Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have had two careers, one as a graphic designer and a second as an Art Teacher. Now that I have retired, I am embarking on a third – an author. I have completed several books, the Mary Finch Mystery series in for Middle-Grade right up to adult readers. The first one, Mary Finch and the Thief, has been self-published through amazon, and Mary Finch and the Grey Lady, and Mary Finch and the Spy will be released soon.
I love history, especially the nineteenth and early twentieth century, and had I not chosen Art to study in University, I may well have chosen history. My books (so far) have a historical twist. Mary Finch is set in 1893 London and in the Holmesian world of Conan Doyle (Dr Watson is a character in all three novels).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Inglestone Manor – my fourth novel. I wanted to write a mystery middle-grade book about children evacuated from London during World War Two. It was a project began before writing the Mary Finch novels, that got put aside. Eventually after much umming and arring I finally managed to complete it. I can’t exactly what inspired it other than to say it was written about a period I do find fascinating.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Ah! Yes! That! By way of explanation, then. When I started to write seriously, it was winter and my flat was incredibly cold due to various central heating problems that lasted and lasted and… yes, lasted. So, I took to bed! Wrapped in a duvet, propped up by pillows, I found a comfortable place to write. When the problems were resolved, I thought, you know what, bed wasn’t such a bad place to write after all – and so I continued to do so.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many – just where to start? One of the very first books I read that wasn’t forced on to me (ie, by school) was Lord of the Rings. I think I was fourteen. And it was such a pleasant struggle. I tried to write like Tolkien soon after (oh, dear me! What a mistake!) the less said of that the better. I later found I liked so many books and authors to not really develop a favourite. But I would mention Neil Gaiman, John Le Carré’s Smiley series, Virginia Woolf, are but a few.
What are you working on now?
I have two projects in mind. The first is a detective book, possibly set in the Edwardian times in London, and the second a Ghost story theme (not sure when that will be set as I’m struggling with it at the moment). Also, I am in the final edit stage for Mary Finch and the Spy and Inglestone Manor. (I think, recently I have been so consumed with editing that the two projects mentioned have been stop and starts affairs and that’s possible why I am finding them a struggle).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Not sure. I am new to this and finding out all the time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never edit your book until you have finished writing it. It is not helpful in the early stage to go back and forth. Follow what Hemmingway said – that all first drafts are (swear word!). I also quite like what Neil Gaiman said: “Write down everything that happens in the story, and then in your second draft make it look like you knew what you were doing all along.”
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read, read, read, read, and write, write, write, write, and then read some more (as far as writing is concerned).
What are you reading now?
Susan Hill’s Simon Serrailler novel – The Comforts of Home.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Just more books to write. I’d like to also get back to writing short stories. One idea I had for a fourth Mary Finch novel was a book made up of several short stories where the minor characters take the lead.
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?
Unfair question! Virginia Woolf’s, To the Lighthouse. Virginia Woolf’s, The Years. Virginia Woolf’s, Mrs Dalloway (are you detecting a pattern?). But honestly, there are so many I could consider as well.
Author Websites and Profiles
Shiv Saywack Website
Shiv Saywack Amazon Profile
Shiv Saywack’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account