Samantha Tonge's Blog, page 11

Fifties Diner Fangirling with author Helen Cox!

Hello Helen, it’s great to have you visit my blog – especially as you are a fellow fan of fifties diners. As you know I adored your debut book Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner. It’s a 5* from me and at a great price of only 99p!

I wrote my novella How to Get Hitched in Ten Days after visiting Cornwall and am thrilled that today it goes FREE for a limited time today (readers take note!) Cornwall is home to so many roadside diners and I just couldn’t resist using one of them as inspiration. What inspired you to set you Starlight series in such a restaurant?

I was a waitress for a long time myself and although that was in a Yorkshire tea-room, rather than in a New York diner, I think the writer in me always felt an eatery would be a great place to set a story. These places are a community unto themselves brimming with regular customers, complete strangers and people who visit only every so often whenever they’re in town. They may be small in terms of physical size but their doors are open to the world and thus they present endless possibilities as a setting.

Moreover, unlike in your wonderful novella where you start from a point of relationship crisis, I was keen to write the opening to a reluctant romance and I thought a waitress would be an ideal candidate for a protagonist on that score. As a waitress, you have to speak to every customer so it was quite a lot of fun putting my central character in a position where she was avoiding relationships but was obliged to speak to the hot actor who was paying her more than an average amount of attention. I’m kind to my characters like that.

A community – yes, I think that sums up exactly how I feel about fifties diners. And as for their menu…My favourite diner food has to be pie and ice cream. I’m not a massive fan of burgers or hotdogs as the only meat I eat is chicken – although some places do amazing veggie burgers nowadays. What is your all-time favourite diner food?

Wow, you’re asking me all of the hard questions today, haha. To be honest if I’ve got a plate of buttermilk pancakes in front of me, complete with maple syrup, I am a happy woman. I hadn’t even tried them before I first visited New York about a decade ago but as soon as I took my first bite I was hooked.

If you could run your own diner, what would you call it?

I’d simply call it Zinone’s after Stephanie Zinone – Michelle Pfeiffer’s character in Grease 2. Take away what you will about me based on this decision.

Ha, that’s a great name! In my novella, the restaurant is called The Polka Dot Diner and a lovely warm guy called Mikey runs it, whereas in your book the owner, Bernie, is quite the grump! I feel there is more to his story – will we learn more about him in the sequel, Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner? I see from the blurb that he offers the new main character, Bonnie, a job and is described as “kindly” . Do we see him mellow?

Haha. Yes, poor Bernie. Esther doesn’t have a lot of time for his attitude does she? In her defence – he’s no Mikey!

Bernie is probably one of the most special characters in the series to me. Although he’s really only on the periphery of the full-length stories, there’s an overarching journey for him that ties all the books, and their respective messages, together. I wrote a free short story called Hot and Cold at the Starlight Diner in which Bernie features more heavily. It tells the tale of how and why the Starlight Diner opened and readers wanting to know more about the man behind Bernie’s disgruntled persona should definitely check that out.

Ooh – will Bernie mellow?

Well, let’s just say my new protagonist, Bonnie is perhaps more interested in palling up to Bernie than Esther and Mona ever have been.

Out of all the characters in your book, whom would you invite to dinner?

That’s a very good question and there are lots of different reasons I could choose other characters but I think I’d have to go with Walt. I have no grandparents left alive now and I miss them very much. I think there’s a lot of my paternal grandfather in Walt – he’s unafraid to make cheeky comments whenever the mood takes him.

Yes, I love how older people seem to reach a stage where they just speak their mind. Um, I think I might have hit that phase rather early!

Now I ADORE the movie Grease, having seen it ten times as a child! Which character would you like to be out of that film? I secretly admired tough Rizzo but was more like reserved Sandy as a young woman (yes, things have changed!) .

Well, as most of my followers know I’m more of a Grease 2 kinda gal, and by that I mean I’ve watched it more 300 times in my life at the age of 34. But one character I do love from Grease, who also appears in Grease 2, is the school secretary Blanche. I know she’s only a secondary character but Blanche cracks me up in every single scene she’s in whether it’s the original or the sequel. She’s a bit scatty, a bit high-pitched but boy oh boy can she ever play that xylophone…

300 times?! Helen! Well your Starlight Diner doesn’t have a xylophone, but it is, of course, home to a fifties jukebox – does it play any favourite songs of yours from that era?

Oh very much so. I could listen to Dinah Washington’s voice on an endless loop with ‘Mad About the Boy’ being a personal favourite. I also like a song she sang called ‘Rockin’ Good Way.’ It was later covered by Shakin’ Stevens and Bonnie Tyler in 1984. I don’t normally admit this without being tortured first, so this is a Helen Cox exclusive, but I really like that version too.

