Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a curator and historian for over 30 years, I have worked in many museums in Derbyshire and later in London. Over the years I specialised in everything from Victorian toys and memorabilia, to Royal Crown Derby and Militaria. I also worked free-lance for the History Channel USA as researcher, co-ordinator and interviewer on the award winning production ‘Secrets of War.’ However, my personal passion since a very early age has been the study of the Tudors, particularly Anne Boleyn and the court of King Henry VIII.
I did not begin writing seriously until around 2008, and originally wanted to write about Anne Boleyn at the English court. However, a great deal had already been written about this period, and I began to look at her earlier life from around 1500 to 1521. Since research as a curator has always been my passion, I wanted to write as factual a novel as I could and spent years visiting sites such as Blickling in Norfolk, Hever Castle, Rochford Manor and the palace of Margaret of Austria, in Mechelen, just outside Brussels. It was here that Anne was sent as a young maid-of-honour, and I was honoured to gain access to rooms not normally open to the public. The result of my research was ‘The Falcon’s Rise,’ my first book. I have followed it up with part two ‘The Falcon’s Flight’ published 19 May 2020. This second book covers Anne’s time spent at the French court, and ends as she is about to return to England. I had a wonderful time in France researching this book and seeing the places Anne herself knew. I hope you enjoy reading about these place, too.
In my spare time, I love travelling, rambling and visiting historic houses, as well as constantly reading and researching the Tudor period.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Falcon’s Flight and it is part two of my first book, The Falcon’s Rise. I wanted to write something that other authors hadn’t concentrated on, which is Anne Boleyn’s early life, and I felt inspired to tell her little known story of the years before she met King Henry VIII.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, but I tend to start writing at the end of the afternoon, when my other jobs are done and I’m physically tired. My endless energy makes me want to get out and about during the day, as I find it impossible to sit still!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely Jean Plaidy, Rosemary Hawley Jarman, and Alison Weir. They ignited my love of history most certainly.
What are you working on now?
I am researching and mulling over the thought of writing book three, The Falcon’s Fall, just to complete the trilogy. But I need a new angle for the very well known story of Anne Boleyn meeting King Henry and becoming Queen of England. And, of course, her grisly end.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think Twitter is amazing, but also all the fantastic Tudor and Anne Boleyn websites and FaceBook pages out there. It’s really great having an interested audience in all things Anne Boleyn!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, but only what I’ve learnt through making mistakes. So, here goes:
Firstly, get hold of a copy of The Writers and Artists Yearbook for publishing advice etc. It is incredibly useful, with lots of contact addresses and practical tips for new writers.
Next, I would advise that you write because you just have to tell your story, not in the hope of making money. There are no shortcuts and you cannot short change your readers by trying to get a book out there quickly. It might take you years, but just go at your own pace and don’t rush it.
Write about what you know about, or are familiar with. This will give your book authenticity, so read and research at every opportunity.
Think about who is going to read your book and where it will sit in the market. Be very clear who your audience will be.
Write every day. Even if it’s just a description of something, or writing out a favourite piece of prose. It keeps your mind trained on the art of writing and using words, and I found it important. Don’t worry if you have a bad writing day, do something else, but don’t leave it too long before returning to your book. I found it much harder to pick up where I’d left off after a few weeks’ break. It’s really easy to slip out of a routine.
Edit, edit, and edit again. If you are planning on sending your manuscript to a publisher, your work must be as near perfect as possible. Nothing puts people off more than shoddy punctuation, spelling, and grammar. I had the annoying habit of spelling people’s names and places differently, and I hadn’t even noticed. Make sure you keep everything consistent.
You can, of course, pay for professional editing, but there are also good grammar/spelling programmes on the internet to run your work through. Some mistakes will slip through, but just make it as good as you can get.
Network. Social media and the internet are full of lots of writers groups where you can get support and advice. They are always happy to advise and help new writers if possible. If you don’t like online groups, try your local community. Ask if your local book club would mind reading your book. Don’t be afraid, just ask!
Finally, try not to get discouraged. Your writing will not be like anyone else’s, because it is unique to you, so don’t compare yourself to other authors. They all started somewhere. And if you give it your very best shot, the effort will pay off.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To write in your own style. Don’t worry about other authors, just write in a way that is unique to you.
What are you reading now?
The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel. I love her work.
What’s next for you as a writer?
If book two is well received, it will encourage me to write book three. After that, I’m not sure, but again I’d want to write about someone not written about very much.
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?
If we say that the Bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare are a given, my must have books would be:
We Speak No Treason, by Rosemary Hawley Jarman, The Oxford Anthology of Great English Poetry, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.
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