Novelicious.com | The Women's Fiction Blog for Readers and Writers

Josa Young's Top 5 Writing Tips

1. Discipline yourself to read things that aren’t ‘easy’, particularly poetry – try AE Houseman and Louis McNeice. Buy tatty old Penguin Poets from the 1960s in charity shops and gulp down metaphors. Go outside and read it out loud, shouting perhaps at some cows. You learn a lot about language from good poetry.

2. Do try a residential writing course. Choose one with tutors whose writing you really love and admire, but not those who leave you so awestruck that you don’t learn anything.

3. Your business as a writer is people. Don’t close yourself off from them, however uncomfortable they can be. Open your heart and let it bleed. We are meant to grow thick skins to deal with all the rejections, but I don’t believe any writer with a thick skin can write authentically. Fake emotion, like fake sex, in books and films is so bloody obvious and a real turn off for me.

4. DON’T whatever you do, save up and take a year ‘off’ to get that novel written. That way madness lies.

Review – The Liar by Nora Roberts

Reviewed by Verity Wilde

When Shelby’s husband Richard is killed in a freak accident, she discovers the man she knew never really existed. He was a liar and a cheat – and she’s left with a stack of debts. Faced with this new reality Shelby heads home to Tennessee with her young daughter Callie to make a fresh start as she tries to fix the mess she finds herself in. Back in Rendezvous Ridge she meets attractive builder Griff, but not everyone is happy to see Shelby – and Richard’s dodgy dealings are not behind her yet.

This is definitely Romantic Suspense, with the emphasis on the Romantic. That’s not to say that there isn’t some peril in there, but most of the novel is about Shelby rediscovering herself and settling back into the family and the community that she left when she was swept off her feet by Richard. I really liked Shelby – she’s been duped and she’s determined to learn from it. She made a mistake because she was young and naïve – and she’s not going to let it happen again. In fact the whole book is filled with engaging characters – in fact I would have been perfectly happy to spend the whole book with them.

I also really enjoyed the setting – I’ve read a fair few novels set in the south of the US and it can sometimes feel a little bit “generic southern hick town”, but Shelby’s patch of Tennessee felt real and well-drawn without straying into caricature (much).  

Novelicious Chats To...Rosanna Ley

It's publication day for Rosanna Ley's latest book, The Saffron Trail, and today we're posting a few questions that we recently put to her about her writing process and how many drafts she does when writing a book.

Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?

Not that I have one. But when I’m at home, I try to clear up urgent admin first (for an uncluttered brain) write in the morning (to make myself feel virtuous) and then go for a long walk to mull things over, plan, plot, or just take a break. After that I might do some more writing or editing or I might cook, research, catch up on emails and chores or even see a friend. Ideally, I’d then work till at least 7 p.m. on a good day.

When you are writing, do you use any celebrities or people you know as inspiration?

Er, no. I do sometimes listen to the conversation of strangers. That’s fun. I like being on the outside looking in. And I suppose I’m always absorbing things that may emerge later as material... But I don’t intend to use anybody in that way. It presents too many boundaries – I can’t then make them my own so easily...

What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?

Impossible question! There are so many and the answers would change constantly. And ‘women’s fiction’ is a bit of a genre headache, isn’t it? So ...  I am going to choose Maggie O’Farrell’s The Hand that First Held Mine because it is brilliant and because it is about love and motherhood, so it has to be ‘women’s fiction’ even though it is literary and poetic, doesn’t it?

What is your writing process? Do you plan first or dive in? How many drafts do you do?

I start with the seed – this could be an idea, a place, a character, a theme, a feeling. Then I think and plan and plot and try out different pathways and explorations, first in my head then in a notebook. Then I research and continue to plot and plan whilst reading, travelling, trawling the Internet, whatever. Then I work out a rough structure and start trying to find characters and voices. At some point, a line of dialogue comes to me and I shout ‘Yay!’ and realise I am ready to start writing. The first draft of a scene will be written longhand in a notebook (usually) which I edit and then again when it goes on to my PC.

Review – Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis

Reviewed by Jennifer Joyce

From a young age, Maren has known she isn’t like other people. She has an urge she can’t control; the urge to eat people. Each time the urge overtakes Maren, she and her mother pack up their things and run, starting all over again in a new town. The day after her sixteenth birthday, Maren finds herself alone. Her mother has left, leaving only Maren’s birth certificate and an envelope of money.

Maren decides to find her father, a man she doesn’t remember ever meeting. She knows nothing about her father, only his name and place of birth stated on her birth certificate. Maren is used to travelling light, so with her backpack and the envelope of money, she sets off to find her father – and maybe even learn a few things about herself.

