Having read and edited books in the historical romance genre, one thing never fails to amaze me — the wealth of detail and history in each manuscript by modern authors bringing these worlds to life. There’s nothing like forgetting you’re on a train to work because you’re actually in 1920s England thanks to the book in your hand.
Lucinda Riley is a international, best-selling author and I happen to be in love with a tag-line on her site: Unlocking the past is the key to the future. Born in Ireland, she’s been writing since she was 24. She’s currently working on an epic seven book series called The Seven Sisters, which is based on the famous star constellation. Book 1, Maia’s story, is out now.
What book/author are you reading now and why?
I am reading Katherine Webb’s latest novel “Night Falling” – she is a friend and fellow author that I respect enormously. I am also reading various books on the ‘Bloomsbury Set’ and relationship between Vita Sackville-West and Violet Trefusis, in preparation for writing the third book in my ‘The Seven Sisters’ heptalogy.
What is the one thing that has always made you give up on a book as a reader? The thing that drives you nuts and makes you move on?
I believe I’m the same as any other reader — clumsy, lazy or pretentious writing irritates me beyond belief! But it’s very rare that I won’t finish a book, as there are so many brilliant books out there to read. Sometimes — and I’m sure everyone can relate this — you simply aren’t in the right frame of mind to read a certain kind of book. But then you spot it on the shelf years later and find you absolutely love it.
What was the moment that made you go: I could be a writer?
I always had a very vivid imagination and as a child spent much of my free time making up stories. So it wasn’t anything to do with whether I had a talent, as much as a passion for writing. It always seemed to come naturally. I didn’t write my first novel until I was 22 and became ill with glandular fever. I had been working as an actress and suddenly found myself confined to my bed — what else could I do but write! I was lucky enough to get a three book deal with Simon and Schuster at the time, and wrote seven novels under my maiden name ‘Lucinda Edmonds’. I took a break to have my children and to concentrate on being a Mum for six years, but being a writer is simply who I am. So I wrote ‘Hothouse Flower’ and it became an instant success!
How have you changed since you started writing?
I would say that life experience has definitely improved me as an author. I was so young when I wrote my first novel, when I read it now I cringe and realise how innocent I was! Today, my characters have far more depth and I’m able to use some of my own experiences when creating them. The phrase ‘older and wiser’ rings very true.
How has the historical genre changed? Is there anything you’ve grown tired of seeing?
The historical genre has grown by leaps and bounds, and there are so many writers that I admire, such as Sarah Waters and Philippa Gregory. I have always instinctively been drawn to the past, and most of the fiction I’ve read has always been historical. There are some brilliant women writing in the historical genre today, and I’m continually inspired by them! Hilary Mantel’s ‘Wolf Hall’ is an absolute masterpiece, for example, and I can’t recommend Eleanor Catton’s ‘The Luminaries’ enough. I think writers are becoming bolder and experimenting more with voice and style.
I’m never one for negativity, but perhaps the only thing I’ve grown tired of seeing is repetitiveness. Every genre has to develop and grow. I always make certain to investigate different locations and periods of history and to add new elements to each book, such as the mythological strand in ‘The Seven Sisters’ series. No genre should stay stagnant.
I’ve always thought the research involved in your books must have been, at one time, overwhelming – from staying true to the time and the people. Does it ever get easier – researching, I mean? Keeping track of the many details involved in a historical novel?
Research is never easy, but I don’t let it overwhelm me. If I have a question, there is usually an answer for it somewhere.
I always research the time period before I start writing — I read very broadly as a rule because I never know where the actual story will head. I love travelling, so I always visit the location and meet people who have lived there for a long time to build a full picture. This is always the most enjoyable bit of research! In this way, I’ve made so many friends all over the world.
For my research for ‘The Seven Sisters’, for example, I became very close to Bel Noronha, the great-granddaughter of Heitor da Silva Costa, the architect and engineer behind the building of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Bel and I became good friends and she kindly allowed me access to Heitor’s private letters and diaries, which were invaluable to my portrayal of him in the novel.
I am always very thorough with my research because I respect my readers and want them to have a genuine experience of the historical period. But even though I may be manic about fact-checking, I’m a storyteller first, not a historian.
Technology has changed how authors communicate with their fans – what are the highs and lows of it for you?
It’s unavoidable that the world we live in is getting more technology-based but I’ve absolutely embraced it. It’s incredibly important to find different ways of reaching your audience, and social media allows me that direct contact with my readers everywhere. Twenty years ago, there was no such thing as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or even private websites, and I would do all of my publicity in book shops and on book tours. Today, my two minute inspiration videos can reach people all over the world. When I did my first ever live ‘Google Hangout’ Q & A in Brazil, it was watched over 200,000 times! The messages I receive everyday via email, or on my Facebook and Twitter pages are amazing — they are a constant inspiration to keep writing.
I’d have to say that the lows of technology for me are the dreaded emoticons – I know everybody seems to love them, but they’re a pet peeve of mine!
What about the editing process or an editor makes you feel comfortable?
Editing is the real work. I edit my books at least 20 times — over and over until they are as perfect as I can make them. I’m anal about punctuation and historical detail, and I rope my family and friends into reading later drafts to get that fresh perspective.
It can be an exhausting process, as I start with a quite raw text. Unlike other writers, I dictate my novels, so the first draft will be ‘verbal vomit’ as I call it! I spend a very long time perfecting each sentence or ironing out plot details — or sometimes changing things completely. Editing is a natural part of the writing process and it appeals to the perfectionist in me.
Is there any other genre you have always wanted to write in, besides the historical genre?
At the beginning of my career, I did write in other genres. My novel ‘Seeing Double’ (2000), for example, could be called a thriller. I have also written a murder mystery and gentle family drama, both of which may be published in the years to come, and I don’t like to be limited by the constraints of genre – my aim is always to tell a captivating story.
What’s coming for you in 2015?
So many exciting things are ahead in 2015. At the moment, I’m in Norway for the publication of ‘The Seven Sisters’. Norway is a very special place to me and I have met many wonderful people there whilst doing research for the second book in the series, ‘The Second Sister’, which is coming out in the UK on November 5. In spring, I will begin writing Star’s story, the third in the series. I’m also working on some of my backlist novels that I wrote when I was younger, so there are many surprises coming for my readers. I only hope that amidst all this writing and travelling, I’ll have some time to spend with my husband and children!
To find out more about Lucinda, check out her site.