Finally, are there any more books planned in this series after the sequel, Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner? What does Helen Cox writer hope to achieve in 2017?

There is a synopsis all written up for a third Starlight Diner book which includes just as many unexpected twists and turns as the first two books, especially for Bernie. Whether or not that book goes ahead will, like everything in publishing, be subject to all that sexy contract stuff that my agent understands far better than I do.

Most of my friends will tell you it’s very difficult to get me to look further than next week never mind next year but, amongst other fiction plans, I am working on a proposal for a narrative non-fiction book that has links with a certain famous nanny, known for flying across the London rooftops. This is all just in the schematic phase at present but, after the excitement of having two books published in 2016, who knows what’s in store for 2017?

Well thanks so much for joining me and I wish you continued success!

You’d be made to miss Helen’s delicious debut , folks, and it’s just One-Click away!

Helen Cox is a book-devouring, photo-taking, film-obsessed novelist. If forced to choose one, Helen’s Mastermind specialism would be Grease 2. To this day, she still adheres to the Pink Lady pledge and when somebody asks her if she is a god she says ‘yes.’ She currently lives in York and writes novels.

 

Creating settings – it’s all in the detail!

In under two weeks – goodness! – my sixth novel, Breakfast under a Cornish Sun is launched. I can’t wait to share Kate Golightly’s story. The book was huge fun to write, partly because I adored the rugged yet picturesque setting. Cornwall seems to be a favourite location amongst writers – as do Paris and Greece. Yes, hands up, they’ve inspired me too – see From Paris with Love and my summer 2015 bestseller Game of Scones.

It is always a challenge to set a book in a location not familiar, in terms of everyday life. In fact one of my books (firmly unpublished and kept under the proverbial literary bed!) was set in Ancient Egypt. Some settings are so inspiring that they alone are the motivation to write an entire book. This happened with my novella, How to get Hitched in Ten Days. I’d visited an amazing fifties diner and instantly knew I just had to base a story in one. So what have I learned from the process of creating different settings, over the years? Well, I’m no expert but here are my top tips.

 

 

Firstly, it’s all in the detail. Take my undiscovered masterpiece (!) set in Ancient Egypt. I tracked down an egyptologist on line and they agreed to answer all my questions for £1 a pop. I was determined to make my book as authentic as possible. And I take the same attitude towards setting my stories in modern countries – even though I have visited Cornwall, Paris and Greece. A sure-fire way to guarantee authenticity and detail is to focus on the five senses. Take your readers on a complete, sensual journey.

Sight – don’t forget the small things. Like sand stuck to the bottom of shoes after a day out. A passing gull with a chip hanging from its mouth. The width of the kohl around the eyes of a pharoah. The different colours shooting across the sky during a sunset.

Sound – listen to a Youtube video filmed in the setting of your choice. The car horns in Paris. The donkey’s bray or chirping cigales in a Greek village. The fishing boat’s horn at a seaside resort. The sound of cheesy music from a passing ice cream van.

Smell – the stink of fish and seaweed as you walk through a harbour such as the one pictured above. The car fumes in Paris or wafting pastry smells from bakeries. Crocodile dung in Ancient Egypt! Close your eyes and imagine you are walking in your characters’ shadows. Think smoke from barbecues in the summer or aroma of hot red cinnamon wine if it’s cold.

Taste – oh yes, go to town with the food! The different textures and levels of spiciness or sweetness. All those details will really get the reader involved. How the food feels on the tongue. Is the aftertaste mild or bold?

Touch – wet sand squelching between toes. Scratchy beach grasses brushing against legs. Weather-beaten fishing boats. Scaly, slippery fish. Cobbled pavements under the feet. The sleek, smooth glass of glitzy buildings. The breeze through your hair by the coast or at the top of a landmark.

Below is an extract from my new Cornish book, as best friends, Kate and Izzy, drive towards Port Penny harbour:

“…the road narrowed into a path and we cut through the tiniest whitewashed stone cottages, with doll’s house doors and uneven foundations. The roads turned to cobbled avenues and I marvelled at cute plant pots in tiny front gardens. An occasional cat crossed our path, as I pointed out funny house names like Seas the Day and Sunnyside Up. Tens of gulls squawked above our heads and, as we approached the wide harbour, I breathed in a fishy stench, which hit the back of your throat.“

 

Secondly, also describe all the smaller aspects of the larger, more imposing parts of your setting. To do this I study Youtube videos and do lots of research online. Draw a map if that helps. I did this for Taxos, the Greek village in Game of Scones, and also for the stately mansion in Doubting Abbey. This will make it more real for you and, as a consequence, more real for your readers. Reading tourists’ reviews on TripAdvisor is also immensely helpful. I did this for my Greek book as I couldn’t exactly remember the details of Kos centre and I came across some vivid descriptions of various fountains and buildings – how safe or croweded or well maintained they were and what you could see from each angle. Also read local tourist guides and try to get a sense of the atmosphere surrounding big landmarks, to make the experience more personal.

