect it to be so quaint.

I fell in love with it immediately.  The town is heritage listed, and it was like stepping back in time.  It even has an old fashioned lolly shop, like the sort you’d encounter at Sovereign Hill. Of course that was included in my book.

In addition, the motel I stayed in was furnished with antiques, and I made sure they featured as well. 

What was the easiest and hardest parts about writing the book? The easiest is writing the first few pages, and creating the characters.  The hardest part for me is always the ‘hump’.  The so-called sagging middle.

Maybe it’s psychological, but I always worry about keeping the middle interesting for readers. 

What’s the worst writing mistake that taught you a valuable lesson? Believing I knew it all and didn’t need to learn how to write.  Yep, I was raw and new.

What’s the most unusual place you have visited? A tip in Rosedale (Gippsland) that had previously been known as a tourist attraction.

Which book that you’ve read has made a lasting impression on you? And why? “How to Create Fictional Characters” by Jean Saunders, published in 1992.  It showed me I was doing it all wrong.

I still have the book, and occasionally lend it out, but always know who has it!

Do you have a pet that keeps you company when you write? I’m a cat person and have had as many as three cats at any given time. My cat Shadow always sat next to my chair keeping me company.  When he died a few years ago, Fluffy, a tortoise-shell, quickly took over.

If she’s not under my desk, she’s either sitting on my diary or jumping on my keyboard!

If you weren’t doing what you do today, what other job would you have? I spent six years as a debt collector, but found that very stressful.  Then I became an account manager for an international insurance company.  If I hadn’t become a professional writer, I’m sure I’d still be doing that job. 

Are there any particular settings or sorts of characters you’d like to use in a future book? I’ve already written the first paragraph of two romantic suspense novels.  Surprisingly, both are set outside, and in country areas.

Both are women being pursued by killers. My heroines are generally kick-ass heroines (can I say that here?☺) so they’re not meek and mild wallflowers.  In some cases, they protect the hero. 

What’s next for you? What are you working on? I’m currently working on a romantic suspense that began with the snippet mentioned above where the woman sat impatiently in her car.

When that’s done, I’ll finish a contemporary romance that is three chapters written. 

Do you have any advice/handy tips/craft skills you’d like to share with unpublished authors? Don’t give up.  Never.  Ever.  It will take time, it will be frustrating, very frustrating sometimes.  People will discourage you, and sent negative vibes your way.

But don’t ever let go of your dreams.  Without them, you have nothing.

If you'd like to know more about Cheryl, check out her website.

Some of Cheryl's other books:


22 comments:

  1. Hi Cheryl

    Loved the interview. It was great to learn how Saving Emma came about. Being a resolute pantser myself, I know exactly what you mean by saying once you've plotted a novel it's finished for you.

    I love allowing my characters to create the story, and often where they take it surprises the hell out of me!

    Thanks for sharing your story with us.

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Cheryl,
    I sooooooo agree with you and Michelle! The two books that I have plotted have opening three or four chapters but that's it. I feel I've written the book already, so why bother. I'm a Pantser all the way!

    Kylie, thanks for having Cheryl as your guest blogger!
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Michelle, thanks for stopping by. I've tried plotting, and in theory it's fine. But in practical terms it's not- for me.

    But we're in good company - Kylie is a pantser too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Serena, thanks for joining us!

    I have to admit to stories like that too - writing a synopsis (before finishing the book), or plotting upsets my muse. She thinks the book is done and won't go any further.

    However, I can write an outline and get away with it.

    I often wonder how plotters do it...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Cheryl,

    Great to see you here and thanks for sharing your writing process.

    I was a plotter but now I do a bit of both and my best stories come when I hear the characters in my head!!

    Good luck with Saving Emma Cheryl. Thanks Kylie and I love your blog and the wonderful links you post.

    Cheers,
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi everyone, great o have you drop in and say hi to Cheryl. And yes, I'm a pantster like her although this year I've been pushed into become a semi-plotter thanks to contract obligations (groan!).

    Margaret, so glad you enjoy the blog - I love finding great guests and the links are fun to post!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oooh Margaret! How do you do both? Sounds intriguing. You'll have to tell me sometime.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Kylie, that sounds painful! Thanks so much for inviting me here.

    It's a blast!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Cheryl,
    Great blog. You are certainly a busy lady with all your projects. I have read Saving Emma, a terrific read, and your research of the country town it is set around certainly shines through.

    Regards
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Margaret. You know me, I hate to be bored. LOL

    Thanks for your kind words about Saving Emma. I loved writing it. And I really enjoyed the research.

    I spent many years of my childhood visiting Victoria, Queensland, SA, and NSW - all in a caravan. It was a great way to see the country.

    It really just whet my appetite for our wonderful country.

    Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Cheryl, thanks for your great insight into your writing life. I'm a pantser as well, and it's an exciting, scary ride for sure. I've read Saving Emma and loved your hero and heroine, and Emma's cute little girl, Sally. Good luck with your other stories and hope to read them soon!

    cheers,
    Lia

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Cheryl,

    Wow, you are a very busy lady! Thank you for sharing. I love that you have your own special hero even after 36 years. That's awesome. I've added Saving Emma to my evergrowing TBR list. Lovely to 'meet' you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for stopping by Lia. So many pantsers - I am surprised!

    Something I didn't share in the interview was quite strange. I find it fairly easy to name my characters, and Gary Bedford was no different.

    After the book was written and had already been accepted by a publisher, I found out there was a real cop named Gary Bedford, in the very town the story was set in.

    I couldn't believe it. Still can't believe it - it was such a strange coincident!

    Well, I haven't been sued, so I'm guessing either Gary Bedford the real cop didn't find out, or found it amusing. (Maybe he thought it made him famous. LOL)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Juanita. Yes, hard to believe, but I have been married to the same man for all those years.

    What can I say, I was a child bride. Well, almost - I was 18 when we married. Very acceptable back in those days. The 'olden days' as my grandchildren would say.

    Yes, I'm always on the go. Can't stand doing nothing. (And just as well - I have plenty to keep me busy!)

    Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy Saving Emma!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice interview, Kylie. You certainly have the knack to get the best out of people.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fantastic Interview Cheryl.

    It showcases the great writer that you are today.

    Love
    Charlie

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, Cheryl, the coincidence with Gary Bedford's name is amazing - have you ever emailed or contacted him?

    Thanks, Pat! Hi, Charlie, Juanita, & Lia, thanks for dropping in.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great interview. Cheryl - I always love when an author can transport me to the book's setting. I love that you make such an effort to get the feel of the places you write about.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Pat, thanks for stopping by. Yes, Kylie is a GREAT interviewer.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Charlie (Kramer), thanks for popping in. And thanks so much for your kind words.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks Charlie, yes, I'm the same. If I know the setting, then I want it to be authentic. My aim is to fulfill that same need for my readers.

    Unless I know the setting well, and can feel the atmosphere, it's difficult to pass that on.

    Thanks so much for stopping in today.

    (I peeked at your blog. I hadn't even heard of Cowboys & Aliens until yesterday... must have been hiding under a rock.)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hey Kylie. No, I've never tried to contact the 'real' Gary Bedford. I was too worried he might want to sue me! LOL

    ReplyDelete