Ask Sheila

Posted by  on 20/08/05 at 05:47 PM

Dear Sheila,

I read ‘My favourite goodbye’ the other week and have just finished ‘Anyone but him’. I really liked them both. What struck me was how humane you made the characters (become). And how, after all what happened, they remained positive and optimistic. It’s hard not to be judgmental - I myself too often am - so it’s nice to have a realistically positive ending.

I very much related to Ash, though thank God I am not that compulsive. But some of her behaviour did seem all too familiar. It did get me thinking and hoping that (small) changes (for the better) are indeed possible

Anyway, thanks for sharing your entertaining, optimistic and hopeful writing and best of luck with your future work!

Take care,
Marielle

FROM SHEILA

Hi Marielle

Thanks for your kind words about My Favourite Goodbye and Anyone But Him (and I’m impressed that you read them both in such a short space of time!). It’s interesting that you relate to Ash - when I was writing the character my editor was a little concerned that she was too compulsive and too difficult to like but she’s the character that many, many my readers identify with most! (I don’t know what that says about you - or about me either!!!)

I agree that most of us are too judgemental and when I write I try to express the point of view of all the characters, even when they’re doing something that we see as stupid or self-destructive because all of us do silly things from time to time. Or all of us know that we should take one course of action but do the complete opposite anyway.

I hope you’ll enjoy my other books too - and don’t forget you could win an Apple iPod on the site if you enter the competition to celebrate the release of How Will I Know? this month.

best wishes
Sheila

---

Posted by  on 05/08/05 at 08:55 PM

Hi Sheila,

Absolutely love your books, and was quite surprised when i saw ‘anyone but
him’ in the shop the last day - honestly thought i had read it! Anyway,
bought it, and have just started reading it when at work some of my friends
were saying that ‘anyone but him’ is a sequel! Is this true? and can you
tell me the name of the first part book so that I can buy that and read it
first!

Thanks if you can help me out!

Regards
Sinead

FROM SHEILA

Hi Sinead

No, Anyone But Him isn’t a sequel. As you can see from an earlier question in Ask Sheila, Esmeralda wanted to know if I’d write a sequel to My Favourite Goodbye. But I’m not that keen on sequels myself. I generally write each book as one complete story and I don’t really want to take the characters any further. It’s different, maybe, if a writer is working on a book that spans a very long period of time or that covers more than one generation in a family - in that case perhaps a sequel is a good idea. But not for me. I wonder do they think it’s a follow on to He’s Got To Go - a book that involved 3 sisters? I hope you’re enjoying Anyone But Him!

all the best
Sheila

---

Posted by  on 22/07/05 at 07:49 PM

Ever since I read Suddenly Single,I have been hooked on your books and have read and loved every one!!  Are you planning any personal appearances anywhere, as I would love to have one of your books signed by you.

Hi Sian

Glad you enjoy them!! I might be in the UK in September and will post up any information on places and dates. I’m always happy to sign books for people so would be delighted if it works out.

best wishes
Sheila

---

Posted by  on 22/07/05 at 12:37 PM

Hi Sheila thanks so much for your reply.I will start typing my chapters this weekend,I will keep you posted could you maybe have a read of my proofs even though I know you are aimed at a different market with your experience it would so helpful
Thank you again and have a good weekend
Aoife
P.S.Have to read “hes got to go” sounds great!

Hi agaiin Aoife

As a matter of principle I don’t read proofs (because I’m still writing myself). But I certainly think you should send them to an agent/publisher when you’ve finished. Let me know and I will make recommendations for you.

best wishes
Sheila

---

Posted by  on 20/07/05 at 10:44 PM

Dear Sheila- I just finished reading the book He’s Got to Go.  I could NOT put the book down.  I truly loved it.  I hate when I am finished reading a really good book!!!  :( You always feel as if the characters are real, and are even your friends.  So silly I know.  I wish there was a sequel to this book.  But now I will for sure read your other books.  This was my first and I was so pleased.  It was for sure the type of book I’ve been looking for for a while now.  Thanks so much.

---

Posted by  on 20/07/05 at 05:25 PM

Hi just came accross your wedsite and simply have to write.Have a mountain of notes at home ideas for a story but theyre completely unedited and the ideas I feel are good,aimed at the childrens market,but Im bogged down where to start!!PLeease advise me anything will be appreciated!

FROM SHEILA:

Hi Aoife - Well, having a mountain of ideas is a great start because everyon who writes needs to have some good ideas!

You say you have notes but not that you’ve put them together in a story. And that’s step two because an editor/publisher won’t really want notes, they’ll want the first few chapters of what you think the story will become. So that’s what you’ve got to do now. Think through what you want to write about and start it. (Simplistic, I know, but it doesn’t get written by itself.) When you have a certain amount written (depending on how long the book may be a couple of chapters would do) then submit them to an agent or publisher with your thoughts about how the story will develop.

See my FAQs on this process for more info.

The editor only comes into play when s/he has something to edit and that’s what you need to provide right now.

The most important thing is that you want to do it and you set aside time.

Best of luck - let me know when you’ve got that all important publishing deal!

---

Page 35 of 36 pages « First  <  33 34 35 36 >