Margaret James

Margaret James is a novelist, journalist and teacher of creative writing. She is also one of the founders of the Exeter Novel Prize. Thank you for joining us today, Margaret. 

Thank you for inviting me to be your guest, Laura. I’m very happy to be here.

You’re involved with The Exeter Novel Prize. Can you tell us a little about it?

The Exeter Novel Prize is for an unpublished novel, but authors can have had other novels commercially published, or have published their work themselves. The team at CreativeWritingMatters – Cathie Hartigan, Sophie Duffy and I – are all teachers of creative writing. We felt that while there are very many short story and flash competitions, novelists are rather hard done by in this respect. We’re well aware that winning or being listed in writing competitions can help the authors along the road to publishing success. We are looking for submissions in any genre except children’s. Here’s the link: http://www.creativewritingmatters.co.uk/the-exeter-novel-prize.html. As with any competition, please read the rules carefully before entering.

When working on your books, are you a planner?

Yes, definitely. Before I begin to write a novel, I always write a short outline of the actual story – how it all starts, what happens in the middle, how it ends. My first drafts can be as short as 20,000 words long. I like having this kind of narrative road map, but it doesn’t mean I can’t change direction or go somewhere completely different if a more exciting prospect opens up!

Do you edit as you go or wait for a draft?

I try to get the first draft down as quickly as possible and to resist the temptation to tinker endlessly with the opening pages.

Christine Stovell, Margaret James and RNA Chairman, Christina Courtenay

How important has the Romantic Novelists’ Association been to you?

I can’t over-emphasise the importance of the RNA in my life. If I hadn’t joined the RNA, I doubt if I would ever have had the confidence to write any kind of fiction. The RNA is my literary family.

What makes you laugh?

Simon’s Cat, The Simpsons, Morecambe and Wise – they reaffirm my belief that the human race is a great big cosmic joke and we’re all ridiculous. I find that thought very comforting.

Do you get writer’s block and if so, how do you deal with it?

I don’t get writer’s block, but I do get writer’s fatigue and writer’s panic. When I’m about to start a new novel, I always find the prospect of writing 90,000 or so words very daunting, and I sometimes wonder why I ever started writing fiction. The answer, of course, is because I am addicted, and because most of the time I love doing it. I think writing very short first drafts helps me to deal with the panic aspect. Once I have that first draft done, I find I can relax a bit.

Which three books have made the most impact on you?

That’s a hard one, but here are three novels which I know will stay with me forever: To Kill A Mockingbird, Great Expectations and Me Before You.

Is there a fictional character you’d like to meet?

Yes, Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey. What a lovely man, so funny and so kind and – in the end – so loyal to the woman he loves.

Who would you invite to a fantasy dinner party?

Henry Tilney – he can sit next to me, of course. Richard Armitage – I want to offer him the lead in the movie version of my next novel. A forty-something Harry Potter – I’d like to see how he turned out and hear how he’s coping with being father to three magical teenagers. What, are there no women coming? Well, you did say fantasy…

Which three things would you take with you to a desert island?

A knife, a big fat notebook and a frying pan. I’ll make my own pencils from burnt sticks.

Five pieces of advice for new writers?

Be yourself.

Don’t try to imitate anyone else because you think that’s the way to fame and fortune.

Enjoy being a writer.

Make friends with other writers.

Be an optimist.

The Exeter Novel Prize. The closing date for entries is 31st October 2013.

Margaret’s Blog

Romantic Novelists’ Association

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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.