I spoke to author G.A. Charnock on the launch of her debut novel, Veil of Secrets.
What was your goal when you started writing?
After the last of my three children started nursery, I began a creative-writing course to wake up my ‘mum brain’ to a different kind of endeavour. The tutor was very encouraging about what was to become the beginning of my first novel – and the beginning of the Secrets of the Veil series.
How does it feel to achieve your ambition of publishing a first novel?
Hugely exciting – but also exposing. My first press review is coming out in the Courier later this month, followed by a Q&A with me the following week. I’m a little nervous, but delighted to be featured and am told the review is favourable!
What has been most useful in our work together?
I’ve just found you so supportive and helpful. I have faith in you and your guidance, which has made the whole process, from taking on board your editorial comment to aligning all the technical knowledge necessary when preparing to publish, far less nerve-wracking. From setting up the correct categories to requesting reviews and updating Nielsen’s Title Editor, I know you won’t let me forget anything important!
You used to be a professional tennis player – how has that experience of physical discipline influenced your approach to the often sedentary task of writing a novel? Any tips to keep authors active?
Yes, I did have a very disciplined life in terms of diet and training and it’s hard in a very busy life to keep up enough of those habits. What works for me is having a dog to power-walk whilst mulling over plot twists!