6/9/2012
1. What was the inspiration for your novel?
For my current novel, it’s a whole mix of things, a woman I once knew, a dream, a
place, an idea that came when lunching with an old friend, memories – but
mostly it’s hard work, not inspiration.
2. When did you take up writing?
Late in 2006.
3. How important is setting/place in your writing?
Very important, because it’s important to me as a reader. Atmosphere and a sense of place and time add to the magical escape.
4. Do you have a favourite character (s) in your current novel?
They’re all my babies
5. What’s the best piece of writing advice you were ever given?
Trust your own instincts.
Do not self edit until you have a substantial word count, you have to plunge in and write something in order to edit.
6.Do you have a schedule for writing?
Yep, every morning I fire up and then dwindle away as the day wears on.
7. Are you a plotter or someone who tends to wing it?
A bit of both. I like to have an outline in my head but then as I’m writing more ideas come and I try them out
8. Can you name three of four of your current favourite books?
Gaglow by Esther Freud, After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh and A Company of Fellowes by Dan Holloway, (Dan is a brilliant self pubber. This is a murder mystery set in Oxford and I love it badly.)
9. Can you tell me a little bit about what you are working on now?
I can’t bear to talk about my current wip, unless you have some antacids and xanax on offer.
10. What advice would you give to a fledgling writer to assist them on their journey?
Buy Australian books – make that your motto.
Read – don’t lounge in front of the telly or aimlessly surf the net.
Take your writing seriously and always be open to constructive feedback- but don’t take all the rest of the industry stuff
seriously, fashions come and go, industries rise and fall, people move on and the only thing you can control is your writing – unless there’s an editor hovering nearby and then you can’t!
For more information about Phillipa and her books visit http://www.phillipafioretti.com.au/
