Ask Sheila

Posted by  on 28/09/08 at 09:34 AM

Hello Sheila

I started reading your books about 2 years ago and have become a big fan. I have enjoyed every one of them!

I have just finished reading ‘Connections’ which was a wonderful twist on your usual format. I was initially sceptical that it would read as book of short stories and would be unsatisfying, however, they linked beautifully together and it was lovely to see characters from other stories popping up in them!

Just one query. In Coco Villa you go into great detail describing what Sahndhi is wearing to go out to dinner - old denim skirt, pale Nike t-shirt etc and then as she returns from dinner with John and heads to the Jacuzzi with him you say ‘he grinned at her as she slid her dress over her shoulders...’. Have i missed something in between somewhere?

FROM SHEILA

Hi Claire

I’m glad that you enjoyed Connections and that you liked the links and the characters from other novels.

You are so right about the Coco Villa story. Sahndhi is dressed in the skirt and t-shirt and John is supposed to be sliding her t-shirt over her shoulders. Somehow in the editing process it became a dress! Anyway the error has now been corrected so it should be OK in future editions but I have to congratulate you on your eagle eye which picked up on something that 3 of us missed....

very best wishes
Sheila

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Posted by  on 17/09/08 at 08:37 PM

Hi Sheila,

I just finished reading Dreaming of a Stranger...It was fantastic!!!  You mentioned that you have written another book with the same characters.  I can’t seem to locate the book in your list of published books.

I loved Jane!  What is the name of this other book???

Thanks,
Brandi

FROM SHEILA:

Hi Brandi

Thanks for your post. I’m delighted you enjoyed Dreaming of a Stranger and Jane! That book has a special place in my heart as it was my first published book. The book that I wrote previously, with the same characters, dealt with an earlier part of their lives, a couple of years before the start of the events in Dreaming of a Stranger. That one wasn’t published and I actually deleted most of it from my computer. So I’m afraid that DOAS is the only one with Jane. I hope, though, that if you read any of my other books you’ll like those characters too.

all the very best
Sheila

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Posted by  on 13/09/08 at 11:39 PM

Hi Sheila,

I read your first book, loved it and always buy your new one as soon as I can they are fab. It may be an odd question but its something I wonder about, when I read your books there is always someone I get attached to and root for all the way through, just wondered if once you finished writing a novel , do you miss your leading character?

FROM SHEILA

Hi Jojo

That’s a good question. When I’m writing a book I’m very attached to all of the characters. Most of the time when I’ve finished it, I’m happy with where the leading character is in her life. But sometimes I do wonder what they might be doing next! That’s partly why I wrote the short story sequel to Isobel’s Wedding and included a short story for Bree, from He’s Got To Go. I wanted to know myself (and many readers asked me too) how both of those characters were getting on. But mostly I am happy that they have in some way resolved the difficulties they’ve had throughout the book and eventually, of course, I move on to writing a new one and worrying about new characters.

best wishes
Sheila

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Posted by  on 13/09/08 at 11:02 PM

Hi Sheila just finished reading “Yours Faithfully”
well i think i finished it, i was really enoying it till i got to the end and it finished with them agreeing to arrange the funeral together (pg 524) then the book started again with the first 4 chapters have i got a misprinted book out the library?? I need to know about the baby and the business and what happended with Siobhan and the journalist and also did Iona get together with Enrique????

Plese put me out my misery

I’m looking forward to reading ur other books

FROM SHEILA

Hi Lesley

Thanks for your post - I wonder how that happened? I know that from time to time there have been issues with batches of books having an extra chapter or missing an extra chapter but I’ve never heard of that one before.

Really you should ask your library to get another copy as that one will be replaced free of charge for them. I think it would be best for you to read the end rather than me just tell you - I’m sure you’d much rather read it too.

I know that if the library contacts Headline Book Publishing with the problem they will definitely replace it straight away.

best wishes
Sheila

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Posted by  on 09/09/08 at 12:40 AM

Hi Sheila,

Firstly can I say that I’m a huge fan of yours and love all your books. I will be celebrating my fortieth birthday next year and have felt for years now that there’s a book within me.  I’ve started writing and have ten chapters completed. I’m very proud of what I’ve done so far but am very critical of myself and wonder if it’s worthwhile going on.  It’s more difficult than I thought but very satisfying at the same time. I would love for somebody who knows what they’re talking about to read what I’ve done so far and tell me whether it’s worth continuing.  I’m wondering if publishers will read and comment on a book in the making or am I jumping the gun? I’d really welcome your advice as I’m not very confident in my own abilities (despite my husband and four children egging me on!!).

Thanks.

Maria Duffy

FROM SHEILA

HI Maria

First of all congrats on getting 10 chapters done! So many people fall at the first hurdle of actually putting something down on the page.

It’s very easy to be critical of what you’ve written. I’m deeply critical of my own work and am never truly 100% satisfied. I always think that there must be something I could have done better and I worry endlelssly about the structure and language in my novels. However you eventually learn that you will never write the ‘perfect’ novel and that you can only write the very best you can at any particular time, and that each piece of work represents another step in the learning process.

You’ve certainly written enough to send it to an agent (see the FAQ on my site for thoughts about agents). Agents can and will read your work. Some will offer to do a detailed critique but they will charge you for this. You could also join an organisation like the Society of Authors where they can put you in touch with people who will read and criticise your book (for a fee).

However I would say that you should keep going anyway and not wait for the criticism to come back before you continue. When you have a story you want to tell and when you’ve done as much as you’ve done, it would be devastating not to finish it. You can always edit it afterwards but do keep writing in the meantime.

Remember one of my favourite quotes about writing: a professional author is an amateur who wouldn’t quit.

all the very best
Sheila

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Posted by  on 08/09/08 at 01:40 PM

From somewhere I thought you were the author of:
Valentines Day, Charlies Dress and Phone a friend; but cannot find these titles anywhere.  My library wonders if these are titles used in another country.

Can you enlighten me please and if they are yours where can I find them.

Many thanks

Bobby

FROM SHEILA:

Hi Bobby

These are actually the titles of short stories in my Destinations collection. Hopefully your library has a copy and you can get to read them!

best wishes
Sheila

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