In this extract, in From Paris with Love, Gemma is sitting on the steps of the Sacre Coeur:

“I gazed back down at the City of Light. When we’d first arrived, I’d just about been able to make out the details of roofs, chimneys and aerials. Now, however,everywhere was liquorice black, as if the starry sky had fallen to earth, just like that children’s story where Brer Rabbit thinks the moon has dropped into a pond. Lights twinkled and towards the right stood the sparkly Eiffel Tower.

I turned around, and gazed up at the awesome Sacre-Coeur church, illuminated by an amber glow. A Native American band played nearby, with their drums, flutes and pipes. Chat, laughter and ciggie smoke filled the air. Necking wine out of a bottle, a tramp sat next to us and directly in front was a group of camera-clicking Japanese girls.”

 

Thirdly, cut out relevant photographs and stick them above your desk, to really “get in the zone”. I did this with From Paris with Love as inspiration for the restaurant where a lot of the plot was based. I also posted up a copy of the Parisian underground. Don’t be lazy. Readers are educated people and won’t believe in the story if they spot an obvious mistake. Find the right Metro station to get off at the Eiffel Tower. Work out the exact time it will take a taxi to travel from the airport to your little Greek village.

 

Fourthly if you can, visit places in real life similar to your setting, if you haven’t actually been to the location. Doubting Abbey was inspired by the series Downton Abbey, and well after the book was published I managed a trip to Highclere Castle (see below). But the stately home in my story is quite different, and to get a taste of aristocratic life whilst doing the ground research, I visited Lyme Hall near me and took a tour of the house, writing notes on everything from the artefacts to door frames and just imagining how it must feel to live in such grandiose surroundings.

 

 

 

Finally… remember, a glamorous or particularly appealing or distinctive setting isn’t everything. For some novels the plot and characters carry the story and the setting, whilst important, isn’t such an crucial element. In Breakfast under a Cornish Sun it is significant because Kate Golightly heads off to that coast to find her very own Poldark (the fictional hero of a well-know Cornish book and TV series). Yet in my current work-in-progress (still under wraps, so I can’t give much away!) the setting is more incidental as the plot is about more of an emotional than physical journey for the characters.

 

 

 

 

Cass Green’s Five Top Tips for Writing Thrillers!

Ever fancied writing a thriller? This genre is certainly one of the most dynamic and successful at the moment. So, today I am super pleased to welcome a dear friend, multi-talented writer – and teacher of writing – to  my blog, the lovely Caroline Green. Her debut thriller – written under the pen name Cass Green –  The Woman Next Door comes out on 22nd July.  Caroline is already an accomplished, award-winning author of Young Adult fiction and a successful journalist to boot. So, over to Caroline for some eye-opening tips about how to get started in this genre…

 

 

 

After writing four YA novels I’m taking my first steps with adult thrillers. I’m very excited! Here are five things I’ve learned so far about writing for this massively popular and competitive market.

Know your genre. Read everything you can.

Writing for what you think the market wants might be tempting, but this cynical approach rarely pays off, in my experience. Not least because the market’s a strange and unpredictable beast.

Luckily, I’ve loved thrillers for ever, and for me there’s nothing better than that feverish feeling of wanting to turn the pages faster and faster.  But more than anything, you need to read, read, read to know what’s out there. When aspiring writers say they don’t have time to read books, it makes me want to cry! More than anything else, writers need to be readers. And the best thing is, you can sit there devouring good books and tell everyone you’re hard at work on research. Result!

Don’t give your readers whiplash.

You know what it’s like; you’re reading a thriller and then there is a twist so preposterous you spend a few moments going, ‘What? Where? How?’ Now sometimes that can be a delicious thing and when the shock twist works properly it’s a sign of immense story telling skill. But when it seems to come from nowhere, or have no roots in the rest of the story, then your reader just feels annoyed and a bit let down. I hope I’ve managed to do this with The WOMAN NEXT DOOR but readers will have to judge for themselves!

Make your characters flawed and complex.

We don’t have to like characters……but we DO have to care about them. As Gone Girl and Girl on a Train proved, we can become heavily invested in characters who aren’t especially likeable, as long as we’re fascinated by what they’re going to do next and what happens to them. I personally wouldn’t want to live next door to either Hester or Melissa, my characters in THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR! But oh, I do love them both…

Give ‘em what they need, not what they want.

