Ilana Fox

Ilana Fox is the author of two books, ‘The Making of Mia’ (2008) and ‘Spotlight,’ (2010), both published by Orion Books. She’s currently working on her third novel ‘No Prince Charming.’ Novel Kicks was very excited to be having a chat with Ilana. We asked her where her inspiration comes from, which author she admire’s and who she’d have to a fantasy dinner.

Describe your typical writing day.

I get up quite early considering I don’t need to commute, and then I give my kittens breakfast and wait for them to come and cuddle me in bed. Then I eventually get up and do a few bits and pieces and settle into writing. I’ll either start writing as soon as I hit my laptop, or I’ll spend an hour or so responding to emails and messages. When I start writing I tend not to stop, so I can be on my computer for up to ten hours without a break. If I’m in the zone I don’t want to be out of it.

Do you plan before starting a book?

I plan an awful lot, only to disregard most of it when I’m writing the manuscript! I know what’s meant to happen in each chapter, and in each scene in a chapter, but often my characters end up saying things or doing things differently to how I imagined, so I have to go back and change the plan. I revise the plan about four times while I’m writing a novel.

How do you approach editing?

I won’t move onto a new chapter until I’m completely happy with the previous one, so I edit as I go along, and then spend about a day editing each chapter. Then, when the first draft is finished I’ll edit again before sending it to my editor, who helps me revise and revise before it’s finally finished. I enjoy editing as much as I do writing.

Where do you find inspiration?

I’ve worked for national newspapers, so you end up hearing loads about celebs that papers can’t publish. I tend to find inspiration from people in the public eye – they’re mainly celebrities, but also newsworthy people who have done really cool things. I’m also lucky that I have a fertile imagination.

What’s the best/worst thing about being a writer?

The best thing is hearing from readers who’ve loved your books – it means the world when people take the time to email me. Those emails make it all worth it. The worst thing is when people just assume that writing a book doesn’t take too much work, or that it’s all luck. Oh, and when people email me asking ‘how do I write a book?’ There’s no magic answer … if you really want to do it, try and do it! I have tips on my website to help start and plan (www.ilanafox.com), but from there you’re on your own. Nobody can write those 100k words for you. Unless you’re Jordan.

Which author do you admire?

Louise Bagshawe, definitely. It was her books that inspired me to try and write, and I love each one she’s written. I’m fortunate enough to share an agent with her, and I met her last year. I also respect Donna Tartt for writing The Secret History. Such an amazing book.

Which of your characters is most like you?

I tend to see myself as the ‘best friends’ in the books, like Amelia in The Making of Mia, or Poppy in Spotlight. I don’t base my main characters on myself, although I like to think that I have the same determination and drive as them.

Who would you have to a fantasy dinner?

Wow. Daniel Craig, and … Um. Actually, that will do. Just Daniel Craig. We’d have a romantic dinner on the beach and he’d tell me he loves me.

Your top five tips for new writers….

Read a lot – if you’re going to write a book you need to know what sort of book you want to write. Read lots of different genres.

Write a lot – practice and practice until you have a relaxed tone of voice and style. Be you, don’t try to be anyone else.

Plan a lot – don’t just start without knowing your characters and your plot.

Edit a lot – your first draft will probably be full of holes. Polish your manuscript until it shines

Enjoy it – if you don’t love what you’re writing then chances are people won’t enjoy reading it. If something’s worth doing it’s worth doing well … and with a smile on your face too. Writing a novel takes up so much of your life. If it doesn’t make you happy, don’t do it. But if it does make you happy, then I wish you every success with it, and look forward to seeing it on the shelves!

To find out more about Ilana, check out her website http://www.ilanafox.com. You can also follow Ilana on Twitter: @Ilana

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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.