Exeter Writers

Hi Simon , is it bad that I’ve known you for eighteen months as an Exeter Writer but I didn’t realise you already had four other books under your belt? But I suppose we’re always talking about our current news that we don’t really mention our past achievements in meetings! Hi Jess, I don’t think writers make a big thing about their past work. I think you’re only as good as your present material and that only stands up if people like it when they read it. I have also been a ‘stay-at-home-dad’ for 4 children for 20 years. Writing has always been a secondary occupation, if you want to call it that.  The reason I am talking about my new book Eternity Leave  is because it embraces the highs and lows of that experience. I like to think it’s my best book in terms of the standard of writing and that anything preceding it is part of an apprenticeship.   Well it’s great to have this time to talk to you about your new novel, Eternity Leave. First off, the cover is very attracti...

Margaret James has been a member of Exeter Writers since 2004 and has been an active member of the group. It was a pleasure to pick her brains and share some of her wisdom with you. Hi Margaret, thanks for agreeing to do an interview, I know how busy you are with your writing commitments! My first question for you is: When did you first start writing fiction? I’ve always been a day-dreamer who made up stories and enjoyed living other lives, at least in my imagination. I made my first serious attempts to become a published author when my younger daughter started school and I had some spare time at home.  My first published work was short stories and serials for women’s magazines. I remember that in those days everything was sent and received by snail-mail, and my children soon learned that a small white envelope was good news because it would contain a cheque, whereas a big brown envelope was bad news because it would mean a story had been rejected and returned. Much to their deligh...