It’s my great pleasure to start the year off by interviewing Friday Fictioneers regular, Sarah Potter who lives in a house on a hill, with panoramic views over the English Channel in SE England. Sharing the house are her husband, son and chocolate Labrador, all three of whom are great supporters of her literary endeavours. When not writing novels, she pens haiku and tanka poems, takes nature photographs, grapples with bindweed and snails in the garden, invents recipes, and sings mezzo-soprano.
What made you decide to be a writer?
My love affair with writing fiction and poetry blossomed at the age of eight. I could read before I went to school, which gave me a head-start with vocabulary. My mother read me lots of books as well; ones that were too advanced for me to read myself, such as The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White. Also, she made up stories off the top of her head. I remember in particular her tales about The Eccentric Man who liked to do things such as having operations without anesthetic (wince). At senior school, I wrote exercise-book length novellas: popstar or sci-fi romances mostly. These proved a great hit with my classmates, as well as my piano teacher, who showed one of my literary creations to her English teacher boyfriend. He responded with the words “That girl will be famous one day”. …Still waiting, although I do have the line of fame on my palm, so maybe there’s still time for his prophecy to come true. In my 20s, I was too busy making ends meet to have time to write much, apart from poems that moved almost imperceptibly between depressed rambles and black comedies. At the age of 36, I decided to go to evening class and study for an AS Level in English, which I passed with a straight A, with full marks for the creative writing module. The same year, I watched Kevin Costner’s movie, A Field of Dreams, in which he said something along the lines of “I’m 36 and if I don’t fulfill my dreams now, I never will”. That’s when I decided to write my first novel, a time travel romance set in a psychiatric hospital.
What is your favorite genre? Why?
This is a difficult question, as I read quite widely. My choice of fiction at any one time depends upon my mood. I’m not good with high literary, as it’s too exhausting. On the other hand, I can’t deal with pulp fiction that has two-dimensional characters and unadventurous vocabulary. There’s nothing that’s more of a delight to me than discovering a brilliant trilogy and reading all the volumes back-to-back. In particular, I love apocalyptic science fiction, with Justin Cronin’s “The Passage trilogy” at the top of my list. This genre fascinates me, not out of a sense of morbidity, but because of its epic scale. Throughout history people have demonstrated an amazing spirit of survival against a backcloth of good and evil, and the apocalyptic scenario takes them right to the point of extinction, yet there’s a core group with the vision and determination to fight back, using a combination of practical skills and a profound sense of community.
I enjoy Nordic Noir, too, especially Karin Fossum, and Scandinavian authors in general, my favourite being the quirky Danish author, Peter Hoeg, who writes in an accessible literary style. The novel for which he’s the most famous is Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow, but my personal favourite is his less well known satirical anthropological novel The Woman and the Ape.
“Desiccation” is mesmerizing. How did you come up with the idea? How long did it take you to write it?
Desiccation is number three out of five novels, and was originally titled “Spaced-out”. They say write about what you know, so I based the setting for the story on the boarding school I attended in the latter part of the 1960s. The school never came under attack by body-snatching interdimensional aliens, although I seem to remember daydreaming about such things when I should have been concentrating on lessons. I did three months of research, which included reading a fascinating natural history book all about woodlice/pillbugs, followed by three months of writing the first draft. I sent the second draft out to a literary agent who said “I applaud your imagination and your writing skills, but it would be very hard to convince a publisher to take on a mix of science fiction, fantasy, and humour written by a first-time author”. After this, I cast Desiccation aside and left it to marinade for ages, then rewrote it, then left it to marinade again, until in 2015 my family persuaded me to have a go at indie publishing one of my novels. My son voted for Desiccation, on the grounds that he’d found the first draft so exciting that he’d stayed up all night reading it and spent all the following day falling asleep at school.
I’m reading “Noah Padgett and the Dog-People” which, so far, is a rare treat. What can you tell us about it?
This is my fourth novel. I’m marketing it as a middle-grade children’s novel, although I suspect that most of my readers are aged 40 plus (much the same as with Desiccation). I like to think of Noah Padgett and the Dog-People as a multi-layered crossover novel that children and adults can enjoy at different levels. For instance, there’s Sergeant Salt and his Mercenary Lurcher Band, which is my joke on The Beatles’ album, Sergeant Pepper and his Lonely Hearts Club Band. Children possibly won’t pick up on this, but they will still find the characters entertaining. The book is available as an audiobook, as well on kindle and in paperback. For me, hearing my book read by talented actress Mil Nicholson, who’s brilliant with the characters’ voices and accents, is almost as exciting as having it made into a movie.
