Ask the Author: Fiona Ingram
Answered Questions (13)
Fiona Ingram
Thank you for sending me this fascinating video! Yes, I wonder if it has anything to do with King Arthur's Excalibur. Both this sword and the London Stone are so shrouded in mystery it could be possible they have been associated in history. The stone itself is venerated and since Arthur is such an iconic figure, I would love to imagine the Stone was important in his time.
Fiona Ingram
Things have changed a lot in publishing and the days of self publishing being regarded as a 'poor cousin' to traditional publishing are long gone. CJ Lyons is a hugely successful hybrid author - self and trad published. http://www.bookseriesinorder.com/c-j-... I am a self published author - after 35 rejection letters for my first MG adventure, now a multi award winning book - and I guess I shall continue that way. Unless of course, some big name publisher makes me an offer I can't refuse. If you want to get your book out there, and find it hard to break into the trad publishing world, then I think one should just go for it as an idie. BUT (big but), one has to make sure that your book is professionally edited, well laid out, with a professional cover. I spend a lot on these 3 important elements. readers are fussy and demand top quality these days.
Fiona Ingram
You must get there with whatever DOES inspire you and if having JK as a role model helps, then that's what works for you. I do want fame and fortune, it's ike a fire inside me. I imagine myself on the red carpet when my children's best selling books have been made into best selling movies! Put being creative and confident into your daily mantra, and say it when you can't be distracted, like when you're in the bath or shower, and your mind will focus on what you are saying aloud or in your head.
Fiona Ingram
Maybe we should be wondering when we will change the face of children's literature? JK is unique and for a long time all I wanted to be was the next JK. A wise friend of mine said, no, be your own great self. Hmm, it's hard to be philosophical when all you want is fame and fortune but I'm trying to think like her.
Fiona Ingram
Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet for obvious reasons!
Fiona Ingram
Dare I say history (non fiction) books my parents bought us when we were growing up? We read all the children's classics, plus LOADS of Enid Blyton, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew etc, so adventure featured hugely in our reading material. But I have to say that history held us all captive (I have 4 brothers) and I think all those influences have somehow conspired to produce an adventure series full of action and heroic feats, and based on history, archaeology and lovely legends in various countries.
Fiona Ingram
Hi Karen,
Ancient history is my real love. The ancient world was actually so advanced and many of the greatest inventions happened then. I have to say Egypt was where my craze began, and all because my parents bought us the Time Life history books when we were small. I got Ancient Egypt; my older brother got Imperial Rome; and we shared Classical Greece. I am a real bookworm (as you can imagine) and while I was writing The Secret of the Sacred Scarab (after a family trip there), I began reading many non-fiction books that took me further and further into how far ancient cultures spread. From there I picked up on particular historical events and people with appeal. I know King Arthur isn't quite ancient history, but he comes at the tail end of the Roman conquest of Britain, and that was good enough for me. Book 3 (completed) sees my young heroes in Central America, exploring the Mayan and Aztec cultures, also a favourite. Book 4 is the Knights Templar (in progress), France; Book 5 is India (close to my heart); Book 6 is Turkey, and Book 7 is a surprise... I have been fortunate enough to visit most of the places depicted. I have a couple still to explore. If you are a beginner writer, my advice is to persevere. The three P's spring to mind: perseverance, passion and purpose. Read a variety of authors to get the feel for different styles and genres. Write what you love writing about. Make sure your book meets the industry's standards. Please invest in a good editor. Even the best authors need an editor. Feel free to discuss any other writing queries. I don't have all the answers but I can advise based on some of the mistakes I made along the way.
Ancient history is my real love. The ancient world was actually so advanced and many of the greatest inventions happened then. I have to say Egypt was where my craze began, and all because my parents bought us the Time Life history books when we were small. I got Ancient Egypt; my older brother got Imperial Rome; and we shared Classical Greece. I am a real bookworm (as you can imagine) and while I was writing The Secret of the Sacred Scarab (after a family trip there), I began reading many non-fiction books that took me further and further into how far ancient cultures spread. From there I picked up on particular historical events and people with appeal. I know King Arthur isn't quite ancient history, but he comes at the tail end of the Roman conquest of Britain, and that was good enough for me. Book 3 (completed) sees my young heroes in Central America, exploring the Mayan and Aztec cultures, also a favourite. Book 4 is the Knights Templar (in progress), France; Book 5 is India (close to my heart); Book 6 is Turkey, and Book 7 is a surprise... I have been fortunate enough to visit most of the places depicted. I have a couple still to explore. If you are a beginner writer, my advice is to persevere. The three P's spring to mind: perseverance, passion and purpose. Read a variety of authors to get the feel for different styles and genres. Write what you love writing about. Make sure your book meets the industry's standards. Please invest in a good editor. Even the best authors need an editor. Feel free to discuss any other writing queries. I don't have all the answers but I can advise based on some of the mistakes I made along the way.
Fiona Ingram
I never get writer's block. If I hit a sticky patch I move on to another scene. When I get back to the sticky patch, I usually find my characters have sorted it all out.
Fiona Ingram
Doing what you love all day, and all night if you like.
Fiona Ingram
I have three pieces of advice:
1. Make sure your work is as perfect as can be to meet the industry's standards. Spend money on a good editor.
2. Tell someone every day about your book. Word of mouth is the best advertising.
3. Never give up!
1. Make sure your work is as perfect as can be to meet the industry's standards. Spend money on a good editor.
2. Tell someone every day about your book. Word of mouth is the best advertising.
3. Never give up!
Fiona Ingram
I have just finished Book 3, The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper. Book 2, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, is at the publishers.
Fiona Ingram
Luckily, I get inspired by many things - a scene from a movie, an image, a piece of music.
Fiona Ingram
I wrote my first MG adventure, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, as a short adventure story for my young nephews after we went on a fantastic holiday to Egypt. The short story turned into a book, and by the end of it, I knew I had to write more books so that my young heroes could save the world!
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