Kathy Shuker
I was born and raised in northwest England. After training and working as a physiotherapist, I had to change career because of a back injury. I studied design and worked as a freelance artist, exhibiting, supplying galleries and teaching. I started writing several years ago and it took over my life.
I live with my husband in Devon. Art is still a major passion as are the natural world and music. Sadly, despite years of trying, mastery of the piano, guitar and fiddle remain as elusive as ever.
People often ask how a book is born, where does the inspiration come from and honestly, it’s not always easy to say. But since I am always fascinated to hear how other writers approach their work I thought I'd explain here how my stories are born and then grow - in as much as I understand the process myself.
An idea for a story can come from anywhere: a news item on the television or in a newspaper, or the snatch of a story seen on the internet. Sometimes it comes from an overheard conversation or an argument in the street, or even an unheard meeting between two people in a café. Body language can be more revealing than words. Occasionally, an idea simply presents itself in my head, unbidden, usually when I'm not writing at all. I try to always have a notebook to hand to record these thoughts. Sometimes the notes even make sense later.
The real challenge comes in trying to translate the idea into something that can be developed into a ninety-thousand-plus word novel. The original idea usually offers a one-dimensional thread, but I like to have a multi-layered story, weaving sub-plots in and developing the characters. As each new character is created, fresh avenues present themselves for the story. I don’t start with too fixed an idea. I like to see where it leads me.
The characters are inspired by all sorts of people, some I've met but most by people I've never even spoken to and they quickly develop a life of their own and then insist on having a say in what they will do next.
I'm a morning person so I start work quite early and get as much as possible done before lunch. By mid-afternoon, my brain goes walkabout. I try to do 1500-2000 words a day. (On a good day.)
I write and rewrite several times over, each time changing less but honing the story and writing. It's like painting a picture: difficult to know when to stop. After some feedback, it'll be another rewrite and then editing. And more editing. Eventually you have to let it out into the world and hope the story resonates with others too. After usually eighteen months or more of writing and living with the characters, it’s strange to let it go. So then I start musing on what the next one will be…