I'm a bestselling novelist

[carruthersjames]

AMA!

If you are who I am thinking, one of your books was set in my home town which is a pretty non descript place so pretty weird to read!

one of your books was set in my home town
Is that town known for its roundabouts?

Really interesting thread OP, thank you.

Was your day job related to literature or totally different?

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?

I have, and unpaid. I have always - while early in my career - been happy for the exposure and the book sales that result from appearance. Not only books sold there (which would be a few hundred at absolute best) but the future book sales that result from an author giving a public appearance - the people who attended being more likely to recommend, etc.

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

It was very difficult to know. Most give up when they felt they had readership, because you'll never feel secure just on a two-book deal. And when the day job gets in the way of writing better books, and so it is sort of taking a risk to stay; that you might scupper the opportunity.

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?

7 days. 3 weeks.

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?

Definitely plot. I am character driven by nature.

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.

I suspect am not - everyone has been wrong so far!

If you are who I am thinking, one of your books was set in my home town which is a pretty non descript place so pretty weird to read!

That is almost certainly not me. And re below, have never set a book in a place with loads of roundabouts.

Was your day job related to literature or totally different?
Totally unrelated

Love this thread OP and have stopped guessing. I had thought you were GM whose books I found out about on here but realise now the ages etc don't match up. And I'd rather not spoil it and know.

You said you read in your genre, how many books on average do you read per week/month/year.

Also did you have an epiphany one day where you thought this is it I'm going to write the book and nobody is going to to stop me?!

Also I agree with you re grammar. I HATE the kids in school are taught to write accurately and therefore lose their creativity

I think people should stop trying to guess - it's great to get open answers from someone on this, but MN is such a wonderful place to keep some anonymity. It kind of takes away from the spirit of AMAs if there is a constant current of 'I know who you are.' I'd rather get the replies than drive OP away.

I have one more question though (or themes of question) - have you stayed with the same agent throughout (I am very flighty in that department)? Did you get the one you wanted? Did more than one offer you representation?

I agree- I'd hate for anyone to start guessing who I was (not that I'm special)

I'd love to know who you are, I won't ask or guess though!
I bloody love books, I just love getting lost in a book, especially thrillers. I started a new one over the weekend and haven't been able to put it down.
What's your favourite book you've ever read? Is there a certain one that made you think yes I can do this/writing is what I want to do?

Haven't read the whole thread so apologies if those have been asked. Also if the answer is too outing, just ignore me

I have something I've been working on for years; I hate that I haven't finished it. I really hate the idea that I may never get around to it. Obviously - everyone might say this but I have been tempted to pitch it anyway, as the push I might need.

Can you clarify- how far along would you go towards the finished product before trying to sell it?

Thank you for this thread.

This thread is interesting.
If you are quoted on somebody else's book, saying something nice, ("John Smith is my favourite fictional vet! " Chris Dodo, author of Vets I like) do you paid for it, or is it an exchange of some sort or is the same publisher or what? I've always wondered how that works when the person quoted is not a critic or potentially a friend.

You said you read in your genre, how many books on average do you read per week/month/year.

Probably on average one a week. When am not on my bloody phone.

Also did you have an epiphany one day where you thought this is it I'm going to write the book and nobody is going to to stop me?!

Yes, I did. At the end of my twenties I observed that a whole decade of 'writing' had amounted to about 15k words and I realised that, unless I changed something, I would never achieve my 'dream.' So I started a new book, and finished it in 8 months.

I have one more question though (or themes of question) - have you stayed with the same agent throughout (I am very flighty in that department)? Did you get the one you wanted? Did more than one offer you representation?

I have indeed had the same agent throughout. I had more than one interested but gave a time limit for offers and then went with the first offer anyway.

What's your favourite book you've ever read? Is there a certain one that made you think yes I can do this/writing is what I want to do?

This is too outing I think as I am quoted on the books I liked, and have also given interviews about my biggest inspirations.

Can you clarify- how far along would you go towards the finished product before trying to sell it?

If it's fiction, you have to finish it, I am afraid. Agents take on fully finished novels. Of course, most will work editorially with you, and then editors will too, but to stand the best chance of getting taken on by an agent you should a. Finish it, and b. make it the best it can possibly be yourself (so, with your critical eye). You can't do any more than that. It's very unfair, I know, to have to write 100,000 words with no promise, pay or validation, but I think that is the worst and hardest bit, and the part where most fail.

If you are quoted on somebody else's book, saying something nice, ("John Smith is my favourite fictional vet! " Chris Dodo, author of Vets I like) do you paid for it, or is it an exchange of some sort or is the same publisher or what? I've always wondered how that works when the person quoted is not a critic or potentially a friend.

No. No payment. What happens is publishers sent advance review copies to me (via my agent) and, if I like them, I will offer up a quote. There is no doubt a bit of strategic endorsement that goes on but generally speaking most authors I know endorse books they enjoyed because of just that - they enjoyed them, and it's a nice thing to do to offer a leg up - especially for a debut.

What genre do you write?

What genre do you write?

Thrillers

Op, you haven’t replied to my message from yesterday...

If you are asked for a book endorsement and you don't like the book, what do you say .... Or do you pretend you haven't had time to read?

Ooh this is dead interesting! Thanks OP!

And I don’t have a scooby who you are!

Op, you haven’t replied to my message from yesterday...

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?

I love to be edited; it always makes the book much better. I don't hate anything about it, except the sometimes arduous task of threading a new theme through/removing a whole character etc. I communicate directly with my editor, then a desk editor coordinates the copy edit, and the copy editor sends their notes direct to me, CCing in everyone.

If you are asked for a book endorsement and you don't like the book, what do you say .... Or do you pretend you haven't had time to read?

You don't really get asked directly, merely sent them with a press release and contact details. On the few occasions I have been asked and hadn't read/didn't enjoy, I just said it was slowly rising to the top of my pile but that I'd been writing/editing too. I get several books a week so more than I could ever read - and so this is often true.

Thanks, @carruthersjames! Glad the editing process is painless for you.

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.

It wasn't a flippant question on my part. You stated 'ask me anything', and I took you at your word, but we have seen no evidence of this talent, and I wonder if you would take advice on anything from a non-expert?

That is so rude slippy - everything OP has said stacks up (I'm a writer too), and she has been very friendly throughout, even when people have been trying to guess who she is. Are you on the other AMAs asking surgeons et al to show you their prowess too?

I thought someone might ask that, Not, but this is one medium in which the OP can demonstrate their proficiency. A surgeon might find that rather difficult I grant you.

You are assuming the OP is female, or female identifying?

You stated 'ask me anything', and I took you at your word, but we have seen no evidence of this talent

Who cares? People don't have to prove themselves to you. This isn't reddit where people send in proof of who they are for their AMAs to be validated by the mods.

If you don;t think the OP is a writer, just say so rather than demanding she writes something for you to prove her 'talent' .

Okay, this has sadly descended into a bunfight now, so I'll be leaving the thread.

This is why we can't have nice things. I was really enjoying reading that until I got to the stupid pointless rudeness. Well done, slippy.

carruthers a belated thank-you for answering my question, and for a very interesting and informative thread. It's a pity it got spoilt by spiteful and petty (and probably jealous) sniping. Good luck with future books.