It gives me great pleasure to welcome Liz Martinson onto the website today. Liz writes contemporary romance and Belonging is her first novel to be published by a publisher.
Alex: Liz, are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Liz: I usually have a bit more than a vague idea and I'll jot some ideas down, but I wouldn't call it a detailed synopsis by any means.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Liz: Belonging has just been published and is the first book I've ever had with a publisher, but I also have three Indie books on Amazon. These have been accepted by my publisher as well, so will be revised and reissued.
It's the story of an actor and a journalist who meet when she goes to interview him. They have an up and down relationship because she's feeling vulnerable due to her previous relationship. Throw in a woman who sees the heroine as having it all while she's lost everything, and we end up with a very dramatic and tense situation which our hero has to resolve.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Liz: I'm sorry, but I've no idea. I don't ever remember not reading and I have always devoured books. I know when I went round Beatrix Potter's house I recognised many of the illustrations in her books, so I will assume maybe her stories? I have a very soft spot for The Tale of Two Bad Mice
Alex: Liz, are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Liz: I usually have a bit more than a vague idea and I'll jot some ideas down, but I wouldn't call it a detailed synopsis by any means.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Liz: Belonging has just been published and is the first book I've ever had with a publisher, but I also have three Indie books on Amazon. These have been accepted by my publisher as well, so will be revised and reissued.
It's the story of an actor and a journalist who meet when she goes to interview him. They have an up and down relationship because she's feeling vulnerable due to her previous relationship. Throw in a woman who sees the heroine as having it all while she's lost everything, and we end up with a very dramatic and tense situation which our hero has to resolve.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Liz: I'm sorry, but I've no idea. I don't ever remember not reading and I have always devoured books. I know when I went round Beatrix Potter's house I recognised many of the illustrations in her books, so I will assume maybe her stories? I have a very soft spot for The Tale of Two Bad Mice
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Liz: A lot of what happens in my books is based on my own experiences and is usually outdoor stuff. I do research parts of the story, obviously. My latest book involved a kidnapping so I spoke to the police to find out the procedure. But I've travelled in the UK and Europe a lot, and have been a walker, kayaker, cook, photographer and teacher so have plenty of experience to call on.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Liz: Yes, I do, although I'm maybe not always aware of it and sometimes it's a minor character and obviously someone's behaviour has stuck in my mind and gets used. My hero is usually based on my husband! And obviously, my own outlook on life is there in the various plots and their solutions.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Liz: A Marriage Made in Secret by Jenni Fletcher for its amazing historical content, about Isabella, the she-wolf of France, and Me Before You by Jo-Jo Moyes for the sensitive treatment of a very difficult subject. But she should never have written a sequel.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Liz: That's something I'm not very good at. I push them on Facebook sites that I'm a member of, as well as on my own and my author page. I have a website and a Twitter account. Now, my publisher is apparently quite hot on the marketing side, for which I'm extremely glad, but I'm still expected to do some of my own marketing. I've got a table booked at a book fair next year, and I'd like to take tables at more local fairs as well.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Liz: I used to adore kayaking and have done lake, gentle river, and sea kayaking. I also used to love hill-walking. Sadly both of those are rather in the past due to unfortunate circumstances, but I now have a trike and go for some amazing trike rides. I also love taking landscape photos, reading, cooking, and listening to music. I like various types of music from rock through to classical.
To relax I always turn to a good book.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Liz: Dick Francis, Mary Stewart, Kate Atkinson, Diane Chamberlain, Barbara Freethy, Douglas Kennedy.
I admire them for various different reasons, from superb writing, engaging plots, good characters, and page-turning and gripping content.
Alex: Thank you Liz, and good luck with your latest book.
Liz: You're very welcome Alex.
Liz: A lot of what happens in my books is based on my own experiences and is usually outdoor stuff. I do research parts of the story, obviously. My latest book involved a kidnapping so I spoke to the police to find out the procedure. But I've travelled in the UK and Europe a lot, and have been a walker, kayaker, cook, photographer and teacher so have plenty of experience to call on.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Liz: Yes, I do, although I'm maybe not always aware of it and sometimes it's a minor character and obviously someone's behaviour has stuck in my mind and gets used. My hero is usually based on my husband! And obviously, my own outlook on life is there in the various plots and their solutions.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Liz: A Marriage Made in Secret by Jenni Fletcher for its amazing historical content, about Isabella, the she-wolf of France, and Me Before You by Jo-Jo Moyes for the sensitive treatment of a very difficult subject. But she should never have written a sequel.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Liz: That's something I'm not very good at. I push them on Facebook sites that I'm a member of, as well as on my own and my author page. I have a website and a Twitter account. Now, my publisher is apparently quite hot on the marketing side, for which I'm extremely glad, but I'm still expected to do some of my own marketing. I've got a table booked at a book fair next year, and I'd like to take tables at more local fairs as well.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Liz: I used to adore kayaking and have done lake, gentle river, and sea kayaking. I also used to love hill-walking. Sadly both of those are rather in the past due to unfortunate circumstances, but I now have a trike and go for some amazing trike rides. I also love taking landscape photos, reading, cooking, and listening to music. I like various types of music from rock through to classical.
To relax I always turn to a good book.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Liz: Dick Francis, Mary Stewart, Kate Atkinson, Diane Chamberlain, Barbara Freethy, Douglas Kennedy.
I admire them for various different reasons, from superb writing, engaging plots, good characters, and page-turning and gripping content.
Alex: Thank you Liz, and good luck with your latest book.
Liz: You're very welcome Alex.