The inspiration behind the story is my chocolate Labrador, who was a puppy at the time of writing. I kept having anxiety dreams in which I turned around for a moment and she disappeared, and the more I thought about it, the more the kidnapping of a beloved dog seemed like a disturbing central theme to a novel. Added to this, my mother used to breed and show dogs and my first job after leaving school was as a kennel maid, so again, it was writing about what I knew. Here’s my novel’s three sentence hook…
When Noah Padgett and his chocolate Labrador puppy disappear through a computer screen, they find themselves in the Zyx-dimension, where the main species is Canis sapiens. Bluebell soon falls into the paw-hands of deranged entrepreneur Monsieur Percival Poodle, who likes to collect alien specimens and believes himself above the law. Meanwhile, Noah ends up in a high security hospital for criminally insane Canis sapiens, with no apparent means of escape and terrified for his beloved puppy’s safety.
Who is the author who inspires you the most?
Apart from Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, you mean? ( 😉 ) This is a hard question to answer, as different authors have inspired me at different times in my life. These days I’m looking for five things in a book.
- I find it so engaging that it compels me to sneak read it at breakfast time.
- I care passionately about the fate of its characters.
- The writing is crafted so beautifully that it gives me profound “wow” moments.
- It teaches me something new, including techniques to improve my own writing.
- When I’ve finished reading it, I suffer withdrawal symptoms and can’t settle to read anything else for a week or two.
I’ve already mentioned some of the authors who fit this bill, but who to choose above all others? Here are the three authors who’ve taught me the most about writing as a craft: Donna Tartt, Rose Tremain, and Stephen King, and of those three, I would say that Donna Tartt triumphs over all.
How often do you write?
When I’m writing the first draft of a novel, I write for about five hours a day from Monday to Friday. For rewriting or editing, it’s around about three hours a day. Most weeks I write a haiku poem for the regular “Monday Morning Haiku” feature on my blog. Time permitting, I also participate in Friday Fictioneers, which I love. Any other writing is done at random times and scribbled on scraps of paper, which I scatter about the house or stuff in my coat pockets. Then I have to go on a hunt for them, having forgotten where I’ve put them, rather like a squirrel with its winter food hoard.
Do you have any other major projects in the works?
I’ve an idea for a new work, which I’m researching at the moment. This is for a “genre bending” novel, better known as mashup fiction. This involves taking a literary classic that’s in the public domain and melding it with a genre. An example of this is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. At the moment, I’m reading the original Pride and Prejudice, and then I’m going to compare it to the mashup version and its sequel, Pride and Prejudice: Dreadfully Ever After. If I decide this type of novel is for me, I will go ahead writing it, with a view to submitting it to a traditional publisher or two. I’m keeping it close to my chest about which public domain work I intend to slaughter or enhance!
What are your writing goals for the future?
Ultimately, I would like to write a novel that literary agents and traditional publishers are willing to take a punt on. On the other hand, I don’t want to end up stuck with churning out novel after novel of the same ilk, unless I adore that ilk; otherwise, it will give me literary indigestion and a writer’s ulcer. If I can achieve recognition for my brand, namely “quirky fiction”, rather than for a particular genre, I will die happy.
Meanwhile, in the latter part of 2017, I might indie publish a third novel, most likely my medieval-style sword and sorcery fantasy adventure. This will be my experiment into whether it’s easier to market a novel that fits into a recognised subgenre, while still allowing for quirkiness. So far, my experience of marketing sucks.
What advice would you give other writers?
- Read widely.
- Learn techniques and pick up skills from other authors, but develop your own voice.
- Put your work under the microscopes of trusted beta readers who write well themselves and/or have editing experience. Don’t make changes immediately, but put the critiques aside for a week or two, especially if they annoy you! When you’ve calmed down and left your manuscript to marinade, compare the reader reports. If all of the readers pick up on a particular problem, then this problem needs addressing.
- Don’t rely solely on your computer’s spellchecker.
