Michelle Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Lucy Diamond Blog Lucy is already one of our regular members, but she's joining us in August as our Featured Author, talking about the publication of her books.. including her latest, Over You. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted July 31, 2008 Author Share Posted July 31, 2008 To start things off, tell us a little bit about each book.. do you have a favourite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Hello everyone, First of all, I feel very honoured to be a Featured Author on the Book Club Forum - thank you for having me! I have written two novels as Lucy Diamond so far (that's my glamorous pen name!) - Any Way You Want Me, which came out last year, and Over You which is published today. I wrote Any Way You Want Me when I was having quite a tough time as a full-time mum to my one-year-old daughter and baby son. I felt as if my 'old life' had vanished before me, replaced by one of continual clothes-washing, baby-feeding, toddler tantrums and no sleep. I took an evening class in Novel-Writing so as to carve out one hour a week where I felt like a normal person again - and loved it. I had always written in the past (I've had a lot of children's books published under my real name, Sue Mongredien, as well as several other pseudonyms) but this time I wanted to write something for me, about the conflicting feelings I was experiencing - the love, frustration and exhaustion that seems to make up motherhood. The novel just seemed to pour out of me... it's about a woman, Sadie, who is up to her elbows in domestic chores and motherhood (hmmm, sounds familiar) although she deals with the situation by spicing up her humdrum life with all sorts of outrageous lies (this bit isn't autobiographical, honestly!) and ultimately gets into quite a bit of trouble where she has to decide what she actually wants out of life... My second novel, Over You, is about three friends who were all very close in their twenties - sharing various flats in London, supporting each other through relationship crises, job-hunts etc - but now have gone their separate ways. Josie is a stay-at-home mum in the suburbs, free-spirited Nell has travelled the world and Lisa has shot up the career ladder, still in London. The novel is told from Josie's point of view - she finds an old photo of the three of them and organises a weekend reunion... but things aren't quite what they seem and while she's with them, Josie discovers something that turns her world upside-down. It's about friendship, betrayal and love... with a few juicy secrets for good measure! As for a favourite... it's hard to say, but my favourite novel always seems to be the one I've just written, to be honest - so I'd have to say my current favourite is my third novel about three women and their hen nights, which is currently awaiting its first edit right now. Must just say we're going camping this weekend (I have written this while my three children have traipsed in and out showing me what they have packed so please excuse any disjointed sentences/mistakes!) so I'll be back on Sunday evening to answer questions then. I hope that's all right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 lol! No... well, some of it is, I suppose - Sadie's feelings about how her life has changed, and how she's coming to terms with that - that all came from how I was feeling, going from working full-time at the BBC, wearing nice clothes, having a fab social life... to being a stay-at-home mum and feeling as if I was losing my marbles! So those bits were all based on my real life. But as for her outrageous lies and behaviour... those bits are all very much from my imagination. Although it was shocking just how many of the 'playground mums' at my kids' school raised their eyebrows at me when the book was first published - even worse, were the ones who asked my long-suffering partner if the book was autobiographical! Hope you enjoy the rest of the book anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 They sound like good reads Lucy. Hello by the way and hope you enjoy being on here. How do you choose the covers and names for your books? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Hello Inver! It's nice to be here. 'Any Way You Want Me' was originally called 'Wishful Thinking' but I had feedback that that was too nothing-y a title. I came up with 'Any Way You Want Me' instead because the main character isn't sure who or what she wants to be in life, and it seemed to fit with her attitude during the novel. I had much more trouble with the title of my second novel. It started off as 'If You Don't Know Me By Now' but that was thought to be too long. Then there were about five other suggested titles before my editor thought of 'Over You' - she wanted it to feel upbeat rather than mournful. I don't get a lot of say over the covers, to be honest - the editors and sales and marketing team work with the designers on them, and I just get to see the end result. It's quite nerve-racking seeing your cover for the first time, I have to say! The cover for my third novel has just been briefed and I'm really looking forward to seeing what they come up with for that one. It's all about three women, their hen nights and their disastrous marriages, so I'm intrigued as to which angle they'll go for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted August 8, 2008 Author Share Posted August 8, 2008 Are you out and about promoting Over You at the moment.. what fun things are planned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Ooh...two questions, excellent! Re promoting Over You, I actually did a book signing today at the Waterstones in Bath... I must confess I was dreading it, especially as the forecast was so terrible and I was convinced everyone would stay at home, but I did meet some lovely people and sold quite a few copies, so all in