Ask the Author: Helen Pryke
Answered Questions (9)
Helen Pryke
Great question, Angela! I translated Walls of Silence into Italian myself, precisely for the reason you mention above - I wanted the book to be true to the original version, and for my writing style to come across. I then asked mother-tongue Italians to check the manuscript and correct any grammatical errors - Italian grammar is very different from English, particularly in the use of the past tense, remote past, conditional, etc. It took me a long time, but I was very pleased with the result.
For my new book, The Healer's Secret, I have found an Italian friend who has kindly offered to translate it for me - we'll work closely together on it, so I can be sure that my voice won't get lost.
I'm lucky that I know Italian, so I can be sure that any translation is true to the original - but I've also read books by famous authors which have been badly translated (usually from English to Italian) and it does put me off. These are books by traditional publishing companies that have the resources to pay for the best translators, but it doesn't always work out that way.
For my new book, The Healer's Secret, I have found an Italian friend who has kindly offered to translate it for me - we'll work closely together on it, so I can be sure that my voice won't get lost.
I'm lucky that I know Italian, so I can be sure that any translation is true to the original - but I've also read books by famous authors which have been badly translated (usually from English to Italian) and it does put me off. These are books by traditional publishing companies that have the resources to pay for the best translators, but it doesn't always work out that way.
Helen Pryke
Walls of Silence was written during a very stressful period of my life, and I needed an outlet for my emotions. This book was perfect, and I made sure that poor Maria suffered more than I was suffering at the time! But I also wanted to add a message of hope, because I never gave up hope during that time.
Helen Pryke
I've alway written, ever since I was little. I got my passion for reading from my mum, and I've always had a very vivid imagination. I can't imagine ever not writing.
Helen Pryke
My current WIP is called The Healer's Secret, and is once again set in Italy, although in the north this time. The protagonist is an English woman called Jennifer who has a few problems. She goes to stay in her great-grandmother's cottage in Tuscany to try to sort out her life, and stumbles upon a family secret. I'm hoping to release it by the end of the year.
Helen Pryke
When someone tells you how much your book meant to them, and you realise that the words you wrote can have such a profound effect on other people.
Helen Pryke
I have so many books on my tbr list, mostly by other indie authors, but I really want to read The Breakdown by B A Paris and End of Watch by Stephen King, so I will probably be adding those for the summer!
Helen Pryke
My mysterious chronic illness could be a plot for a book. Notoriously difficult to diagnose, mine is particularly frustrating in that every single medical exam I do comes back perfectly normal, while my symptoms are saying that is definitely not the case! After 3 years of seeing various specialists I am still no closer to finding out exactly what I have. The only downside is that I can see it as a book with no real ending, which readers could find disappointing!
Helen Pryke
By writing anything, any sentence that comes into mind, it's important to get started. I can always edit or delete the work afterwards!
Helen Pryke
Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series. They have a very realistic relationship - even though they are madly in love with each other, they have arguments, fight, even leave each other at times. And it's great to see how their relationship changes over the years as they both mature.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more