Ask the Author: Carol Mason
Answered Questions (11)
Carol Mason
Oh my! Well, I must admit I am not really a fantasy fan, nor am I massively into history (terrible thing to admit). Being a woman who loves clothes, and fine food and loves writing and arts more than anything in the world, I feel I would fit nicely into the world of Jane Austen! Cliche? Perhaps! But who wouldn't want to be rich, carefree, beautifully dressed, wined and dined every evening at the highest level, (with an ability to remain naturally slim and buxom!), and be courted by a land baron who is extremely handsome, faithful, holds open doors, can dance, never leaves the lid off the toothpaste and never goes to the toilet? :)
Carol Mason
Hi Cea, So sorry to have taken an eternity to reply to this. I am actually just finding it now. Thanks so much for being so supportive and saying such lovely things about the book. It's a huge compliment that you might read it again! To answer your question, the book is actually doing its best in the USA. It's also big in UK and Australia. It got up to about #7 in Canada in the bestsellers list but I admit I do fly under the radar in this country! When The Love Market came out in Canada there was some decent publicity for it, and Secrets of Married Women. As for After You Left, well as you probably are aware it's mostly sold as an E Book. My publisher, Lake Union, markets books online through their own methods and actual media publicity isn't a huge part of that. So while my books are selling tremendously well - Secrets of Married Women is off to an amazing start - you won't be seeing much media coverage for them. Hope this helps. Thanks again for writing. Carol x
Carol Mason
Ooh! I was just answering a couple of other questions this morning and this popped up! It's actually a brilliant question, Ling. The truth is, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and in a group of 10 people, everyone will have a different opinion on your novel. Writing a novel is a tremendously difficult process - well, for me! You put so much of your heart and soul and your time into writing the best book you can so naturally you hope that, even if people didn't like the book, they will at least not be too unkind when they review it. I think some people forget that writers are people, with families and bills to pay and they're just trying to be good at what they do while recognizing that not everyone will enjoy their work. Some reviews feel unnecessarily harsh, almost feel like the book industry equivalent to road rage! These really hurt, I must admit. But then I have to remember all the wonderful ones I have received and that usually puts a smile on my face again!
Carol Mason
Ooh... I have to think about this one! OK, the closest thing I can come up with is that a very very long time ago, I think I was about 20, I met a wonderful, attractive doctor who was several years older - maybe he was 30. Nothing much happened - he was passing through town, but we went on a couple of lovely dates and we kissed. Then he went home to his city across the country and he wrote to me. His letters were charming and romantic and he said he wanted to see me again. Many years later I happened to Google him (you know, as you do!), and I saw that he had died just a few years after we had met, though there was no explanation for how he had died. But what was even more shocking was that he had a wife and two kids - and by the dates, he had been married when I had met him. This blew me away! Never in a million years had I suspected he was married. And while there is nothing extraordinary or mysterious about a married man seeking some kind of encounter with a younger woman, I still can't help but wonder WHY. Nothing about him made me think he was a cheat. He hadn't come across as insincere or trying his luck. I was intrigued. It thought it an excellent kick off point for a novel!
Carol Mason
Margi, thanks so much! I love my Kindle too. I find I read books really fast on there for some strange reason. I do have another coming out in June! It's called The Secrets of Married Women and is actually a re-release - it's the first book I had published a few years ago and my new publisher is putting it out there again. I am really excited as it's got a lovely new cover and I edited it to make it reflect readers' tastes today - took out bits I wish I could have changed when it was first published which was great to do. In addition two of my other novels are up on Amazon for purchase for Kindle. Send Me A Lover and The Love Market. I am currently working on a new one that will hopefully be out in the near future. Thanks again for getting in touch. xx
Carol Mason
I make writing my routine. It's my full time job so, like everyone, I have to go do it whether the mood takes me or not! If the writing is going well, I get excited and that inspires me to keep going. It's another story if I am struggling with it. That is always pretty grim! Then I usually sit on Facebook or read The Daily Mail online!
Carol Mason
When I began After You Left it was because I was helping my mother sell our family home in England and moving her to Canada. I hadn't prepared myself for the torrent of nostalgia and grief I would feel at letting the home go. Then I saw the Andrew Wyeth painting, Christina's World, and it spoke to those emotions - almost like a little voice was telling me that somewhere, somehow, there is a book here... This inspired the second storyline that is set in the 80's. But the modern day storyline of Alice's husband walking out on her on their honeymoon leaving only a mysterious note - I have no idea where that came from!
Carol Mason
Second draft of my new novel - still a domestic drama but perhaps a tiny bit darker this time!
Carol Mason
Walk away. Remember that deadlines are important but your sanity trumps them! Usually time away from the desk helps - you will be in the supermarket or driving to the beach and suddenly you will be hit with one mote of inspiration that will enable you to get back at it again. Have faith! The creative mind works in fascinating ways!
Carol Mason
Know what type of book you are writing and read widely in that genre so you know where the bar is set. That said, your book is yours, make it your own, don't try to follow trends, don't write something you think will sell - write what you are passionate about. Ask yourself are you writing the book that would keep you sat there, glued to it, turning pages, if you were the reader? Once it's written, learn all you can about the publishing industry. Be professional in your communication with agents - remember writing is a business as well as a passion. Sell yourself in a credible, professional, sensible manner and you will be giving your novel the best chance you can.
Carol Mason
Finishing the final draft of a novel and thinking, Ok, this is good now, finally! I am happy with it!
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