all, it was a good experience. I've also run a few competitions on my blog to promote the book but don't have anything else specifically lined up. Partly because I'm getting married in three weeks, and my head is full of wedding stuff! Lovesreading - I so hope I get to do a signing at Glasgow one day... I had the best weekend there a few years ago! Maybe when my third novel comes out next year, I will be better organised and sort out a few more signings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Cheers! Surely there's got to be SOME sunshine this August?? I will be wearing wellies to my own wedding at this rate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Hi Lucy. I live in Somerset - quite close to Bath, but I don't visit very often. I wish I'd come in on 9th and said hi! My question is... if and when you have time to read for pleasure, who are your favourite authors, and do they inspire your writing, or do you like to read different genres from the kind you write? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Hi both of you, Lovesreading, my favourite book (written by me)... hmmm, I think I would have to say the one I've just finished, partly because I still feel very attached to the characters at the moment! It's about three women, their hen nights and their failed marriages, and written from their three different points of view, rather than being from one single p.o.v. This made it much harder to write - trying to weave the storylines together concurrently was quite a challenge, after my other two novels where the plot progressed in a more linear style. But it's like being asked to choose your favourite child - I love them all for different reasons, and find it very difficult to pick out one in particular! Janet! I'm gutted I missed my chance to lure you in to my signing in Bath! It would have been lovely to meet you...although now I'm imagining Gene Hunt striding in to my signing which would have been deeply weird! Re your question - I always have a book on the go (or two) and tend to veer towards contemporary fiction (usually about or by women) and some of the literary stuff too. I'm reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield at the moment, which I'm loving - I am hooked! Other books I've enjoyed this year have been When We Were Bad by Charlotte Mendelson, Mothernight by Sarah Stovell, Breath by Tim Winton and The Road Home by Rose Tremain. Favourite authors include Julie Myerson and Kate Atkinson - I can't wait to read her new one, although like many others on this forum, I have a TBR pile a mile high so am resisting buying it just yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Where would your ideal setting be for a book to be set in and also to write it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Hello Inver - good questions! I do love the idea of taking myself off somewhere really remote and quiet to write...but because I have three young children, that is never going to happen, sadly! Mind you, I read in a magazeine not so long ago about a couple of authors who always check in to a spa for a few days when they need to iron out plot problems... which sounds a pretty brilliant idea to me. I might see if I can get away with that one when I start my fourth novel! I do actually have a very nice office here in our house. Our house is old and tall, and my office is in what would have been the coal cellar back in Victorian times - although it's got French doors in now which open onto the garden so the room is beautifully light. The walls are painted a very pale apple green and lined with all my books, and there are two comfy chairs for me to sit and think in. I could live in here actually! As far as settings for novels go, I've set all my books in or around cities so far, as I am a city girl myself at heart. I'm planning to set my fourth novel in Birmingham - I've got a soft spot for Birmingham as my mum's a Brummie and my family are all Villa fans so we went there a lot throughout my childhood. So I will definitely have to go up there for a weekend of shopping - I mean, research - before I start writing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Can try and imagine where you write now..lol. Ok next questions. How do you choose the names of your characters and what they do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supergran71 Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I love Birmingham too. Do you know at this stage what your storyline will be and which parts of Birmingham do you think you will focus on. I hope it will include the canal area and also the Symphony Hall. I would think all those areas would provide great inspiration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Hi Inver and Supergran! Thanks for your questions. Inver - re characters' names/jobs etc, I find names come to me quite easily but if I'm ever stuck, I flick through my trusty 'Baby Names' book for inspiration. I really enjoy the process of fleshing out a character, thinking about their appearance, habits etc, and the name is a really important part of that, I think. Often their job will arise from a particular aspect of their personality - ie in the novel I've just finished, I've got a very organised, methodical character who is just a perfect maths teacher, and there's also a very quick-witted, rather bitchy character who is really well suited as a gossip columnist in a tabloid. For some reason, I find the jobs of my male characters harder to decide. I really dithered about the job of one particular character in the novel I've just finished writing. It had to be something which had taken him abroad for a while, and I wanted him to have quite creative and interesting career but nothing too showbizzy... I decided to make him a photographer in the end, and I think that's just right for him. Took a while to get there, though! Hello Supergran - thanks for the tips on Birmingham! I went there last Christmas - we went to see Peter Pan at the theatre as a Christmas treat for the kids (and me!) and I loved seeing the German market there, and the helter-skelter and ice rink... Must put all that in somehow. And I'd forgotten how many lovely old buildings there are in Birmingham too. You're right about the canals - definitely a great area to set a scene or two. And I will be sure to check out Symphony Hall too next time I'm there. (I'll probably have to put in a Villa Park reference as well, just to keep my dad happy...