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| Victoria Cornwall - Author |
Hello
Victoria – I’m so thrilled to have you on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat today.
I can recall so clearly the occasion we first met. Having been shortlisted for
the Romantic Novelists’ Association – New Writers’ Scheme – Joan Hessayon
Award, we had gathered at The Royal Over-Seas League building in London with
fellow NWS members. We were there to celebrate the release of our romance books into
the big wide world of publishing. What a fun evening it was, and what wonderful writing adventures
we’ve had since then.
But
before we learn about your latest release, Daniel’s Daughter, here are a few questions
which will hopefully give your readers an insight into some of the things that
matter to you.
Arabella: How did you manage to get
your first historical novel published and what did you learn from the
experience?
Victoria: My
first historical novel was self-published. It was not the route I wanted to
take, but at the time I was finding it difficult to secure an agent. I initially
self-published two books (one of which was short-listed for the New Talent
Award at the Festival of Romantic Fiction).
I
decided to submit my third novel directly to a traditional independent publisher
and was finally successful. They asked to look at my previous self-published
novels, loved them and went on to publish those too. This year they are publishing
my sixth historical novel so I’m glad I did not give up after those initial
rejection letters from agents. Receiving those rejection letters almost crushed
my motivation to keep submitting. Since then I have learnt my experience is not
uncommon. The path to publication is often littered with rejections and it is
the same journey that the majority of writers have had to walk.
Arabella: If you could choose,
which would it be: A stroll in the woods, a walk along a beachfront to dip
your toes in the sea, or a day shopping for clothes?
Victoria: I
love a good ramble through the woods, but my favourite walk is along the coast.
I have walked a third of the coastal path surrounding Cornwall and intend to
complete it over the next few years. The scenery is stunning, the terrain varied
and each new phase has a tale to tell, whether it’s Cornwall’s smuggling past,
mining, the growth in tourism or the decline of the quaint fishing villages.
However my walking shoes will stay firmly on my feet as the sea is a bit too
cold for me!
Arabella: Who or what inspired you
to write your latest historical release, Daniel’s
Daughter?
Victoria: Daniel’s Daughter
is a stand-alone novel, however the heroine is the daughter of the hero in one
of my previous novels, The Captain’s
Daughter. Although I have written several books between the two, I always
wondered if baby Grace would ever discover the horrifying family secret. In Daniel’s Daughter Grace has become an
adult and does exactly that! The revelation shocks her to the core and it is
how she reacts to the discovery that initiates the main plot of the story. So
in a way, Daniel’s Daughter came
about as I wanted to find out what Grace would be like as an adult. However is
should point out that you can read Daniel’s
Daughter without having read The
Captain’s Daughter.
Arabella: Who is your preferred
romance author, and what draws you to their books and genre?
Victoria: In
the past I have made no secret that I enjoy Winston Graham’s Poldark series,
however, I do enjoy a Gloria Cook romance too. I like her style of writing and
her books keep me turning the pages.
Arabella: Some authors write at
first light, others need a mug of coffee or a glass of wine before putting pen
to paper. When writing, are there any “essentials” you need to help the words
flow?
Victoria: I
need to be alone, with no interruptions. I usually have a mug of coffee by my
side and my notes scattered all around me. I have written many of my books
sitting on a bed, with lots of comfy pillows behind me. The most essential
thing I need is time, I am not one of those writers who can snatch snippets of
time and write. I need several hours, as I need to remind myself where I am in
the plot and get my mind tuned into the era in order for my creativity to start
flowing. Sometimes I write pages, other times only a paragraph emerges, so I
never set myself a word goal. It is quality that counts, not quantity.
Arabella: You’re halfway through
the work-in-progress, you’re about to kill off the hero and there is going to
be no happy-ever-after. In other words, you’re stuck! If you had to contact an
“author/publisher/editor friend” for guidance, who would it be?
Victoria: I
would contact Morton S.Gray. We met through the Romantic Novelists Association
and are in regular contact about all things to do with writing. I find talking
things through (or having a rant) can often throw up the solution and it’s
great to have someone who replies to my frantic message so quickly. However, as
I am a plotter, I don’t envisage ever finding myself about to kill off the
hero, but plot holes are a very real possibility that I have to watch for as my
stories do have certain twists and revelations.
Arabella: Your next historical WIP
(work in progress) is on schedule, and it’s time to take a break and relax.
Which film, T.V. drama, book, or theatre performance would you choose to watch
or read (again J) ?
1) Persuasion - Austen
2) Macbeth - Shakespeare
3) A Christmas Carol – Dickens
4) Other…
Victoria: Other:
I would happily watch the 1995 series of Pride & Prejudice, starring Colin
Firth and Jennifer Ehle. It is one of the best historical adaptations, as large
amounts of the dialogue are taken directly from the book, the costumes are
accurate and exquisite, and the acting brilliant. I loved it and have watched
it many times over the years. I think if a classic novel is adapted to screen,
it should stay close to the original book, because it is the book the fans
love. I just don’t understand why many modern adaptations have to add things,
remove things or add new characters to spice things up. It disappoints loyal
book fans as the books have become classics for the simple reason that they are
brilliant in their own right. Should my books ever be adapted into film, I would
want them close to the original novel.
