Next Wednesday, November 2nd, I’ll host a discussion with author of Spiritual Speculative Fiction, Sheila Deeth, about her work on Book Talk, Creativity, and Family Matters.
Until then, enjoy her interview below.
Tell us a little about yourself, Sheila.
I’m an English American, a mathematician who can’t add up, a writer who can’t spell (blame the “born in England living in America” bit), and a Catholic Protestant (I call myself a Mongrel Christian Mathematician). I have three grown-up sons, one husband, and currently no dogs (but if one should land on our doorstep that would change in a heart-beat).
What personal experience allowed you to write your recent publication, Flower Child?
Flower Child tells of a mother whose first pregnancy ends in miscarriage, and whose next child is born soon afterwards. This happened to me, and left me feeling like I couldn’t grieve the lost child without betraying the babe in my arms.
What is your major message or the major theme in Flower Child?
That there’s more to life and death than human thought can comprehend.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been telling stories since I learned to talk (possibly before, but no-one’s sure), and writing them since I learned to write.
How long did it take you to write and revise Flower Child?
I wrote it the first draft pretty quickly, just in a week or so. That usually happens if something grabs my interest. It was a very short first draft of course, and once I had the beginning and the ending written I spent a few weeks longer extending the middle. Then came editing and, after I’d sent it to Gypsy Shadow, working with my editor, Denise Bartlett—a really enjoyable experience since she does a great job of teaching at the same time as suggesting edits.
How do you categorize your books–what genre?
I’d say my Gypsy Shadow books are all spiritual speculative fiction. I’ve self-published some Christian books too, and I have a contemporary literary novel coming out with Stonegarden next summer.
Have you ever taken writing classes?
I had an English teacher in junior high who was very critical (as I thought then—now I know she was a godsend!). But I studied mathematics at university—I liked the way answers could be right or wrong instead of open to debate. I never stopped writing though, or dreaming of being published, or telling stories (I even taught chess lessons to kids with stories wrapped round the games).
What is your greatest difficulty in writing?
Finding time—writing is my chocolate to be enjoyed when all the work’s been done.
What is your greatest joy in writing?
See previous question. Mmm. Chocolate.
What is your process when writing a book?
Do you outline?
I start, and sometimes what I’ve started keeps growing, in which case it ends up as a book. Other times it comes to a natural conclusion and I’m done. Once I know I’m writing a book I might write a few outlines, just so I remember who’s who and where I’m going. Often the outline comes after I’m finished so I can tell if the characters gave me the events in the right order. For me, writing feels like listening to my characters tell stories—while feeding me chocolate of course.
How often do you write–every day, every other day?
Whenever I can.
Do you write full-time?
I don’t have any other full-time job, if that’s what you mean, but I spend longer cooking, cleaning, shopping, washing, doing yardwork etc than I do writing.
What is one thing you have learned in writing each of your books?
I’m beginning to realize that identity is a common theme in what I write. I wonder if that comes of all the contradictions in how I describe myself.
What do you have on the agenda for your next book?
I’m writing a story set in the future that I’m hoping will turn into a novel. I had to stop writing to take a vacation though (a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska—it was brilliant!) and my fingers are itching to get back to it.
How can interested readers get in touch with you?
You can email me from my blog http://sheiladeeth.blogspot.com or leave a message on my book site http://sheiladeeth.weebly.com
What is a word of advice you would give anyone interested in writing?
One word. Write.
More than one: Write and, if you can’t stop, you’re probably a writer, so keep going. But always be ready to improve and throw stuff away.
How can readers purchase your book?
It’s available on Gypsy Shadow’s website: This link takes you straight to Flower Child on my page there: http://gypsyshadow.com/SheilaDeeth.html#Flower
It’s available on Smashwords too, but I don’t think it’s on Amazon and Barnes and Noble yet. It should be soon though.
Thank you so much for interviewing me!
Sheila Deeth
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You are quite welcome, Sheila.
Sheila is also the author of Black Widow and Refracted.
Flower Child is now available in Kindle Format at Amazon and Nook Format at Barnes & Noble.
Again, I invite visitors to tune into or download my conversation with Shelia next Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011.
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