Holly A Harvey & Sam Grosser

[Michelle]

This month is a little different, as we have two authors sharing the month. They are both active members of the forum, and have both recently had their first book published.

Holly A Harvey

Official Website (http://www.hollyaharvey.co.uk/)
Holly tells us about her book (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2690)
Review of Karma (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2872)

Samantha Grosser

Official Website (http://samanthagrosser.evolove.net/)
Sam tells us about her book (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2248)
Interview with Sam (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3425)

[Michelle]

Welcome to you both.. :)

I'd like to start off by asking you both how you managed to get your book published; and how you felt when it happened?

[Blossom]

Hi Michelle!

Thank you for having me as a 'Featured Author' - I'm honoured. :D And I'll warn you that I'm a bit of a waffler! :lol:

The way that my book was published was far from the norm. Basically, I wrote a chapter of Karma in 2000, and didn't look at it again until 2005, when my mum mentioned that there was a national writing competition advertised in the local press. Even then, I didn't do anything with the story until about half an hour before the competition deadline on the 31st December 2005. I quickly cobbled together a synopsis and sent it off along with my only chapter.

I didn't give it another thought until I got a call in February 2006 to say I'd won the North East fiction round of the competition...and when could they have the complete manuscript. Oops! :smile2: This is honestly the first time I have ever simultaneously laughed and cried. It was all very surreal (and still is) as things like this don't usually happen to me.

I was given the beginning of May as a deadline and completed the 100,000 word manuscript 3 minutes before the 5pm deadline. Even then, I didn't know if it was going to be published - if the manuscript wasn't up to scratch, I wouldn't even have received my prize. I had an anxious few weeks' wait before I got the news that it would be published. I was SO happy, but was still waiting for someone to pinch me and I'd wake up.

I was just very lucky, and still feel my success was somewhat of a fluke - maybe that's why I haven't completed anything else yet!

As I'm among friends, I'll sign off with my real name:

Kerri

[Icecream]

Hi Kerri. What is it that made you decide to write about Karma? Great book by the way!

[Blossom]

Hi - and thanks!

I have always wondered if the things that you do on a day to day basis really do have an impact on your life as a whole. I try to be a good person, but I've had a fair bit of bad luck, and live in hope that things will turn out ok in the end. I suppose I just imagined a scenario where things did work like that and that sometimes situations which appear bad initially, can actually be for the best.

I have always been a keen reader of women's fiction, but am constantly disappointed that the characters don't reflect those that I know. I don't know anyone that lives in the capital, works in PR/marketing and aspires to owning several pairs of Jimmy Choos, as many 'chick lit' characters seem to! I wanted to read about normal people with mundane lives, just trying to get from one day to the next - like most of us do (while keeping a sense of humour). I couldn't find that book, so tried to write it!

Essentially, I wanted to write a book that would pick someone up if they were feeling down, and take them away from their own problems for a while. I hope it gave you a smile or two!

Kerri

[Kell]

Hello to both of you! *waves*

Kerri - I've read Karma and loved it
Samantha - I've not yet read Another Time, Another Place, but I definitely plan on doing so!

A quick question to both of you, as your books are on very different subjects, how did you go about researching (if you did any - I'm sure you did, though!), and what did you enjoy most/least about the research side of things?

[samgrosser]

Hi and sorry not to have appeared till late this evening - my husband's working nights at the moment (he's a nurse) and as it's school holidays me and the little one are staying out of the flat during the day to give him a bit of peace and quiet!

But I'm delighted to be featured author this month along with Kerri. Wow, your story about getting published Kerri sounds like an author's dream!

My story's very different and I think a far more common tale. I spent about 2 years writing Another Time and Place during which time I sent it to a manuscript assessor (I was living in Australia at the time and manuscript assessment seems to be much bigger there). She made some very valid and useful suggestions and after rewriting it yet again, I started sending it out to agents and publishers in England. Australian publishing tends to be quite aggressively Australian and as my book has nothing to do with Australia at all, I felt I had a better chance in England.

I had a fair bit of interest. Most agents ask for the first three chapters in the first instance (which gets a bit expensive from overseas) and several then asked for the complete manuscript. One publisher passed it on to a senior fiction editor for a second reading. But ultimately no one wanted it.

