Ask the Author: Phyllis Gobbell
Answered Questions (6)
Phyllis Gobbell
My last book, TREACHERY IN TUSCANY, is the third in the Jordan Mayfair mystery. I went to Florence and the surrounding Tuscan area for my research. Jordan, my protagonist, travels (to Provence, to Ireland, and now to Tuscany) and solves crimes using her architectural skills. I stayed in a 15th century convent in Florence, and Jordan does, as well!
Phyllis Gobbell
Reading wonderful stories and books inspires me - not the plots so much as the language. I love a beautiful line.
Phyllis Gobbell
I put my Jordan Mayfair mystery series aside temporarily while writing a stand-along book, PRODIGAL. The title gives a good clue as to what it will be about - a prodigal son, small town, family trying to hold together, forgiveness, redemption.
Phyllis Gobbell
Don't write with the thought of publication, though you can hope that getting published will happen, down the road. Write because you have to write, you love it, it does something for you, and focus always on how you can get better. Go to workshops that will help you. Think about the craft of writing. You must be prepared if good luck strikes. If you get a chance to submit to an agent or an editor, you must have something that is your very very best!
Phyllis Gobbell
The best thing about being a writer is the creative outlet, putting out there something I want to say. The writing itself, when things are flowing, is tremendously satisfying. When I can read (out loud) what I've written and it moves me in some way - makes me tear up, maybe - well, there's nothing quite like that.
Phyllis Gobbell
Because I have a series going, I never have to wonder what to write. I know what's coming next in my story. But I do - often - have a "block" (we'll all it) that just won't let me get into the scene. How do I deal with it? I work through it like working through exercises at the gym that are hard - groaning, but keeping on keeping on. It's important to write something, even if, later, I have to trash it and do it over. Writing poorly at one point may get me to another point at which the writing flows.
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