Novelicious.com | The Women's Fiction Blog for Readers and Writers

My Book Deal Moment by Donna Douglas

2013-05-17T14:30:00+01:00

We’re really pleased to have Donna Douglas here today sharing her experience of getting a book deal.

‘Have you ever thought about writing a historical novel?’ my agent asked me.

Well, yes, I’d thought about it. I’d also thought about learning Mandarin and signing up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity, but I’d dismissed all those ideas as Too Hard. Never mind that my bedside reading consisted entirely of history; as far as I was concerned, only grown-up authors wrote historical novels. They were too difficult, needed lots of research. I wouldn’t know where to start. I was far better sticking to contemporary romance, thank you very much.

‘Shame,’ my agent sighed. ‘I know an editor who’s looking for a series of novels set in a hospital, sometime in the last century.’

Hang on a minute. So now not only was she expecting me to write a historical novel, she was also expecting me to write about doctors and nurses? My head was already spinning at the idea. My medical knowledge was limited to watching Embarrassing Bodies and researching my latest worrying symptoms on NetDoctor. Boy, had she got the wrong person.

‘But I’m not a nurse!’ I told anyone who would listen.

‘JK Rowling wasn’t a wizard, but that didn’t stop her,’ my daughter replied.

This was true. And my background as a journalist did mean I knew where to start looking for information. So, still convinced I wasn’t nearly grown-up enough, I agreed to give it a go.

But when I started my research in the Royal College of Nursing archives, a strange thing happened. I became completely hooked. Those first hand accounts of nurses’ lives back in the 1930s seemed to jump off the page at me. Almost immediately, I had a vivid picture of three young women from very different backgrounds, turning up at the gates of an East End hospital to begin their training. From then on, the ideas tumbled on to the page, until before I knew it I’d put together the first three chapters and a synopsis of The Nightingale Girls.

Even then, I wasn’t sure I’d got it right. I’d enjoyed writing it far too much for it to be a historical novel. When my agent said we were to meet with the editor to discuss the project, I prepared myself for a very kind ‘Stick to what you know, love.’ Even when we sat down and I noticed the words ‘Terrific – loved it’ pencilled over my manuscript, I thought I must have misread it. It wasn’t until we were on the tube heading back from the meeting and my agent said, ‘You know they’re going to buy it, don’t you?’ that it sank in. And even then I had to make her repeat it all the way from Victoria to King’s Cross.

So now I’m a grown-up historical novelist. Sort of. All I can say now is, Mount Kilimanjaro, here I come…

Ask the Author with Pippa Wright – How do you come up with such unique ideas for your books?

2013-05-17T13:30:00+01:00

We’re super excited that for the month of May Pippa Wright is here at Novelicious as our author in residence. Each Friday she will be answering a question about her life as a writer.

This week a Novelicious reader asks:

You have such unique ideas for your books, how do you come up with them?

Pippa says: Thanks, that’s a really nice thing to say. I think I waited a long time to try writing a book because I wasn’t sure I had a good enough idea. What I didn’t understand back then is that you get ideas for writing by writing. You start off with one thing, and it becomes something different, and along the way you have to jettison a lot of other ideas. Some of the ideas you left behind on one book might turn into something new. So the more you write, the more ideas you have. Don’t wait to be hit by an amazing and unique idea, is my advice - the good idea will probably come to you while you’re working on something else.

With Lizzy Harrison Loses Control I had been reading a lot of women’s fiction and I noticed that the heroines were nearly always adorably scatty and ditzy and disorganised. I’m not like that at all, quite the opposite, and I started wondering what might happen if you put a very controlling, perfectionist sort of person into a traditional romantic comedy plot. I wasn’t out to entirely subvert the genre: I knew I wanted to have the colourful best friend, the obvious love interest and, most importantly, the happy ending. But I did want a different sort of heroine within that established framework, and that was the starting point. It began quite differently – with a girl whose best friend assumed responsibility for all decisions in her life in order to shake up her routine – but it was impossible to make that convincing. Who’d let their best friend do that? So I had to find another way to force Lizzy to loosen up.

Unsuitable Men came from some terrible dating experiences! Not just mine, but my friends’ too. Terrible, but ultimately we came out of it with some excellent and hilarious stories that were too good not to share. I wanted to have a heroine who was quite different to Lizzy Harrison – someone softer, and a bit too much of a pushover. I was keen that Rory should live somewhere that wasn’t a wacky flatshare with friends of a similar age. I wanted her to be a bit isolated from that, because she’d kind of hibernated in her previous relationship for too long and lost touch with everyone. I hope that you get to see Rory discover herself as the book progresses, rather than just meet unsuitable men.

