Lucy Clarke

Lucy Clarke (credit: James Bowden.)

Lucy’s debut novel, The Sea Sisters was released by Harper in May 2013. It was selected as a Richard and Judy’s Summer book club read. We chatted to Lucy and asked about her typical writing day, what makes her laugh and what fictional character she’d like to meet… 

Can you tell us about your novel, The Sea Sisters?

It is a gripping mystery about two sisters, Mia and Katie. The story begins in London with Katie learning the devastating news that her headstrong younger sister, Mia, has been found dead in Bali – and the police claim it was suicide. But when Katie discovers that Mia left behind a travel journal, she decides to retrace the last few months of her sister’s life to uncover the mystery surrounding her death.

Describe your typical writing day…

I’m a morning person, so I set my alarm early and am usually at my desk by 6.30 am. I’m hopeless by evening – it’s as if my creativity fades with the day. I generally write Mondays to Fridays so that I have evenings and weekends free to spend with friends and family who have ‘proper jobs’! I prefer to write by hand – there’s something about the simplicity of a pencil and a blank page that appeals to the romantic in me. I only have one rule when I’m writing: get outside every day. Fresh air is good for the soul, and great for the imagination.

Are you a planner? Do you edit as you go along or wait for a final first draft?

Usually I begin with a simple premise that I then thicken into a plot outline. I don’t have the outline pinned down chapter by chapter; rather, I’ll split the book into three ‘acts’: the beginning, the middle and the end, and plot the key events that will take place within these acts. I’ll also create brief bibliographies for each of my main characters. After that, I get down to writing. I ‘free write’ the first draft, which to me means writing it in one big gulp without looking back. This draft is always very short – perhaps only 30,000 words. After that I build upon the draft – and often write seven or eight drafts before I have something I’d be happy to show my publisher. I suppose it’s a little like the way a painter may work: they layer colours and play with textures and shading until they can eventually stand back and think, ‘Yes. That’s what I was after.’

What makes you laugh?

My husband.

Do you write in silence or do you prefer noise?

Both. Some days I need complete silence – and other days I need noise. I can’t write when other people are talking as I’m too nosey and find myself drifting into their conversations, but I do enjoy writing with music playing. There are certain albums I play to help me step into a character’s mindset, or to inspire a particular atmosphere in a scene.

Do you get writers block? How do you combat it?

I haven’t as yet, thankfully! A lot of people seem to believe that authors only write when inspiration takes hold. If that were true, I’d probably only spend an hour a week actually writing! Rather than waiting for inspiration to arrive, I try and coax it awake by having a routine as to when I write, or having key prompts such as good notes, or mood boards to stimulate ideas. Even if I’m not feeling particularly creative, I’ll try and push on and get something down on paper: you can’t edit a blank page.

Is there a character from fiction you’d like to meet?

Mr Darcy, of course!

Which book has made the most impact on you?

All of Tim Winton’s work has had a big impact on me. He’s taught me about the language of landscape. His novels describe the landscapes and seascapes of Australia with such rugged clarity and passion that I turn the pages, jaw agape.

Which three things would you want with you on a desert island?

My journal, a pencil, and a satellite phone.

What are you music/TV guilty pleasures?

Box-sets of things like Boardwalk Empire, 24, and Breaking Bad.

If you could time travel, where would you go?

Back to the realm of dinosaurs. What a sight it would be to see those beasts roaming the land.

What magical power would you like?

Flight so that I wouldn’t have to bother with aeroplanes anymore.

Five tips for new writers.

1. Write. Try and write as often as you can, even if it’s only ten minutes snatched at the end of each day.

2. Read. Voraciously. I always read with a pen in my hand so that I can scribble notes in the margins about interesting techniques the author may have used. (Not recommended for Kindles!)

3. Write for yourself. Don’t try and write for a market trend, or on a hot topic. Just write the type of book you love reading, or on a subject you’re passionate about. That honesty will feed through your work.

4. Get feedback. Ask people to critique your work. Feedback is so valuable, but only chose people who will respond to you with honesty. And be prepared: sometimes it can sting!

5. Be open to inspiration. It’s all around us. Start keeping a notepad and pen on your person and make yourself write one thing in it every day, whether it’s a snippet of conversation, an interesting sight, or something you watched on TV that caught your imagination. Inspiration is out there; you just need to tune in.

Lucy’s website. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.