Author Bio:
Eliza Graham studied English at Oxford University and her love of reading and books led her eventually to writing her own novels. Her first book, Playing with the Moon, was long-listed for the Richard & Judy Summer Reads book club and, in its German translation, sold more than 100,000 copies. Four further adult novels have followed: Restitution, Jubilee, The History Room and The One I Was.
In addition, she has published the first in a young adult series, Blitz Kid, about a teenage girl’s adventures during the Second World War.
Under her historical fiction pen name, Anna Lisle, she published Allegra in 2013.
What inspires you to write?
I was a reader long before I became a writer and I think my reading addiction was key to me wanting to attempt my favourite novelists. I always kept a diary as a teenager. Then, when pregnant with my first child, I felt a rush of something (hormones?) that propelled me into creativity. These days I write because something agitates or inspires me: something in the papers or on the radio, or a scene in a film.
Tell us about your writing process.
I write an outline or short synopsis that doesn’t tie me down too much, with scope for changing things. Then I use Scrivener to write the chapters, moving them around as I need to. My books often combine two story lines that weave in and out of one another, so it’s important to get scene order right.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t talk or listen to them, no. Sometimes, though, I do move around the kitchen (my workplace) to see how various positions affect the scene.
What advice would you give other writers?
Find some good critique writers, read their work and get them to read yours. Listen carefully to feedback and keep pushing yourself to write better.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
My first book was taken up by Macmillan when they were running a new talent initiative called Macmillan New Writing. I was lucky–but it had taken me about four years of hard work to get to that stage of ‘luck’. Self publishing offers a wonderful chance to get into print and I have used it for two of my recent titles: Allegra and Blitz Kid, but don’t rush the process of perfecting your art first.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think it’s still in a state of flux, certainly my side of the Pond. Publishers have been slow to react and some of the terms they placed on authors’ digital rights were unfair: I am paid just 20% on some early titles. Hopefully they have been shaken up and will grow stronger. I hope so: there are some very talented people working in the traditional houses: editors of great skill.
What do you use?
Professional Editor, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?
women’s fiction,literary fiction,historical fiction,young adult
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print, Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Eliza Graham Home Page Link
Link To Eliza Graham Page On Amazon
