Barbara Taylor Bradford.

Novel Kicks talks to Barbara Taylor Bradford.

Barbara Taylor Bradford started writing fiction when she was seven years old and sold her first short story when she was ten. Her first novel, A Woman of Substance was published in 1979. She’s had 29 novels published including her latest book, Cavendon Hall released in January.

What do you think appeals to people when it comes to the saga? 

Someone once suggested that I write novels about large families because I am an only child. And my husband is an only child. But I don’t think this is really the reason. I love writing about large families because of the relationships, and the most terrible things happen in families. So I have plenty of drama, emotions, and intrigue to carry me through.

Is there an author you’d admire? 

I admire and have mostly been influenced by the classics: Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Thomas Hardy, and the French writer Collette.

Is there a fictional character you’d like to have a conversation with? 

Rhett Butler. One of the greatest leading men ever to have been dreamed up by a writer.

Do you plan beyond an outline or do you write as you go? 

I sit down and write an outline, and think everything out.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? 

My mentor Cornelius Ryan, historian of the Second World War, told me that if I wrote five pages a day every day for a year, I would get into the habit of doing it and would probably have over 400,000 words and the making of a novel. In other words, practice makes perfect.

What’s your advice to someone wanting to write a novel? 

To sit down and write an outline – once the story and the characters are clear, then the next thing to do is to actually write the book.

Which of your characters is your favourite and which book has had an impact on you?

I believe that an author always loves the first novel they have published. So I love A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE, but another favourite is THE WOMEN IN HIS LIFE. However, one of my most loved books is the one I enjoyed writing and have just published. It’s called CAVENDON HALL, and I think because the characters became so alive for me, they truly live on paper.

Where do you like to write? Do you like noise or silence? 

When I am writing a novel I work every day, approximately ten hours a day, seven days a week. I’m not actually writing for ten hours. I am thinking, researching, and editing as well. I take it very seriously and certainly I don’t wait for inspiration to strike. I’m a brand name and the book has to go in on time!

Cavendon Hall was released by Harper Collins and is available in hardback and e-book.

Barbara’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.