Ask the Author: Barbara Barnett
Answered Questions (9)
Barbara Barnett
Hi LeAnn! I'm thrilled you liked Apothecary's Curse! Yes, yes, yes! Book 2 (tentatively titled The Alchemy of Glass: The Apothecary's Curse Book 2) has just been acquired by Pyr Books and is due out late summer/early fall 2019. I was so excited to dive back into Gaelan Erceldoune's mind and world, I can't wait for everyone to read it. Spread the word about Apothecary and its forthcoming sequel.
Barbara Barnett
#1 on my reading list is Al Franken's new book. Second thing I'm going to do when I'm not working on the new novel is re-reading the entire Charles Todd series about Ian Rutledge. Good stuff. Not especially in my writing genre, which is good :)
Barbara Barnett
Of all time? I'd say it would have to be Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester from the novel Jane Eyre
Barbara Barnett
Writing those books (and my love of House, M.D.) is absolutely linked to my writing Apothecary! Very perceptive :)
In a way, both House and my novel are influenced by the writing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. My secondary main character is called Simon Bell, and he is related to Joseph Bell, Conan Doyle's model for Sherlock Holmes. Bell and Holmes, of course were quite a bit a part of House, M.D. And Conan Doyle is a minor, though important, character in the novel, as is Joseph Bell.
Digging into the scripts and discussing with the House writers the structure and characters of the show to research both my Blogcritics column and my book about the show really gave me insight into writing my characters.
In fact, it was an incredible thrill for House co-executive producer/writer Doris Egan to read Apothecary, and kindly write a wonderful blurb for the back cover. I so much adored her work on House--especially the great bromance she created between House and Wilson!
And I'd like to think that the mystery at the heart of the novel would be something that House would have enjoyed, as he was always so fascinated by the ancient history of medicine!
I do hope you enjoy the book! --Barbara
In a way, both House and my novel are influenced by the writing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. My secondary main character is called Simon Bell, and he is related to Joseph Bell, Conan Doyle's model for Sherlock Holmes. Bell and Holmes, of course were quite a bit a part of House, M.D. And Conan Doyle is a minor, though important, character in the novel, as is Joseph Bell.
Digging into the scripts and discussing with the House writers the structure and characters of the show to research both my Blogcritics column and my book about the show really gave me insight into writing my characters.
In fact, it was an incredible thrill for House co-executive producer/writer Doris Egan to read Apothecary, and kindly write a wonderful blurb for the back cover. I so much adored her work on House--especially the great bromance she created between House and Wilson!
And I'd like to think that the mystery at the heart of the novel would be something that House would have enjoyed, as he was always so fascinated by the ancient history of medicine!
I do hope you enjoy the book! --Barbara
Barbara Barnett
For me, it's usually a character, but not always. I have a thing for the melancholy, brooding hero, so that will always catch my attention. But I'm also lured by beautiful writing. And really, really smart snappy dialogue. I get caught up by the movie that plays in my head, and if that's there, I won't put it down until the movie . . . er . . . book is over. What about you all?
Barbara Barnett
I keep my eyes open, observing everything, everybody. Sometimes, it's the turn of a phrase, a look, a word, a place. Something that tickles my sense in some way.
Barbara Barnett
It's like being an actor, in a way, getting my head wrapped around my characters, transporting them to unique settings and times, exploring new worlds.
Barbara Barnett
Write every day. Something. Don't go back and edit every chapter. Get it all down as a "sloppy copy." Edit later. Once it's all done.
Barbara Barnett
Right now, I'm deep into the copyediting phase of publication for The Apothecary's Curse. Nips and tucks to the text, but also a last read of the novel to do any re-writes and tweaks.
When I have the time, I continue to work on the sequel, Ariadne's Labyrinth. After the TAC goes to print at the end of July, I'll dive back in full force.
When I have the time, I continue to work on the sequel, Ariadne's Labyrinth. After the TAC goes to print at the end of July, I'll dive back in full force.
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