Ask the Author: Meg Barber
Answered Questions (11)
Meg Barber
We have travelled extensively in the States for over 30 years, but have never lived there. We both love the country and have met some wonderful people.
Meg Barber
My parents told me a number of stories about some of my relatives, who they were and why we had no contact with them. Years later, I mentioned the name of one of my cousins, who clearly I had never met, to a friend who is really into family trees and she too was very taken with the unusual name. So, one day, she researched it, and found this cousin, and that she was part of the ‘researching family trees’ community, and put us in touch. She turned out to be a lovely lady, and proved conclusively with a photograph and other evidence, that every word I had been told was a lie. There has to be a plot there one day!
Meg Barber
I have no idea. I honestly cannot answer this. I currently have a Georgian romance book on the go, and it all began with one 'vision' of a little boy and his father. What kicked the original idea off I cannot explain, but I now have four novels moving into draft one stage as the family all forge lives and meet mates. Once I have the people, the rest just flows, I can imagine what they wear, eat, sound like, how they fall in love. It all just comes. Sorry if this isn't helpful
Meg Barber
I remember reading The Crystal Singer by Anne McCaffrey years ago. I must reread that! The world she imagines would be pretty amazing.
Meg Barber
I couldn't breathe as my nose and mouth were covered in something hot and soft, obstructing all air! Then I stirred and the cat moved away to demand her breakfast.
Meg Barber
Write. And don't stop. All skills improve with practise.
Meg Barber
I will say when it happens. But I guess go and edit draft one, or do a bit of publicity, or the washing up. I have been making up stories all my life. I guess I just live in a parallel world. I am not very skilled at being in 'this moment' because I am always making up conversations or working out why someone would do something.
Meg Barber
Bit irrelevant as I am writing this in November! But I am loving Simon Michael's series that begins with The Brief. It is based around a lawyer and set in 1960s London when the Krays ruled the underworld and there were more criminals in the police force than out. The author knows what he is talking about and the stories are great.
Meg Barber
I have absolutely no idea. I think it is a species of insanity.
Meg Barber
A series of books that begin the year after the French Revolution in 1780 and follow members of the family, the Caustons, through so far, to 1825. The first story follows Louisa, who loves Sam, the eldest son and has two daughters with him. Problem is, her husband is still alive somewhere! Then James, the youngest, who joins the army at age 11 (yes, it did happen). Next is his sister, Chantel, who is a mathematician and ends up a Duchess almost by accident, and finally there is Elena, Sam's eldest.
Meg Barber
Research. I think of sweets, and then go, hey, when did sugar mice arrive? And so I look it up. (Later than I thought!) I recently learnt just when gas lighting arrived in some streets. Pall Mall in London had it as early as 1807, as did Baltimore. It must have been astonishing. Imagine towns without streetlighting. If the moon was not bright, a personal lantern would be necessary and that would not throw light far. Scary. Seeing a whole street lit up must have been to people like men landing on the moon was for us.
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