The Foster Husband came from two different ideas. One was the thought of setting a book in Lyme Regis, where I’d gone to write quite a lot of Unsuitable Men. I loved it there and had an idea about a girl who was obsessed with Jane Austen and Persuasion which is, of course, set in Lyme. I went quite far with that. Then I read an interview with an actress who mentioned her former husband. I was only skimming through the magazine and read it wrongly as ‘my foster husband.’ By the time I realised that wasn’t what she’d said, I’d already started wondering what a foster husband would be, and who might have one and why. That got tangled up with my Lyme Regis idea and I took it from there.

So you can see the finished book often ends up being something quite far off the original idea, but without the original idea, I’d never get started in the first place.

The Great Gatsby: Book vs Film

2013-05-17T12:30:00+01:00

Adapting a book like The Great Gatsby into a film is both an incredibly difficult challenge and ridiculously easy. On the one hand, the novel, written by F Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925, is one of the most beloved and well-known novels of the 20th century. People across the world have an idea in their heads of what Jay Gatsby should look like, what his house should look like, what his parties were really like. If you get it wrong, people will notice and tear the film to shreds. That said, The Great Gatsby is one of the few novels which truly lends itself to being adapted. Firstly, the novel itself is actually quite short, so a lot of what is written about in the book could – hypothetically – be left in. Nothing need be cut dramatically or altered. Secondly, the novel is unbelievably light on dialogue.

So much of what made Fitzgerald's novel so popular revolved around his exquisite prose, the innate detail in his descriptions of locations, outfits, mannerisms, people and all the little nuances of 1920s New York. It is all wealth and appearances but much of this is explained to the reader through the narrative rather than shown through dialogue and action. A young man is lured to New York to make his fortune and moves in next to the elusive Mr Gatsby, who he later learns has already been acquainted with his cousin Daisy before she married Tom Buchanan. For a story that revolves around Gatsby, it is worth noting that the man himself does not actually appear until chapter three, only adding, of course, to the intrigue behind his character.

Perhaps quite controversially, I appear to be one of the few people who actually did not enjoy the novel as much as I had hoped. It is not a bad novel, by any stretch of the imagination. However, as it is written from the perspective of the narrator, it becomes laborious quite quickly. The narrator seems far too self-involved and though there is lots of beautiful narrative, not a lot actually happens. The narrator seems to observe more than participate in so much of what takes place around him, as though he is mearly whisked up into the drama involuntarily. He placates those around him, never really getting angry or standing up to them. Even when Daisy, Tom and Gatsby are introduced into the story, it is a long while before the story moves on from gossip to action and drama.

In the film adaptation, there is so much glamour and intrigue that there is no time for boredom. The film, in true Luhrmann style, is vibrant, colourful, and oh so dramatic, with sultry looks across crowded parties, captivating eyelash flutters and soft touches between fingers. Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan are sublime as Gatsby and Daisy, exuding the inner turmoil and the outward falseness of both their characters. Mulligan is simply radiant. Joel Edgerton is suitably brutish as Tom and manages to be both terrifying and oddly alluring. The chemistry between Daisy and Gatsby and Daisy and Tom – though obviously different in style – is always apparent, even though there is immense restraint and subtlety in the execution of their performances. Sadly, it is Tobey Maguire that falls short of this impressive young group of actors, never really pulling in viewers. Though arguably, he is doing exactly what the character in the book does – observing more than participating.

The book takes a while to get going, spending far too long setting the scene, and it isn't until the final third that it really goes all out with the action and drama. The film, on the other hand, builds with a steady pace, examining the complacency of the characters' wealth and indulgence. It sets the scene, just as the novel does, but remains captivating throughout thanks to the incredible screen presence of its young stars. There are a few surreal moments, thanks largely to the immersive nature of the 3D (which adds little to the film itself), where audiences may find themselves having Titanic flashbacks but other than that, the film is an intoxicating tale from start to finish.

As adaptations go, this may well be one of the most faithful book to film conversions ever made, with some of it incredibly literal. If lines are already in your head from the novel, you are likely to recognise many of them in the film. Luhrmann's vision of The Great Gatsby has all the grandeur and opulence of the book and, thanks to his fantastical style, it becomes almost as dreamlike and surreal as the New York experienced by the narrator in the novel, capturing the vacuous and superficial nature of the source text.

Overall, this is a stunning and suitably audacious adaptation with all the glamour and drama of the novel but all the relevance of a modern drama – and a cool, young, soundtrack to boot thanks to Jay-Z's collaboration.

Book – 7/10

Film – 8/10

If you're a fan of the book and want to check out the film with other book-lovers, tweet @filmvsbook for more info on the first #bookvsfilmclub on Friday 24th May.

U.S. and Canada Giveaway – 2 copies of Wendy Wax’s ‘While We Were Watching Downton Abbey’ to give away!

2013-05-17T11:30:00+01:00

In this week’s competition, we’ve got 2 copies of American author Wendy Wax's new novel up for grabs.

