Ask the Author: Hemmie Martin
Answered Questions (6)
Hemmie Martin
I enjoy the hours of solitude whilst writing, creating characters I'd like to spend time with, or not, as the case may be.
Revisiting places I've been to in the past or researching new environments, or researching facts, can be exceedingly pleasurable, but can sometimes be very distracting.
The days when the words are flowing, being a writer is a dream, but when my mind and the page is blank, it can be very frustrating and soul destroying. However, I feel extremely lucky to be in this position and I'm not ready to stop writing for many years to come.
Revisiting places I've been to in the past or researching new environments, or researching facts, can be exceedingly pleasurable, but can sometimes be very distracting.
The days when the words are flowing, being a writer is a dream, but when my mind and the page is blank, it can be very frustrating and soul destroying. However, I feel extremely lucky to be in this position and I'm not ready to stop writing for many years to come.
Hemmie Martin
I'm not sure I have a mystery in my life that I could use in a plot. What I do use in my novels is my experience of working with people with mental health issues and young offenders. I also use my experience of living in France for six years in two of my novels - 'Garlic & Gauloises' and another that I have only just finished writing.
Hemmie Martin
I have pondered over this question, as the couples which spring to mind are not actually fictional, and in some cases, not a couple in the romantic sense of the term. I'm talking about Alan Bennett and Mary Shepherd, in his book and play (and latterly, a film), 'The Lady In The Van'. The interaction between the pair is both humorous and moving; written in the inimitable Alan Bennett way.
Pushed to answer this question correctly, I have to say it's Elizabeth Bennet (do I have a fixation with that surname - albeit a different spelling?) and Mr Darcy. I love Elizabeth's witty and independent nature which adds a depth to what is a classic love story, and the way she doesn't bend to society's convention about women and marriage. Mr Darcy has the ability to annoy and irritate the reader, and yet, we long for the pair to become a couple.
Pushed to answer this question correctly, I have to say it's Elizabeth Bennet (do I have a fixation with that surname - albeit a different spelling?) and Mr Darcy. I love Elizabeth's witty and independent nature which adds a depth to what is a classic love story, and the way she doesn't bend to society's convention about women and marriage. Mr Darcy has the ability to annoy and irritate the reader, and yet, we long for the pair to become a couple.
Hemmie Martin
Hi Sue, I've just discovered your two questions here - sadly I don't appear to be getting email notifications, and I'm still a bit bamboozled by GR! However, I have answered your questions on social media, thank goodness! Hope you are keeping well. Hemmie x
Hemmie Martin
If I find myself in this situation, I have several methods of dealing with this potentially frustrating event. The first thing I do, before everything else, is not punish myself, and just accept that my mind needs refreshing from time to time.
Sometimes I leave the WIP and concentrate on another one to change my mental scenery. However, I may use the mind-map method to plan the plot and sub-plots, allowing a helicopter-mind view to see the bigger picture.
At other times, I just write, letting the characters have their say in what happens, and sometimes I'm really surprised with what comes out; although not always successful, I might add!
I also find simple things like walking the dog, reading, or watching TV can be enough to spark a flame. The trick is here, to always have a notebook to hand to jot down those thoughts.
Sometimes I leave the WIP and concentrate on another one to change my mental scenery. However, I may use the mind-map method to plan the plot and sub-plots, allowing a helicopter-mind view to see the bigger picture.
At other times, I just write, letting the characters have their say in what happens, and sometimes I'm really surprised with what comes out; although not always successful, I might add!
I also find simple things like walking the dog, reading, or watching TV can be enough to spark a flame. The trick is here, to always have a notebook to hand to jot down those thoughts.
Hemmie Martin
I blush when I look back at my first novels I sent out , as they needed a lot more editing, and I don't mean just once. Before the publisher sees my work, I've edited it four or five times, then I edit another couple of times with one of the publisher's editors.
You need to see the submission process as a long distant run that requires a lot of training, and don't look at the other runners you perceive as passing you by, your time will come.
Everyone has acquired numerous rejection letters and emails. Don't let this part of the process upset or anger you. I would feel disappointed on the day I received the rejection, but the very next day, I was full of my usual positive bounce, spurring me on with my next writing project.
I know it's been said a million times, but please never give up; keep writing and honing your craft, as one day you'll be pleased you did.
You need to see the submission process as a long distant run that requires a lot of training, and don't look at the other runners you perceive as passing you by, your time will come.
Everyone has acquired numerous rejection letters and emails. Don't let this part of the process upset or anger you. I would feel disappointed on the day I received the rejection, but the very next day, I was full of my usual positive bounce, spurring me on with my next writing project.
I know it's been said a million times, but please never give up; keep writing and honing your craft, as one day you'll be pleased you did.
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