This went on for 3 years or so until it got to the point where I was more or less ready to give up on it. Then I gave it to a friend to read (Jo Riccione, who's had some success with her short stories and who is a very critical and insightful reader) and when she'd read it we sat down over a bottle of wine and brainstormed about what I could do to make it better.

The changes weren't huge. Basically one of the main characters (Mrs Pilgrim) needed more development to make her more complex, and as I rewrote with this in mind I tightened and refined everything else as well.

Then I arrived in England without my printer which was still on a ship and started sending the manuscript out by email to the places I could find that would accept it in that format.

Macmillan New Writing picked it up a couple of months later and I was bouncing off the walls for weeks.

Sam

[samgrosser]

Now to your question, Kell.

Research. My book's set in the Second World War and I did loads and loads and loads and loads of research, which I absoutely loved every minute of.

My problem was that I hadn't planned to write a WWII book - it was going to be the story of a child born to an ill-fated couple during the war but when I started writing (completely on an impulse - I was working as a receptionist with very little to do and writing filled the day and made me look busy), I realised that actually what interested me was the parents' story. So that was what the novel became.

Anna's story was quite easy in terms of research - I knew enough about wartime Britain to be able to write her narrative and then just check up on small details (working hours, women's conscription, types of restaurants etc). Tom's story on the other hand was a bit of a nightmare at first, and it took ages before I felt I knew enough to even begin to attempt to write a bombing raid over Germany, or the experiences of an Allied airman on the run in France. His story consequently developed very slowly as I gradually became more confident with the material.

But I found the research fascinating - the bravery of a whole generation was just astonishing in a world we can barely imagine. I'm just finishing another WWII novel, and have a play set then in the pipeline as well. It's definitely an era that I'm drawn to.

Sam

[Blossom]

Hi

It's interesting to have two such contrasting stories with regard to the road to publication. I feel as though I was very lucky indeed, after reading Sam's account.

Kell - thanks. I'm so glad you liked Karma. To answer your question: due to my two-month time constraint, I was fortunate in that Karma didn't require too much research. There are several situations that Paige found herself in within the book that I have not experienced. So, basically, I asked anyone and everyone I knew who had been through similar things (I don't want to say what, as it will give some of the storyline away) to give me as much information as they could. I was lucky that people felt they could be very candid with me, and I felt able to put myself in their shoes. Hopefully, it was convincing.

The only other research I needed to do, could be done using the vast resources of the internet (things like statistics, and the correct names for certain phobias). However, when you do use the internet as a reseach tool, you have to check and recheck the information as it can be notoriously unreliable and often contradictory!

I have a question for Sam: how frustrating is it for you, having researched your book extensively, for some people to point out what they see as flaws in your research? I was looking for your book on Amazon, and noted that someone had a bee in their bonnet about your use of the word 'pregnant'!

Kerri

[samgrosser]

Hi


I have a question for Sam: how frustrating is it for you, having researched your book extensively, for some people to point out what they see as flaws in your research? I was looking for your book on Amazon, and noted that someone had a bee in their bonnet about your use of the word 'pregnant'!

Kerri

That's an interesting point. I was absolutely fuming when I read that review. While there might be a few minor historical inaccuracies in the book (no-one's perfect) that isn't one of them.

I was so beside myself that I googled the woman who wrote that review and discovered that she had also written a book written during World War 2, parts of which were available online. I read a couple of pages and have to say that not only was her work littered with historical inaccuracy (a 1940's child describing a woman as looking like a sumo-wrestler is the one that sticks in my mind) but she also had one of her characters using the word pregnant!

For hours afterwards I was mentally composing rebuttals until I eventually calmed down and got a grip. So I guess the answer to the question, Kerri, is infuriatingly frustrating. I think I'll have to develop a thicker skin if I'm going to keep writing historical stuff :blush:

[Blossom]

I'm not surprised you were annoyed and agree that writers do need to develop a thick skin to get by in the often harsh world of publishing. I could do with a little armour-plating myself! ;)

Kerri

[samgrosser]

I'm not surprised you were annoyed and agree that writers do need to develop a thick skin to get by in the often harsh world of publishing. I could do with a little armour-plating myself! ;)

Kerri

Is that partly why you decided to use a nom de plume? I thought really hard about it, and then when I decided I would use my real name I had to decide whether to use Sam or Samantha. I'm still wondering whether or not I made the right decision :blush:

[Blossom]

My decision not to use my real name came about because I decided to write Karma in the first person style. I thought that people would wrongly assume it was a biography if I used my own name - the pen name allowed me to write more freely than I would have done had I been plain ol' Kerri!

