Ask the Author: Maggie Richell-Davies
Answered Questions (6)
Maggie Richell-Davies
My great-great grandfather, who could not read and may have been a groom, married a young lady whose family were probably middle-class and moved with her to Northumberland. She taught him to read and he eventually became head horse-keeper at the largest colliery in the county. Quite a potential saga there...
I have married the family name, Richell, with my own for my writing.
I have married the family name, Richell, with my own for my writing.
Maggie Richell-Davies
I am not very organised, since I'm juggling with three separate novel manuscripts at the moment: two contemporary, one set, like The Servant, in the eighteenth century.
After so much research, I felt I couldn't let all that information go to waste!
After so much research, I felt I couldn't let all that information go to waste!
Maggie Richell-Davies
I think you have to care about something - whether a story, a character, an injustice, or an idea. That way you will have the impetus to keep going and, hopefully, convey your passion to your reader.
Maggie Richell-Davies
Try not to beat yourself up about it, since I suspect everybody suffers from this, published or not.
Perhaps you need a break. Long walks might help. Or you could dash off a page of stream-of-consciousness nonsense, put it in a drawer for a week or two, then see if you can find something useful buried in it.
Daunted at the prospect of writing a whole book, I started off with a short story on the subject that interested me. Then went off and did some research before finally tackling the longer work.
If all else fails, read a few good books - to remind you how much our troubled world needs writers.
Good luck!
Perhaps you need a break. Long walks might help. Or you could dash off a page of stream-of-consciousness nonsense, put it in a drawer for a week or two, then see if you can find something useful buried in it.
Daunted at the prospect of writing a whole book, I started off with a short story on the subject that interested me. Then went off and did some research before finally tackling the longer work.
If all else fails, read a few good books - to remind you how much our troubled world needs writers.
Good luck!
Maggie Richell-Davies
Be persistent. Some people can dash off a body of work in months, others (like myself) can take years. Just remember it's a marathon, rather than a sprint. And join - or form - a sympathetic writers' group. My own has nine members, all writing different stuff, but all with helpful things to say if you're unsure about something.
And if you're struggling to write a novel, why not create a few short stories based on your central characters?
Best of luck!
And if you're struggling to write a novel, why not create a few short stories based on your central characters?
Best of luck!
Maggie Richell-Davies
I visited London's Foundling Hospital Museum a few years ago and couldn't let go of the heart-breaking stories revealed by the tokens left there (scraps of ribbon or lace, or even an old bottle top) by women who hoped they might, one day, be able to reclaim their precious babies.
It's a sobering reminder of the harshness of life before the Welfare State.
I'd like to see all Sixth Form Colleges within reach of London make a visit there.
It's a sobering reminder of the harshness of life before the Welfare State.
I'd like to see all Sixth Form Colleges within reach of London make a visit there.
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