Interviewing Helen Smith.
How do you strike the balance between writing something you
want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the
compromises you make, if any?
I know that people’s tastes vary wildly so rather than try to
work out what might appeal to someone – or, even more impossible, ‘everyone’ – I
try to write books that I’m proud of and hope to find readers who will appreciate
the books for what they are. I suppose it’s a bit like finding friends, isn’t
it? Rather than try to be someone who will impress a certain group of people, you
hope to meet people who will like you for who you are.
Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for
future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas,
characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them?
I have folders online where I make notes about the book I’m
writing and future projects I’m planning. I usually carry a notebook with me in
my handbag but I rarely write in it unless I can’t access my computer because I
have trouble reading my handwriting.
How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually
helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?
I have never heard that term before! Fortunately I have never
suffered from an invasion of plot bunnies. Sometimes a minor character will start
to become more important in the story I’m writing because I like them and I want
to spend more time with them. For example there’s a colourful character called
Jesmond in The
Miracle Inspector who is a poet. I liked him when I started writing him so
I gave him more space in the book than I had originally planned. But when
something like that happens, it’s helpful to the story – nothing like those
nasty-sounding plot bunnies.
How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that
you’d most like to be? Or be with ?
There’s a lot of me in all my characters. I usually say that Alison Temple (who
appears in my first two books, Alison
Wonderland and Being Light)
is a grumpier version of me. The character I’d most like to be is the eccentric
philosophy professor, Dr. Muriel, who appears in my new Emily
Castles mystery series. She’s Emily’s side-kick and she’s very intelligent,
but it’s Emily who solves the mysteries. She’s rather a mischievous character
and I imagine her being played by Miriam Margoyles if the series ever made it
onto TV.
What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?
I write mainstream fiction and mysteries, but I read more widely than that. I
like most genres, so long as the book is well written. I enjoy reading biographies
and autobiographies, too. Since I got my Kindle I have found that I have started
taking a chance on books I wasn’t sure I’d like – and I have discovered some
new authors and genres that I have really enjoyed. I love the Kindle Daily
Deal!
What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X
factor?
It’s really difficult to try to sell your own book. The best way that I have
found to convince readers that my book is something special is to ask reviewers
and book bloggers to read it and recommend it if they like it. I’m indebted to
all the readers and bloggers who have taken the time to read, review and
recommend my books – it’s a great way to get the word out. A few readers have
told me recently that they’ve recommended The Miracle Inspector to their book
groups, which is really wonderful. I’m always happy to do online Q&As for
book groups if I can’t get to visit them in person.
How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?
That’s never happened, fortunately. My books are copy-edited and proof-read
but, even so, I think all of us notice one or two minor errors in just about
every book we read because even copy editors and proof readers can miss them. It’s
usually something like a missing word where text has been changed late on in
the editing process, rather than a spelling mistake.
What do you like most about visiting KUF/forums?
I like finding book recommendations and reviews, and I like to know when books are
on offer at a low price so I can grab them for my Kindle. Unfortunately that
means I buy many more than I will ever read.
What is on your near horizon?
I’m writing a murder mystery series set in present day London. It features a
twenty-six-year-old amateur sleuth called Emily Castles and her side-kick, a
professor of philosophy called Dr Muriel. I have just finished the first novel
in the series, Invitation to Die, and I’m now working on the next one, Beyond
Belief. I have already published a couple of novella-length Emily
Castles stories and they have been quite popular with readers, so I hope
they’ll enjoy the full-length novels, too.
The print edition of The
Miracle Inspector will be out on 4th September so I’m doing a lot
of work to promote that. It’s already available as an ebook and so far the
reviews have been great.
The audio book of Alison
Wonderland is out on 6th November. I have never had an audio
book out before – I can’t wait to hear it. I’m very excited about it.
Where can we find you for more information?
Thank you!