The main thing I have found so hard to deal with, is the way that many people seem to think 'chick lit' authors are lesser authors. Someone on another forum suggested that discussions on my book in some way lowered the tone of the board - I was equally upset and furious.

I was also completely unprepared for how difficult it would be to get stocked by 'brick and mortar' bookshops, and how difficult it would be to even get one review in print. It's a vicious circle: if you're unknown/not famous, they won't review/stock you - so how do you sell books and become known?! I was so ignorant of how things work, as I'd never really expected having a book in print! My eyes have been opened, though...

Kerri

[Michelle]

The main thing I have found so hard to deal with, is the way that many people seem to think 'chick lit' authors are lesser authors. Someone on another forum suggested that discussions on my book in some way lowered the tone of the board - I was equally upset and furious.

Some forums are like that with a whole range of books though.. they put down anyone who reads chick lit, horror, Dan Brown etc etc. And that's what I wanted to do differently on this forum.. it's all about a love of 'books', no matter what genre, who the author is etc.

I can understand how you felt though.

My decision not to use my real name came about because I decided to write Karma in the first person style. I thought that people would wrongly assume it was a biography if I used my own name - the pen name allowed me to write more freely than I would have done had I been plain ol' Kerri!

What made you decide to go for first person Kerri?

[Blossom]

That's what I love about this forum - its friendly and encompasses every genre!

Michelle: many authors avoid writing this way, as they feel it restricts the story. However, I wanted to find a way to make an immediate connection with the reader, and felt that this was the best way to do so. I wanted people to feel as though they knew the main character, so I felt she needed to 'talk' directly to the reader.

It was quite difficult trying to put myself in her shoes, as she often did the opposite of what I would've done in certain situations! :mrgreen:

Kerri

[samgrosser]

The main thing I have found so hard to deal with, is the way that many people seem to think 'chick lit' authors are lesser authors. Someone on another forum suggested that discussions on my book in some way lowered the tone of the board - I was equally upset and furious.

I was also completely unprepared for how difficult it would be to get stocked by 'brick and mortar' bookshops, and how difficult it would be to even get one review in print. It's a vicious circle: if you're unknown/not famous, they won't review/stock you - so how do you sell books and become known?! I was so ignorant of how things work, as I'd never really expected having a book in print! My eyes have been opened, though...

Kerri

I'm not surprised you were upset and I know how you feel - I've had a few people kind of turn up their nose when I've described the book as a love story. But this is definitely the friendliest forum I've come across and is the only one I've stuck with.

As for getting reviews and into bookshops as an unknown author ... I know how you feel about that too :blush:

[Michelle]

With regards the reviews, do your publishers send out copies to reviewers, such as the ones in papers, magazines etc?

[Blossom]

In my case, the publishers sent out press releases and these said that review copies would be available, on request. I also had a few contacts of my own, and sent some from my own allocation of books. I think I spent more on postage than the book's likely to make! :blush:

I was quite encouraged to find that a number of publications did ask for review copies, but I assume they get hundreds of these every year, and can't read them all. I imagine that newspapers/magazines review books by well-known/celebrity authors first, or by well-respected publishers that readers will identify with.

Personally, I suspect that I was always going to struggle, both being unknown myself and having a new publisher - I still hope that just one women's magazine, perhaps, will take a look at the book and enjoy it enough to review it. It's probably unlikely, but you just never know...

I always compare my own experience with that of a lady called Claire Allan, whom I 'met' on a writers' forum. She was published by a big Irish publisher called Poolbeg - they have invested heavily in her, and her experience is far removed from my own. I enjoy reading her blog (though admit to feeling mightily jealous that she's sold 10000+ copies of her novel!)

Kerri

[Michelle]

Next time encourage your publisher to offer review copies to places like here.. you've seen for yourself as a member how people listen to other people's opinions. I'm sure we find plenty of members willing to read and review. :)

[samgrosser]

My publisher sent out over 50 review copies but only a (small) handful actually reviewed them. It was also very hard work to get copies into local bookstores, with the exception of my local independent and Waterstones in the Galleries in Bristol, who have a big "local authors" display.

