Website: www.cecilypaterson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CecilyAnnePaterson
Twitter: @CecilyPaterson
Blog: www.cecilypaterson.com
Interview:
Where are you from? Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m a Aussie who spent most of her childhood in Pakistan. How’s that for complicated? I’ve travelled the world and seen a lot but right now I’m happy to be living in a teeny tiny town in New South Wales, Australia, where I get to send my four children off to a teeny tiny school every day. There are a lot of benefits to moving around as a child; you get so you can pretty much talk to anyone, anywhere, and you’re pretty independent. The drawbacks, though, are big too; I never actually feel like I fit anywhere, and if you pressed me as to where my ‘home’ is, I couldn’t honestly tell you.
Tell us about your book? How did it get started?
Love and Muddy Puddles is based on the true story of twins whose family moved from a regular city existence to living out the back of beyond in the bush. I exaggerated the details a little – the family never had to build their own house, and the ‘real’ Coco wasn’t as totally and completely miserable as the book Coco, but it’s true that finding a horse she loved made her feel a lot happier about the move.
How do you create your characters?
I’m embarrassed to say it, but I have to have someone or something real to start with. Maybe other writers can make up people off the tops of their heads, but I need a foundation; something to build on. Once I’ve got the basics down, it becomes pretty obvious who they are when they start to talk to me, or at least, when I start to write down their dialogue with other people. At that point they kind of take on their own existence, to the point where they might actually become unrecognizable from the ‘real’ person that I started with.
What inspires and what got your started in writing?
Is this a cliché? I won a writing contest when I was eight and I knew then that I would have to be a writer. At the age of 38 I had written a few adult non-fiction titles and even won an award, but I decided I’d have to do something about fulfilling my dreams of fiction. I did a lot of reading about plot and character and structure and then sat down and created my first novel Invisible.
I wanted to write for young teens specifically because I had a pretty rough time at boarding school between the ages of 11 and 13, and books really did become my friends. If I can create ‘friends’ for other girls of the same age, I’ll have succeeded in my dream.
Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks?)
In my office ‘nook’ (which is really a corner of the lounge room) with all the kids out of the house and the door shut. My husband is not even allowed in the room with me. I feel embarrassed if there are other people around and I’m trying to be creative. I’m a ‘silence only’ kind of writer. No music at all! However, I will accept a cup of tea (or five) and more than a few slices of my awesomely easy, healthy fudge. In a food processor, whizz up 1 cup of almonds with 1 cup of dates, a spoon of butter and a few spoons of cocoa powder. Press it into a dish and refrigerate. See? How easy is that.
How do you get your ideas for writing?
Mostly from real life. They might be from someone’s circumstances, or from a particular character trait I see in someone. One story I’m writing at the moment comes from a photograph I took at a school choir night. The body language between three of the girls singing was enough to say, “Hey, here’s a story about a friendship gone wrong.”
What do you like to read?
The better question is ‘how do you like to read?’ and the answer to that is; on my own, with no chores or jobs to do, and nothing to disturb me. Unfortunately that rarely happens, with four kids, as you can imagine. Because of that, I tend to be pretty picky about what I read simply because there’s not that much time to waste on it. I adore a well-written thriller (think Lee Child or John Grisham) as they aren’t too taxing on my emotions. General fiction must be realistic or funny (no fantasy or too much romance) with a really strong voice. In the last couple of months I’ve loved John Green’s A Fault in Our Stars, Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and Wonder by RJ Pelagio. I also love a well-written story that puts you completely into another time or place.
What would your advice to be for authors or aspiring in regards to writing?
Stop now. It’s not a fun life, nor will it make you much money. But if you can’t stop, and you have to do it, then write the very best book you can write.
More practically, join a writer’s group, read a lot about writing, and read a lot of writing. Start a blog and commit to writing regularly. It helps your voice. Get an awesome editor and be humble to learn from them. Finally, write even when you don’t feel like writing. If you don’t do it, the words don’t just magically appear on the page.