Saturday 23 June 2012

Be Inspired




Thanks to Suzy for passing on the Be Inspired award. Suzy has a story in a new eBook “Growing up in the 70s”.

I was really chuffed to receive this and before I pass the award on, I have to answer Suzy's questions. I am bringing out a third collection of short stories on Kindle in July, “A Portrait of Louisa & Other Stories” so my answers will be about that.

What gave you the idea for your book?

Real life with a lot of tweaking.

How long did it take to write overall?

There are fourteen stories in the book and I’ve no idea how long it took to write them. Sometimes I can write a story in a day. Sometimes it takes two weeks. Overall, the book will have taken months to write.

What kept you going when you were half way through?

Wanting to know what happens. I rarely know how a story will end when I start it.

Are any of your characters based on real people, even though you have to say they aren’t?

Yes. The grandfather in Happy Endings was based on my grandad, Pop. My mum’s in the book too – more than once. Other than that, my lips are sealed.

Did you ever wonder if you’d have the work published?

As soon as I start to write anything, I wonder that. The stories in this book have all been published in various magazines.

When you’ve had one book published, do you feel under pressure with the next one?

I do feel I should get on with another collection of short stories. I have several under construction as it were. The next one will probably be a collection of twist endings and I also want to put together some of my ghost stories, but we’ll see.

Would you write in a different genre next time, or do you always stick with what you know?

I've flirted with most genres over the years - I tend to go where the mood takes me.

Do you prefer writing a novel, or short stories?

At the moment I’m in a novel frame of mind, but it really depends on my mood. I just hope I can stay in this frame of mind until I finish it.

Do you use everyday happenings in your writing?

Yes – they’re the foundations on which I build the stories.

If your book was to be on t.v. who would play the lead male and female roles?

What a lovely question – I’ll answer for the first story, “A Portrait of Louisa”. (Oh I wish!)

Louisa – Brenda Blethyn
Mr Quinn – David Troughton
Jan – Sarah Smart

Now I tag 5 inspirational people with 10 questions about their books/anthologies/stories. Your mission should you choose to accept it, is to answer the questions below, then tag 5 more writers with 10 more questions.

These are my five:


And these are my questions for you:

1. What is the name of your book?

2. Where did the idea for your book come from?

3. In what genre would you classify your book?

4. If you had to pick actors to play your characters in a movie, who would you choose?

5. Give us a one-sentence synopsis of your book.

6. Do you prefer writing novels or short stories?

7. How long did it take you to write your book?

8. Did you ever wonder if you’d have the work published?

9. Which authors inspire you?

10. Tell us anything that might pique our interest in your book.



18 comments:

  1. Great answers Teresa. I'm glad you're branching into novels, though a book full of your stories sounds heaven to me.xx

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  2. Seems we have a lot in common with regard to how we approach our writing, Teresa.

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  3. What a lovely blogging award. Thanks for the nomination, Teresa. I'm looking forward to answering these questions.
    I can't wait to read that twist in the tale collection on Kindle. Rx

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  4. A fabulous post, Teresa. I really enjoyed your answers and congratulations on the award.

    A Portrait of Louisa sounds like a brilliant read that I shall look forward to very much.

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  5. Teresa, you're so sweet to pick me as one of your award winners. Thank you. Thank you also for your kind comment on my blog. Hugs

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  6. Thanks for the award, Suzy - trouble is I seem to have got myself two novels on the go! Not quite sure how I'm going to work that one out ;-) x

    I think we do, Patsy :-) x

    You're welcome, Rena. The twist collection is going to take a while as I don't have copies of a lot of them on disc so I'm having to retype them all! x

    Thanks, Joanna :-) x

    You're welcome, Liz - and I really do think your covers are awesome! x

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  7. Congratulations with your anthology!! Love that the stories are based on real life "with tweaking"! Yay!!

    Take care
    x

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  8. One of them is based on something I did, Old Kitty - not sure I should admit which one!
    But I'll never get it on Kindle if I don't get on with editing it and finding a cover for it :-)
    x

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  9. Great answers Teresa. I've mentally answered your questions too - lol. Caroline x

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  10. Thank you for sharing an insight in to your writing mind.

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  11. Really enjoyed your answers, Teresa - hope to read that novel one day soon!

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  12. Thanks, Caroline - I love these awards, saves me having to think up something to blog about ;-) x

    It's strange in there, Paula - my writing mind!

    Thanks, Rosemary - I hope just to finish it!! x

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  13. A great post Teresa. I enjoyed reading your answers. Congrats on the award.

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  14. Thanks, Joanne x

    Thank you, Mr Lonely, your smile and the link to your blog is welcome x

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  15. Sorry to come so late to this one to say thank you so much for nominating me Teresa - I will do my best to be worthy! Family illness has meant I've been away from my computer for longer than I would like and am going away soon (hooray!) but will definitely blog about this wonderful award before I go. Thanks again - I'm honoured!x

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  16. You're very welcome, Lydia. Hope things are better now and you enjoy your holiday - sounds as if it will be well earned x

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  17. I'm hugely embarrassed to be arriving here so late, but thank you so much, Teresa.

    XX

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