I think luck has an awful lot to do with becoming successful - it really probably only takes one or two rave reviews in a national paper or magazine to get the ball rolling. But they do say that word of mouth is some of the best publicity, so Kerri, you never know - we might make it big yet!

I'm hoping that the fact there seem to be a lot of copies of my book in libraries might help spread the word, and I've found my local libraries have been very supportive and helpful.

(But yes, I get mightily jealous of the more successful ones too) :blush:

Sam

[Michelle]

That's a real pain, to send out all those free copies, and only get a small number reviewed.

[Blossom]

Well, it's official - I have spent more on postage than I got in royalties! :lol: Good job I'm not doing this for the money!

Michelle: it is disheartening to send out review copies, knowing they'll probably not get a second glance. Maybe we should start a campaign to have the press take an interest in newcomers - after all, the large book chains do a lot for established authors, so us newbies should have a route to readers too! That's the great thing about sites like this: it gives authors who are new, or different, a voice.

And Sam, I'm glad you get jealous too - I don't feel as guilty about it now!

Kerri

[Michelle]

Just before I go on holiday, I have one more question for you both, and that is what are you hoping to do next. Do you have another book planned, or other projects? (Kerri, we all know yo're busy counting all those royalties, so what comes after that? ;))

[FishAndChips]

Well, it's official - I have spent more on postage than I got in royalties! :lol: Good job I'm not doing this for the money!
Kerri

Oh gosh thats terrible!! I hope that's not the long term outcome of all your hard work! Would it be cheeky of me to ask what percentage of a book sale goes to the author? And is that what you mean by royalties?

[samgrosser]

Just before I go on holiday, I have one more question for you both, and that is what are you hoping to do next. Do you have another book planned, or other projects? (Kerri, we all know yo're busy counting all those royalties, so what comes after that? ;))

I'm at an interesting stage in my "career" as a writer. Macmillan New Writing turned down my second novel, After the Twelfth, but offered some sound constructive feedback and did say that they would reconsider it if I made the changes that they suggested. I've now made those changes but have decided that I'm going to try other routes to getting it published first. So the manuscript is with an agent at the moment, and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that she'll like it.

I've also got another book almost finished - it's another World War 2 story called Thin Ice. I've been working on this one for a while now on and off and I recently gave it to a well-read friend for her comments. So I'm going through a somewhat anxious few weeks at the moment!

While I wait I'm researching for a play I've been asked to write, set in Burma in the Second World War, and that's my next writing project, hopefully to be produced sometime late next year. I plan to get down to the actual writing once the school holidays are over. Drama is a completely new departure for me and very exciting.

Having so many things on the go is a very nice position to be in as it means I don't have all my hopes pinned on one thing.

And your question isn't cheeky at all, fishandchips: my contract gives me 20% of the publisher's net receipts, which averages out at about £1-£2 a book. Other contracts are probably different.

But like Kerri, I'm definitely not in it for the money :blush:

Sam

[Blossom]

Michelle: as a few of the board members know, I suffer from CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) so am not able to write regularly. My current book was published as a 'one-off' as part of my prize in the Undiscovered Authors comp, so I don't have an agent or a publisher who would be interesting in taking on any further work. I do have enough ideas for three novels - it's just a question of having the energy and the self-discipline to write! And have a lovely time on your hols, Michelle.

FishAndChips: no, you're not cheeky at all. Personally my percentage is very small and is only 10%. For example, if Amazon paid 40% of the cover price for my book, then I would get 10% of that (different retailers get different deals). I may be over-simplifying, but I think that's the gist of it. I think it averages out at around 60p per book, in my case.

Sam: best of luck with the next book. It sounds as though things are very exciting for you at the moment.

Kerri

[Icecream]

Did eitther of you have any input over the covers for you books?

[samgrosser]

Thanks Kerri, for the best wishes. As you say, it is an exciting for me. I can't imagine what it must be like to have CFS, but I know how much energy and discipline it takes to write. I hope you manage to find it from somewhere :friends0:

Ice-cream: I didn't have any input on the cover for my book initially, but my editor sent me a draft with a little message to point out that the plane actually was a Lancaster. He was obviously very chuffed with himself and I felt really bad when I had to write back with the news that the hero was American and didn't fly a Lancaster but a B17!

