'Where I'm going; not how to get there'

 

“Myadvice would be not to write until after 35. You need some experience, and forlife to knock you about a bit. Growing up is so hard you probably won't havemuch emotion to spare anyway.” – Joanna Trollop

 

Bornin Gloucestershire, England on this date in 1943, Trollope (who often haswritten under the pseudonym Caroline Harvey) started her writing career at age37 and with a bang.  Her firstnovel Parson Harding's Daughter was named the 1980 Romantic Novelof the Year by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Since then she’s authored three dozen books, several of which have been adapted fortelevision, especially on the award-winning PBS Series “Masterpiece Theater.”  Her“upmarket” family dramas and romances tend to transcend these two genres, andshe’s noted for writing with “striking realism,” especially in terms of humanpsychology and relationships.   Hermost recent book is the bestseller Mum and Dad.

“I plot the first 5 or 6 chapters quite minutely, and also the end.  So, I knowwhere I am going but not how I'm going to get there,” shesaid.  “That gives (my) characters the chance to develop organically,just as happens in real life as you get to know a person.”