Why I Wrote Under A Gilded Sky by Imogen Martin
It is always lovely to feature a writer’s debut novel. This week, Imogen Martin is going to share a very personal story with my blog readers. Her debut novel, Under a Gilded Sky, published by Storm Publishing on 15 September 2023 is dedicated to her daughter.
Why I wrote Under a Gilded Sky by Imogen Martin
Thank you, Morton, for inviting me onto your blog to talk about my debut novel, Under a Gilded Sky which will be published by Storm Publishing on Friday 15 September 2023.
The story that became Under a Gilded Sky had sat with me for several years. Since getting to know other writers, I have discovered my writing method is different from most. The characters and crucial scenes come to me – for this book it was the opening and a scene at a ball. I then work through the story in my head, time and again, getting to know my characters, adding details to the story.
The challenge was making the time to write it down. I prioritised other things: work, family, reading, voluntary work. I knew that writing brings me joy like nothing else. So why wasn’t I doing it?
In March 2018 my beloved elder daughter Becky became ill and went into Intensive Care. She had underlying conditions and this wasn’t the first time it had happened. Seven years previously she had nearly died with the same thing: kidney infection, sepsis, struggling to recover. But this time there was no happy ending. She was on life support machines for five months before dying in August.
Those five months were extraordinarily painful and extraordinarily blessed. Becky exuded love, compassion and peace. There was a profound beauty I cannot describe and it touched everyone: family, friends, nurses and doctors.
My daughter was passionate about making the world a better place. She went to peace conferences and campaigned for causes. Maybe it was because she had almost died: perhaps she sensed she would not be here long so she made the most of every day.
After she died, I knew I had to get on with doing the things that were meaningful to me. I felt rather sheepish that it meant writing – nothing that would improve the world as she had. Nevertheless, a month after Becky died, I sat down and wrote the lengthy synopsis. It didn’t take long because it was already there in my head. Then, for the next twelve months, I wrote the story, pencil on paper. It became the place I could retreat to, away from the shock of those five months. I think some of my daughter’s determination spread into my heroine, Ginny.
After completing the first draft there were of course many other hurdles to cross: draft after draft to improve it, deep research to make the time and setting authentic. My agent sent it to publishers but it wasn’t picked up. I was saddened that what I thought of as “Becky’s Book” might never see the light of day. Then I submitted it to Storm Publishing and was over the moon that my editor Vicky Blunden loved it and wanted to publish it. The last 6 months getting it to publication have been an absolute joy and I hope you will enjoy reading it.
About Imogen Martin
Imogen writes sweeping, historical fiction. Her first two novels are set in nineteenth century America.
As a teenager, she took the Greyhound bus from San Francisco to New York. Over those three days of staring out of the window at the majestic mountains and endless flat plains, stories wound themselves into her head: tales of brooding, charismatic men captivated by independent women.
Since then, she has worked in a coffee-shop in Piccadilly, a famous bookstore, and a children’s home. She has run festivals, and turned a derelict housing block on one of the poorest estates in the UK into an award-winning arts centre.
During 2020 Imogen was selected by Kate Nash Literary Agency as one of their BookCamp mentees, a mentorship programme designed to accelerate the careers of promising new writers.
Married with two children, Imogen divides her time between Wales and Sardinia.
Keep in touch with Imogen through her website and join her monthly newsletter: https://imogenmartinauthor.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ImogenMartin9
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImogenMartin.Author/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imogenmartinauthor/?hl=en-gb
About Under a Gilded Sky
In this epic and unforgettable love story, set in the wilds of Missouri and the glamour of high society Boston at the dawn of the Gilded Age, one woman’s life changes forever the day that a stranger turns up on her doorstep.
Missouri, February 1874: The last thing struggling homesteader Ginny needs is a scandal on her hands. But when a badly injured drifter arrives at Snow Farm in desperate need of medical attention, Ginny’s kind nature and good upbringing means she has no choice but to treat his wounds and care for him until he’s back on his feet, no matter the danger he might pose.
“Captivating…will leave an indelible mark on your heart.” Rachel Wesson
Ideal for readers of Amy Harmon, Olivia Hawker and Kristin Hannah.
Buying links for Under a Gilded Sky can be found here
Thank you for visiting my blog. For those of you who haven’t yet read any of my books yet, the good news is that all of the six published titles are currently only 99p or available free on Kindle Unlimited.
I also hope to have news of a new addition to The Secrets of Borteen Bay series shortly.
Recently, I was featured on the Choc Lit / Joffe Books blog. You can read my question and answer session here.
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
