Ask the Author: Jennifer Larmar
Answered Questions (11)
Jennifer Larmar
A relationship I had many years ago which now is loosely the theme of my first series of novels.
Jennifer Larmar
My choice isn't really a different 'world', but the one fictional storyline I would love to visit is Boris Pasternak's poignant 'Doctor Zhivago'. Yuri and Lara's love story has to be one of the most heartbreaking of all time. If I could go back there, I would rush to the Kruger Estate and beg Yuri not to let her leave with Komarovski. His fear of being captured by the Reds would have at least given them the chance of being together compared to the total loss and terrible repercussions they faced by separating. I remember seeing the live musical production on stage here in Australia back in 2011 and wanting to rush onto the stage to stop him from sending her away. No other story has ever touched my heart like this one.
Jennifer Larmar
Far too many to list! Along with writing my own, I review books for publishers and a very large community webpage so the pile is huge and growing all the time...
I'm currently reading Troubadour by Isolde Martyn and thoroughly enjoying every word - medieval times fascinate me and a ripping tale set in that era will get me in every time. In many ways, this is similar to Ken Follett's 'Pillars of the Earth' - one of my favourites and definitely tops out of any in that era.
'Letter from Italy' a new tome set during WWI by Pamela Hart is next on my list and is sure to feed my love of that gorgeous country and her fascinating people.
'La Rose', looks to be a riveting fictional story based around Native American culture. It details a tragic accident and resultant atonement between two Ojibwe families and won the US National Book Award for Louise Erdrich. I'm certainly looking forward to getting my teeth into that one.
Probably the next one will be 'All I Ever Wanted' by Lucy Dillon - hopefully a lighter tale that has received some great reviews.
I'm currently reading Troubadour by Isolde Martyn and thoroughly enjoying every word - medieval times fascinate me and a ripping tale set in that era will get me in every time. In many ways, this is similar to Ken Follett's 'Pillars of the Earth' - one of my favourites and definitely tops out of any in that era.
'Letter from Italy' a new tome set during WWI by Pamela Hart is next on my list and is sure to feed my love of that gorgeous country and her fascinating people.
'La Rose', looks to be a riveting fictional story based around Native American culture. It details a tragic accident and resultant atonement between two Ojibwe families and won the US National Book Award for Louise Erdrich. I'm certainly looking forward to getting my teeth into that one.
Probably the next one will be 'All I Ever Wanted' by Lucy Dillon - hopefully a lighter tale that has received some great reviews.
Jennifer Larmar
Lara and Adam from my series of novels, of course! After that, Yuri Zhivago and Lara Guishar-Antipova from Boris Pasternak's epic 'Doctor Zhivago'. Their storyline is so beautifully written - with attraction and longing, poignancy and completeness, and then the ultimate sadness. They have everything a lover of true romance wants really and all set around some of the worst of circumstances in one of the most harshest lands on earth.
Jennifer Larmar
I have several depending on my mood! Ken Follet for his amazing attention to detail in period pieces and wonderful character building - "Pillars of the Earth" is an all-time favourite. Another favourite is a small novel by La Vyrle Spencer, which is quite old and now out of print: "The Year Growing Ancient" is a gentle love story with a couple of twists. Judy Nunn and Fiona McIntosh are two others who grab my attention. Far too many to list them all!
Jennifer Larmar
I don't seem to actually experience actual 'writer's block'. I find the process of writing is a delight and I am always eager to get back to it. Ask my husband - he has had to put up with nights sitting in a lonely lounge room while computer keys and a flickering screen keep me company. Then, in the middle of the night – every night – he gets up to to find the light still burning in my study as I toil over the latest tale month after month – and then for another umpteen months while I edit it over and over.
Editing is the process that I find the hardest, especially for the fourth or fifth time! Usually by this time I have another story itching to be told, although I try to finish one completely before starting on another as it gets too confusing.
Editing is the process that I find the hardest, especially for the fourth or fifth time! Usually by this time I have another story itching to be told, although I try to finish one completely before starting on another as it gets too confusing.
Jennifer Larmar
As I always say and quote to all and sundry when asked this question, "Writing is like going on holidays every day - without the expense. I can take my characters anywhere to do anything ... and all from the comfort of my study."
Jennifer Larmar
Write and keep on writing - and when you think you can't go on, put your head down again. If you believe in your characters, they will talk to you and tell you what they want to do.
It doesn't matter what the first draft looks like to begin with. Just get your ideas down on paper and worry about the grammar, punctuation etc. during the editing period.