When the concierge of the Alexander, a historic Atlanta apartment building, invites his fellow residents to join him for weekly screenings of Downton Abbey, four very different people find themselves connecting with the addictive drama, and—even more unexpectedly—with each other...

Samantha Davis married young and for the wrong reason: the security of old Atlanta money for herself and her orphaned brother and sister. She never expected her marriage to be complicated by love and compromised by a shattering family betrayal.

Claire Walker is now an empty nester and struggling author who left her home in the suburbs for the old-world charm of the Alexander, and for a new and productive life. But she soon wonders if clinging to old dreams can be more destructive than having no dreams at all.

And then there’s Brooke MacKenzie, a woman in constant battle with her faithless ex-husband. She’s just starting to realize that it’s time to take a deep breath and come to terms with the fact that her life is not the fairy tale she thought it would be.

For Samantha, Claire, Brooke, and Edward, who arranges the weekly gatherings, it will be a season of surprises as they forge a bond that will sustain them through some of life’s hardest moments—all of it reflected in the unfolding drama, comedy, and convergent lives of Downton Abbey.

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment telling us why you want to win.

This is for entrants in the USA and Canada only. The last day for entries will be Friday 24th May.

Don't forget that you still have time to enter last week's competition to win a bundle of Pippa Wright books, here.

Good luck!

Review – Down London Road by Samantha Young

2013-05-17T10:28:29+01:00

Reviewed by Kirsty Nicole Pole

Smart, Sexy and Seductive are just three words that I would choose to describe Samantha Young’s follow up to On Dublin Street and here’s why…

Johanna Walker is a strong, determined woman who is carrying a huge burden on her shoulders. She knows that the only way to support herself financially is by dating secure men, with plenty of money who will treat her well and look after her little brother, Cole – something her parents have never done.

Then, gorgeous new bartender Cameron MacCabe arrives and Jo cannot ignore her instant attraction, the sexual energy crackles between them but Cam doesn’t fit into her strict specifications for the perfect partner. Will she be tempted to let her heart overrule her head for once?

As the tension between them reaches electrifying levels Jo has to stop hiding truth about herself and her family, but will Cameron still be interested once he knows her secret?

This book crackles with sexual tension from the first few pages. Johanna is a strong, and sometimes frustrating, character who is struggling to support her teenage brother whilst their alcoholic mother throws insults at them daily and drinks herself into a stupor. Jo has a huge heart – she sacrifices her own happiness to date wealthy men who she knows will look after her and Cole, but this leads to a lot of people misunderstanding her as a gold-digger. I had a lot of sympathy for Jo; it took me a while to warm to her stubbornness, however, as I continued to read all I wanted was for her to be happy. She cares deeply about protecting her brother and fights hard for the life she thinks he deserves.

Then Cameron comes along: broad, tattooed and deliciously handsome, Jo feels her defences begin to crumble from the minute she meets him and Samantha Young describes their attraction to each other in such detail that you become absorbed in their relationship. Cameron is the dream male protagonist, brooding, sexy and always ready to fight for Jo. He is addictive to read. As the attraction between them develops and reaches fever pitch it is hard not to be drawn into the passion of their relationship, he is very much the ying to Jo’s yang and they spark off one another in their dialogue well.

This book is not for the prudish amongst us. Though there is much more to it than sex, there are plenty of scenes that will make you blush over your Coco Pops on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Whilst I cared about the secondary characters (especially best friends Joss and Braden), the real story in this book is Jo’s. She is a strong, likeable female character, and I continued to devour this book all the way to the end hoping that she’d get the guy and the happiness that she deserved.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves a story with strong protagonists, passion and fire.

9/10

MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK

Novelicious Chats To... Paula Daly

2013-05-16T13:30:00+01:00

Paula Daly's novel, Just What Kind of Mother Are You? has been receiving rave reviews - here's our recent 10/10 review - and today she's answered a few questions for our Novelicious readers.

1. Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?

I start as soon as the kids have gone to school and the dog has been walked – usually around 9.30 - and I begin by going over yesterday’s work. Once that’s done I’m in the right place mentally and ready to write. I make a few notes on a scrap of paper outlining what I’m about to write next, something like: ‘Lisa has huge row with Joe’ and I find that it’s this part particularly, writing out in long hand what I need to get down, which prevents me from getting stuck.

Then I write 1000 words. Sounds easy. It’s not. I love doing it but I do find it hard. So much so that I have to unplug the Internet and I don’t answer the phone – unless it’s one of the children calling. When I’ve done 700 words I allow myself a break and do something fun like … fold washing, push the Hoover round, mess about on Twitter for a bit. The whole process takes around four and half hours and I’m pretty much brain dead by the end of it.

