Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing seriously in my teens and sold my first story at age 19. After many, many failed efforts, I sold my first novel, Wild Timothy, at age 40 and have been going fairly strong ever since, writing novels and nonfiction for young readers, magazine pieces, and stage plays. I recently moved into the arena of adult novels.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent is Bucket’s Brigade, a sequel to Bucket’s List, a Victorian mystery featuring Charley Field, the real life model for Inspector Bucket in Dickens’ novel Bleak House–which of course was my inspiration.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Judging from other writers I’ve talked with (including my daughter), the fact that I sit down at the same time every morning and don’t get up until I’ve written at least 500 words is pretty unusual in itself. Actually, I probably should get up more often and do some stretching.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was writing mainly books for young readers, I was continually coming upon some adult book I really liked and then trying to do something similar for middle grades or young adults. My bestselling novel, The Shakespeare Stealer, was inspired by–no, duh–Shakespeare.
What are you working on now?
I try not to get stuck in one particular medium or genre, so in between novels, I turn my efforts to stage plays and screenplays. Right now, I’m well along with script about the early days of the FBI. Lots of research required, which is fine with me; that’s my favorite part of the process.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Frankly, I suck at self-promotion. For most of my career, I didn’t have to worry about it, because the publisher did most of that, but the times they are a’changin’.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My best advice–which many novices don’t really care to hear–is to spend plenty of time up front exploring the conflict and the characters and getting a handle on the structure before you start writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The same advice I pass on to my students, when I have them: Give a lot of thought to the dramatic structure of the work, whether it’s a novel or a screenplay or a stage play (or even a nonfiction book or memoir). Not necessarily an outline per se, and you don’t have to stick to it slavishly, but it gives you a road map to follow, so you don’t get lost halfway through the journey.
What are you reading now?
Lonelyhearst; the screwball world of Nathanael West and Eileen McKenny. Pretty fascinating and tragic.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have more projects in the pipeline than I can shake a stick at. Which one I tackle next remains to be seen.
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?
Something by P. G. Wodehouse, for laughs; the collected works of Anthony Trollope, for sheer bulk; and perhaps some Dickens or Hardy, whom I consider old friends.
Author Websites and Profiles
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