I have to confess to pinching this one from the brilliant book Into the Woods: A Five Act Journey into Story by story guru John Yorke. So we all know that most stories involve a character trying to reach a goal, right? But when you have the character ending up with the thing they actually needed, and didn’t know it, rather than what they thought they wanted, it can make for very satisfying ending.

…and speaking of endings

It’s disappointing when you’ve avidly devoured a book and then there is a weak denouement. Now, you don’t have to tie together every single loose thread at the end but you definitely should make sure that the finale is as complete and well thought through as the important first few pages. I’m surprised by how often I’ll feel an ending is the weakest part of a novel I’ve just read.

So make sure you save a little story magic for the end.

 

Some insightful tips there, thank you Caroline! The Woman Next Door sounds like a great read and a real bargain at just 99p!

 

Cass Green is the adult pen name of Caroline Green, an award -winning author of fiction for young people. Her first novel, DARK RIDE won the RONA Young Adult Book of the Year and the Waverton Good Read Award. CRACKS and HOLD YOUR BREATH garnered rave reviews and were shortlisted for eleven awards between them, including: The Amazing Book Award; The Catalyst Book Award The Leeds Book Award; The Hampshire Book Award; Sefton Super Reads, the Oldham Book Award and The Stockport Book Award. She is the Writer in Residence at East Barnet School and teaches Writing for Children at City University. Caroline has been a journalist for over twenty years and has written for many broadsheet newspapers and glossy magazines.

 

THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR

A dark and twisty psychological thriller, perfect for fans of HER by Harriet Lane and IN A DARK DARK WOOD by Ruth Ware.

Two suburban women. Two dark secrets. The almost perfect murder.

Everybody needs good neighbours…

Melissa and Hester have lived next door to each other for years. When Melissa’s daughter was younger, Hester was almost like a grandmother to her. But recently they haven’t been so close.

Hester has plans to change all that. It’s obvious to her that despite Melissa’s outwardly glamorous and successful life, she needs Hester’s help.

But taking help from Hester might not be such a good idea for a woman with as many secrets as Melissa…

 

 

Five Scariest Moments of being a Published Author

I was talking on my Facebook page recently about scary things that had happened since becoming published – and how I had learnt to face my fears. And it made me realise how important it is to grab opportunities, even if you think you are not up to the job. A bit like dating a guy you consider to be out of your league. I’m still a coward when it comes to certain things – I’ve avoided going on a radio show and have yet to organise a real-life book launch, just in case nobody turns up! But here are five things I am proud of pushing myself to do even though, at the time, my stomach was in knots!

To start with, the first time I met up with my publisher, in  London. I’d spent the previous sixteen years as a stay-at-home mum so was completely out of my comfort zone in this new business environment. It makes me chuckle now that I managed to wangle sandwiches in the offices instead of being taken out to lunch – I was like a nervous schoolgirl on a first date! After the formal part we did, in the end, go out for coffee and the day turned out to be fabulous. I surprised myself with an inner confidence. Now I really look forward to my trips down to the Big Smoke.

 

The second scariest thing… reading reviews. The first review for my debut book, Doubting Abbey, went up on GoodReads the night before launch. It was 3* which whilst not a bad rating, didn’t meet my perfectionist hopes. Tears were shed. I convinced myself that the book would flop and that I’d let everyone down. As it was, the book went on to be a bestseller and lots of readers loved the characters and plot. But for a while, I looked at each new review with trepidation. These days, my skin is much thicker and I realise that not everyone will like my work. And accepting that is part of my job.

Thirdly… ooh…. going to my first Romantic Novelists Association party. I imagined, in my head, that the chat would be all about literature and I was going to be outed as the least well-read person in the room. As it was, I couldn’t have been more wrong! Think Prosecco on tap, lots of laughs, a little gossip, and just banter and empathy about being a writer and books. I now adore meeting up with my writerly friends, who are some of the most generous, supportive people in the world.

Fourthly… managing expectations has been hard and thinking too much about them is scary – something I try not to do just before the launch of a book, like at the moment with Breakfast under a Cornish Sun coming out in July. I try to control those questions in my head like is my writing good enough? Will I let down my agent? How many copies does my publisher expect to sell? Will my readers love this story as much as the last? I’ve learnt just to take my career one book at a time and to try to be satisfied if a good number of readers end up being moved in some way by the story, regardless of rank or sales or income. I recently received a lovely message from a reader who couldn’t wait to get home to finish Game of Scones  and I couldn’t hope or expect for more than that.

