I recently reviewed Lucille Turner’s brilliant book The Sultan, the Vampyr & the Soothsayer. Wanting to find out more about this new (to me) author, I have since interviewed Lucille.
Not only that, she has kindly agreed to give away a paperback of the book to one lucky Examining the Odd reader! See the bottom of this post for more details.
- Have you ever visited a country or town to conduct research for your writing?
Yes, I visited Florence and Vinci when I was writing Gioconda, because it was about the life of Leonardo da Vinci, and I went to Norfolk to get inspiration for a new book I am working on called The Summer Country, which is also historical fiction, only this time set in Roman Britain. If I can get to visit a place connected with what I am writing about I find it helps. There is also often local information to be found, which is a bonus. Once I had a fascinating conversation with a Welsh miner in connection with some research I was doing about gold divining! He was really helpful.
- Do you consider your potential readers when you’re writing?
I think I do, in the sense that I try not to slow the plot down with too much historical detail. It’s important to stay as close to the truth as possible, even if historical truth is at the best of times a fairly grey area, but still the story is more important at the end of the day. This is fiction, after all.
- What authors did you dislike at first but later discovered love for?
It used to be that if I disliked a book I would just stop reading it, but since I’ve been reviewing other people’s work I have had to stick at things even if I didn’t like them at first. It can be a very rewarding process. I am not really a genre fiction fan so I tend to go for quirky titles when I can. At the end of the day though, I prefer historical fiction that tackles unexpected subjects and takes you into the head of the character(s).
- Do you read any book or author related magazines?
Bookmunch keeps me up to date on what is coming out because I review for them. I read quite a lot of non-fiction though, and The Economist when I’m travelling because I buy it at airport kiosks.
- What’s your favourite way to market your books?
Through my blog at www.lucilleturner.com/books
- Is there a particular book that changed your views on fiction?
I speak French and Italian, and have read quite widely in both languages. I think that Italo Calvino has had the greatest influence on me, as a writer. I love all his books; he tackles heavy subjects with a very light hand.
I love Calvino’s writing. This has reminded me that I need to read more of his books as I’ve only tried a couple and that was a while ago. Thanks Lucille!
- Is writing your only job?
I taught composition and literature for about ten years, but now I have returned to my first line of work: a translator.
- All authors get the occasional bad review. How do you deal with them?
I go and read a good one afterwards.
Good answer, and I’m sure there are many great reviews for Lucille to immerse herself in – an excellent writer indeed!
- How long does your writing process take?
It takes me about a year, although I often have a break in the middle of revisions.
Thanks to Lucille for taking part in this interview. Check out my review of The Sultan, the Vampyr and the Soothsayer and I think you’ll be tempted to grab a copy! In the meantime, why not enter our giveaway?! Simply click here. Good luck 🙂
Jay Snelling Art 