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| Pride and Prejudice |
Arabella: Do you have any great
writing, publishing, or marketing tips you’d like to share to “want-to-be”
historical authors starting out on their writing journey?
Victoria: Don’t
lose the reader’s interest, because once you have lost them, it is hard to get
them back. I try to do this in the following ways:-
Ensure
the main characters are worthy of the reader’s time. Is there a reason for the
reader to care about them? Like them? Respect them? Empathise with them?
Ensure
each chapter has a purpose and end the chapter with a thought, a hook or perhaps
even place a question in the reader’s mind so they want to turn the page to
find out what happens next.
Ensure
there is some sort of closure, so at the end of the book the reader feels a
sense of satisfaction. This is why my Cornish Tales series are stand-alone
tales with a beginning, middle and an end, despite them all being linked by
family. A romance reader deserves a satisfying end as they have spent hours of
their precious time reading in order for the heroine and hero to reach their
goal.
Don’t
reveal everything at once. A reader wants to feel that they are discovering new
things along the way, whether it’s about the characters, about the setting,
about the ultimate goal or the historical period.
Keep
the reader on their toes to keep their interest by adding a plot twist, or a
sudden change of direction (which must make sense). A reader wants a satisfying
end, but the journey there should be anything but laborious. The journey should
evoke a range of emotions and provide varying levels of tension, just like the
roller coast ride of falling in love.
Victoria,
thank you for sharing a little bit about yourself and your writing experiences
with your readers.
I
love the point you made about never setting word goals, and that it is quality
that counts, and not quantity.
And
as for your writing tips…I think I’ll pinch them. J
Best
wishes for your latest release - Daniel’s Daughter
Arabella
Sheen
About Victoria Cornwall
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| Victoria Cornwall - Author |
Victoria
Cornwall grew up on a farm in Cornwall. She can trace her Cornish roots as far
back as the 18th century and it is this background and heritage which is the
inspiration for her Cornish based novels. Following a fulfilling twenty-five
year career as a nurse, a change in profession finally allowed her the time to
write.
Victoria’s
writing has been shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of
Romantic Fiction and twice nominated for the RONÉ “Best Indie or Small Published
book” Award. In 2017, her debut novel, The Thief’s Daughter, was published by
award winning independent publisher, Choc Lit, and was a finalist for the
Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Joan Hessayon Award.
Victoria
is married and has two grown up children. She likes to read and write
historical fiction with a strong background story, but at its heart is the
unmistakable emotion, even pain, of loving someone.
Website and Social Media Links:
Website:
www.victoriacornwall.com
Twitter:
@VickieCornwall
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/victoriacornwall.author
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/victoria_cornwallx
Pinterest:
uk.pinterest.com/vickiecornwall
Book Blurb: Daniel’s Daughter
Sometimes the truth is not easy to
say and even harder to hear …
Cornwall, 1895
Grace Kellow is a young woman with
a strong sense of who she is and where she comes from. As the daughter of a
well-respected Cornish dairy owner Daniel Kellow, her existence in the village
of Trehale is comfortable and peaceful.
But then handsome Talek Danning
comes striding over Hel Tor, and soon after his arrival Grace is hit with a
revelation that leaves her questioning her identity and her place in the
Trehale community.
In her hour of need, Talek and his
sister Amelia offer Grace sanctuary – but wherever Grace runs, her secret will
follow …
Release Date:
Tuesday,
24th March, 2020
BUY LINKS:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
ibooks
Nook
Thank you for inviting me onto your blog, Arabella. I thoroughly enjoyed it. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely to learn more about your route to publication, Victoria and I've taken note of those top writing tips : )
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving a comment, Rae.
DeleteVictoria gave some lovely "gems" about writing, especially her tips for chapter structure.
I hope you enjoyed the blog...
Arabella
I really enjoyed that. Thank you, Victoria and Arabella. It was good to learn more about your writing journey and receive those useful writing tips.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan - I'm so please you enjoyed Victoria's blog.
DeleteIt was great to discover that like so many of us, Victoria experienced difficulties when trying to find an agent, and yet somehow, she succeeded in finding a home and a publisher for her wonderful action packed historical novel.
To budding want-to-be authors, the moral of that story is never give up...
Arabella
I'm reading 'Daniel's Daughter' now and loving it. Obviously well researched and it's a change to find a Cornish historical set around the clay mining industry.
ReplyDeleteHello Angela - It's good to know you've found "Daniel's Daughter" to be well researched and that so far, you are enjoying the book.
DeleteI'm sure you'll be pleased with the happy-ever-after ending.
On a more personal note, I'm curious to know...
Did you have Victoria's book on your Kindle eReader or your bedside table before you read this blog post?
You see, I often wonder if guests such as Victoria benefit in anyway from posting about themselves and their latest book release on Arabella's Blog and Chit-Chat.
Just curious... :)
Arabella Sheen
Hi Victoria - It was lovely to have you as a guest on Arabella's Blog and Chit-Chat.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had fun...
Arabella