A fortnight ago, I met a writer called Wendy Steele. She's written a terrific book called Destiny of Angels which I am definitely going to buy this year at some point. We're hopefully going to be working together shortly on a writer's group. She deserves loads of success and is one of the most helpful people I've met on my journey so far. And nicest. Go over and visit her on her pages. She's terrific and great fun
I asked her far too many rude and impertinent questions the other day and here's what she said.
1 What's
your background? When did you first decide you wanted to be a novelist?
Writing background? When I left school, I had no idea what I
wanted to do but it's hard to envisage a time when I didn't write.
My first piece was a poem aged 10, after visiting the
Tutankhamen exhibition in London and, ever since, I've come home from new
adventures and committed my thoughts and experiences to paper. My first piece
of published (and paid!) writing was an article for the Dancing Times, after
attending my first day of belly dance workshops in London, eight years ago.
As a child, I read and wrote stories, losing myself in the
lives of the characters, while in my early twenties, I wrote children's stories
and short stories but it was on a two day writing course, nine years ago, that
I believed I could be a writer. I liked the character I created on the course
and, over the following three years, proceeded to write my first novel between
school runs, children's clubs, family domesticity, cleaning other people's
houses and stacking shelves in a supermarket.
After attending Swanwick Writers Summer School for the
second time last year, and receiving great advice and help, I made the decision
to take time away from teaching dance and complete the current novel I was
working on. 'Destiny of Angels' made me a novelist.
Writing is a harmonious accompaniment to my dancing, forcing
me to sit and expand my mind while allowing my body to rest.
2 What do
you find the easiest aspect of writing a novel? And what's the hardest?
Once I know my characters really well and know the thread of
the plot, I just put them together and the characters write the story for me. I
see them on a screen in my head, playing out the book and then I can hear their
voices.... and I write it down. The hardest thing for me is assembling the
story and plot line, ready to 'hang' the characters on. Rarely do I have more
than two days writing together and I like to keep the plot line in my head.
Resurrecting the feeling and wave of the plot after a four day break is hard!
3 How do
you construct a novel? I notice that 'Destiny' is the first of three? Are they
all plotted in advance? Do you know the outcome?
Lots of questions! (sorry Wendy!) The original 'what if?' for 'Destiny' came
to me first... what if the powers from
other dimensions could be channelled, used to offer choices and the chance of
redemption in this level of consciousness? As I wrote and Angel's character
developed, the opportunity to take her on another journey came to me. Having
used six of the seven deadly sins to 'hang'
the 'Destiny' story on, it made sense to base the second book on
Wrath..... and make Angel very angry. Each book has a thread and so yes, they
are plotted but not strictly as the characters interact and write their own
words. Editing has to be ruthless as often, they talk too much! With the third
book, I know the ultimate outcome but not how the characters will get there.
4 What five
books would you take with you on a year's voyage around the world? And with
your first choice, why?
Only five? For a whole year? I think I may have to cheat a
little. Well, you took three women out for dinner!
A Celebrate the
Earth – Laurie Cabot
B The Complete
Works of Shakespeare (because I've explored so little)
C All the books
that include Granny Weatherwax – Terry Pratchett
D Lord of the
Rings – (because I've only read it once)
E Sea
Priestess – Dion Fortune (I'd take Moon Magic too if you'd let me)
'Celebrate the Earth' was the first book that introduced me
to 'the Wheel of the Year'. I have read and collected many others on the same
subject but I always refer to 'Celebrate the Earth'. While travelling around
the world, I would feel connected to the earth and the seasons of home and know
that my journey would take me back there.
5 Snappy
dialogue, intricate plot or detailed place descriptions? Tell your readers what
they can expect from a Wendy Steele book in the future?
Yes to snappy realistic dialogue, plot not intricate but
thought provoking and yes to detailed place descriptions. Setting the scene for
my characters to interact is important to me. I strive to evoke the look and
feel of a location as economically but graphically as possible. I read in
pictures so I write in pictures too.
6 Which
celebrity or famous person would you enjoy a night out with? And what would
that night out be?
I found this really difficult. Most of the inspirational
people in my life are not famous. Eddie Izzard would be funny, Stephen Fry
would be interesting but I will go for the Dalai Lama, up a Welsh mountain with
the sky full of stars, listening to his experiences and wisdom.
7 How long
did it take you to write your début novel? Were you surprised at this? Was it
hard work or did it come easy to you?
From conception to publication was about 18 months.
'Destiny' was written in 9 months. Once focussed and with the time to write, it
was easy..... that was a lovely surprise. Editing was hard...getting it perfect
for publication was even harder.
8 How does
Wendy Steele unwind away from the typewriter?
Tribal bellydance is my passion. Tribal Unity are my
sisters. I came to dancing late in life....so I'm making up for the missed
years now! Family time is important to me, sharing meals and news and
supporting the children as they make their first steps into the world as
adults. Reading, of course. I enjoy history of all kinds but especially
Egyptology and Ancient Civilisations. I've always enjoyed cooking but after
being poorly and having my food choices reduced, I lost interest for a while
but have thrown myself back into cooking and baking and experimenting again and
I love to produce food to share.
To really get away, I love camping. Up until recently, we
had an old VW campervan but I'm happy in a tent, my only little luxury being a
dense piece of foam to sleep on as, due to back damage, blow up air beds do not
aid restful sleep.
9 I write
for money, fame and glory – I write because I am compelled. Which statement
applies to Wendy Steele?
I write because I have to write....I always have. On
returning home from a new, exciting or unusual experience, I always write about
it.
Careers advice at my school was almost non-existent but I
remember the one interview I had with the careers teacher. From all the cards
in the 'Job box' I chose BBC researcher and was promptly told it was out of my
reach and I would be better off being a secretary! I feel I've come full circle
now as research for my books is a joy.
10 What are
your current projects and what are your plans?
Writing projects? The paperback of 'Destiny of Angels'
should be released at the end of July 2012 and that's really exciting for me.
My copy arrived yesterday..... and I can't stop smiling.
I'm editing my first non-fiction book 'Wendy Woo's Year – A
Pocketful of Smiles – 101 ideas for a happy year and a happy you' and the
second book in the Lilith Trilogy, 'Wrath of Angels' is under way as is 'Wendy
Woo's Tummy Friendly Cookbook'.
As an Indie writer and publisher, I've been finding my place
in the new writing community and 'The Amazing Karmic Sharefest' monthly event
is becoming really popular. On Tuesday 3rd July, a new sharing event
***THE BOB BONANZA*** will be launched where writers can promote with 'back of
book' blurb and link to their book and readers can gather for a cornucopia of
new exciting books to choose from. Be lovely if you could join us www.facebook.com/destinyofangelsnovel.
Do drop into my blog for a cuppa and a read at www.wendysteele.com.
Links to 'Destiny of Angels – First book in the Lilith
Trilogy'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B007OX5J8O/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link
www.amazon.com/dp/B007OX5J8O/?tag=kttus-20
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