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 What do you do for leisure when you aren't writing. (if you get the time) Which is your favourite book? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Mmmmm.... Tunnocks teacakes, now you're talking! Sorry, got a bit distracted by your pic there, Inver. Leisure time... Hmm, I remember that, used to be great... Sadly I don't get very much leisure time with three young children keeping me busy although I do like going to my book group, Wednesday pub nights and a romantic dinner now and then with my other half. I have been a bit of a gym bunny this year, in an attempt to squeeze into a slinky wedding dress, so I've been pounding along on the treadmill quite often (although the novelty has worn off by now, I've got to say - I am definitely not a natural athlete!) Other than, I like reading, watching TV (Lost, Heroes and X-Factor are my faves), and, when I'm feeling very virtuous, trying to control my garden (the garden is winning so far). My favourite book... such a tricky question. I was asked this recently by my local book shop as part of a display they were running and the first answer that leapt from me was 'The Magus' by John Fowles. I have recently reread it and loved it all over again. I'm just rereading My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier at the moment and really enjoying it. I haven't read it for years and can't remember how it ends, so I am intrigued! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Do you have a specific length/pages of book when you are writing, or do you just keep going until the story is at an end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 When I wrote my first novel, Any Way You Want Me, I just wrote the story without really thinking too much about word counting, although I did have in my head that most novels of this type are between 80-100,000 words long. I think that one came in at around 100,000 words, as did Over You (although I did so much last-minute cutting with Over You, it might well be a few thousand words less!) The third novel, which I've just finished, is slightly shorter, at around 92,000 words. I had very roughly mapped out the story to stretch over 100,000 words in 20 chapters of 5,000-ish words each, but it wrapped itself up quicker than I'd anticipated. I'm just starting my fourth book now and will aim for 100,000 words again - if it comes in under that, it's quite a nice bonus, to be honest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 When will your fourth novel be released? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Hi Kate Well, my third novel is scheduled to be published in summer 09 (I think), so for the fourth, I guess we're talking 2010! It is a slow old business, publishing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Why does it take so long to publish a book? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 I don't know! I know sporting books/tie-ins etc can be turned around and rushed out very quickly when need be, but on the whole, the process seems to take about a year in all, from when the cover is briefed, and the first draft is with the editor, to when the boks hit the shops. I guess you have to factor in the time it can take for a second draft, especially with a longer, or more complex novel, plus publishers often produce advance 'proofs' of novels which they circulate to booksellers/reviewers etc a month of two before publication to try to create a buzz about a book before it's officially out. Also, there are a number of editorial processes to go through: a book will be edited for style/content, then copy-edited, for close attention to punctuation, grammar etc. Then it's proofread again by various people - all these things take time and add up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sapphire Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Until a few seconds ago i actually had no idea that this site existed, and i never usually join things like this.. but ive been reading your book, 'over you' and im enjoying it like hell at the moment lol, its great, and im nearly finished.to be honest i dont read alot of books but yours is probably the fastest ive got through! it surprises me how much i like reading it. anyway i just came back from holiday and half of my time was spent reading your novel, which at first i didn't think would be that addicted to! haha, but i am; and well theres one thing i would like to ask you.. is this book based on your life? because with 'josies' character, i can really get in to how she feels and the anger she must experience in some parts of your novel. mind you, i havent had any experiences like this myself at all, but i guess im just curious to wether this is based on your actual life or not? one more thing id like to say is that by reading this ive found that it has inspired me to write my own sort of diary/novel; not for anyone to read; but ever since i have been reading it every event in my life feels like i should be writing it down, step by step, just like how you've written yours. i havent and probably wont end up doing that lol, but id just like to say that your book is quite powerful in that sense ! i'll be sad to finish this one. hope you can reply soon, x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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