Kurt Florman was my editor at another publishing company. But - a month after my novel's release as an e-book and just before its trade paperback launch -my first publisher crashed out of the cyber space sky. My wonderful editor asked me to wait to see if he could establish a publishing company. He really believed in my novel and wanted to see it published again. Well, I did wait and Dear Heart was published with MI in 2002. My publisher tells me he is keen to see me finish my next novel and has already asked me to renew my contract.
SQ: Can you share descriptions?
WD: Of my Katherine of Aragon novels? The voice for this work is a true historical person too - the best friend of Katherine of Aragon. But she is a woman, and I suspect this is the reason I can only find the barest bones for her own story. I've decided to no longer stress over this and just follow where she leads me. A great thread of this story is very much my own tribute to my women friends. I must say, my friends are of the highest caliber (meaning you too!) and have been such a wonderful support over the years.
I prefer writing in first person because that way I can really get into the heart and soul of my character. As my character was part of Katherine of Aragon's until the very end, she is very able to tell her POV of KA's story.
SQ: Your caring sense shows through all you do, writing included. But how do you support yourself financially in addition to book writing?
WD: When Dave, my youngest, was born I decided - with my husband's agreement - to take leave from my career as a teacher. In my State in Australia, teachers can have seven years leave for family reasons, so I thought seven years would give me the opportunity to prove to myself whether I could make it as a writer. My principal has been happy to give me extra time, but I have to decide whether I'm returning to teaching or resigning by the end of this year. Currently, I've been lucky to gain casual work at a local university; it's mostly home-based work and helped pay for Christmas!
SQ: Thanks so much for sharing those insights! Do you think having a literary agent is necessary for most authors?
WD: Mostly yes and a little no - sadly, a lot of publishers nowadays won't even look at an author's work unless it first comes from an agent. But I have never stressed about getting an agent because I simply don't earn enough. I want to write novels and they take awhile to produce - hate to think of someone looking over my shoulder to hurry up my "art." Books are finished when they are ready to be finished.
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