Ask the Author: Daisy Waugh
Answered Questions (7)
Daisy Waugh
I went on a single day's course to learn about the Tarot because I thought it might be witty if a character I wrote about knew how to read the cards. I never used that character, but the 'witty' day course turned into what I imagine will be a life-long obsession. The idea of a series of light hearted novels about a Tarot reading detective came to me in the middle of the night, while on a writing retreat, trying to finish Honeyville. Couldn't sleep after that. Too excited.
Daisy Waugh
Actually I feel lost and depressed when I don't. I suppose there will come a day when I run out of inspiration, and then I will do something else. But the day hasn't struck yet.
Daisy Waugh
I have just delivered the second novel in a new series about a Tarot reading detective named Dolly Greene. The books are lighthearted whodunnits, set in contemporary London, and I have written them under the name E.V Harte. . The first in the series is called The Prime of Ms Dolly Greene (the Case of the Ace of Pentacles) and it's out September 2017. I should say that though the books are light hearted I take the Tarot seriously - in the books and in life. I have been reading the cards for friends family, as well as for clients, for several years. Book Number Two, which I delivered to my publisher the day before yesterday, is called The Case of The Fool. I'm having a break before going anywhere near Book Number Three. But I think it will be called The Case of the Wheel of Fortune.
Daisy Waugh
I am sorry to have to say this - but the most important piece of advice I would give is this: HAVE A BACK UP PLAN
And then - just to keep going. It's a long game. Remember, if you are writing for readers, to keep them in mind; and if you are writing for yourself, not to beat yourself up if you find you can't get an audience.
And then - just to keep going. It's a long game. Remember, if you are writing for readers, to keep them in mind; and if you are writing for yourself, not to beat yourself up if you find you can't get an audience.
Daisy Waugh
Freedom - to keep your own hours, to work where you want when you want, to live in your head, invent a private world which is yours alone, until you choose to share it ... All that, and the pride, at the very, very end, of feeling that you have written something good and enjoyable.
Daisy Waugh
I stay at the desk and keep writing. I can always cross everything out again afterwards. The important thing (I have discovered) is never to stop when I am feeling stuck but to write on through. Even if what I write is nonsense, it is easier to work with something than with nothing. And I never begin a piece of work unless I know how it's going to end.
Daisy Waugh
A good question, Reader. Congratulations! Am I 'working' 'hard' 'at the moment'? As you can see from my 'inverted commas', the answer very much depends on one's 'understanding' of the words... 'working', 'hard' and of course 'at the moment'. But I think probably not .
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