Lastly…I guess, ironically, the scariest thing is finally achieving your dream. Is it really everything you thought it would be? For the most part, the last three years have been a whirlwind of excitement and thrills, with books selling well and an award won. Of course there have been difficult moments, as with any career, when I have thought of that phrase “be careful what you wish for”. Yet finally I feel like I have “come home” and am doing what I should be with people who “get” what I am about. So really, that’s turned out to be not scary at all.

 

 

Five Top Tips for Dating a Writer!

I attended a workshop for writing for women’s magazines once and an editor said you are all sensitive people  – that’s why you write. She wasn’t wrong. On the plus side it means we can easily empathise with our partner’s problems – we are good at getting into the heads of other people. We need to be – to do our job. On the downside you might find us blubbing over the end of a book or going into a darkened room if a rejection comes through the post. Strap yourselves in tight and prepare for an emotional rollercoaster if you date a writer – on the plus side you’ll be going out with someone in touch with their passionate side.

Secondly… Cats. Youtube videos. Funny memes. All of those things, on Facebook and Twitter might not look like work to you, but scrolling down those pages are an essential part of any author’s day! Honestly. Writing is exhausting intellectually and authors need to constantly break from their work-in-progress to recharge with some trivial stuff. So don’t roll your eyes at your partner’s social media obsession – it could lead to a speedy end to your relationship!

 

Thirdly… Come over rock-like because they are going to need your support. When a rejection comes in, to a writer it can feel like the end of the world. They need their nearest and dearest to reassure them that this is just a blip and that they must carry on – even if you don’t one hundred percent have faith in their latest project, a romance between an astronaut and a three- breasted alien. You see us writers have enough self-doubt without any negative vibes from elsewhere, so practice that bright smile and those reassuring words. You’ll be glad you did when they become a bestseller.

Fourthly – enjoy the fact that present-giving will be easy. Us writers love, love notebooks. And writing snacks are very important.  Or if you’re flash with the cash, a writer’s retreat holiday would be perfect!

Finally… dating a writer is not for the shy. You see, ahem, parts of YOUR life may end up in their work, being read by the public. For example, a couple of years ago, my family and I had a rather lovely holiday in Cornwall and that provided much material for my new book, Breakfast at Poldark’s. On a more intimate note, if you are considering hanging out with an erotic writer, consider which parts of your life might be incorporated into a novel! On the plus side, it means your partner might be fascinated by your job. My husband has just started working for a fashion company and my creative juices are already flowing. Just watch how much you confide – any family secrets might end up in print. Equally, don’t panic if you see your partner’s computer search history. Just because they’ve been Googling how long it would take a pen of pigs to eat a human corpse, doesn’t mean they still hate you after that latest argument

Imposter Syndrome – Ditch the Self-doubt

I’ve often heard writers say that – at times – they don’t feel justified in calling themselves an author. Self-doubt has set in. They feel as if they’re a fraud, playing down their accomplishments and just waiting for someone to tap them on the shoulder and get out the handcuffs to charge them with portraying themselves as someone they aren’t. And I totally get this. I’ve just finished a new project which is far more emotional than my previous books and I’ve had lots of wobbles – that inner voice asking me if I’m really up to the job. So here are my tips – what has worked for me –  on how to quash the critical inner soundtrack each of us has and prove that the title of writer is one you fully deserve.

 

Firstly – no question about it – whether you are just starting out or writing your tenth novel, if you put words to paper on a regular basis, if you craft each sentence, read how-to books, devour other authors’ work to pick up tips, care passionately about your creativity… you ARE a writer. It can be hard to believe this if you are at the aspiring author stage, with no formal validation for your work. And it’s obvious but there is only one answer to this: start showing your work to other people who will give you honest feedback.

I’ll never forget the very first page of my very first book. No one knew I’d been writing. I shoved it under the bathroom door to my husband one day. It was the first time I’d ever shown my work to anyone. Impatiently I waited outside whilst he read. “Yeah – it’s not bad,” he said. He hadn’t laughed at me. That was all I needed to continue.

The next step was to join an online writing group and upload my work to a forum where other writers would critique my work. This was nerve-wracking as the criticisms came in – but I realised this process was making me a writer. I was mixing with my peers and – more importantly – learning. And still no one laughed at me. It felt good.

Next is to send your work out to an agent or publisher. Nerve-wracking again as the standard rejections or negative comments fly back. But it just took the odd positive comment to encourage me and silence the voices in my head suggesting that I would never, ever become a proper member of this profession.