The original sunset was different as well, but had to be changed after another, Booker-winning novel, came out in paperback with a very similar sunset.

While I like the cover very much and think that it would attract me to pick up the book in a bookshop, I'm not sure that it's the best cover for it, as I think a picture of a plane might a lot of women off. I think I would have preferred a more people-based image, more like Suite Francaise perhaps. But I don't know. What do other people think?

[FishAndChips]

Thanks for your responses both! That's very intersting. Shame that the brains behind a book actually may see so little of it!

Kerri - sorry you have CFS - its amazing that you have been able to write a novel then! I know a few people with that type of thing and I know it's no fun. Thanks for taking time to chat with us.

And that goes for you too samantha.

:)

[Blossom]

Hello again!

Icecream: Art is my other love, so when they asked for input on the book cover, I designed my own - everyone I showed it to loved it, and then the publishers went in a completely different direction and made the heroine into a cartoon charater on the cover. I didn't like it, and the consensus was that it was childish. So, they had a rethink and changed it to the cover you've seen - I still wasn't keen, but preferred it to the first cover!

FishAndChips: I'm very stubborn, so if someone tells me I probably won't be able to do something, I become determined to prove them wrong! Sometimes it is tough to have CFS, but there are people far worse off than me! And it's lovely chatting here, as everyone is so friendly and non-judgemental - I'm enjoying it.

Kerri

[nicx27]

Sam, I'm about 3/4 of the way through Another Time and Place and I'm really enjoying it.

You asked about the cover and I can see your point, and do think the plane is a more masculine image. But it wouldn't have put me off the book once I had read the synopsis.

I'll wait until I've read it all until I ask any questions. I am finding it a very easy book to read and think Tom is every woman's ideal man!

Kerri, I haven't got hold of Karma yet (it's coming to me when Michelle has finished it) so I hope you will be able to answer any questions I have about the book itself when I've read it.

[Kell]

Michelle: it is disheartening to send out review copies, knowing they'll probably not get a second glance.
I can pretty much guarantee if you were to offer up review copies here, they certainly WOULD get that second glance and THEN SOME!

Actually, a quick question to both of you regarding that - how many review copies did you send out and how much feedback did you get from that? Was it useful to you in any way?

[Blossom]

Hi

Nic: I'd be delighted to answer any questions for you, once you've read the book.

Kell: I believe that the publishers sent out up to 40 books (people who requested review copies included well-known women's magazines and newspapers such as The Times). However, this does not guarantee that anyone will even read them, let alone review them! I also sent out around 20 copies myself, and this resulted in the odd internet review (including one on the Trashionista website). It is disappointing, but thousands of books must be competing for review every year - I think an established name, a well-known publisher and luck can be important factors.

My book's currently doing the rounds on sites like Read It Swap It - I know I don't make any royalties out of this but, quite honestly, I'm glad that people are getting to read the book. The main feedback I have received has been from readers who've read and enjoyed the book, then contacted me via my website. It's so lovely when someone takes the time to contact me - it always makes me smile! :D

Kerri

[samgrosser]

Hi

Nic: I'm really pleased that you're enjoying Another Time and Place - I don't think I'll ever get tired of the pleasure of knowing people like my book. It makes my day every time. :D. I'm looking forward to your questions.

Kell: My publisher sent out about 50 copies and I got only a few reviews which was a bit disheartening. The reviews I did get were mostly positive though, which was nice. Fortunately the book seems to be available in a lot of libraries, and like Kerri, I'm just happy that people are reading it. Of course, more success would be nice, but just getting published has been such a great experience and such a boost to my confidence as a writer. I know now that I'm not deluded, and that I can actually write!

Sam

[nicx27]

I've finished it now Sam, and thought it a very good read (not sure about large print though, but that's all the library had).

Why did you choose the Second World War to write about? Have you always been interested in it?

Also, I was wondering all the way through how the story would end. I don't want to put spoilers in the message, so I'll not elaborate too much, but did you ever think about ending the story differently?

Where did your inspiration come from for Anna's mother? She's a hateful character with the odd, strangely uncharacteristic, kindness.

One final question for now, how much of your time is spent writing? Is it a full time job for you?

I hope you get your second book published soon.

[samgrosser]

Hi Nic,

I'm so glad you enjoyed the book - I can understand that large print might be a bit off-putting though.

