Welcome to Maggi's Blog!

USA TODAY bestselling author and winner of the RONE Award. Maggi's books are International bestsellers of Regency and Victorian Historical Romance. She also writes contemporary romantic suspense and young adult stories. Learn more about her at her website: https://www.maggiandersenauthor.com

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Welcome ANNE WHITFIELD Historical Fiction writer


Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/House-Women-Anne-Whitfield/dp/0956790186/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299541743&sr=1-12
http://www.annewhitfield.com
http://annewhitfield.blogspot.com

Hi Anne, tell us a bit about your book.

It’s set in Yorkshire, an English county I love, and where my family originates from.

Blurb
Leeds. 1870. Lonely and brokenhearted, Grace Woodruff fights for her sisters’ rights to happiness while sacrificing any chance for her own.

The eldest of seven daughters, Grace is the core of strength around which the unhappy members of the Woodruff family revolve. As her disenchanted mother withdraws to her rooms, Grace must act as a buffer between her violent, ambitious father and the sisters who depend upon her. Rejected by her first love and facing a spinster’s future, she struggles to hold the broken family together through her father’s infidelity, one sister’s alcoholism, and another’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy by an unsuitable match.

Caring for an illegitimate half-brother affords Grace an escape, though short-lived. Forced home by illness and burdened with dwindling finances, Grace faces fresh anguish –and murder– when her first love returns to wreck havoc in her life. All is not lost, however. In the midst of tragedy, the fires of her heart are rekindled by another. Will the possibility of true love lead Grace to relinquish her responsibilities in the house of women and embrace her own right to happiness?


Why did you choose to write historical romance?
I love history and I love romance. It’s logical to put the two together. I enjoy setting up a time in history and letting the characters fall in love. It’s a perfect combination.


What did it feel like to get your first acceptance?
My first acceptance was in 2005 and it was very exciting, very surreal. I was surprised someone liked my story, that they felt it worthwhile spending time on it and publishing it. Each acceptance since then still is exciting and I’m very happy people like my stories.


What is the best (and worst) part of the writing process?
The best part is finishing a story. It’s nice to get it out of my head. The worst part would be editing over and over until I’m sick of it.


How long does it typically take you to finish a story?
My historical novels take about 8 months for the first draft to be completed. But it also depends if I have edits and promoting of other stories to do, too, which eats up time.


Do you have any favorites out of the characters you've written?
That’s a hard question. I think Kitty McKenzie will always been a firm favourite, I spent a long time writing her two books and loved every minute of it. But every heroine and hero have a special place in my heart. I love them all.

Which writers inspired/influenced your work?
Catherine Cookson was the author I adored from age of 14. Then in my twenties I started reading another UK author, Audrey Howard and he stories made me laugh and cry and I can’t put them down once I start reading them.


Was there ever a point in your career where you said, "Yeah, I can do this!"?
I think the first time was when I got good reviews back for my first couple of books and when people emailed me or spoke to me and said they really enjoyed my stories. That’s an amazing feeling I will never grow tired of.


Was there ever a point in your career where you almost gave up writing?
Yes! Lots of times. Especially in 2008 when my agent died and I’ve been struggling to get another one since. I’m grateful to be published by small publishers who are happy to take a chance on an author, unlike the larger publishers.


How do you come up with your stories?
Thankfully, stories just appear in my head without any hard work on my part. Sometimes I’ll get an idea from a research book, or a movie, or a painting, but mostly the characters are suddenly in my head without me realizing it.


What do you do to overcome writer's block?
I rarely suffer from writer’s block. If I’ve written myself into a corner, I’ll go back and re-read previous chapters to see where I went wrong, and then I’ll start editing and deleting until I’m back on track again.


Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Write from the heart. Learn the craft of writing fiction, but don’t spend too much time at the start wondering if you’re writing a masterpiece. It’s the story what counts. Once you’ve finished the book, put it aside for a while and let it rest for a few weeks or a couple of months. Then, you can edit it again with fresh eyes or put it through a critique group.


Thanks for dropping by, Anne and giving us a glimpse of your fabulous new book.

12 comments:

Suzi Love said...

Maggi and Ann,
Wonderful interview!
And the plot of Ann's book has me completley hooked already. Can't wait to find out what happens to them all.
Suzi Love

Zequeatta Jaques said...

Best of luck with your book, Anne. The House of Women sounds interesting. And you are right about writing from the heart.

AnneMarie Brear said...

Thanks so much for your comments Suzi and Zequeatta!

And a big thanks to Maggi for hosting me today!

Maggi Andersen said...

My pleasure Anne. hi Suzi and Zequeatta, thanks for dropping by.

Anita Davison said...

Lovely interview Anne, but you make it sound so easy!! Good luck with House of Women and I love the cover art.

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Anne and Maggie,
Great interview ladies. You have given some sound advice Anne. Best of luck with your latest book sounds like another great read.

Regards

Margaret

Diane Scott Lewis said...

Enjoyed your interview, Anne. Your book sounds wonderful. Is it available for Kindle?

Cassandra Samuels said...

Great Blog. Love the cover and the plot Anne.

Coming from a family of all girls I know how "complicated" not to mention "emotional" it can be. Can't wait to read it.

Cassie P

Danielle Lisle said...

Hi Maggie and Anne!
(and sorry i'm late):(

I had to grin when i read you get sick of your MS after having to read it so much durring edits. I know the feeling. Still, i always love to go back to the older MS's with fresh eyes after a while away.
GOOD LUCK with it Anne, it looks wonderful!

Maggi Andersen said...

Hi Danielle, I agree, some time away works wonders. Thanks for stopping by. Maggi

AnneMarie Brear said...

Thank you everyone for stopping by and leaving such wonderful comments.
Diane I'm pretty sure it will be available on Kindle. Just not sure when.

Maggi Andersen said...

Hi Margaret! Thanks everyone for visiting.