Once published, of course, the self-doubt doesn’t magically disappear, the causes of it simply alter. Poor reviews and low rankings can feed the negativity. A trip into GoodReads or onto Amazon can be all it takes to burst your balloon of confidence about BEING AN AUTHOR. On those occasions, I suggest re-reading your good reviews. Or look up one of your favourite author’s books – read the bad comments about their stories which you will hotly disagree with, thus proving, as a writer, you can NEVER please everyone so you shouldn’t take the 1*s to heart.

Try to take a positive slant on the revisions that come in from your editor. They aren’t saying your book is lacking. Nor are they doubting your talent. Quite the opposite in fact – the message is, we trust in you to make this the book the very best it can be and here are our suggestions; we value you and your work enough – we are excited about this project enough –  to have spent our time going through and putting forward ideas to make it even stronger.

And don’t compare yourself to other authors – there will always be a writer with a higher ranking or better sales. It doesn’t devalue your work. There are lots of reasons why some books sell and others don’t – the publisher, the marketing, the title, the cover, a little bit of luck… My summer romance, Breakfast at Poldark’s is out in July and I am already telling myself not to be disappointed if it doesn’t end up as a Hollywood movie, with Chris Hemsworth playing one of the starring roles and accompanying me on the red carpet!

Finally, network and get yourself a band of writing buddies who will be there for you no matter what. I’ve declared a hundred times I am going to give up writing – because of rejections flocking in or the stress of a bad review. I wouldn’t still be putting finger to keyboard today – and believing in myself – if it wasn’t for those writerly friends who understand and have either told me to man up or offer a bucket-load of virtual chocolate.

 

Writers’ Love Affair with Cornwall

Yesterday saw the cover reveal of my new summer novel, Breakfast at Poldark’s out 28th July. I can’t wait to share this moving, romantic story of Kate Golightly – a woman whose life must move forwards and who sets of to Cornwall in hope of inspiration. Indeed, it is a very inspiring part of the country for fiction writers, this year no less than any. I’ve been wondering, why it is so appealing as a setting…

For me…

Firstly, I think it is the rugged nature of the landscape. Unlike other British seaside resorts, such as Bournemouth or Southport. There is an air of danger, with the unruly cliffsides and weather. It has such a thrusting, jagged coastline. And I think this lends itself to my idea of the people – more specifically the men – who might live there. Rugged themselves. Outdoor types. A touch of the wilderness about them. Nature-lovers.  Hmm – just the perfect material for a passionate and romantic hero you might want to get down and dirty with. Ahem!

Secondly – in contrast to my first point, I think it is the “cosy factor”. The image I have in my head of afternoon tea shops. Scones. Jam. Cornish pasties. Fish and chips. Comforting food and drink like mead or scrumpy. Whereas other seaside resorts fill my mind more with images of arcades and kiss-me-quick hats. Cornwall has retained a strong sense of authenticity and makes me think of beautiful sunsets and views of seals. A British coastline at its best.

Thirdly, with the strong accent and its position in the far South-west, Cornwall almost feels like a separate part of England. This gives it a little bit of the exotic. Ironic for me, because, Cornwall, whilst it is mild, often attracts the heaviest and most frequent downpours and when I was seven it rained constantly during our summer holiday there – we never holidayed in Great Britain again!

Finally, its history. Tales of pirates and smuggling. Castles and more castles. This gives Cornwall an aura of being a place where you can still life live in the raw, without the sophistication of modern technology and rules and regulations. A place where you can have an adventure and might meet a lover who takes you totally by surprise. It certainly takes the life of my new book’s heroine in a new direction.

So if you fancy a moving, romantic read set in this beautiful corner of the world, why not preorder Breakfast at Poldark’s? Kate Golightly has two weeks to find the Poldark look-alike of her dreams. Will she succeed? How does Cornwall surprise her? Find out this summer!

My Do’s and Don’ts of being a Published Author

 

As an aspiring author, I used to dream of the day I would hold my book in my hands – and smell it (or is that just me?!) I fantasized of Hollywood movie deals, glittery crystal awards, appearances on the Graham Norton show… Ha ha, yes, really. Of course lots of little dreams have come true since signing my deal and in many ways, it has fulfilled lots of my desires. Yet there are challenges I never expected, whilst having six books published. So here are my own tips for any authors who haven’t yet seen their work in print. I’m no expert by any means, but these things would have certainly been useful for me to know before my hopes became a reality.

 

 

DO accept that nowadays, no publisher is going to be the sole promoter of your work. Prepare for that now. Set yourself up a Facebook author page and Twitter account (er, okay, guess you have done that if you are reading this!) A large part of getting word out there, about your books, is going to be down to you. Consider your “brand” and start posting and tweeting about it, for example politics, family issues, cookery, crime… For me it is an array of fun subjects, including romantic heroes, movies,  cats,  and food and TV series relating to some of my books , including Downton, Poldark and Game of Thrones. Fill your social platforms with appealing and useful content that relates to you as an author. And network, network – retweet others who might then retweet you. Get to know bloggers.

