Anne Donovan is the writer
of numerous short stories, but also the author of Buddha Da, and
Being Emily (previously reviewed by Robyn!) We asked Anne a few
questions about her writing...
Introduce yourself!
I'm Anne Donovan. I'm a
writer of short stories and novels.
Describe your latest book
in 15 words or fewer.
Fiona's family is nothing like the Brontes,
but her life resembles a Victorian novel.
Where do you write your
books?
On my laptop in the living
room. I don't have a study.
Where do you get the
inspiration for your books?
Everywhere. Voices, things I see.
Small things. Usually I start from character and voice - it develops
from there.
Click over the cut for more from Anne...
What are your favourite
books?
Too many to say. Wuthering
Heights, Daniel Deronda, Great Expectations, Anna Karenina - all
those big Victorian novels. Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. Also
poetry - the Romantic poets, Gerard Manley Hopkins. Many short story
writers - Alistair MacLeod is just one. And I'm currently going
through an obsession with Willa Cather's novels and reading Dante's
Divine Comedy in translation ( just about to get to Paradise!)
Do any other writers
inspire you?
Greatly. Lots of them. I don't know how much it
directly influences my writing style though I think Lewis Grassic
Gibbon's approach to writing in Scots has an influence, as does the
poetry of some Scottish writers like Liz Lochhead and Tom Leonard.
But writing of any kind which is powerful and does something with
language is always inspirational.
Are you working on
anything new at the moment?
I've
been working on short stories because I'm always doing that, even
when I'm writing a novel. Even if no one wants them! I'm also working
on two longer pieces and I'm not sure which is going to work out, if
either. But I'm at the stage I probably like most in writing, which
is something with no real idea of how it's working, just following
the characters and their story.
Do you have any advice for
our readers who want to become published authors?
Read lots.
Ideally try to read a variety of authors. If you want to write short
stories do read them - it's a very different form from the novel. Set
aside a regular time for your writing, even if it's only once a week
(when I started it was just Sunday afternoons as I had no other time)
and stick to it. If it's impossible for you to work at home because
of family commitments you may want to go somewhere else, like the
library.
For your first draft, just
write - some of my best work has come from just writing and tapping
into the unconscious part of the mind. Don't worry too much about
fixing it up and don't be critical of it or you probably won't write
much! When you have got a reasonable draft of a story or a poem, that
is the time to be critical - work on the draft till it's the best you
can possibly do. Criticise the draft, not yourself. It can be
helpful to leave a piece of writing for a few weeks or longer then go
back to it with a fresh eye. Many people find it helpful to join a
writing group or go to a class or course. They can be wonderful but
don't be discouraged if the group or class doesn't suit you - find
one which does.
When you've got a finished
piece, send it somewhere - a competition or anthology is a great
start. (It's a bit harder if you've written a novel as you need to
send it to an agent.) Make sure anything you send off is as good as
you can make it and is presented well.
Don't be discouraged -
keep going!
Thanks, Anne!
