Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a single mum with a four year old son. I started writing after coming out of a ten year relationship with a man who is now serving a life sentence for murder. As a child I always used creative writing as a way of expressing my feelings so after going through this terrible, traumatic experience, I opened up my lap top one day and started writing. My first novel, “Strains from an Aeolian Harp” is a dark story of opium addiction, domestic violence and lesbian love set in the 1920s. It went on to make the finals of the Chaucer Award for historical fiction. I have also had two short stories published in the number one best selling lesbian anthology “Sun Kissed” by Freya Publications.
I have to fit in writing when I can, around my job as an interpreter and looking after my son who has some additional needs, so as you can imagine, I don’t get much time.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am currently writing a novella called “The Freundinnen” which is based on a painting I love by Gustav Klimt. It is a portrait of a lesbian couple which was burnt by the Nazis on the last day of the war. My novella is the story of the two women in the painting; one a model from Vienna and the other a seamstress from Tyrol, and of the Nazi officer who becomes obsessed with the painting.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not a habit as such, but while writing my first novel I was breastfeeding with one hand on my keyboard. That was the only way I managed to make time. My baby fed every two hours for the first six months. I was exhausted.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love 19th century literature. people just don’t write like that any more; I studied some fantastic 19th century works for my degree, but my favourite authors at the moment are Sarah Waters and Philippa Gregory.
What are you working on now?
As well as “The Freundinnen” I am also co-writing a novel called “Five Guns Blazing” with Jamaican born author Kevin Allen. It’s the story of a convict’s daughter from London who is transported to Barbados in 1710 and falls into the hands of wanted pirates John Rackham and Anne Bonny. It’s almost finished and I a hoping it will be available soon. The manuscript has already won the CBR award for best first chapter so I’ve got high hopes for it. Kevin and I have had very different experiences and each bring something different to the story. We seem to have gelled together quite well and have become friends despite living on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Thank goodness for Facebook!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When Sally Met Sally wrote me a lovely review for their book, but the Women and Words and UK Lesfic blogs were also good. I think its all about appealing to your niche market. I thought that once I’d finished writing my novel all the hard work would be over. How wrong I was!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up your dream because it is so worth it when you see your name in print. Try and find a publisher who will market your book for you, not just simply upload it on Amazon. Write out a plan for your story first. I abandoned so many projects because I didn’t know where the story was going. Since I started writing the full synopsis first there has been no holding me back.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Sex sells!
What are you reading now?
Schindler’s List. It’s amazing!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m not sure. I keep thinking I’ll take a break after my next two projects are finished. My son has to take priority and I’ve got a new partner now. We will see. I’m just so glad to have started writing again; having a book published is something I dreamed of as a little girl.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Colour Purple, Wuthering Heights, Wide Sargasso Sea and Fallen Skies by Philippa Gregory. I love stories with strong female characters.
Author Websites and Profiles
Emma Rose Millar Website
Emma Rose Millar Amazon Profile