Ask the Author: Ann Victoria Roberts
Answered Questions (8)
Ann Victoria Roberts
I'm sorry you haven't been able to find the reviews, Giselle - but your question made me look. There's nothing for my most recent book, the memoir, 'Housewife Writes Bestseller', but the other books all have reviews. I clicked on each of the books listed at the top of my author page, and saw several that I'd missed. The 'Housewife' memoir is on the next page, but as I say, no review appearing yet. I hope this helps!
Ann Victoria Roberts
Well, Giselle, I have to say my characters become part of my life once I've started writing about them. The Elliott family in my first two novels were loosely based on my mother's family history - but I have to say I knew each of them better than my own children once those books were finished! But that's true of the characters in all my novels, including the latest - One Night, Two Lives. I draw on research facts and somehow the characters just grow from there. I'm delighted they seem so real to you - they're certainly real to me!
Ann Victoria Roberts
'The Master's Tale' - my most recently created novel, based on the life of Capt Smith of the 'Titanic' - began in the Southampton Pilots' Office. Thanks to my sea-captain husband, I was privileged to view the Dockmaster's Log Book for 1912. What those entries suggested put a chill up my spine. (There's a blog about it on my website - http://annvictoriaroberts.co.uk/2013/... )
In short, knew I had to write Capt Smith's story, using his voice...
My recently re-published novels, 'Louisa Elliott' and 'Liam's Story' are a linked pair. Both were inspired by, and grew out of, a WW1 diary. So you might say my ideas have mostly come from old documents, leading to a great deal of research. But some very odd things have happened along the way - I'm currently writing a series of blogs on the background to these two novels. The first one gives a clue: http://annvictoriaroberts.co.uk/2014/...
In short, knew I had to write Capt Smith's story, using his voice...
My recently re-published novels, 'Louisa Elliott' and 'Liam's Story' are a linked pair. Both were inspired by, and grew out of, a WW1 diary. So you might say my ideas have mostly come from old documents, leading to a great deal of research. But some very odd things have happened along the way - I'm currently writing a series of blogs on the background to these two novels. The first one gives a clue: http://annvictoriaroberts.co.uk/2014/...
Ann Victoria Roberts
Hearing a story - visiting a place - doing a bit of digging into the past. Often ideas are already in the background, they just need a certain something to bring them together. Usually, for me, it's the place - sight, sound, atmosphere. I find myself thinking of all those people who have been there before me, what their lives were like, how they were shaped by living there.
Ann Victoria Roberts
A novel set during the English Civil War. (But life keeps getting in the way...!)
Ann Victoria Roberts
Believe in yourself. And if you've got something that needs to be said, believe in the value of the work. It's tough when life gets in the way - but get back to your writing when you can. Re-read it, remind yourself what it's all about and why you began in the first place. Don't give up.
Ann Victoria Roberts
When life gallops out of control, writers can shut the door, corral the plot, and rein the characters in!
Ann Victoria Roberts
If it's a short-term problem, I go walking or take a long drive to York, playing music along the way - gets the imagination working again! But I did have a bad episode some years ago - just couldn't think of anything creative to write about. Wrote some memoirs instead - and started painting again. It was some time before I found a story to get excited about - but haven't looked back since.
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Why does this happen? It's the second book I reviewed and also not posted. ...more
Jan 15, 2021 03:49PM
Jun 23, 2022 09:55AM