Final Interview: Brian Wainwright

In a way, my approach was "how not to be a professional novelist"! No professional could or would have spent so much time on it, or hared off down so many side alleys, as I did. I shall certainly never do the like again; I haven't the time in this incarnation. In that sense it is literally the work of a lifetime. It was also a great practical learning experience, though, and in a way I am very glad that the earlier versions did not see the light of day, as I should not have been happy with them. Sometimes I would get five or six pages into a chapter and then realise "that's not what happened". It may sound odd, but at times it was as if Constance was helping me to write it! Certainly she became very real to me, and in an odd way I "know" her. Some parts of the book were very harrowing to write - readers will probably be able to guess which ones. Perhaps in a way it was that that made me go on - I felt I could not fail her.

You know - my character also became real to me (still is! He's preparing to take voice in my trilogy about Katherine of Aragon. But I'm still working on the first draft of book one. Tom's got a bit of waiting to do for his minor role...:>)

I also came out of Dear Heart not wanting to fail Tom in finding a publisher. He so wanted his story told and have this opportunity to defend Anne Boleyn. I've pondered on this lot. Sometimes, it seems to me that writers really do tap into something. Whether it because we just tap so well into our imaginary worlds by making them "real" for readers or there is something beyond our understanding happening here. BUT I had so many things fall into place - I felt guided...do you think it's possible we were? Did any intriguing things happen to you at just right time and place for your Constance novel? You know - what I love so much about writing and the reason I just can't give it up, is that it is all a magical, spiritual adventure...

This is a really difficult one. As my grandfather used to say, I am sure there's something there but I have

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