- Keep your writing muscles exercised, but don’t push it on days when you’re not in the mood. Go out for a walk or to the gym, meditate, have a sleep, clean the house, brush the dog, sing, dance, whatever. Anything other than writing total rubbish and beating yourself up about it.
- Observe life closely, through all of your senses.
- Give yourself plenty of thinking time.
- Eat regular meals and don’t prop yourself up on strong coffee and donuts.
- Don’t give up your day job and end up starving in your garret.
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Connect with Sarah:
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter
Linkedin
Independent Author Network
Sarah’s Books on Amazon:
Desiccation
Noah Padgett & the Dog-People
Dear Rochelle,
Thank you so much. I feel most honored that you have invited me to guest on your wonderful blog. This is a very happy start to the week for me.
All best wishes,
Sarah x
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Dear Sarah,
I’ve enjoyed getting to know you a little better. The pleasure is truly mine. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoyed the interview and think that it is an excellent way to know authors you are unfamiliar with. Kudos to Rochelle for sharing this. I look forward to reading these monthly features.
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Thank you for taking the time to read the interview, Jan. I, too, am looking forward to more interviews. Next you should read Sarah’s very entertaining books. 😉
Love,
Rochelle
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A fun inspiring interview! Have been finding it really hard to get back into writing after a long Christmas break and not be weighed down by negative thoughts. Fame, fortune, lots of readers – would all be lovely, but it’s the love of reading and writing that’s important and comes through from Sarah’s words. Better get back to that novel!
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Dear Miranda,
There are times like that when the muse seems to sleeping and our imaginary friends won’t speak to us.
I hope for fame, I’ve given up on fortune. 😉 And it is about the love of writing. I’m glad you enjoyed Sarah’s interview as much as I.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, fame and fortune. That would be good, as long as I still had permission to be a recluse at times. Christmas can be a real distraction from writing and drainer of energy. I hope you get back into the creative swing of things soon. Good luck with your novel.
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Thanks Sarah. I did enjoy your interview and will hop along to one of your books. What sort of wonderful name is Noah Padgett!
I tend to get asked silly things about my writing by those friends who don’t write, or read much for that matter either (bless ’em, they’re trying to be helpful). Good to hear advice and encouragement from someone who knows what this odd thing called writing is like.
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As you know, I already love Sarah and her work and this interview has only endeared her more! I’m over 2/3 done on Noah Padgett… loving it and should be cleaning house or working out but, alas, am not. Am reading! 😉
Love your “Interview Posts”, Rochelle!
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Dear Dale,
It looks like you moved out ahead of me in Noah Padgett. It is a fun read. Thank you for my part of the interview, the rest of the credit goes to Sarah.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fabulous duo you are!
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You are so sweet, Dale 🙂 I’m thrilled that my book is distracting you from that very boring thing called housework!
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LOL..it is and I’m getting ever closer to the end… sigh… loving it!
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Great interview, Sarah and Rochelle. I’m afraid I don’t heed the last two points of your advice – more’s the pity! 🙂
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Dear David,
Thank you for reading and commenting. I was only able to quit/retire from my day job a year and a half ago. My writing isn’t something I could live on. 😦 But as we all do, I dream of the big one that hits the best seller list and, subsequently, the silver screen.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Yes, that silver screen, how I wish. In fact, that was next on my agenda, looking into ways to interest a film or TV producer (amongst the other millions of writers who are doing the same thing, no doubt).
Just to prove that nothing is impossible, I have always been inspired by the story of Michael Blake, who wrote the novel “Dances with Wolves”, which was getting nowhere, until Kevin Costner fell in love with the story and decided he wanted to star in a movie of it. I love the book, which I read after watching the movie three times!
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Oh, David, I’m so sorry you’re still starving in your garret. You’re such a talented author, too. I love the two novels of yours that I’ve read, “Peripheral Vision” and “Love is Blood” (…Rochelle, you need to check these out. They’re a bit downbeat, but beautifully written with very authentic characterisation. And David has done me the great honour of quoting me on the cover of one of them!).
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Reblogged this on Sarah Potter Writes and commented:
This week, the fabulous Rochelle Wisoff-Fields has invited me over to her blog for an interview. Indeed, this is a great honour, as Rochelle is a super-talented author, whose novels I love. She’s also the facilitator (otherwise known as The Queen, the Bus Driver and the Cat Herder) of the ever-popular Friday Fictioneers, where bloggers are given a photo prompt for writing a 100-word story.
