A day in the life of: Author Louise Forster

This is first in a series of author showcases. I'm interested in seeing the 'writing workspace' of other authors, of seeing how their environment can influence their writing, or inspire them.

Today, we chat to Louise Forster, Australian author of ‘Finding Elizabeth’ (out now with Harlequin Escape). Louise takes us through her writing day, showing us the environment where she is so inspired. Louise lives in an idyllic place – the north coast of New South Wales (Australia). She has rainforests, mountains, and pristine beaches surrounding her.

Louise Forster

Hi Noelle, thank you for inviting me to your very first “A Day in the Life” author interview.

You're welcome, Louise. Are you a full time writer?
Yes, but in saying that I wouldn’t be able to support myself writing novels. I’m in awe of authors who hold down a job and write.

Do you to write to a set routine?
I have a loose routine. We live on a dual occupancy with other members of our family and my own space to where the door has never been closed. Kids walk in to say hello, or to have a chat after school. My sister in-law pops over for coffee. Our daughters and sons in-law do the same. I’m not an early starter, although we’re up early taking the dogs for a walk, after that we have breakfast, then I’ll answer my e-mails, then I’ll make coffee and read while sipping my one and only caffeine hit. After that I get to work on my latest story, unless my mailbox is winking, I can’t help myself I have to have a look, which is such a bad habit. But if I’m on a roll or there’s a deadline, I can work till quite late.

The view from Louise's verandah

What percentage of your writing time is allocated to promotion and marketing, for example, on social media such as Facebook and Twitter?
I have no idea, but far too much time, I’m sure. I keep trying to stick to about and hour each morning, but sometimes the social media networks is screaming to be attended to NOW, which I mentioned earlier I find hard to ignore. Perhaps someone has a remedy, or a way to detox :-)

Are you a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantster’? Or do you just start typing and go from there?

Inspirational views from Louise's property

I’m half and half … Hmm, hang on a minute … I’m more a pantser. I’m writing a short fantasy at the moment and have pantsed my way so far, but I’ve come to a sticky end, or rather middle. And a real plotter probably doesn’t come across that very often, if ever. But while waking very early this morning I plotted out of the sticky middle.

How much research do you do on the setting for your books?
I do a lot of research. My next book, Finding Butterflies is set in the Whitsunday Islands. For non Australians, it’s part of the Great Barrier Reef. I have been there, so that wasn’t a problem. I have sailed and that wasn’t a problem either. But I had to research how a yacht behaved under certain conditions like a wild storm. Luckily, I was in touch with a yachtsman who lived at Airlee Beach and he was a lot of help. Anything I feel unsure about I’ll research it immediately.

Many authors like to keep a blog - do you have one? How often do you post in it?
I don’t have a blog and I’m not sure that I’ll ever start one ;-)

Now, when you are writing, where do you like to write? The kitchen bench? In front of the TV? In your own office?
I have my own space, which I don’t have a name for yet, office sounds too much like I should be answering the phones in a tall building with lots of people doing stuff. Den sounds like I should be a fox or bear. Computer room nah. There are lots of books up there, maybe I’ll call it the library, but that sounds really posh :-) and not me at all … so it’s my room. :-)

Why do you write?
I enjoy putting a story together, manipulating the characters, getting them to do things out of their comfort zone and see how they react. For example: In Finding Elizabeth, Jack is dealing with finding love in freezing Canada. Katherine is giving up her ballet career. In Finding Butterflies, Kabe discovers he can deal with the news media, by being smart and not lose his cool. Belle can spend time alone with a hot bloke she had a crush on all through high school without jumping him. I love it, it’s so much fun.

Nearby pristine beaches

I’m very interested in locations for stories. Why did you choose chilly Canada for the setting of Finding Elizabeth?
I love Christmas. Being a romantic, Christmas with snow and cold and log fires and pretty lights twinkling on a cold night just felt right for the story, especially since I was bringing an Aussie in from the heat of Sydney’s summer to the bitter cold of Canada. It deepened Jack’s character, brought out his Aussie humour. Helped him stoically carry on even though some of his favourite body parts were feeling it; it didn’t deter him from going after someone who had made him feel warm, or rather…hot.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Louise's garden

Other than going places, I like to be creative, making things. I’m not a great gardener. I’ve tried it and I don’t have it in me. I absolutely appreciate a beautiful garden because I know the amount of work that has gone into making it look fantastic. But I’ll stick to sewing, knitting, while plotting the next book…in my head. I wonder if we ever stop writing. Even when I’m out, I’m people watching and questioning, what if those two meeting up were….