DON’T expect all your writerly problems to magically disappear. Agreed, you no longer have the stress of trying to get published, but you will be faced with a different set of issues. In my experience, the years of trying to get an agent were a rollercoaster with the down of rejections and ups of an encouraging word – with full manuscripts being requested and then rejected and with meetings that got me excited then came to nothing concrete.  There are still peaks and troughs when published, for example great and bad rankings or brilliant and poor reviews. Keep your expectations realistic. Getting published won’t wave a wand over your life and extinguish every stress or concern.

DO treat your writing job as the career it is. Get professional. Find out about declaring earnings for tax purposes, however small they may seem at the beginning. Meet deadlines. Engage with your readers – both fans and critics – in a professional manner. As authors we are emotionally tied to our work but try not to let that creep into your dealings with others in the trade. Don’t respond to an insulting review or tweet. Don’t ping off a discontented email when your editor sends revisions that you think are way too thorough. Keep a calm head, even though almost anything to do with our stories pulls at our hearts.

DON’T refuse to compromise. Presumably two of the reasons you want to become published are to reach an audience and earn from your writing – and that means making sales. Editors and agents have a vast experience and getting published is, in some ways, just the beginning of learning everything you can – from them – about your craft and career. Whilst initial suggestions to changing your story or title might sting, I have usually found (after a couple of days drinking wine, in a darkened room) that they are spot on. Try not to be too precious. For example the original title for my second book, From Paris with Love, was “On Abbey’s Secret Service” (it is a standalone sequel to my bestselling debut Doubting Abbey).  It was hard to let go of my idea, but now I’m glad I did. The new title was far more search-engine friendly and commercial.

Finally DO enjoy every minute. Yes it is tough being an author in these times, the market is incredibly competitive and the goalposts are ever-changing, due to the revolution of the ebook. Plus there is always another social platform springing up that we are expected to use.  In my opinion, every challenging moment is worth it when you get lovely feedback from a reader or praise from your editor. Or when you experience the excitement of a launch – something I’m looking forward to with my upcoming July novel, Breakfast at Poldark’s. And never stop dreaming. I’m still secretly holding out for Graham Norton to come knocking at my door. In fact– one last tip – try to overcome shyness. Be assertive and proactive. And on that note, does anyone happen to have Graham’s number…?

Are You your Job?

First and foremost, let me make it clear, I love my profession and thank the universe every day, that I am lucky enough to do a job I adore. But is there the risk that it represents too much of my identity? To me that’s an easy question to answer. My CV is almost the length of a football pitch (okay, slight exaggeration)… In the past I have been a translator, tutor, doctor’s receptionist, hotel worker, envelope-stuffer, retail assistant… you name it, I’ve probably got the T-shirt. But never, ever, before being an author, has my feeling of self-worth been so closely linked to my career.

The good side of this? It drives me to succeed as it is my reputation and self-pride at stake. I think this applies to anyone who is self-employed. I work long hours. I strive to be my best. I do lots of promotional work and forever look to improve my writing. I write speedily to increase my output and become as prolific as possible.

 

But the bad side?  Recently I realised that striving to my best – for me – means striving to be THE best and that is an unattainable and dangerous goal. If a book doesn’t sell as well as the previous one, a little voice hints that I’VE failed. If I get a bad review, it feels like a huge blow to the person, SAMANTHA TONGE. If I lose followers on Twitter, I wonder what I  am doing wrong. Writing is so closely linked to an author’s ego. If I were merely tweeting on behalf of an employer such as a school or doctor’s practise, the ups and downs of that platform’s success would have little effect on me as a person.

In my opinion, think the important thing, as a writer – or artist, actor… any of those professions where you give away a little piece of yourself during the process – is to distance yourself as much as you can from the business side. You won an award (like I did for Game of Scones)? Great. Recognize it as an appreciation of your work, not your soul. It might happen again. It may never. That doesn’t mean you, as a person, have succeeded or failed any more or any less. Just received a bad review? The reader isn’t saying YOU deserve to be the target of rotten tomatoes. They simply didn’t enjoy one of your pieces of work in the way that some people love sushi (yuk) and others don’t. Not gaining as high rankings as another author? No matter. That’s the nature of the business. There are lots of contributing factors and whilst you are the face on the tin, you aren’t responsible for everything like the packaging or final recipe – or amount of luck.

 

Plus social media  – whilst highly enjoyable – can easily feed into a writer’s fragile ego. Are my photos appealing enough? Are my tweets and statuses funny? Why have my ‘likes’ gone down lately?

