Interview with Heather Osborne
1) How did you begin writing?
I’ve always been a writer, as I’m sure my parents can confirm. I have been penning down little stories since I was a child, sometimes with my brother. I really began to explore the option of publishing though back in 2013. My imagination is always on overdrive, so putting it on paper is a way to quiet the stories…until I think up the next one!
2) How do you start your writing process?
I really wish I could tell you, but I’d have to kill you. No, just kidding! I really don’t know how I start. It can begin with a description, a feeling, the way a person looks when they are walking down the street. I’m lucky to live in Scotland, where there’s a never-ending supply of beautiful scenery. Sometimes, it’s a historical building which sparks my imagination.
3) How long on average does it take you to write a book?How long is a piece of string? It really depends on the genre. I tend to take about six to nine months for crime fiction and up to a year on historical fiction/romance, factoring in all the research. It also depends on how fast I formulate the plot in my head.
4) Do you have a favourite book you've written? If so, which one and why?
While I am very partial to Rae Hatting, my favourite book so far has been Bitter Bonds. It was sparked by a subplot in the Rae Hatting Mystery, Misfortune, and expanded from there, so much so that I’m writing a sequel to it called Divided Destiny.
5) If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
No! Stop now! Turn around! Seriously though, it’s to hang in there. Even on the rough days, the ones where you seem to get nothing but negative nellys on your reviews, hang in there. It does get better, and there will be that one reader who you dazzled. Those readers make it all worthwhile.
6) What is the first book that made you cry?
Oh, wow. That’s a tough question. I think the first book which really made me cry was either Night by Elie Wiesel or The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien.
7) What's the best thing a reader has ever done for you?
It sounds cliché, but the best thing all my readers do is tell their friends and family about my books. Their praise and encouragement keeps me going on the hardest days, the ones where I feel like I want to give up and crawl under a rock.
8) What books/authors inspire you?
I have always been a fan of Nora Roberts’ earlier works, where she seamlessly weaves romance together with an engaging plotline. I also love Anne Rice for her descriptive abilities, especially in The Vampire Lestat.
I am also a fan of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, who was one of the earlier pioneers of the historical romance genre. I aspire to do what she does when I write my historical romance novels, and that’s combine history and romance is such a way where the reader feels swept up in all the aspects of the time period.
9) Do you have any advice for inspiring authors?
Persevere! And find a good editor (not the same as a proofreader). Find someone who you can trust to take your book apart, be hypercritical, and provide constructive feedback. Once you form that partnership, your writing career will be much easier.
One big thing I learned is promote your novel from day one. As soon as you write the first word, start talking about it. Don’t expect readers to come to you. You have to bring readers in. Also, don’t expect to sell your writing on merit alone. Advertising and marketing plans are key. If you’re lucky, you get an agent or PA who does this for you. If not, learn. Explore your market carefully, and that includes what the big wigs are doing. Professional looking covers, blurbs, and polished writing will help a long way in generating sales.
Constantly push yourself to be better. One of my most hated sayings by my mom is, “There’s always room for improvement.” Well, she was right (But don’t tell her I said so).
10) What are you working on next?
As said before, I’m working on a Civil War historical romance called Divided Destiny, but I’m also working on another crime/thriller about Rae Hatting’s daughter, Grace, called Mimic. On top of that, I’ve been working on a little secret/not-so-secret project, under a pen name, entitled Epirus, which will be a three-part novel/novella series due out next year. Those are just the “finalized” projects! As you can see, I like to keep busy.