Yes, I have always been interested in the Second World War, but funnily, it wasn't what I planned when I began writing. I had an idea for a story about a child who was born to an ill-fated couple during the war and kept secret by his grandmother - it was going to be called The Ghost of Tommy Pilgrim, and was going to be set immediately after the war and in the present. But when I started writing I immediately began to find that it was the parents story that intrigued me and so that was what the novel became.

The grandmother survived the change as Mrs Pilgrim who was sort of an amalgam of all the worst bits of all the mothers I knew! In earlier drafts she was worse, but the novel needed for her to have a bit more depth and complexity and that kind of grew with each rewrite. I like your description of her as 'hateful' but with 'odd, uncharacteristic, kindness.' That's the character I was hoping for.

The ending remained in doubt until I'd actually finished writing but the original plan was to end it differently.

Writing now is more or less full-time. My son is now 7 and so I write when he's at school, as I used to write when he was kindy (nursery school) in Australia, or when he was asleep as a baby. I'm very blessed with a very supportive husband and feel very fortunate to have been able to combine motherhood and writing as I have. Although having said that, I did actually start writing Another Time and Place when I was working as a receptionist at a company in North Sydney (before Jake was born). There wasn't much to do and writing passed the time and made me look busy. :blush:

Thanks for your best wishes about my second novel. It's still with the agent and I'm still waiting with my fingers crossed!

I'm now off to the Mendips for 10 days and I'm not sure how much access to the internet I'm going to have, but do keep the questions coming. If I can't answer them while I'm away, then I definitely will when I get back. I'm really enjoying talking with you all. :D

Sam

[nicx27]

Thanks for your reply Sam. I'd love to know what the other ending would have been.

Do you think you will ever go back and write your original story (the Tommy Pilgrim one)?

[Michelle]

I also wondered as I approached the end.. there is a part of me that likes unusual, even sad endings, and I could see a few alternatives. In the end though, I was glad that all was well. One thing I did like was that the ending wasn't drawn out.. if there had been lots of miscommunication etc for some time, I think it would have gotten frustrating.. so spot on Sam. :)

[Michelle]

A question to you both.. have you always enjoyed reading? And were there any specific authors whom you feel inspired you?

[Blossom]

I absolutely love to read and have done since childhood - I ploughed my way through every Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew, and Sweet Valley High book going! When I was in my early teens, I read the entire 'Young Teens' section of our libraries (particularly when I was first ill, as I couldn't do anything else :roll: ). I would regularly get into trouble for reading without the light on, during summer nights, when I should have been sleeping!

I find that reading is a fantastic way to relax and is the ultimate escape from reality (even if only for a short while). I primarily read women's contemporary fiction but read some sci-fi, mild horror, tv-tie ins (Buffy, Angel, Charmed, Red Dwarf, Bones, etc), and also non-fiction, such as biographies. I enjoy learning so my bookshelf includes titles on massage therapy, shiatsu, counselling and self-help.

The first book that I ever read and found thought-provoking was 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. This was something that I was forced to read during my GCSEs and I just thought it was amazing. I read it in one evening, as I couldn't put it down.

With regard to authors who've inspired me, I would say it was writers like Pauline McLynn, Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella, as they write with humour - that's very important to me as a reader, as there are many bad things we deal with in life which are made bearable if we can retain our sense of humour. I don't read books which are too morose, as I find my own mood changes as I empathise with the characters! :smile2:

Kerri

[samgrosser]

Hi,

Just back from a sunny week in the Mendips, refreshed and happy, so I'll take your questions in order.

Nic: When I was writing the book, Anna's story took shape very quickly and comparatively easily, but Tom's story changed with every rewrite as I did more research and got more confident with writing about an evading airman's experiences. In the first draft, he got captured straight away, which at the time seemed a less difficult route to take! So it wasn't so much that there was one alternative ending to finish off the existing story, so much as there were many possible stories. One friend did suggest that I have him come back to find Anna has been killed, and that he has a baby to bring up (which didn't tempt me). Another possibility (and this was a scene I got as far as writing in my head) was that Anna managed to track him down to the docks as his ship was about to head home, after he had failed to find her at the end of the war.

I don't think I'll ever write the Tommy Pilgrim story now, because the central character really was Mrs Pilgrim, and it would be too hard to change her into someone else.