I was a little reluctant to start reading Bones & All. Being squeamish, I was worried that a book about cannibalism was going to be far too gory for my weak stomach, but thankfully the book isn’t quite as gruesome as I thought it was going to be. While there are some stomach-churning scenes, it wasn’t graphic enough to stop me reading.

As I read, I found that the book, cannibalism aside, was quite a good read. I liked the writing and the flow of the book and Maren was an engaging character. I’d have liked her even more if it wasn’t for her people-eating, but as this was the whole premise of the book, it had to be. The pace really picked up towards the end of the book, which had me turning the pages to find out what would happen, and there were a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting.

Feasting on Romantic Comedy – Homemade Hummus Dip from Coming Up Roses by Rachael Lucas

Ever since Sealed With a Kiss I have been hooked on Rachael Lucas's writing. She manages to capture characters that are warm, identifiable and real. Case in point is Daisy from Coming Up Roses (out tomorrow!). Firstly, let me just say I adored Coming Up Roses. It is about Daisy, a gardener, who is house-sitting for her parents, who have gone off on their travels. Her parents' garden has been sorely neglected so Daisy has a fantastic project on her hands to distract her from a recent break-up. 

The house is in a village and soon Daisy makes friends with octogenarian Thomas along with friends more her own age like Elaine, a lifestyle blogger, and Jo, a counsellor. But before she does Daisy cannot help but be a little heartbroken, a little lonely. And, to emphasise this, she is about to tuck into a four pack of dips, a bowl of tortilla chips and a bottle of red. And watching, for the umpteenth time, a DVD of The Notebook.

Novelicious Chats To...Tilly Bagshawe

Tilly Bagshawe is the bestselling author of ten novels and joins us today to talk about her eleventh, The Show, which sees farm owner Laura Baxter trying to produce a reality show about lively Fittlescombe village and its eccentric residents.

Tell us about The Show.

My new book is the second in my Swell Valley series. It’s about a reality TV show coming to the idyllic village of Fittlescombe and how it affects everybody’s lives. But as with all my books, it’s also about love and intrigue and betrayal, and the unexpected consequences when two very different worlds collide.

Where do you find inspiration for your books?  

Everywhere. For the Sheldon books it’s often stories in the news that get me started. But I often begin with a character idea and that can come from anything, people I meet or a story someone tells at dinner that gives me an idea. With the Swell Valley books I also draw a lot on my childhood village in Sussex and some of the characters I knew there.

Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?

I am a morning person, so I get most of my core writing done as soon as the children are on the school bus, starting around 8am. I try to complete a set word count each day. Once that’s done, in the afternoon, I might edit or re-work something, but my brain has pretty much turned to mush by 3pm when I pick the kids up. I never write at night or at weekends. Once you start that, family life goes out of the window, and with four children it’s not really an option.

When you are writing, do you use any famous people or people you know as inspiration?

Oh yes, all the time! But more people I know than famous people. My characters are usually an amalgam of various different people I know, or have met at least, as well as some aspects that I have just made up.  

What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?

Rivals, by Jilly Cooper. Because it is everything a book should be: gripping, funny, well written and utterly engrossing. The characters and world of that book are still so real to me. I also read it during a difficult time in my own life and the escape it provided was immensely helpful. So I remember it fondly. Cooper is a very under-rated writer in my opinion. I think she is a wonderful social satirist, and a truthful observer of so much that I love about rural English life.

What female writer has inspired you?

Apart from Jilly, my sister Louise, who encouraged me to start writing in the first place. I also love the female Victorian novelists, especially George Eliot, although I am also a big Bronte fan. Jane Eyre is definitely one of my favourite books of all time, as is The Mill on the Floss.

Can you give us three book recommendations?  

Oliver Twist – a classic and Dickens is still so readable and relevant. Rivals. And Bill Bryson’s A Brief History of Everything. Bryson is a God. I know you said three, but you should also read anything and everything by David Sedaris.

What is your writing process? Do you plan first or dive in? How many drafts do you do?

I plan. I am one of life’s planners. I do sometimes go off-plan – always do to some degree.  But I always start with a brief layout of each chapter and where I am trying to go.

Review – Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond

Reviewed by Kay Brooks

Shell Cottage in Devon is a special place for the Tarrant family, full of memories of happy summer days. Every year, the family comes together for barbeques, beach fun and laughter. This year though, the place that Olivia honeymooned at, holidayed at and eventually purchased with her beloved husband, Alec, doesn’t hold as much appeal. Alec has died suddenly and Olivia is at a complete loss.