And always keep a notebook beside your bed and in your bag - or in this day and age, keep your smart phone handy to take notes because ideas are sure to come to you in any place and at any time.
Lastly, my best advice for fictional writers is to keep a timeline of ages, events etc, along with a breakdown of each character - including nicknames used by different people, hair and eye colour and unique mannerisms, and anything else pertinent to each individual, such as the car they drive, where they live, how they dress. Also, write a short synopsis outlining every event for each chapter, along with the date so you know how old the character is at the time if the story spans several years. It's the quickest way to find things you may have forgotten or to use as a reference tool to refer back to something.
I find all these tools are imperative to keep my storyline on track and to ensure I have continuity throughout - and they are a great form of reference whenever I need them.
And lastly, just enjoy the experience!
It doesn't matter what the first draft looks like to begin with. Just get your ideas down on paper and worry about the grammar, punctuation etc. during the editing period.
And always keep a notebook beside your bed and in your bag - or in this day and age, keep your smart phone handy to take notes because ideas are sure to come to you in any place and at any time.
Lastly, my best advice for fictional writers is to keep a timeline of ages, events etc, along with a breakdown of each character - including nicknames used by different people, hair and eye colour and unique mannerisms, and anything else pertinent to each individual, such as the car they drive, where they live, how they dress. Also, write a short synopsis outlining every event for each chapter, along with the date so you know how old the character is at the time if the story spans several years. It's the quickest way to find things you may have forgotten or to use as a reference tool to refer back to something.
I find all these tools are imperative to keep my storyline on track and to ensure I have continuity throughout - and they are a great form of reference whenever I need them.
And lastly, just enjoy the experience!
Jennifer Larmar
My third novel, 'Broken Pieces', which I intend to be a standalone piece. This contemporary work tells the story of Sally and Ben, young Australian medical professionals who volunteer at a remote district hospital in Rwanda. Arriving several years after the devastating and horrific months of the genocide, their expertise brings new life and hope to many of their new friends. Until one day an unexpected and tragic event brings far-reaching consequences.
Jennifer Larmar
Anything is able to inspire me - places I visit, nature, events, circumstances and people I meet along the way. My novels contain fictional characters based around true events, either in recent times or during major incidents which have occurred in the past. Music is usually blended into my storylines in some way - either as the main focus or with a character using it as a form of solace in difficult times.
As I recently remarked to my husband, "I'm not going on holidays any more because I always come away with another novel in my heart and soul. At this rate I'll have to live until I'm 150 to write them all..."
As I recently remarked to my husband, "I'm not going on holidays any more because I always come away with another novel in my heart and soul. At this rate I'll have to live until I'm 150 to write them all..."
Jennifer Larmar
I commenced writing the first draft of my first series of books, 'Til the End of Time, back in 2011, after seeing the exquisite musical 'Doctor Zhivago - A New Musical' in a Brisbane theatre. The series concludes at the musical's Brisbane premiere, and with the gracious permission of the composer and lyricists, the final page contains the lyrics of the theme song.
A few months after the first draft was complete, I was granted a one-on-one critique with a New York Literary Agent at the 2013 Brisbane Writers' Festival who gave me a great review and excellent advice, which I took.
In May 2013, my 11 year career as a Court Reporter (along with 200 others) was outsourced to a private company, so I finished the final edit, had the series published and, for the last two years, I've made writing my career. Now I'm 120 pages into my third novel - a standalone book.
In April 2015, I was given invitations to the Broadway Opening and after-party at the Rockefeller Centre for the musical's USA début - along with an invitation to the lyricist's private pre-show party. While there, I was introduced to all the creative team and leading cast, purely because I dared to believe in my dreams and write a story which had been residing in my heart for many years. A night to remember and one of the best experiences of my life.
Writing certainly changed my life and I'm loving every minute of the experience.
A few months after the first draft was complete, I was granted a one-on-one critique with a New York Literary Agent at the 2013 Brisbane Writers' Festival who gave me a great review and excellent advice, which I took.
In May 2013, my 11 year career as a Court Reporter (along with 200 others) was outsourced to a private company, so I finished the final edit, had the series published and, for the last two years, I've made writing my career. Now I'm 120 pages into my third novel - a standalone book.
In April 2015, I was given invitations to the Broadway Opening and after-party at the Rockefeller Centre for the musical's USA début - along with an invitation to the lyricist's private pre-show party. While there, I was introduced to all the creative team and leading cast, purely because I dared to believe in my dreams and write a story which had been residing in my heart for many years. A night to remember and one of the best experiences of my life.
Writing certainly changed my life and I'm loving every minute of the experience.
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