Michelle: I've always read loads. As a teenager I got into Victorian novels - Hardy and the Brontes, and I think I absorbed some of the sense of foreboding that hangs over those stories. I still love the tragic stuff with lots of loss and yearning :blush: Later, I was very lucky to do a degree in English Literature, which widened my reading choices and gave me a deeper critical understanding of how words can move and affect us.

There are certain books and/or writers that I turn to for inspiration. Hemingway is number one for that - A Farewell to Arms is my favourite book ever. Also inspirational are people like Michael Ondaatje, whose use of language is so beautiful. But I think it was the Victorians who probably influenced the most.

[nicx27]

Thanks for your answers Sam. Glad you enjoyed your holiday.

[nicx27]

Kerri, I've now read Karma and really liked it. What I particularly liked was that Paige's memories of childhood etc seemed similar to mine (I think we would be around the same age), even down to Crazy for You by Madonna being the song of the moment just before I left school.

You said you wrote it in the first person because you didn't want people to think it was about you, but are a lot of the memories and scenarios actually things you experienced yourself anyway?

How did you come up with the idea of writing about karma or fate?

Did you ever consider a different ending? If so, what was it?

And I love your dogs! I used to have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and she was lovely :D

[Blossom]

Hi Nic: I'm glad you enjoyed Karma. The funny thing about Paige is that, no matter what age the reader is, people seem to relate to her.

I have experienced very little of what Paige goes through (so had to rely a lot on research and the testimony of friends, particularly towards the end of the book)...although I was a rabbit in the school nativity (see the gallery at www.hollyaharvey.co.uk (http://www.hollyaharvey.co.uk) for the proof)! While I was writing, I immersed myself in music from the 80s and early 90s, and through that, was able to recall the feelings/emotions these songs invoked.

I am very interested in the concept of Karma, but didn't want to get too bogged down by the religious and philosophical aspects - I wanted the book to make people think about how our actions can have a wider impact, but still wanted to make the book a light-hearted read.

I didn't have time to consider a different ending, as I only had around two months to complete the book! :mrgreen: I don't think I would change the ending, though.

And thanks for the comments about my dogs! They are my furry babies and that's where my pen name came from: Holly's my oldest dog; Amber's my youngest and Harvey's my budgie!

Kerri

[nicx27]

Ah yes, I see the rabbit picture :) I presume the other picture in that section relates to Blockbusters the quiz? I loved that quiz in its day!

[Blossom]

Yes, Nic - we had an inter-library Blockbusters tournament in which I represented my local 'trailer library'! I think I was about 13 or 14. I used to spend almost every weekend at the trailer library, checking out the new books (as I'd read all the old ones).

I remember standing at the Central Library, doing the 'Gold Run' - I got a book token for winning, and still have the card it came in to this day!

I don't remember getting to say, "I'll have a 'P', please." Shame.

Kerri

[Ratna]

Hi Kerri & Sam,
I read through this thread today but maybe I shouldn't have because now I'm very curious :roll:. I hope your books will be available in Indonesia soon. I will put them on my TBR list.

Good luck to you both!

[Michelle]

As we're near the end of the month, I wanted to say a big thank you to Sam and Kerri.. it's been lovely to chat to you both. :friends0:

I wish you both all the best, with sales and with future projects. :)

[FishAndChips]

Yea thanks gals

[samgrosser]

Thanks so much for inviting us and for your interest. I've really enjoyed chatting with you all. :D

See you around on other bits of the forum,

All the best
Sam

[nicx27]

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to answer all the questions :)

[Renniemist]

I have been following this thread with interest and want to thank you both for your entertaining and enlightening replies. I have not read either book as yet but I will be looking out to get them as soon as my TBR pile gets a little bit smaller.

Thanks again and good luck to both of you.:)

[Kell]

Yes, big thanks to you both for putting up with the interrogation without even the merest hint of complaint - it's been lovely. And it's even lovelier knowing that you'll both still b around as you're both already established members! :mrgreen:

[Blossom]

Thank you for having us! It's been great to answer such interesting questions, and lovely to see things from another author's perspective. I too wish Sam lots of luck with her future projects, and will keep you updated on my own...if anything comes of them.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Featured Author - I'll still be around though, and look forward to asking many questions rather than answering them! :lol:

Thanks again!

Kerri