Daughter Freya has been struggling recently with supporting her mother and dealing with her own grief, but with the help of alcohol she can cope, even blanking out an awful day at work that’s threatening her career as a GP.

Robert’s dreams of following in his father’s footsteps are haunting him and hiding his secret from his wife, Harriet, is taking its toll on their marriage. Also, his step-daughter, Molly, seems to be pulling away from them.

Can Shell Cottage pull them all back together and kick-start the healing process?

I am a massive fan of Lucy Diamond so when her new book lands through my letterbox, I know I am in for a treat. As usual, Diamond has created characters that are easy to like and empathise with, each one revealing their personalities and insecurities as the story unfolds. The novel begins with the death of Alec and I was immediately taken with his widowed wife, Olivia. Realising he had been the biggest part of her life for the majority of her life, I didn’t see how she could possibly overcome the grief, especially when she realises he has been keeping a heart-breaking secret from her.

My Writing Room by Kristy Woodson Harvey

When I decided to write a novel, one of my first considerations was how that would look. What would I wear? Where would I sit? Would I wear glasses instead of contacts to look a little more literary?

I picked the perfect sunny window with a gorgeous view, splurged on the desk I thought I couldn’t live without, lit a candle, made some tea, and got down to writing. And, for the first year or so, that went very well.

Five Books for Food Lovers

By food lovers I mean, of course, me.

In my opinion, there is nothing better than a novel about food, maybe with a touch of romance and a well-drawn female character. I'm attracted to these types of novels like a bee around a honey pot.

I've read two of the novels on this list, and adored them both. The food element really added an extra something, giving the novel a real mouthwatering appeal. The other three are now firmly on my to-be-read list.

1. The Dish by Stella Newman – Laura and Adam meet over a custard doughnut. (You had me at custard.) Laura finds the last one has been sold to Adam and attempts to get it off him. But her attention soon focuses on Adam instead of the doughnut. And she sees he is attractive and intelligent, so they start spending time together. The problem is, Laura's job as a restaurant critic has to be kept a secret from him, because of Adam's job. Can love flourish under these circumstances? Out in paperback this week. 

2. The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan – It is 1966 and Kathleen Eaden, a cookery writer and wife of a supermarket owner, publishes The Art of Baking. It is a recipe book with instructions on how to nurture a family through cakes, biscuits and pastry. Now, in the present, five amateur bakers come together to become the new Mrs Eaden. This book is full of delicious cakes. Paperback is out in August.

3. The Confectioner's Tale by Laura Madeleine – In Paris 1909, at the famous Patisserie Clermont, a chance encounter with the owner’s daughter has given one young man a glimpse into a life he never knew existed: of sweet cream and melted chocolate, golden caramel and powdered sugar, of pastry light as air. A forbidden love affair begins. Eighty years later an academic finds a photograph with the words 'forgive me'. Intrigued she begins a quest to understand the mystery behind it.

The Secret Dreamworld of an Aspiring Author – Feeling Like a Fraud

by Anna Bell

When I was a museum curator I always felt like a fraud; that somehow I couldn’t believe I’d ended up with my job and one day someone would find out that I wasn’t supposed to be there. It’s exactly how I feel about being an author too. I keep thinking one day someone will tell me that I’m delusional for thinking that I could be a writer and they’ll tell me to leave it to the professionals. Will I ever not feel like a fraud?

After graduating from university I started work at a small museum. I decided to do a well-respected distance learning masters in Museum Studies, so that I could continue working. With four years work experience and a masters behind me, I landed a dream job as a curator looking after an artefact collection. Despite having the qualifications, the work experience and the knowledge, I always felt out of my depth. Like I didn’t know what I was doing and that one day someone would find me out. It was ridiculous, as I even obtained my associateship of the Museums Association whilst working there – I knew my stuff. Looking back I can see it was a job that required a huge amount of knowledge and I was far too hard on myself to think that I should know all of it from the get-go.

Novelicious Chats To...Ann O'Loughlin

Ann O'Loughlin has popped over today to tell us a little about her book, The Ballroom Café. This novel, set in a small village in Ireland, tells the story of two elderly sisters living in a crumbling mansion who haven't spoken to each other for decades and only communicate via notes on the bureau in the hall. The story is centred around the Irish baby scandal, where thousands of babies were sold to rich American couples by the Catholic church, in most cases without the knowledge or agreement of the mother.  

Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?

Early, early, early.

I get up at 5am. Even the dog stays curled up asleep. I like it when the house is quiet and there are no interruptions. It gives me thinking time and time to stop and stare and most of all to write. I live in the countryside with a marsh behind our house and the sea in front, so it is often the dawn chorus , a squabbling duck or a thundering sea hitting the shore that disrupts my writing, but I can live with that.

