Rosemary Goodacre

What was the inspiration for your debut ‘A Fortnight is not Enough’?

I began with the fantasy of enjoying a holiday so much that I refused to come home.

2. What was is that drew you to the setting for your story?

We enjoyed a holiday in the south of France in 2016. Its connection with famous artists provided a way of developing the story.

3. Tell us about your main character – what motivates her, what are her dreams, and what is her worst nightmare?

Imogen is 18 and finding her way in life – in fact this could be regarded as a Young Adult novel. She loves painting and would like to work as an artist. She is being manipulated by an older boyfriend when she meets Jules, an art student, who motivates her to follow her dreams.

4. What was the very first novel you penned and where is it now?

I’ve written various novels for years. The earliest one I still have on the computer has a theme of Good versus Evil. It concerns a woman whose dabbling in magic brings her under the influence of and attractive but sinister man.

5. What are you currently working on?

I’ve recently completed a novel entitled The Day of the Dolly Bird, which is a romance set in the Swinging Sixties. Through the New Writers Scheme of The Romantic Novelists’ Association it has received a largely favourable report from a professional novelist.

I’m currently working on a historical romance set in World War I.

6. When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always loved reading and had the urge to write. I used to dabble as a child, and a friend and I used to produce little monthly magazines.

7. What would you advise a new novelist?

Be persistent! Of course, you need to study the market, but still bring your own ideas to the writing.

8. Other than writing, what other hobbies or interests do you enjoy?

I try to keep fit by doing Zumba and taking country walks with a group.

I do voluntary work one day a week for a charity which trains disabled adults.

I love travel, particularly to the continent, and enjoy classical music.

9. What is your favourite part of the UK?

I particularly love spectacular scenery, like in the Lake District, or Perthshire.

10. Which writer or writers inspire you most?

Jane Austen is hard to beat, and George Eliot. Among contemporary writers I love the humour of Terry Pratchett and the quirky stories of Marina Lewicka. I enjoy books by Barbara Kingsolver and I was recently very impressed with Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and mean to read some more of her books. I also loved The Time Traveler’s Wife by  Audrey Niffenegger. Amazingly it was her debut novel.

11. If you were to invite three prominent people, dead or alive to dinner, which three would you invite and why?

What a tough choice! At least one needs a strong sense of humour. I’ve decided on Leonardo da Vinci and Marie Curie with Victoria Coren Mitchell to provide an element of wackiness.

12. What would be your favourite menu? Starter – Main – Desert

Salade Niçoise, Noisettes of Lamb and Strawberry Pavlova – yum.

Karen, thank you very much for hosting me on your Blog.

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  A Fortnight is not Enough

   

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  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fortnight-not-Enough-Rosemary-Goodacre-ebook/dp/B079M7BXPC/

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Karen Aldous – Author of The Vneyard

Yes, it’s called ‘The Joan Hessayon Award’. You may or may not have heard of it but I will explain because, if any new writers are reading this, it will certainly be of value. It is an award given annually to graduates from a scheme run by The Romantic Novelists’ Association called ‘New Writers Scheme’. It’s prize is the generosity of  Dr David Hessayon who continues to support his late-wife, Joan’s legacy to reward new writers. Joan Hessayon was a successful Historical Fiction Writer and member of the RNA.. This prestigious scheme is  highly respected by publishers and agents and,  I feel, was instrumental in helping me get my novel out to readers.

I did this by joining the Romantic Novelists’ Association as an associate member which allowed me on to the scheme because I had never had a novel published. This is open every January. Once accepted, you are entitled to send in your manuscript for a professional critique. That’s right, a professional author will read your manuscript and send you a report suggesting ways in which you can improve your work. For example, my reader picked out that my point of views POV needed to stay consistent within a scene, particularly when starting out. I was also, she pointed out, using my punctuation wrong after sentences in speech. They seem minor things now but, these are all so important in making your work professional and at a standard where the publisher is likely to read on when you send that make or break submission.

Having gone through this process, I sent my first three chapters and a synopsis to CarinaUK, a digital-first imprint of Harlequin/HarperCollins and eight weeks later received a two-book contract. Yes I was shocked, my first novel published by the first publisher who received it! Lovely shock of course, but this preparation was so important for me and one I would thoroughly recommend. And, graduating has given me the chance to enter this award. Each published novel that goes through the scheme is then entered for the Joan Hessayon Award. The final product is then judged on a point system by the RNA who will then reveal, at the annual Summer Party, the winner.

Of course, I would love to win but I know that I am among very talented writers who also deserve to win and Good luck to all my fellow contenders! The point is, we have all achieved publication and are following our dreams. What more could we ask!

For full details about the scheme, read here The RNA NWS

Karen’s Debut Novel

To purchase ‘The Vineyard’ click here: TheVineyardAmazonUK      TheVineyardAmazonUS   TheVineyardKOBO

My second novel is also published ‘The Chateau’ and my third, ‘The Riviera’ is being released 10th July. This will be available for pre-order soon. I am currently writing my fourth novel with CarinaUK.