The process of producing a book from start (first words on screen or page) to finish (the published book, hopefully!) can be long, arduous, and emotionally draining. The sheer hard work has often struck me before: long hours spent typing or chewing the end of a pen when the words won’t come, frustration, sudden spurts when inspiration hits. I hadn’t thought so much about the emotional impact, though, in spite of the fact that both the process, and the words themselves, have sometimes reduced me to tears.
But recently Christal Cooper interviewed me for her regular Inside the Emotion of Fiction blog series, and her questions really made me think. What is the most emotional part of writing? Does one book or character have more of an impact that the rest? More specifically, how did this relate to the way I wrote December Roses?
In the end I came up with answers that I hope are entertaining and give a good insight into the whole creative process. Christal has kindly posted the interview on her blog today, and included some fascinating links to articles and features that provide extra commentary on the points I was trying to make, and on the history of the Irish ‘troubles’ which form a background to the book.
You can see the whole thing, explore those links, and read a substantial excerpt from the book which helps to illustrate the level of emotion I put into it, at her blog here. I hope you enjoy it!
FIONA GLASS 