Where can readers get a copy of your books?
The links for Finding Elizabeth are all on the Escape Publishing website below, just click on the link, Amazon, iBookstore, Nook, E-books.com, Google Play, Kobo, All About Romance.
Then click on 'buy' and the online sellers will come up: http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/product/9780857990235

Contact Louise:

Web site: http://www.louiseforster.com/

Escape Publishing

Buy FINDING ELIZABETH

 

Louise, thanks so much for joining me here, and for sharing with us all, the beautiful place you call home. - Noelle.

Romance will never be extinct

I was watching a trivia show on TV last night – Millionaire Hot Seat. For the first time I can remember, the very first contestant ‘passed’ on the first – easiest – question. I was aghast. The question was:

Which of the following is not extinct?

1.      Tyrannosaurus Rex

2.      Dodo bird

3.      Lesser Bilby

4.      Romance

I wondered at the time, whether or not perhaps the contestant was a dodo!

However, the incident made me think of an article I saw in the UK Daily Mail newspaper the other day. It was a story about Ida Pollock.

Ida is a romance writer, but what makes her so amazing, is that she is 105 years old – and still writing! She has published 123 novels under several pen names. These days, she dictates to her young 69 year old daughter, who types the stories up for her mother.

Some of the things Ida says really resonate with me. Ida said: 'A romance is never just a romance, there's adventure, mystery and movement.’ She also agrees you need a ‘grand, dramatic setting’.

I’ve been talking a lot lately about the importance of location for my stories. I like places with a bit of mystery, exotic places with lots to discover.

But what I like about Ida is that she has stuck to the ‘formula’ of good romance novels and given joy to millions of people over many decades. It proves that, in a world where the reality of life can often be harsh, sad, and hurtful, the romance of true love can lift us up and transport us to a heady utopia where happiness abounds.

So, unlike the hapless bilby, dodo and T-rex, romance will live forever, thanks to romance authors everywhere, and especially to people like Ida Pollock.

Read the full article on Ida Pollock here.

EXTRACTS FROM IDA'S NOVELS

Nightingale in the Sycamore (1957)

'He moved to meet her as she moved to meet him and caught her in his arms, kissing her wildly, like a man who was starving. Her hair, eyes, cheeks, lips - he smothered them with so many kisses that before long he paused to draw breath himself. She was completely breathless, but clung to him as if never willingly would she let him go again, and for the first time for weeks she knew what it was to feel glad that she had been born. . . .'

Bay of Moonlight (1968)

'Their first kiss was unlike anything Sarah had ever expected of a kiss. It left her feeling as if a thunderbolt had come hurtling out of the sky and passed so close that it scorched her. And when his violent mood changed to one of gentleness, a tenderness that melted her bones, she knew that this was the moment for which she had been destined ... It was the very purpose of her life ...'

A Distant Drum (2005)

'She had been in bed no more than five minutes when she heard the door handle begin to turn. The movement was gentle at first. "Open this door, or I'll break it down," the Marquis ordered. When there was no immediate response his fist began pounding against the woodwork, and Fanny jumped out of bed. "I don't," his lordship told her, "wish to rouse the whole house, but if it becomes necessary I shall not hesitate to do so. Turn the key in the lock, Fanny.'

 

***

 

Ida, I take my hat off to you!

Related articles:
Shehanne Moore - From Vienna to Cambodia

Antonia van Zandt - Let Angels Fly

 

BoomerLitFriday - BLOG HOP - Let Angels Fly

Today I'm posting a brief excerpt from my book here as part of a Blog Hop with fellow authors participating in Boomer Lit Friday. There are several authors blog hopping today, offering a wide variety of tasty offerings. Come along with us and visit for a while!


Jump to http://www.boomerlitfriday.blogspot.com to sample the goodies. Click on each of the participating authors, and please don’t hesitate to comment. While you're there, we’d love it if you would "Like" the Boomer Lit Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BoomerLit.

A short excerpt from Let Angels Fly by Noelle Clark

The steam rose from her body as the hot water from the shower pelted down. She looked down and saw her wet, glistening breasts—not perky like a young woman’s—but sensual. She let her hands run over them. Then she slid her hands down to her belly. Not taut and flat as it used to be, but not too bad. A small sigh emanated from her. She felt good about herself, for the first time in so many years. A rush of warmth flowed through her.

She didn’t understand all these new sensations she was going through, but she almost felt young again.