I strive to stand back and see being an author as just a job. And this isn’t as hard as it sounds, luckily for me, as I have a lovely family to enjoy time with. If I had come to writing as a younger person, without other responsibilities, the knocks might have hit harder. So my advice? To start with cut down on social media outside the 9 til 5 or during the day if your writing life starts in the evening. See your social platforms for what they are – tools to drive your career and not an indictment of the kind of man or woman you are. A little hint that you are connecting too closely with your job is what you talk about when you speak to a distant relative on the phone. How much of your news is about your work? Have you anything else to say about other aspects of your life like hobbies and trips out? Try to find an even balance.

So next time you get a bad review or your book doesn’t soar, still pat yourself vigorously on the back. Or as you launch a new book, like I will be doing soon with my summer novel Breakfast at Poldark’s. You are doing the hardest thing ever – putting actual parts of your soul out into the big wide world, to be scrutinised by Joe Public. That earns you the permanent judgement of being one hell of a gutsy person, who looks failure in the face – instead of creeping around it, too scared to ever dare step out of its shadow.

Summery Questions with Holly Martin!

The lovely and talented Holly Martin has a new book out today! Summer at Rose Island.

 

So I thought it appropriate to ask her some very summery questions! First of all here’s what the book is all about:

Fall in love with the gorgeous seaside town of White Cliff Bay this summer and enjoy long sunny days, beautiful beaches and… a little romance. 

Darcy Davenport is ready for a fresh start. Determined to leave a string of disastrous jobs and relationships behind her, she can’t wait to explore White Cliff Bay and meet the locals. 

When Darcy swims in the crystal clear waters of the bay, she discovers the charming Rose Island Lighthouse. But it’s not just the beautiful building that she finds so intriguing… 

Riley Eddison doesn’t want change. Desperate to escape the memories of his past, he lives a life of solitude in the lighthouse. Yet he can’t help but notice the gorgeous woman who swims out to his island one day. 

Darcy is drawn to the mysterious and sexy Riley, but when it seems the town is trying to demolish his home, she soon finds herself having to pick sides. 

She’s fallen in love with White Cliff Bay. But is that all Darcy’s fallen for? 

Pull up a deck chair, sink back with a bowl of strawberry ice cream and pick up the summer read you won’t be able to put down. 

You can get your copy of Summer at Rose Island here and its only £1.99 at the moment.

 

So, Holly, great to have you here – now to find out all your summer secrets!

What is your favourite, foreign summer holiday destination?

I don’t know if I have a favourite as I never go back to the same place I’ve visited before, but one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited was Zakynthos, everything felt so peaceful there, the sea was so blue and warm, the views were incredible, the people were so friendly and the food was amazing. I’d definitely like to return there one day.

 

What do you think a summer holiday in Britain offers, that you can’t get abroad?

 

The ease and convenience of getting to your destination without hours on a plane, or hours waiting around an airport, the familiarity of the food and the language, the quaint little seaside towns, the friendly locals, the cheap cost, the cute b&bs with the full english breakfasts.

 

Favourite summer holiday meal and drink?

 

Fish and chips whilst sitting on the pier or on the sea wall, probably with a can of coke. There’s something about the taste of fish and chips when you are on the seafront, it tastes infinitely better.

 

Touring or sunbathing holiday?

 

Oh that’s hard, I love a good relaxing, do nothing but read and sleep holiday but I think I prefer a holiday where I get to see the sights, either on day trips or by moving around to different locations.

 

Your summer holiday fantasy hot hero would be:

Sexy sailor – a girl in every port

Fit fisherman – up for romantic jaunts in his boat

Lush lifesaving guard – ready to pull you from the waves whenever necessary

English Benedict Cumberbatch bookish type – sits in the shade,  ready to woo you with reading poetry at any point.

or finally

Romantic restaurant owner hoping to win you with his award-winning garlic bread!

 

That’s hard too, I love food so someone who can cook or at least have someone who can cook for him would be a definite plus in my books, but there’s something very sexy, at least in my mind, about a rugged fisherman so I think I’ll have to go with that.

Well best of luck with the book, Holly, and thanks for dropping by!

 

Holly lives in sunny Bedfordshire in a house with round windows. She studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of her colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years’ service was the moment when she knew she had to escape. She quit her job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, she emerged wide eyed and terrified that she now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. She taught for four years and then escaped the classroom to teach history workshops, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next. But the long journeys around the UK and many hours sat on the M25 gave her a lot of time to plan out her stories and she now writes full time, doing what she loves.

Holly has been writing for 6 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance 2013 with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance 2014.

Follow her on Twitter @hollymartin00