Ethelyn writes…

Can you tell me about your experience of writing books?

Michelle Replies…

Hello, Ethelyn.  Ooh, that’s a very big question; I could probably write a whole book about the experience of writing books! But it’s also a good question.  In brief, I love doing the research, and brain-storming a new story – but I hate, absolutely loathe, what I call “writing from scratch” – that is, when I’m faced with a blank piece of paper, and I have to decide HOW to tell the story, rather than simply dreaming up what will happen (which is much easier).  However once I’ve made a start, and have typed up my first chapter on the computer, I begin to enjoy re-writing it, because at least I’ve got over the worst part. Although then of course I have to do the same all over again for Chapter Two – and so on, until I’ve written what I call my first draft.  Then things get better, though, because by that stage I know more about my characters and what the story is about, so the subsequent months of intensive re-writing are much more fun, even if they’re very hard work.  So to sum up: writing (for me) is very hard work, and at times it feels very muddled and frustrating.  But that’s more than made up for by the times when it’s marvellous: for instance, when a scene really comes alive and I can practically see the characters.  And it’s incredibly satisfying when the story starts coming together, and I keep getting ideas for how to make it better.  I could go on, but I haven’t time – as I’ve got to go and write a chapter from scratch!  But I hope that gives you some idea, and that if you’re keen on writing, it hasn’t put you off.  With best wishes, Michelle