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Great questions and responses. Really enjoyed learning more about Sarah and her work.
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Dear Jean,
I enjoyed learning more about Sarah, too. Her work is fun to read. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure.
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So great to read this post and interview. And I found a new blog while I’m at it. Great questions and awesome responses. Glad I came over and have a wonderful day. I’ll have to check out some of these incredible-sounding reads!
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Dear Cynthia,
I’m so pleased you stopped by and enjoyed yourself. Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such great insights in this interview from Sarah! I love that she encourages us to read widely and I have to admit this is my first time hearing about Nordik Noir. I have both of her Amazon books and will be reading them soon. She’s such a talent! Thanks for the quality interview here, Rochelle.
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Dear Christy,
I’ve read both of the books. Great fun! Sarah is very talented. What an imagination! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. I certainly enjoyed interviewing Sarah. 😀
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
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Christy, lovely to see you over here at Rochelle’s wonderful blog, and thank you for your lovely comments 🙂 I really hope you enjoy my two books, and thank you so much for buying them both.
It was “The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo” that got me into reading Nordic Noir. After reading the trilogy, I was desperate to find some other Nordic Noir authors, as Stieg Larsson died before his trilogy was published, so wouldn’t be writing anything else. Also, we get a lot of Nordic series showing on TV in the UK. I’m not sure if you get them in Canada — things like “The Bridge” and “Wallander”. There’s normally a foreign series slot on Saturday nights on one of our BBC channels. I love the French crime series, too …Continental Noir, with the detectives doing a lot more gesticulating and verbal outbursts than their Nordic counterparts!
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A really interesting, entertaining interview. Sarah, I think your mother obviously comes from the same quirky branch of creativity as you 🙂
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Dear Andrea,
I certainly enjoyed doing the interview. Now I’m curious about the rest of her family. 😉
Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Andrea, lovely to see you over at Rochelle’s blog 🙂 I think my mother has become less quirky these days. Certainly she’s not into my novels as she doesn’t like fantasy or science fiction and prefers to read about real life. It’s unlikely that I’ll convert her to my sort of writing any time soon D:
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What a wonderful interview Sarah, I so much enjoyed reading more about your writing background, hopes and dreams, and of course your wise writing advice. I do believe you will be famous one day! Lovely photos of you and sweet Bluebell in the furry flesh 🙂 Your delightful quirkyness is captivating and I wish you every success in all your writing endeavours. And I am very much looking forward to reading/listening to Noah Padgett and The Dog People. Great to meet you Rochell, you have a beautiful blog 🙂
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Dear Sherri,
It’s lovely to meet you, too. I’m pleased you stopped by. It was a pleasure for me to interview Sarah and to read two of her books.
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you and shalom to you too Rochelle!
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Dear Rochelle,
I must tell you about my friendship with Sherri. Thanks to blogging, first we became email friends and now we have regular meet-ups for lunch when she comes to visit her sons, who live in neighbouring towns to mine. We have lunch meetings which last from pub opening time to pub closing time, and beyond, as we never run out of things to talk about. And when we talk on the phone, the conversation lasts at least an hour. I think our last conversation lasted most of the morning. Interestingly, although Sherri lives quite a distance from me, she has lived in the same towns as me at the same time and frequented some of the same stamping grounds. I often wonder if we brushed shoulders in our 20s and 30s without ever realising it. Fate is very interesting.
Would love to meet-up with you, too, Rochelle, but the distance involved makes it less likely. Perhaps a Skype or FB video message chat one day, instead!
All best wishes
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I’ve made some dear friends through blogging and traveled the world on Skype. I would love to meet you! Let’s set up a time…soon!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sherri, thank you for believing in me, my dear friend. Your support is so much appreciated, and you know I can’t wait to read your memoir, so am keeping my fingers tightly crossed for your famous days ahead, too! 🙂
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Always dearest Sarah, my lovely, faithful friend…you help keep me on the writing path (and all those others paths) more than you know, so the least I can do is offer you the same support and encouragement…and yes, I believe in you bigtime! 🙂 xxxx
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🙂 xox
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