If it is a work day – I am a journalist – I usually stay at my desk which is actually a big comfy armchair beside the French doors in the kitchen until 8am, when the kids get up and get ready for school. If it is a day off work and school, then I can spend another few hours until my brain gives out or the kids give out or both. 

When you are writing, do you use any celebrities or people you know as inspiration?

I believe it is the lives of us ordinary men and women that are the most interesting. What do they say; if we all threw our troubles in to the middle of the floor, you would pick up your own pretty fast. I am fascinated by the tales of bravery, hardship and courage in ordinary lives. Being a celebrity and wearing diamonds is easy compared to the hard slog of living life.

What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?

This is so difficult to answer, but for me it has to be Mary Lavelle by Kate O'Brien. I think Kate O'Brien was one of the foremost writers in Ireland  and for me it is always a toss up between O'Brien and Jennifer Johnston. What I particularly like about O'Brien's work is how strong the women are – I tend to gravitate towards that myself in my own writing. I have O'Brien on my bedside table and often I will just pick up Mary Lavelle and read a few pages – it is the language, the descriptive passages; the bloody good story. Above all it is beautiful writing.

Review – The Chateau on the Lake by Charlotte Betts

Reviewed by Debs Carr

It’s 1792 and Madeleine Moreau is working as a teacher at her parents’ Academy for Young Ladies in London where she meets, and argues with, Comte Etienne d’Aubrey, a friend of her father. Soon after, Madeleine’s parents are killed and everything she held familiar is lost. Determined to get away from the reminders of what her life once was, she goes to France to find the family her father always refused to discuss.

Travelling with Madeleine is her best-friend, Sophie, desperate to escape from her violent husband for a while. They arrive at Comte d’Aubrey’s chateau and he offers the women his grandmother’s house for the period of their stay in France. They fall in love with the beautiful house built by a lake near to the chateau and both women gratefully accept his kind offer and settle in. Madeleine and Sophie become friends with the Comte and his closest friend and estate manager, Jean-Luc Viard, and the foursome enjoy happy evenings together. However, all is not as it seems, they learn that the Comte is recovering from tragedies of his own and Madeleine hears rumours about his past that trouble her greatly. She and Sophie soon realise they have to watch everything they say and that all their lives are in constant danger.

I loved reading the descriptive story as Madeleine and those around her struggled to cope with the brutality committed by the revolutionaries and the insidious behaviour committed by those you least expected it from. As I read, I had a constant sense that although the life at the chateau was lived in beautiful surroundings, the undertone of violence and death was never far away.

My Writing Room by Kate Furnivall

I am greedy. I have not one writing room, but two. Well, three actually. And now I come to think about it, it’s more like four. I tell my husband it’s what my muse demands. Blame it on her. He nods understandingly, but as soon as my back is turned he sneaks another of his paintings on to the wall or an extra one of his vintage aircraft models on to a shelf. Like a lion marking territory.

Me and the Laugh Track by Charlaine Harris

Now that she has closed the book on her long-running Sookie Stackhouse vampire saga – inspiration for TV's True Blood – author Charlaine Harris is focussed on a brand new rural Gothic trilogy set in the fictional town of Midnight in Texas. Dark and intriguing though it may be, here, Charlaine tells us about the importance of humour in her stories.

My life started running much more smoothly after I realized how funny life is. I was a serious (and very dramatic) teenager, so those years were pretty rocky. But once I hit my twenties, especially after some unpleasant experiences, I knew it was time to appreciate the humorous side of everything. Though I’m not a practical joke aficionado by any means, I do think we often find ourselves in situations that we can only laugh about. And the sooner, the better.

At least, I find myself in those situations. Maybe it’s because I’m disposed to laugh, especially at myself, that many things which used to upset me or make me angry no longer seem to have that effect – or at least, not for long. Even when something really irritating botches up my plans, I can at least realize that it will make an amusing story ... later.

Like the time I met a very, very famous Hollywood producer at a party and we had a conversation that was surrealistic – until I realized that he thought I was Stephenie Meyer. That might have been a blow to my ego, but actually, it was pretty darn funny.

When I began writing, my first few books didn’t reflect my sense of humor. It took a while for me to realize that if other writers could incorporate their senses of the ridiculous into their works – and do it excellently – I could, too. The late Elizabeth Peters was one of my role models in this., and there have been many since. My first series protagonist, Aurora Teagarden, had a sense of fun that came from me. I couldn’t let that seep into my Lily Bard books, which are quite dark, but when I came to create Sookie Stackhouse’s world, I gave the laughter free rein. It felt wonderful.