| Author Page: Margaret Gill |
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I have been writing poetry most of my life and began writing novels about ten years ago. I am the author of eight novels for older children and an anthology of poetry, was long listed in the Cinnamon novel award 2006, and my poems featured in Forward Press 'Top 100 Poets'. I was twice winner of the first prize for teenage fiction at the Winchester Annual Conference and at the Swanwick Writers' Conference 2005 received the Writers' News Award for children's fiction. My novel " Narwhal "was shortlisted in the Cinnamon awards 2007 and in UKAuthors Competition 2007 and was the finalist in the Indie Excellence awards(USA) 2008 for young adult fiction. Both "Narwhal" and its sequel " The Quetzal Skull" which has been recently nominated for a Global ebook award, appear in Kindle format.
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What inspired you to write?
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As a former teacher I always believe in the adage 'to teach is to learn' and I find writing is one great lesson in exploration. You learn so much from situations in which your characters find themselves, situations and scary predicaments which you might never meet in your own life and which you have to decide how to resolve.
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What genre do you write in?
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Adventure, mystery, thriller, supernatural.
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What books have you written?
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Secret of the Scrolls
The Eye of the Mandala
Brain Changers( all part of a trilogy)
Secret of the Rothley Papers
Decree of the Amulet
Return of the Quetzal
Narwhal
and its sequel The Quetzal Skull
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What is the address of your official web site?
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www.margaretgill.co.uk
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Who are your favourite authors?
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Scott, Pullman, Lawrence, Huxley, Breslin, Austen, R.L. Stevenson.
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What are your top five writing and/or publishing tips for budding authors?
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- Don't expect success with your first, second or even third effort. You learn your technique by keeping on writing and reading what other writers do. It can take many years to achieve success.
- Do finish what you start. You learn a great deal by completing and if possible by publishing, self or otherwise. Once your book is out there you will learn so much about how it is regarded by others.
- Do join a writing group so that you can get constant feedback as you write.
- Do take reputable courses like Arvon to distil your ideas and improve your methods.
- Once you have chosen a genre read upwards of 100 books in that genre so that you are thoroughly immersed in your chosen area.
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Any final words of wisdom?
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The advice one usually gets is 'write what you know' but if you have a passion for a subject you can research, read, learn so much about it that stretches the bounds of 'what you know' beyond all limits. Don't restrict yourself.
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