Alison Baverstock

Alison Baverstock is an experienced Writer, Publisher and Trainer. She’s the author of ‘Is There A Book In You’ and ‘Marketing Your Book – An Author’s Guide.’ Novel Kicks had a chat with Alison to ask her how she approached a typical writing day and which authors she admired the most….

Describe your typical writing day?

I love writing early in the morning, and even more so going to bed thinking that I shall get up early tomorrow to write.  There is both a peace and energy about the house first thing in the day – I am aware that my family are asleep beneath me (my writing room is at the top of the house) and that they may wake up soon (although this got less likely as they all became teenagers) so there is a limit on how much time I have.  It’s a bit like driving sleeping children in the car at night – you feel responsible, alive and excited.
Once I have written for a couple of hours I stop and then find myself sneaking up to edit or add bits throughout the day – but the main sweep is always done in the morning.

You’re a publisher as well as a writer; what advice do you have for writers submitting work?

Don’t submit until you are ready to be judged by your work.  It doesn’t matter how good the marketing package is, or how enticing your cleverly drafted introductory email, if the work is not as good as it could be, it will show.  Given that my particular expertise has been marketing it may be ironic for me to say this, but there’s a growing strand to some writing about writing that puts forward the thesis that all that matters is the marketing.  It doesn’t, the writing has to be the most important thing.

What attributes do you believe a writer needs?

Well I have written a whole book about that!  Is there a book in you? itemises the ten things that I think any would be writer needs in order to get published.  But in reality you need two things, a determination to keep going and some time in which to do the writing – or the ability to do other things less, in order to make time for writing.  And of course a story to tell and a way of telling it that others want to read.

How important do you believe feedback to be?

It is important, but the writer’s own vision of what they want to achieve and how they want to do that should always come first.  The writing has to be more important than the feedback.  Sometimes those providing feedback are disengaged, mischievous or just plain wrong, and the writer has to have their own sense of where their work is going.

How do you approach a new writing project?

With great excitement. I buy a new notebook in which to work and make jottings, and love opening up a new file on the computer.

What’s the best/hardest part about being a writer?

Being put down by other people.  It’s a really curious thing, but in the UK the most common response to hearing that you write is for others to give you a good metaphorical kicking for being so presumptuous as to try.  The two most commonly thing said to new writers who show others a book is; ‘I’m going to do that one day’ and ‘Lucky you to have the time’ and it’s depressing how often people seem to volunteer the opinion that you are wasting your time.  In France (where we go a lot) it’s quite different – people immediately engage and ask what you are writing about.

Which writers do you admire?

Jane Austen, Jonathan Coe, Nick Hornby, Carol Shields, Anita Shreve, The Trollopes (Fanny, Anthony and Joanna), Anne Tyler, and Jacqueline Wilson.

Your ideal dinner guests?

Edith Cavell, Henry VII, Kenneth Williams, Willie Rushton and Dorothy L Sayers.

To find out more about Alison, visit her website at http://www.alisonbaverstock.com

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.