Janet
asked
Helen Simonson:
My book club read Major Pettigrew when we first started a about 3 years ago. Last month we read The summer Before the War. Our book club had such a great discussion. You tell such wonderful stories. I have loved both books. How do you come up for the idea for your books? Do you enjoy writing in that era? I'm looking forward to your next book.
Helen Simonson
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Dear Janet,
My greetings to your book club. I'm so happy you enjoyed Major Pettigrew enough to give "Summer" a spin. My books seem to begin with character. In this case, Agatha Kent seemed to appear to me, standing on the Sussex bluffs looking out at the town of Rye on its little hill amid the marshes. Then I try very hard to follow my characters around and write down what happens to them as it becomes clear. I may have ideas on where I want them to go, or things to include, but I usually have no idea how and of my characters are going to get there. As I begin a third novel, I know where my character will go geographically and I have a couple of important landmarks for him to visit but I have no idea how to make him do what I want and I look forward to him confounding my plans by coming up with better ones!! I really enjoyed the research that went into writing a novel set in Edwardian time. It felt like real work whereas making up stories can sometimes feel unreal. But historical fiction is so much work I'm definitely going contemporary with my next book. However, the joy of being a writer is knowing that all of space and time is at one's fingertips. If I wanted to set a book on Mars in the year 2500 or in Herculaneum in 79AD, I could have a go at either! (hide spoiler)]
My greetings to your book club. I'm so happy you enjoyed Major Pettigrew enough to give "Summer" a spin. My books seem to begin with character. In this case, Agatha Kent seemed to appear to me, standing on the Sussex bluffs looking out at the town of Rye on its little hill amid the marshes. Then I try very hard to follow my characters around and write down what happens to them as it becomes clear. I may have ideas on where I want them to go, or things to include, but I usually have no idea how and of my characters are going to get there. As I begin a third novel, I know where my character will go geographically and I have a couple of important landmarks for him to visit but I have no idea how to make him do what I want and I look forward to him confounding my plans by coming up with better ones!! I really enjoyed the research that went into writing a novel set in Edwardian time. It felt like real work whereas making up stories can sometimes feel unreal. But historical fiction is so much work I'm definitely going contemporary with my next book. However, the joy of being a writer is knowing that all of space and time is at one's fingertips. If I wanted to set a book on Mars in the year 2500 or in Herculaneum in 79AD, I could have a go at either! (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Hannah M.
asked
Helen Simonson:
hi. I have always wanted to be an author and I would like to ask you a few questions if you'd answer them. I was wondering if you have any responsibilities as an author? if you do what are they? also what kind of education did you have to get to become an author. and what if any contributions do you as an author make to society? thanks.
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