Hello Valerie!
It’s
lovely to have you here on my blog today. Do help yourself to a
cupcake. Chocolate or vanilla? I’ll just get the coffee frother going
and then let’s talk about your lovely new novel for Endeavour Press: To Love, Honour and Obey.
Oh, a chocolate cupcake would be lovely!
Please tell us about the genesis of this new novel – who or what inspired it?
The
title conjured up the image of a man who had all three qualities, but
the last one caused him inner conflict as he desired to be free to choose
his own path in life. Beth, by contrast, has love and life in
abundance, but has been forced to obey. So it was one idea feeding into
and evolving another.
Where is it set, and why?
I often set my stories against the very beautiful and dramatic scenery of moor, dale, sweeping bays and the dramatic headlands of North
Yorkshire, where I grew up. Great places for action and adventure.
The region has a strong history of smuggling in the late eighteenth and
early nineteenth century, which I find fascinating.
You’ve
written lots of short novels that have been successfully published.
This is a longer book. How different was the writing experience?
It
made a change to be able to take the storyline further and spend more
time developing my characters. After having had 36 novellas published in
print, which I have been uploading as eBooks, it made quite an
enjoyable change and challenge.
I
know you love history. What is it about the past that’s so appealing?
Tell us about some historical novelists who have inspired you? Whose
readers do you hope will love your own longer stories?
I
like to develop adventure wrapped around a romance or involving a love
story. I have been inspired by many authors across the genres: Bernard
Cornwell, Conn iggulden, Georgette Heyer, Daphne du Maurier, Diana
Gabaldon and of course Winston Graham's Poldark.
What is next for Valerie Holmes, fiction-wise?
I
am currently working on another novel The Ebton Legacy, which will be
set within the North Yorkshire region, and also the second mystery in the Nick Penn
series to follow Dead to Sin, called Dead Man's Pain. I also have an
entirely new project beginning in 2016 and more titles to prepare of my
backlist, so I have a lot more work in progress.
As
the author of over thirty novels that have been published in paperback,
large print and as ebooks, what advice would you give a new writer just
setting out on the journey?
Study
the markets by all means, but write what you feel passionate about and
enjoy the experience. Be determined, dedicated and keep learning as you
develop your craft. Keep writing and don't give up if you really want to
make it through.
You
teach creative writing. Do you feel everyone has the potential to
become a storyteller? Or are storytellers born rather than made?
There are many skills a writer that can be taught. However, the imagination and passion have to come from the person. So I believe everyone has the potential to be able to write a story.
Five Quick Questions
Do you prefer:
Cat or dog? Dog
Town or countryside? Coast :)
North or south? Ooh - I enjoy both for different reasons. I live in one and enjoy visiting the other.
Present
day or the past? Oh, that is easy - definitely the present. I love
reading about the past, but prefer to have the creature comforts,
technology and freedom of the present day.
Company or solitude? Company - friends and family are very important to me.
Thank you, Valerie. It’s been great to talk to someone as inspiring as you. Good luck with the new novel!
Thanks so much, Margaret, for inviting me and for your support.