Let Angels Fly by Noelle Clark - Available now on Amazon  

Guest author: Antonia van Zandt ... Vienna – Where The World Stops For Coffee

Today I am honoured to have author Antonia van Zandt as my guest. Recently, I mentioned to Antonia - who resides in Vienna, Austria - that I had fond memories of my last visit there, albeit a long time ago. I particularly remember walking through the cultured and beautiful city, through tree-lined streets, and noting its quiet sophistication. I remember the surreal evening when we stood outside a beautiful old building, yellow light from the windows warming us as we shivered in the chilly air, listening to an orchestra play Mozart and Strauss. I also mentioned that Vienna was the place where I tasted simply the best pastries and cakes in the world.

Please, grab a coffee, sit back and relax, as Antonia takes us on a unique journey in the city she loves - Vienna.


Vienna – Where The World Stops For Coffee


Vienna is truly the coffee house capital of the world, so I remember how outraged I felt when Starbucks dared to take over the former Air France premises in fashionable Kärntnerstrasse.


“How dare they!” I exclaimed – both inwardly and outwardly - and so began a personal boycott which exists to this day. I cannot bring myself to step over that threshold, even though I‘m quite happy to sip a latte with the best of them anywhere else in the world.


So why the extreme reaction? Well, simply put, when it comes to coffee there is a tradition in Vienna, dating back centuries to 1683, when the Turks besieged the city. It’s the Coffee House Culture and it’s unique to this lovely old city. It’s a culture that has survived invasion, war and occupation and is still going strong. Since 2011, it has even been classified as a UNESCO ‘intangible cultural heritage’.
So what is it about Vienna’s coffee houses that makes them so different?

Cafe Central

These days there around a dozen or so famous ones and each has its own character and ambience, but wander into the Central, the Landtmann, the Demel or any of the others and you will find certain common denominators. In every one of them, you leave the world at the doorstep. Inside the hallowed halls, time ceases to have meaning, life slows to a pace determined by how long it takes you to read a newspaper, sip a cup of coffee, nibble a tasty pastry and/or debate issues of serious or trivial importance. I swear the clocks tick slower there and you can feel that cogwheel of tension unscrew itself from your back.

Cafe Sperl

Your nose wrinkles with delight at the heady aroma of roasted coffeebeans and a smiling (well, usually anyway) waiter or waitress guides you to your comfortable seat which will be yours for as long as you stay. Even if all you buy is one cup of coffee, no one will present you with a bill until you ask for it. And with that cup of coffee, expect a tall glass of water and maybe a macaroon or similar. No one will hover over you expectantly, however busy the place gets or however empty your cup.

Cafe Landtmann

Cafe Hawelka

Then there are the coffees themselves. Many of the coffee houses roast their own beans and you can buy packets of these to take away with you. Sadly, transporting the atmosphere is another matter! Needless to say, the variety of coffee available is wide – from the extra strong Turkish, to the milder Melange, and not forgetting the deliciously wicked Fiaker (double espresso, cherry brandy, sugar and lashings of cream). Whatever you do, never ask for just ‘coffee’. This will mark you out as a rank amateur. Here’s a link to a site that gives you more detail on coffee varieties http://www.vienna.cc/e/ekaffeeh.htm

Pastries in Cafe Central

Sachertorte in the Demel

Expect the hours to just sail by unnoticed. I hope you now know that, in Vienna, you don’t pop into a coffee house for a quick coffee. If you want that, then by all means go to Starbucks. I’ll pass though. You’ll find me in the Café Central!
Want more of a taste? Have a look at this short film:
http://youtu.be/yZDMPJFyaEc



Antonia van Zandt writes Paranormal Erotic Romance and her latest novella – Vienna Valentine – is available from:
Amazon.com
Amazon.uk
Amazon.ca
All Romance eBooks
Barnes and Noble
Kobo

You can connect with Antonia here:

http://antoniavanzandt.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/antonia.vanzandt
https://twitter.com/AntoniavanZandt

Book Review: 'Lavender Road' by Helen Carey

Lavender Road by Helen Carey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Quirky, believable characters and the naughty ones are most likeable. Faithfully set in the early days of World War Two, this story weaves the horror of impending war on the citizens of London, with the lives of everyday people. It shows their vulnerability, and their stoicism. A very enjoyable read, memorable storyline and characters.Helen Carey



View all my reviews

Boomer Lit Friday - Blog Hop

http://boomerlitfriday.blogspot.com.au/