Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember, working in PR as well as ghost writing. And, as Lucy Lyrical, I’ve written songs, stories and poetry. I had great encouragement to write a novel by a friendly publisher and my first novel was published in 2018 by Starhaven Press.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THREE WOMEN was inspired by my theatrical upbringing (both my parents were actors) and my marriage to an American Sicilian in New York City. I loved my Sicilian in-laws, especially Grandma who was charismatic, resourceful and a little alarming. Her story of coming to America certainly inspired the book. My own mother moved from Sheffield to London and I liked the parallels of these two inspirational women who left their homes to pursue their ambitions.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a bit of a pit pony. I work every day, keep a time-sheet and have lists and notebooks and post-its to capture ideas and plot out stories. That’s probably not that unusual. As I sit at my desk for hours, I do get cold but don’t like to stop to change so just grab layers and forget what I look like. This can result in some strange reactions when I take the dog for a walk with odd socks, one legwarmer and a silk scarf over a tea-stained tracksuit.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
It’s a mixed bag. I love James Kelman as much as I love Charles Dickens, but I’m not sure if you’d see their influence in my writing. My writing is very female-centric and I appreciate writers like Ann Patchett and Elena Ferrante. I’m as influenced by films and music as I am by the written word – and I am addicted to attending lectures about feminism, philosophy and psychology. Aspects of what I learn do influence my characters’ choices.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a second novel … you’ll be the first to hear about it when it’s ready. In the meantime, because a novel takes a long time to edit and revise, I’m writing micro-short monologues and working with actors to record them. You can check the podcast by searching for Minilogues on Spotify.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning. Facebook was helpful for gathering support for my debut novel. Reviews are hard to get and I was delighted that THREE WOMEN was featured as Book of the Week on BookBlast. That helped with sales.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be ready. You may get an opportunity – in fact, I believe you probably will – so have your ducks in a row and your manuscript perfected when asked. Too many writers share their material before it is ready or get a request for a ‘full’ without having something great to show. Put the work in, get advice and keep at it. Talent is just the starting point. It’s a proper job so treat it like one.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was in a nervous panic about how my book would be received and, in a conversation with my son, was moaning, ‘what if it’s terrible?’ He said ‘Mum, people read rubbish every day.’ It let me off the hook. My book will not appeal to everyone – some people will just not get it. But if I look along a bookstore shelf there are many books that don’t interest me either. Write the book you want to read and hopefully someone else will want to read it too.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading ‘Looking for a New England’ by Simon Matthews about music, film and TV in the 70s. I’m also reading ‘Pit Ponies’ by John Bright – both good background for material I’m writing. I’ve just started ‘Flights’ by Olga Tokarczuk. Reading is one of the only ways to improve your own creating writing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Book two is with an editor at the moment so I know there’s a draft three that I’ll need to work on. And I’ve got an idea for book three that I’m researching (hence the pit pony fascination). In the meantime, I’m working on season two of Minilogues – writers should get in touch if they want to collaborate with me on that.
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?
What a terrific question. I think I’d bring a copy of ‘L’invitee’ by Simon de Beauvoir with a French/English dictionary. I could try and improve my French which I’ve wanted to do for decades – and it’s a book I admire so much. I’d bring something funny, anything by Caitlin Moran. And then something to remind me of home and my sons like Nicholas by Rene Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempe. I read that so many times to them – and there are a lot of laughs in there too. But the most important book would be a blank notepad with a pen that never runs out of ink.
Author Websites and Profiles
Lucy Tertia George Website
Lucy Tertia George Amazon Profile
Lucy Tertia George’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account