2. When you are writing, do you use any celebrities or people you know as inspiration?

I don’t use celebrities as inspiration but my characters come from an amalgamation of people I know. Bits of dialogue get thrown in and certain traits and tics to make them as real as possible.

3. What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I read the opening page and had to put the book down for a moment as Aibileen’s voice had such a profound effect on me.

It was that thrill of knowing I was in the hands of an incredibly skilled author, and the thought of another four hundred pages ahead to enjoy. I still pick it up now and read odd paragraphs, marvelling at the combination of wit, pathos, and love, evident throughout the story.

4. What is your writing process? Do you plan first or dive in? How many drafts do you do?

I start by having a really good think about my story – for around two months. During that time I’m looking to work out everybody’s motivation, have some idea of an ending, and picture a few lively scenes that I can hang the book upon. For me, the most important thing to be clear on before I start is my baddie’s motivation. If that’s not right, the reader will feel cheated at the end and I want my reader to walk away from the book satisfied.

I write one draft and then go back and slot in anything I’ve missed. The first draft is usually in pretty good shape – but naturally things pop up after the first read through. Usually the tidy up involves giving the story more depth. I am a rusher and write down all the action first, then I have to go back and pad it out with descriptions of scenery, weather and so forth.

5. What was your journey to being a published author?

I started writing around four years ago when a friend recommended Stephen King’s book ‘On Writing’. I’d always fancied having a go but had no real idea of where to start - Stephen King gave me the confidence to try. I wrote some short stories and then began a novel.

The novel was picked up by an agent who said, “We don’t want this, it’s not good enough. Go and write your next one.” So I did and I wrote a rather frivolous psychological thriller that bordered on caper. It was rejected by all the major publishing houses. That’s when I decided I really needed to nail my genre. So I read every book I could find labelled as psychological thriller and began writing, Just What Kind of Mother Are You? shortly afterwards.

6. What do you think is the biggest myth about being a novelist?

That it’s a closed shop. That you need to know someone to break into publishing. I didn’t have any contacts, I submitted in the usual way – query letter, first three chapters – and my experience is that if you write the book they want, it will be published.

7. What advice can you give to our readers who want to write a novel of their own?

Get writing and see if you like it. If it doesn’t thrill you to do it then you probably don’t have the staying power to see it through to the end. What you’re writing doesn’t have to be great, it doesn’t even have to be good (you’re bound to be full of self doubt), but it must excite you – even just a little bit.

8. What are you working on at the moment?

Another psychological thriller along the same lines called ‘The Day Before She Came’. This one asks: What if your friend steals your husband … and you know she’s a psychopath … and no one believes you … not even your own children?

It’s Hand That Rocks the Cradle meets The Fugitive. And I have the BEST baddie – she’s equal parts sexy and nasty.

Thanks, Paula!

Review - Laura Lamont's Life In Pictures by Emma Straub

2013-05-16T13:30:00+01:00

Reviewed by Amanda Keats

For Elsa Emerson, acting has always been in her family. Growing up in Door County, Wisconsin, Elsa first gets the acting bug when asked to play a small role for one of the shows currently showing at her family-run playhouse. So when an ambitious young actor asks her to marry him a few years later, she jumps at the chance of a life in Hollywood. When one of the bigshot producers sees her and gives her a new name – Laura Lamont – she finally manages to become the Hollywood actress she always wished she could be.

Laura Lamont's Life In Pictures is a spellbinding tale of Hollywood glamour but it is more about two women: the sweet, young dreamer, Elsa, and the confident, beloved and successful, Laura. It is this central woman, and the two sides to her life, which makes the story quite so compelling. As she becomes a massively successful actress, finds love and has children, Laura leaves Elsa behind almost entirely. Of course, she can never fully leave behind the first seventeen years of her life; her parents and sister are back home in Wisconsin and the plays that the family put on in the Cherry County Playhouse are what began her love of acting. In reality, Laura discovers, Hollywood is not just a few states away from Wisconsin; it is another world entirely.

As a writer, Straub clearly has no qualms in revealing both the highs and lows of the life of a celebrity and follows Laura at her most blissfully happy and at the very depths of her depression. Success, too, is rarely consistent and the reader is given a glimpse at life in Hollywood and life in the public eye. As Laura gets older, the jobs become fewer and more far between and as events transpire over which she has no control, Laura finds herself playing the part not just for work but all the time – as she is pulled between the many sides of her own personality which she has created.

Laura Lamont's Life In Pictures is a delicious tale of love: love of work and success, love of children, romantic love and, most importantly, love for oneself. Straub manages to encapsulate the golden era of 1930s Hollywood (and even takes the reader to the Academy Awards!) with such exquisite detail that – short of Doctor Who himself coming down in the TARDIS and offering to take you there personally – it is as close as many of us will ever get to experiencing it for ourselves. An emotional and captivating delight.

9/10

Emma Straub's Website