Author Interview with Faith Mortimer

Hello Faith,please tell us about you, as a writer.
Hello Stuart, first may I take this opportunity tothank you for inviting me along as your guest author today. Like many of my writer friends I entered the'writing' business later in life. My children were grown up and off my hands,I'd recently completed a Science degree (for interest and fun!), and when myhusband took early retirement I thought, aha! So shall I and this gave me theopportunity to complete that first book that I'd always wanted to write. I'ddecided on a story, (The Crossing)after listening to a good friend of ours telling us a tale about his father; awartime story of love, loss and heroics. One thing led to another and here I ama couple of years later with two completed novels ( The Crossing, The Assassins' Village), a short story collection andmy third novel, (Children of thePlantation) published in Amazon last month!
Your latestbook is Children of the Plantation;perhaps you'd you give us some insight into it in a few sentences?
My latest book is another in the Diana RiversMystery series entitled; Children of ThePlantation.It starts in the present; when heroine and amateursleuth Diana is asked to read through a collection of journals she is whiskedback to the turbulent times during the fifties and sixties in Malaya (now knownas Malaysia). Love, betrayal, murder and mystery all feature heavily in thisstory.
How did youcome to write this particular book?
After writing my first very popular Diana Riversmystery, The Assassins' Village, I was caught up in her character and lovedwriting about mysterious happenings. It seemed logical to write a follow up,especially when my loyal core of followers particularly asked me to!
Do you havea favourite character from the book? If so, who and why this particular one?
It has to be Diana. She's a feisty lady, who'salways getting in trouble with her inquisitive ways. I also enjoyed writingabout Alex, whose story it is really about. He's on a rite of passage and issuch a mixed up kid. When he does a certain thing he really messes things upand causes a calamity with huge repercussions!
Where canpeople buy your books?
My books are available on;Amazon US  http://amzn.to/oLQt8cAmazon UK http://amzn.to/qe90LfSmashwords  http://bit.ly/iXHzBqThe book depository (paperbacks) http://bit.ly/oCON7U
Whatqualities does a writer need to be successful?
Many qualities spring to mind. Even when you'reenjoying writing it's a hard slog writing sometimes. It can be a lonely daywhen you sit there tapping away at your keyboard or holding a pencil. I finallygot down to serious writing when my children were gown up. I took a sciencedegree and once I'd realised that dedication, stamina and determination wereneeded to compete my degree I decided it applied equally to writing. Also I'verecently discovered that your readers are the MOST important factor once yourbook goes live. They have feelings and are NOT there as your personal cash cow.
 What's your working method?
When I am writing, time means nothing to me.Although I aim for at least 1500 words a day sometimes I can happily writethree times that - so long as there are no distractions. No radio or televisionwhen I am working! At the moment I write in the 'snug', a gorgeous cosy room inour 200 -year old stone house. I know I have found my niche in life. It'sfantastic to see the product of my efforts on a bookshelf in a store or onAmazon. I handwrite into a note pad, when I've finished for the day I simply close the bookand don't open it until the next day when I'll go over the previous day's work.I may edit then.When I come to put the completed notes onto my pc– this is my first major edit – the first of many!
What's thesingle biggest mistake made by beginner writers?
As I've already said it can be a hard slog. Whenyou're ready to publish make sure that the product you're going to offer is asgood as a paperback. Take time to edit and re-edit, over and over. Be patient –it will take time to make any real progress. Be friendly and polite to everyonewithin the same market – you never know when you might need them and goodmanners never hurt. You can also learn lots from others as well.
To whatextent are grammar and spelling important in writing?
Very important. As above – editing is boring witha capital B, but it pays off. The most annoying thing is you can check a MS 12times, read it out aloud and yet once it's printed you'll still finds mistakes.Groan. We all do it and the big boys are also culprits!
How much doyou revise your MS before sending it off?
Lots and lots. I also read it out aloud and getfriends to do the same.
Many authorssee marketing as a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal withit?
Marketing is a huge part of writing – and not justmarketing the end product – the book – you have to market yourself. Be nice to people, remember they might be your reader. Ienjoy some of the marketing, it takes up an enormous amount of time but I've'met' some fabulous people and made loads of friends in the meantime! Thismakes up for it.
What sort ofdisplacement activities keep you from writing?
Family! Home, friends who don't always understandyou.
How longdoes it take you to write a novel?
My first novel (The Crossing) took me abouteighteen months with all the research (six months). I then wasted ages lookingfor an agent and then publisher. I eventually found one – who doesn't do a lottowards marketing – I believe it's best to do it yourself.My second novel, The Assassins' Village took abouta year and my latest, just about to be published; Children of The Plantationtook me about four months. I'm getting quicker. Also, as I'm becoming moreexperienced my books are tighter and less wordy – so shorter and therefore lesstime to complete.
Who or whatinspires your writing?
I can read a great novel and I then go aroundthinking about it for days – the author may have a style that I admire and itgives me the impetus to get down and begin to write a new book. No one writeror person inspires me though.
If there's asingle aspect of writing you find frustrating, what is it?
I hate the first chapter/s. It takes me a while tofind my stride. I often rewrite these many times. There are not enough hours inthe day, and I'll die before I've finally finished all I have to write!
Is there aparticular feature of writing that you really enjoy?
Once I'm well into it and on a roll. I sometimesfeel as if I could go on for ever.
Do youbelieve creative writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?
Mmm. Hard question this. I think creative writing is a natural gift. One can acquire acertain amount of skill and polish, but the true writer has to possess thatcertain 'something', the spark, the feel and the need to get something down onpaper.
What are youwriting now?
I've just finished, Children of The Plantationwhich was published in September. I have another idea for a thirdDiana Rivers mystery in the pipeline and I've just begun my research for this.I have not yet got a title, but it will involve Diana and a group of actors inEngland.
Do you havea website or blog where readers can visit?
Absolutely, the link is http://www.faithmortimerauthor.comI'd love anyone to post me a comment on my blogthere.
Givenunlimited resources, where would you do your writing? Where do you actuallywrite?
Here. I live in an old stone-house in thefoothills of the Troodos Mountains on Cyprus. A beautiful Mediterranean islandand known as Aphrodite's own. I originally come from England. I write in 'thesnug' in the house, or on a shady terrace outside. Perfect and quiet.