Joss Stirling Interview (Author of Finding Sky)
1. How long did it take you to publish, ‘Finding Sky?’
Unusually for me, this had a false start. I wrote it for one publisher who decided that she wouldn’t take it after all. I put it in a drawer and then dusted it off when another editor for another of my publishers said she was looking for something in that genre. Fortunately she loved it and the rest of the publishing experience went very quickly and smoothly.
2. If you could choose one thing about the whole work involved from writing your first book, to its publication, what would you say was the hardest thing to achieve?
Getting the American voices right – it isn’t quite right in Finding Sky and I’ve tried to improve each time I write an American character. The problem is the ‘divided by the common language’ thing – sometimes I just don’t know when my guys sound too English! I’ve been asking American friends to check the dialogue ever since the first time and trying to listen out to false notes.
3. Of all the books you have written, which book did you enjoy writing the most?
I’m really enjoying writing the one I’m doing at the moment. It follows on from Misty Falls and my daughter (audience number 1) is very enthusiastic about it so that makes it a joy to write.
4. How long did it take you to get your first successful book published?
I write under other names so my first book as Julia Golding took about two years to go from being accepted to being in the shops.
5. If you could give one piece of advice to a new writer, what would it be?
Enjoy the writing – that’s the cake; publishing, if it comes, is only ever going to be the icing. Another tip is to spend time thinking through your characters. I do a character grid – a hundred things I know about them – before I even start writing.
6. Many writers are warned about the dreaded ‘rejection letter,’ but speaking from your own experience, what is your take on the rejection letter?
Don’t take it personally. If someone has bothered to write feedback, take it on board and learn to rewrite – all writers have to be able to be edited.
7. What would you say is the first steps of publishing?
Having the discipline to write a whole book – a great idea is not enough.
8. If a new and upcoming writer was trying to publish their own novel, how would you recommend they go about it?
Get it read by someone – a friend or writing buddy – so they can help you judge it if is ready to send out. Something half complete will not do your reputation any favours. Join SCBWI – this organisation will give you access to writing workshops but also agents and publishers etc.
9. We all love writing our own characters, giving them personalities, histories and lives, but if you had to choose two characters from your own books, which two would you say are your favourites?
Kieran (Storm and Stone) and Zed (Finding Sky) today – the answer would be different tomorrow!
10. The publishing industry is beginning to get increasingly difficult, with less and less books being published each year, and this year is no exception. Book deals and publications are at an all-time low.
Many writers are turning to Amazon, Smashwords, Nook, etc. and self-publishing their books.
But this choice isn’t for everyone.
What would you say to young, unpublished writers out there who are debating about which route to take?
And had you been starting out all over again, would you still take the same route?
The huge downside of self-publishing is not having an editor – a good one is key to developing a writer. I’d say that if you have the chance to go with a publisher who is enthusiastic about you, this is still the best route. However, some people find publishers after having success through self-publishing. Publishing has to be a diverse field with many doors in so there is no single path. I’m glad I had the opportunity to take the route I did and would do the same again.
I'd like to say a huge thank you to Joss Stirling for her willingness to take part in this interview.
I hope it gives hope and inspiration to all those who are inspiring authors.
1. How long did it take you to publish, ‘Finding Sky?’
Unusually for me, this had a false start. I wrote it for one publisher who decided that she wouldn’t take it after all. I put it in a drawer and then dusted it off when another editor for another of my publishers said she was looking for something in that genre. Fortunately she loved it and the rest of the publishing experience went very quickly and smoothly.
2. If you could choose one thing about the whole work involved from writing your first book, to its publication, what would you say was the hardest thing to achieve?
Getting the American voices right – it isn’t quite right in Finding Sky and I’ve tried to improve each time I write an American character. The problem is the ‘divided by the common language’ thing – sometimes I just don’t know when my guys sound too English! I’ve been asking American friends to check the dialogue ever since the first time and trying to listen out to false notes.
3. Of all the books you have written, which book did you enjoy writing the most?
I’m really enjoying writing the one I’m doing at the moment. It follows on from Misty Falls and my daughter (audience number 1) is very enthusiastic about it so that makes it a joy to write.
4. How long did it take you to get your first successful book published?
I write under other names so my first book as Julia Golding took about two years to go from being accepted to being in the shops.
5. If you could give one piece of advice to a new writer, what would it be?
Enjoy the writing – that’s the cake; publishing, if it comes, is only ever going to be the icing. Another tip is to spend time thinking through your characters. I do a character grid – a hundred things I know about them – before I even start writing.
6. Many writers are warned about the dreaded ‘rejection letter,’ but speaking from your own experience, what is your take on the rejection letter?
Don’t take it personally. If someone has bothered to write feedback, take it on board and learn to rewrite – all writers have to be able to be edited.
7. What would you say is the first steps of publishing?
Having the discipline to write a whole book – a great idea is not enough.
8. If a new and upcoming writer was trying to publish their own novel, how would you recommend they go about it?
Get it read by someone – a friend or writing buddy – so they can help you judge it if is ready to send out. Something half complete will not do your reputation any favours. Join SCBWI – this organisation will give you access to writing workshops but also agents and publishers etc.
9. We all love writing our own characters, giving them personalities, histories and lives, but if you had to choose two characters from your own books, which two would you say are your favourites?
Kieran (Storm and Stone) and Zed (Finding Sky) today – the answer would be different tomorrow!
10. The publishing industry is beginning to get increasingly difficult, with less and less books being published each year, and this year is no exception. Book deals and publications are at an all-time low.
Many writers are turning to Amazon, Smashwords, Nook, etc. and self-publishing their books.
But this choice isn’t for everyone.
What would you say to young, unpublished writers out there who are debating about which route to take?
And had you been starting out all over again, would you still take the same route?
The huge downside of self-publishing is not having an editor – a good one is key to developing a writer. I’d say that if you have the chance to go with a publisher who is enthusiastic about you, this is still the best route. However, some people find publishers after having success through self-publishing. Publishing has to be a diverse field with many doors in so there is no single path. I’m glad I had the opportunity to take the route I did and would do the same again.
I'd like to say a huge thank you to Joss Stirling for her willingness to take part in this interview.
I hope it gives hope and inspiration to all those who are inspiring authors.