Ask the Author: Sharon Biggs Waller
Answered Questions (5)
Sharon Biggs Waller
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks so much for your kind words! It means so much to a writer to get letters like yours.
I love flora history too, which is why I was inspired to write ORCHID. I saw a plant hunting exhibition at a gardening museum in London and it really made an impression on me. I started thinking about a story with a teenage protagonist and that led me to Elodie's story.
I can recommend THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS by Elizabeth Gilbert and THE ORCHID THIEF by Susan Orleans. The second one is non-fiction but it's fascinating, and because it's immersive journalism you get a real sense of what it's like to hunt for a plant.
I've been writing fiction most of my life because I've always been a voracious reader, even as a child. I started writing non-fiction for a living when I was a park ranger, and from then I wrote for magazines. All the while I was writing novels, honing my skills. That's the most important thing a young writer can do—lots of practice (just like a musician). Also read and take note of how the novel is structured, how the characters are crafted, how the drama rises and falls. There should be lots of books on the craft of writing in your local library. I would read those too as they are very helpful. A writing career is much like any other creative endeavor. You have to practice a lot, keep at it, and expect many many rejections. And have a solid career you can fall back on because it isn't easy earning a living writing.
I hope that answers all your questions!
Hugs, Sharon
Thanks so much for your kind words! It means so much to a writer to get letters like yours.
I love flora history too, which is why I was inspired to write ORCHID. I saw a plant hunting exhibition at a gardening museum in London and it really made an impression on me. I started thinking about a story with a teenage protagonist and that led me to Elodie's story.
I can recommend THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS by Elizabeth Gilbert and THE ORCHID THIEF by Susan Orleans. The second one is non-fiction but it's fascinating, and because it's immersive journalism you get a real sense of what it's like to hunt for a plant.
I've been writing fiction most of my life because I've always been a voracious reader, even as a child. I started writing non-fiction for a living when I was a park ranger, and from then I wrote for magazines. All the while I was writing novels, honing my skills. That's the most important thing a young writer can do—lots of practice (just like a musician). Also read and take note of how the novel is structured, how the characters are crafted, how the drama rises and falls. There should be lots of books on the craft of writing in your local library. I would read those too as they are very helpful. A writing career is much like any other creative endeavor. You have to practice a lot, keep at it, and expect many many rejections. And have a solid career you can fall back on because it isn't easy earning a living writing.
I hope that answers all your questions!
Hugs, Sharon
Sharon Biggs Waller
Hi Juan!
You are so kind! I am working on a new book, which will come out in summer of 2018. I think the announcement will be made sometime next week. : )
Hugs,
Sharon X
You are so kind! I am working on a new book, which will come out in summer of 2018. I think the announcement will be made sometime next week. : )
Hugs,
Sharon X
Sharon Biggs Waller
Hi Sarah,
I really love Ingrid and Reiner Clime's book Cavalletti: The Schooling of Horse and Rider of Ground Poles. Perfect for mini-courses, gridwork, etc. Covers it all from A to Z with really great pictures. The publisher is the Lyons Press.
Hope that helps! Best of luck!
I really love Ingrid and Reiner Clime's book Cavalletti: The Schooling of Horse and Rider of Ground Poles. Perfect for mini-courses, gridwork, etc. Covers it all from A to Z with really great pictures. The publisher is the Lyons Press.
Hope that helps! Best of luck!
Sharon Biggs Waller
Hi Lizzy,
Thank you! That is so kind of you to say. I'm not sure what you mean about "Will's draw." Can you expand on your question a little bit?
I do have a new book coming out, THE FORBIDDEN ORCHID, which arrives on March 8th. Sharon : )
Thank you! That is so kind of you to say. I'm not sure what you mean about "Will's draw." Can you expand on your question a little bit?
I do have a new book coming out, THE FORBIDDEN ORCHID, which arrives on March 8th. Sharon : )
Sharon Biggs Waller
Hi Emily,
Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm so glad you enjoyed Vicky's story. Let's see, to answer your question, yes, I do have a sequel planned, however, I'm working on another historical right now, which will be out winter 2016. This one is a mid-Victorian about a girl who hunts rare orchids with her father. So I'm busy researching and writing that one.
At the moment my plan for the sequel to A Mad, Wicked Folly will feature Charlotte, Vicky's niece, during WWI with Vicky and Will playing supporting roles! : )
Best,
Sharon
Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm so glad you enjoyed Vicky's story. Let's see, to answer your question, yes, I do have a sequel planned, however, I'm working on another historical right now, which will be out winter 2016. This one is a mid-Victorian about a girl who hunts rare orchids with her father. So I'm busy researching and writing that one.
At the moment my plan for the sequel to A Mad, Wicked Folly will feature Charlotte, Vicky's niece, during WWI with Vicky and Will playing supporting roles! : )
Best,
Sharon
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