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AMA

I'm a bestselling novelist

157 replies

carruthersjames · 29/09/2018 10:53

AMA!

OP posts:

Report

carruthersjames · 30/09/2018 18:10

Will I ever figure out this emboldening?

Hey! Can't think of anything taboo that I've read recently (or ever actually), but I read thrillers all the time. Don't normally buy them in shops, usually second hand shops, so not really a source of income to writers lol. But well done.

Thank you - and yes, no income there, but a readership is always welcome.

Fascinating thread! I love thrillers so also wish I knew if I had read any of your books

OP posts:

foodiefil · 30/09/2018 18:17

Would you want your book to be turned into a tv series?

ApolloandDaphne · 30/09/2018 19:13

How many books have you written to date?

CatOwned · 30/09/2018 22:33

Do your books take place somewhere you've been? Sometimes I read stuff and it's so obvious the writer has never been there or even bothered to research...

What advice would you give to someone who's just starting?

carruthersjames · 30/09/2018 22:40

Would you want your book to be turned into a tv series?

Every author would!

How many books have you written to date?

5.75

Do your books take place somewhere you've been? Sometimes I read stuff and it's so obvious the writer has never been there or even bothered to research...

I try to, but it's not as easy as that: mine are all set in different locations and I can't always fit visiting in my schedule. I've been to the locations of 4 out of my 5 books.

What advice would you give to someone who's just starting?

It's a bitter pill to swallow but - the most important thing isn't a notebook or the right laptop or the right location or social media presence. It's just that you have to write, most days, for longer than you want to, through the hard bits and the difficult plot decisions and the doubt. And you have to sacrifice pleasurable things to do that!

OP posts:

eelbecomingforyou · 30/09/2018 22:44

Congrats! I’m a copy-editor and I work mainly in fiction.

Do you enjoy being edited? What do you like about it, and what do you hate? Do you communicate directly with your editor, or does an editor at your publisher do that?

karyatide · 30/09/2018 22:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nettletheelf · 30/09/2018 23:12

I’ve worked out who the OP is, thanks to good old Wikipedia.

carruthersjames · 30/09/2018 23:20

@nettletheelf have you?

OP posts:

Nettletheelf · 01/10/2018 00:21

I think so. But I won’t out you. It’s been fascinating BTW!

carruthersjames · 01/10/2018 00:23

@Nettletheelf do PM me!

OP posts:

BeTheHokeyMan · 01/10/2018 00:41

I think I've figured out who you are too but maybe I'm way off !!!

ApolloandDaphne · 01/10/2018 08:01

How closely do you work with the sales team promoting your books to bookshops? My DD has just begun working for a publisher as a sales manager. I think she is hoping she might get to meet some of the authors whose books she is promoting.

slippyshoesshuffle · 01/10/2018 10:19

Ha, never write for free

Shame, I had you down as genuine before you wrote that.

Although...does this mean that you're not doing this thread for free, and are gaining an advantage through it?

peaktrans · 01/10/2018 10:38

@Nettletheelf please PM me too

peaktrans · 01/10/2018 10:38

OP which book do you wish you had written?

Who are your favourite authors?

ginghamstarfish · 01/10/2018 10:58

Before/while writing your first book, how did you know about plotting, the story arc, etc? Where did you learn this from?

Alwaysneedgin · 01/10/2018 11:02

Have all 5 completed novels been released? I love a good thriller and I'm trying to figure out who you are 😂

MipMipMip · 01/10/2018 11:26

Was hoping you were Jane Casey but she's written too many. Hmmm, might have to visit a supermarket.

buttybuttybutthole · 01/10/2018 12:34

Are you a long term mumsnetter

There's a writer on here who was recommended to me and I devoured all of her books, it doesn't seem two seconds since her first book came out!

Massive massive thriller fan, I'll be 100percent certain I've read your books.

How did you feel initially about friends reading your work and are some parts based on people you know?

ektomarie · 01/10/2018 12:57

I’m guessing you say you write from a beach hut on the south coast of England.

carruthersjames · 01/10/2018 13:45

I think I've figured out who you are too but maybe I'm way off !!!

I've had several DMs and all incorrect. I'd like people to stop trying to guess, though, as somebody will get it right soon and I don't want to be outed.

How closely do you work with the sales team promoting your books to bookshops? My DD has just begun working for a publisher as a sales manager. I think she is hoping she might get to meet some of the authors whose books she is promoting.

Interesting - not at all, really. I have met some of the sales team at events but my initial orders from supermarkets etc comes via my editor.

Ha, never write for free

Shame, I had you down as genuine before you wrote that.

Although...does this mean that you're not doing this thread for free, and are gaining an advantage through it?

It was just a flippant comment because I didn't want to have to 'show my talent' a little like comedians being asked to tell jokes. Obviously, I write for free relatively often.

OP which book do you wish you had written?

The Girl On the Train! Sales wise. If i actually volunteer books I ADORED it would be outing as I have quoted for them.

Who are your favourite authors?

See above.

Before/while writing your first book, how did you know about plotting, the story arc, etc? Where did you learn this from?

I didn't, and I was pretty woeful at it. I think being a reader helps - you can tell when you read your own stuff through that it's not quite working. It's a case of trial and error, really, and hoping your writings strong enough to get you in the door to get help and editing! I've got a lot better over the years and I'd say reading some plotting books helps, as does watching really good quality TV box sets - TV is great at pace.

Have all 5 completed novels been released? I love a good thriller and I'm trying to figure out who you are

Yes, but please don't try to!

Was hoping you were Jane Casey but she's written too many. Hmmm, might have to visit a supermarket.

Are you a long term mumsnetter wink

Yep but I lurk far more than post.

There's a writer on here who was recommended to me and I devoured all of her books, it doesn't seem two seconds since her first book came out!

Massive massive thriller fan, I'll be 100percent certain I've read your books.

Well, I hope so.

How did you feel initially about friends reading your work and are some parts based on people you know?

You do feel a bit 'cracked open' when you write and publish a book, especially to a wide audience. Generally people have been quite good if I have borrowed a trait - quite flattered.

I’m guessing you say you write from a beach hut on the south coast of England.

No, I am not Lucy.

OP posts:

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CaptainKirkssparetupee · 01/10/2018 13:52

Oh, thank you for answering my 'Murder She Wrote' question i totally missed it a few pages back.

Tekken · 01/10/2018 14:02

Very interesting! I love that you have never given up on a novel and persevered due to the time constraints placed upon you.

Have you ever spoken at festivals or in book shops? I know there was some controversy (I spotted a debate on line a few years ago) regarding the low fee that some authors receive for this. How do you feel about it?

At what point did you feel confident enough to give up your former career in order to write full time?

How long were you sample chapters with your agent before they contacted you for the full? How long from submitting your full until they offered representation?

Which parts of writing do you dislike or feel are your weaknesses?I adore writing dialogue but dislike description. Whenever I've dabbled at writing, my descriptions are so short and straight to the point because big blocks of descriptions are things I tend to read past as a reader. I dislike when the author gives descriptions of the characters. I want to guess and I feel like it spoils the flow of the story. My pet hate is when the author has the character stand in front of a mirror or a puddle and describe themselves purely for the reader's benefit. Why else would somebody stand and pick apart their looks unless their low self confidence about their appearance was integral to the story?

Sorry - I've rambled.

Emmageddon · 01/10/2018 16:33

If you are who I think you are, I've read (and enjoyed) books 1, 2 and 3. I'm looking forward to downloading books 4 and 5 now.

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