Ask the Author: Rebecca Bryn
Answered Questions (13)
Rebecca Bryn
A mystery in my own life is already a plot for a book. A family story of a forebear having murdered a gamekeeper was one my grandmother was tight-lipped about. It always intrigued me and I began delving into my family history only to discover that three of my relatives were involved in said murder. The research was fascinating on many levels: family history, women's rights, or the lack thereof in Victorian England, the 'slave trade' in convicts transported to the colonies, life on board a convict ship, 'unnatural practices' in coalmines, gold prospecting in New South Wales... the list goes on. My one proposed book turned into a three-book series, 'For Their Country's Good'. Book One, 'On Different Shores' is available now at http://mybook.to/OnDifferentShores I love to hear what people think of it.
Rebecca Bryn
Absolutely. Just say it isn't published, or if it's a first draft, or put a release date if you have one so people don't complain there isn't a purchase link. And welcome, Finn.
Rebecca Bryn
It's lovely to see you here. You're very welcome.
Rebecca Bryn
Hi Sharon, Sorry for the delay in aswering. I've been away and only just got back. Thanks for trying to buy Where Hope Dares. I was intending to publish it at the end of May/ beginning of June but I've a had a glitch and not having time to deal with it straight away I had to delay publication. I've also had ideas about the story that are taking me off in a rather exciting direction so it may well be the end of the year before I'm ready to publish it. I'll try to remove it from my list to avoid further confusion. I hope it will a better story when it finally goes 'live'. :)
Rebecca Bryn
I'm honoured and touched that you've recommended Touching the Wire. I hope you enjoy The Silence of the Stones too. I'm struggling with my third, due to be published, Where Hope Dares, having had unnerving but probably valid feedback from a reviewer. You've cheered me up no end. Thank you.
Rebecca Bryn
It was a bit of both. Mostly, the rune castings fitted the indecisions, maybe that's not the right word, doubts Rhiannon had in her mind and the outside influences the plot was bringing, unknown to her, to her doorstep. Her main question was what should she do about Alana? As Rhiannon herself says, runes are personal to the caster and he/she reads them in a way that makes sense to him/her or throws light on a particular problem: a way of crystalising certain things that need resolution. The castings did largely fit what I had in mind, but also pointed the way to the things Rhiannon did, so yes, they change the plot to some extent, in fact, thinking about it they changed it quite a lot. I certainly noticed a difference when I allowed the runes to 'speak for themselves' and did real castings; the novel took on a life of its own.
Rebecca Bryn
Yes. People love to read about places they know as long as the author knows them well also. Some are still trying to guess the location of the village I've named Coed-y-Cwm. The local tourist information office was also very helpful in putting up my poster and letting me leave leaflets. I hope people wanting holiday reading will be tempted to try it. Reactions to it so far have been promising. Thank you, Sarah.
Rebecca Bryn
I sleep on it. Inspiration comes to me best early in the morning, or when I'm out with the dog on my morning walk. What seems insurmountable the previous day usually resolves itself overnight. Sometimes it takes a day or two in which case I don't worry about it. Sometimes I get an idea in the middle of the night. I keep paper and pencil by my bed and have learned to write in the dark.
Rebecca Bryn
Not being married to one?
Rebecca Bryn
Write! It doesn't matter what; it's all practice. Keep a diary. You never know what you're going to wish you'd made a note of. Join a writers' group. I can highly recommend the Word Cloud. They're a very friendly bunch, and very generous with their time and expertise. Don't worry about being a complete novice. If you can find a 'writing buddy' who's prepared to give and accept totally honest feedback, as I have, they're worth their weight in gold for encouragement.. even if their feedback does make you stamp off in a huff occasionally. :)
Rebecca Bryn
I am researching for the rewrite of Destiny, promoting The Silence of the Stones, and plan to publish another novel, Touching the Wire in November, in time to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Holocaust Day on January 27th 2015.
Rebecca Bryn
My oldest and dearest friend had a bad accident some years ago. She was understandably depressed and couldn't do much: everything hurt. As a child she loved writing stories, which I thought were rather good, so I suggested she started writing again as it was something she could do sitting down and would take her mind off her pain. She began sending me bits of writing, and I'd comment, ask questions and, in time, began to proof-read. One day, after e-mailing her the latest PR, I opened a document, typed Chapter One and wrote 'Jem frowned and scanned the horizon.' I had no idea what was coming next, but I was off and hooked. So began my first novel, Destiny, which I am planning to completely rewrite next year.
Rebecca Bryn
The idea came from several places. One was a television report about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. I tried to imagine how I would cope with such a heartbreaking tragedy. The courage the McCanns have shown under such pressure is amazing. It fuelled my natural fascination with what makes us who we are.
Another inspiration came from walking in the hills around my home in West Wales. Intrigued by the mystical stone circles and standing stones, and the Celtic runes and ancient Ogham writing, I researched runes, and rune casting. I began casting runes for my character to interpret and the results were seriously spooky. So the runes drove my character's actions and interactions with the young stranger who was sending ripples of unease through the Pembrokeshire village and causing it to close ranks against her. Being an artist and having tried my hand at sculpting, inspired my main character, and life experience introduced some of the traumas that make her who she is.
Another inspiration came from walking in the hills around my home in West Wales. Intrigued by the mystical stone circles and standing stones, and the Celtic runes and ancient Ogham writing, I researched runes, and rune casting. I began casting runes for my character to interpret and the results were seriously spooky. So the runes drove my character's actions and interactions with the young stranger who was sending ripples of unease through the Pembrokeshire village and causing it to close ranks against her. Being an artist and having tried my hand at sculpting, inspired my main character, and life experience introduced some of the traumas that make her who she is.
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May 29, 2017 02:47PM · flag
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