Gabriel Woods asked Lissa Oliver:

You have amassed a huge amount of experience in the horse racing industry that influenced what you wrote for example Sainte Bastian. You have also delved into the politics of ancient Rome from which your book Nero was published. Was it difficult for you to switch from writing about Nero and then to the horse racing world? How did you manage to develop your writing process to include both influences?

Lissa Oliver Good question! I had no difficulty switching from ancient Rome to a modern horeracing setting, as I was so totally immersed in both, at the time of researching first century Rome. That was nearly 20 years' ago, but although if I returned to ancient Rome for my next novel I'd need to refresh my knowledge of history, I would have no difficulty with the writing process, which is the same no matter where, or when, I set my stories. It's still about the characters having a voice and leading the story.
If you were to ask me how I switch from journalist mode to fiction mode, now that would be a different answer altogether!

flag