What was the first book that impacted you?
Matilda by Roald Dahl. That book sparked my love of reading. Roald knew what us seven-year-olds wanted in a story; honesty and adventure and intolerable adults, and he wrote with a sophistication that other writers tended to think was beyond us. I read all his books and even read some of his short stories for older readers when I was about ten (I probably didn't fully understand them, but anything with his name on it, I had to have).
If you could live anywhere else in the world where would that be?
New York. I went there a couple of years back with my family, and I loved every second of it. It was like stepping into a movie set, it really is like no other place on the planet. There was so much to experience. You get the feeling that anything is possible there, that you could be anybody you want and nobody would mind. I'd love to go back.
If one book character could be your real life friend who would that be?
This is such a good question, and so difficult to answer. But I think I'm going to go with Harry Potter, because if I were friends with Harry then I'd get to go to Hogwarts.
What's the one piece of advice you've been given as a writer that's really stuck?
The best piece of advice I got was be willing to take direction and criticism. It can be hard to take criticism at first, but you get used to it. There are lots of great writers out there, but one way you can get ahead of the competition is by being easy to work with and willing to listen to direction.
Who is your ultimate book boy crush?
I am going to be really obvious and say Mr. Darcy. Like many other readers, I think Pride and Prejudice is the most romantic novel of all time.
Is your book based in Ireland?
Yes it is. It's based in a fictional village in the west of Ireland. My main character, Jacki, has just moved there from Dublin with her Mum.
If so, Why did you decide to place it here?
I think the tip 'write what you know,' is a great one, and I've never lived anywhere other than Ireland, so that's why I decided to set it here.
Did you have any particular demographic in mind when you wrote? (e.g. outside ireland?)
No, not at all. In the early drafts I was oblivious to the idea of target markets and so on. I just wrote something that I'd like to read!
Is your book a standalone or will there be a trilogy/sequel in the near future?
It is part of a series, which contains at least four books. Angel Kiss is out in May 2011, and I think book two of the series will be out in 2012, although I don't have definite details yet. It has a working title of 18 Kisses.
If you could give one piece of advice to other writers, what would it be?
Be positive. You have to be your own number one fan. Writing is a tough business and you have to believe in yourself 100%. Don't listen to people who say it's impossible to get published. It's difficult, but it's achievable if you work hard, take direction and stay positive.
What was your favorite book as a kid?
Matilda was definitely my favourite.
Do you have any writing rituals?
I do have one. I don't always remember to do it, but I really should. After I've spent a day writing, I meditate for a few minutes to clear my head. This basically involves me sitting still for five minutes, and whenever my brain tries to think of something, I whoosh that thought away. I occasionally write frightening and/or violent scenes so I like to detach myself from that energy before re-entering the real world!
What is the fun part in the writing process?
I think almost all of it is fun, but writing first drafts is really fun. I love getting lost in a story, and it's such a great feeling when you get a new idea.
I've just finished the first 3 chapters of a book. I'd like to find an editor. Would you be able to recommend someone please? P.s. did you use an editor and what sort of experience was it?
When a writer signs a book deal with a publisher, then they begin working with an editor from that publishing house. I would recommend my editor at Puffin Ireland, because she is fabulous. But I'd say concentrate on finishing the entire book first and making it the best it can be before you start submitting it to publishers. Working with an editor is a great experience. I am amazed at how much my book has improved since I started working with my editor.
What persuades you to buy books (covers, blurbs, authors, recommendations from anywhere in particular)?
I'm a sucker for a good cover. If it's pretty and shiny there is a good chance I will pick it up. I always read the first page before I buy a book, to get a sense of the style. I also take recommendations from friends. And I have heard countless great recommendations on the radio. Ryan Tubridy features a nice range on his show, and some of the best non-fiction books I bought in recent years were as a result of hearing about them on the late Gerry Ryan's programme. R.I.P.
What's the easiest thing about writing, for you?
The easiest thing about writing for me is working by myself. I've always found it really easy to work on my own for long periods of time. Unfortunately sometimes this also becomes the hardest part about writing, because it can get rather lonely. Most of the time it doesn't bother me, but if I am particularly stressed then it can sometimes get me down.
How much was/ is your advance for Angel Kiss?
I decided a while ago not to tell people how much money I make from writing. No disrespect to the person who asked, I made that decision a long time ago :)
At what stage did you approach an agent? Was your manuscript re-drafted countless times and as perfectly good as you could make it, or did you find an agent when you had done only a few drafts and it was loosely in fairly good shape?
I approached agents exactly one year after I first got the idea for my book. I had spent about 3 months thinking about the idea, and then 9 months writing. I sent the third draft of it out.
At that stage I felt it was in the best shape that I could possibly make it.
What would you recommend to someone with a couple of manuscripts up their sleeves; wait until it's 100% perfect, or send it at 80%?
Definitely make it 100% perfect before you send it out. That way you can be sure that you're giving it the best shot. 'Perfect' is a tricky word though. Just make it the best that it can be.
I want to know your favourite chick lit. I'm always looking for new authors who write easy to read books that still have some depth to them. ive got so many exams, I need some books to escape from everything!
I don't often read chick lit I'm afraid! I don't purposely avoid it or anything, I've just always been more attracted to crime or classics or teenage fiction. I read lighter mysteries like Mary Higgins Clark's to escape. I also find teenage fiction great for escapism. Some ones I've enjoyed recently include Fallen by Lauren Kate, The Luxe by Anna Godbersen and Looking for Alaska by John Green.
When you came up with the idea for your book, did you map out the whole plot before you started writing, or did you just have a vague idea of what might happen, or something in between?
When I came up with the idea I spent a few months thinking about my main character and the setting before I actually started properly writing it. I didn't map out the plot though. I wrote the prologue and the epilogue first, so I knew the beginning and the end. But when I started writing I had no idea what would fill up the middle! It just came to me as I wrote.
Thanks so much for all the questions!
