Interview With Tess Stimson
Tess’ latest book is called The Lying Game and I was lucky enough to have the chance to read this book and interview Tess before the release on 23rd May 2013.
Here’s what happened when I met with Tess:
1. The premise of this book is an extremely interesting one. What was your inspiration behind it?
The nature/nurture debate has always fascinated me, as has the conflict many mothers feel towards their children. So many of us secretly have a favourite, and feel perennially conflicted about it. I just wanted to take that concept one step further.
2. Harriet and Zoey are both such opposite characters, which one did you enjoy writing more?
I really enjoyed the contrast between them. Zoey is more likeable on the surface, but I actually sympathized with Harriet far more. It’s akin to the Biblical story of Martha and Mary. I always felt sorry for Martha slogging it out in the kitchen, while Mary gets all the kudos of listening to Jesus.
3. For those who haven’t yet read the book, how would you describe it in three words?
Who’s your child?
4. How long did it take you to write the first draft of this novel?
It takes me a year to write a book, from putting together a four-page synopsis to final edit. I usually edit as I go along, so there is no ‘first draft’ as such. Once I’m done, I leave it for at least three or four weeks, then go back for the final edit. It’s a tough schedule but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
5. Do you have a strict writing routine?
Every morning I make myself a cup of tea and sit down at my desk and deal with emails that have come in overnight. Then I read the Daily Mail online, and do the crossword to warm up my brain. Then I write. I stop often to do a few yoga stretches or just walk around the house; if I’m working on a plot point I’ll do something like ironing so I can space out and let it unfold in my head. I write until it’s time to collect the children from school, and then I have a couple of hours off to help with homework and so on. Sometimes I’ll write in the evening too, if I have a deadline coming up.
6. Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?
Marry a rich man. Seriously. Don’t expect to make money as a writer. You might be one of the tiny few who make a fortune; or one of the only slightly less few who make a living. But only write if you can’t imagine doing anything else. Write for yourself, but bear in mind that if you want people to read your books, you do have to write for an audience too. Never jump on a bandwagon – by the time your book is published, it will have rolled on. And read From Pitch to Publication by Carole Blake (one of the UK’s top agents) before approaching anyone with a view to selling it.
Quick fire:
What is your:
favourite colour?
Aquamarine
favourite song?
‘The Bitch’ by Meredith Brooks
favourite book?
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
favourite word?
Onomatopoeia
favourite food?
Sashimi
favourite season?
Summer
favourite tv show?
Brothers and sisters
favourite author?
Marian Keyes
favourite animal?
Jaguar
favourite day of the week?
Saturday
Thank you so much Tess for your answers!
Here’s what happened when I met with Tess:
1. The premise of this book is an extremely interesting one. What was your inspiration behind it?
The nature/nurture debate has always fascinated me, as has the conflict many mothers feel towards their children. So many of us secretly have a favourite, and feel perennially conflicted about it. I just wanted to take that concept one step further.
2. Harriet and Zoey are both such opposite characters, which one did you enjoy writing more?
I really enjoyed the contrast between them. Zoey is more likeable on the surface, but I actually sympathized with Harriet far more. It’s akin to the Biblical story of Martha and Mary. I always felt sorry for Martha slogging it out in the kitchen, while Mary gets all the kudos of listening to Jesus.
3. For those who haven’t yet read the book, how would you describe it in three words?
Who’s your child?
4. How long did it take you to write the first draft of this novel?
It takes me a year to write a book, from putting together a four-page synopsis to final edit. I usually edit as I go along, so there is no ‘first draft’ as such. Once I’m done, I leave it for at least three or four weeks, then go back for the final edit. It’s a tough schedule but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
5. Do you have a strict writing routine?
Every morning I make myself a cup of tea and sit down at my desk and deal with emails that have come in overnight. Then I read the Daily Mail online, and do the crossword to warm up my brain. Then I write. I stop often to do a few yoga stretches or just walk around the house; if I’m working on a plot point I’ll do something like ironing so I can space out and let it unfold in my head. I write until it’s time to collect the children from school, and then I have a couple of hours off to help with homework and so on. Sometimes I’ll write in the evening too, if I have a deadline coming up.
6. Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?
Marry a rich man. Seriously. Don’t expect to make money as a writer. You might be one of the tiny few who make a fortune; or one of the only slightly less few who make a living. But only write if you can’t imagine doing anything else. Write for yourself, but bear in mind that if you want people to read your books, you do have to write for an audience too. Never jump on a bandwagon – by the time your book is published, it will have rolled on. And read From Pitch to Publication by Carole Blake (one of the UK’s top agents) before approaching anyone with a view to selling it.
Quick fire:
What is your:
favourite colour?
Aquamarine
favourite song?
‘The Bitch’ by Meredith Brooks
favourite book?
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
favourite word?
Onomatopoeia
favourite food?
Sashimi
favourite season?
Summer
favourite tv show?
Brothers and sisters
favourite author?
Marian Keyes
favourite animal?
Jaguar
favourite day of the week?
Saturday
Thank you so much Tess for your answers!