Writers At Work
This is the seventh in Ravenshead's series of interviews with writers.
Cheryl Wright is a hard-working and enthusiastic Australian writer who was born in Victoria but is now living and working in Melbourne.
She runs the Writer2Writer web site and is romance
editor for QPN Press and has her own web site.
She is currently working on 'Winter Sabbatical' which will be released in November (2007) by Black Velvet Seductions, a novel called 'Arms of a Stranger' and a fantasy romance anthology.
Cheryl has written numerous books and has received many awards.
Ravenshead (RH) interviewed Cheryl Wright (CW) in April 2007. Many authors describe writing as 'a life-saver'. Read on to find out how this really is true for Cheryl.
An Interview with Cheryl Wright
RH: Can you tell us a bit about your background?
CW: I was born in the tourist town of Bright (Victoria, Australia) in 1956. Bright is at the foot of a popular skiing location, Mount Buffalo. This is where my parents met, and we lived for several years before moving to Melbourne.
We were always a close-knit family (which has been the basis of some of my novels), and this was even more true after my brother was born. He was severely disabled with Spina Bifida and other related problems, and sadly died at aged 12.
Our lives were drastically changed by his birth, and from my perspective, gave a whole new outlook on life. What I learned from his struggles stayed with me for the rest of my life. It also taught me that people with disabilities are no different to anyone else.
It also helped when I became somewhat disabled myself from a debilitating lung disease I've had from childhood, but was never diagnosed. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, my brother taught me to fight through diversity and win the struggle no matter what.
I've always been a creative person, dabbling in art, music, and writing. I can (or should be that 'could') play several musical instruments, was acting and singing on stage/television/radio in my teenage years, and undertake a lot of craft projects.
After being told five years ago that I would be lucky to see my forty- sixth birthday, I began to study the craft of writing more seriously instead of treating my writing as a hobby.
I think I can safely say that writing saved my life
RH: When did you start writing?
CW: I began to write in grade six after hippy substitute teacher arrived with a guitar slung over his back. I immediately moved to the back of the class. It wasn't long before I moved to the front again.
He read poetry daily, and discussed the lives of the poets, which instilled not only with a love of the written word, but also an awareness of Australian history, which I am passionate about as a result.
I started high school the following year, and within months was given the position of editor of the school newsletter. I was eleven years old, and flourished with the responsibility.
While still at high school, I was writing for the local council's newsletter.
RH: Does being Australian influence your view of the world and your writing?
CW: Australians are very laid back in many ways, and I think that has helped my perspective. We tend to view things totally different from the rest of the world, (don't ask why, I have no idea!) and I do believe that affects the way I write.
Mine is a very casual voice, and many publishers have said it's a very soothing, easy to read voice. I think that's probably why my non-fiction is especially successful.
RH: Where do your write?
CW: At the moment my bedroom is my office. We've been pretty crammed since my son arrived with his three small children in tow after a relationship breakdown.
It was just hubby and me in our three bedroom house, and I was enjoying the peace and quiet - and freedom of my own office.
Then all hell broke loose! At first custody was on a 50/50 basis, but since the mother's new partner attacked the children two and a half years ago, we have them here full-time. They were all five and under when they arrived permanently.
As a result, our house is now way too small, and we're trying to renovate (upwards) but having a huge struggle to get anyone to commit to the job. It's almost a year since we began organising the extension, and so far only have floor plans. It's a huge job I know, but…
Once our extension is done, I'll have my office back. Wahoo!
Apart from our crammed bedroom, I often write out on the decking with the soothing sounds of chimes in the background. (I have them everywhere!) Believe it or not, my writing is much more productive when I can listen to music or these beautiful chimes.
RH: What makes you write?
CW: You might as well have asked what makes me breathe. I write because I must, because it's a part of me.
I've known since childhood that I was born to be a writer. I simply didn't realise how important that was to my state of mind, and to my sanity.
I don't think I could survive if I couldn't write.
RH: Where do you get ideas from?
CW: Ideas are everywhere.
It could be something someone says that triggers an idea. Or a newspaper article or a morning talk show chat. Or I might read an article that sends my mind in a whole new direction.
Ideas are never a problem for me; it's finding the time to utilise them all that causes me grief.
RH: You write in such a wide range of areas, from non-fiction articles, to romance, to poetry, short stories, novels and humour. Do you have a favourite subject or genre? Who is your imaginary reader when you are writing?
CW: This is a really hard question.
I love them all, which is why I write in such a wide variety of genres and areas. I'm a romantic at heart, which is why I write romance. I love to read romance, particularly romantic suspense, which is my main genre. And I have a wicked sense of humour, and love to make people laugh. There's way to much stress and seriousness in the world. Laughter makes us better people.
I love learning, and research supplies so much knowledge. I'm one of those people who stores all those little bits of information in their brain. Need to know some obscure facts? Ask me, I'll probably know the answer.
My friends call me 'the sponge' because I just absorb anything and everything that comes my way.
The imaginary reader is me. If I don't enjoy, or can't understand the information, then it's not good enough for anyone else to read.
RH: Which writers have influenced you?
I've tried hard not to let others influence my style. I think it's important for writers to find their own voice, and to know what works for them.
I do however have preferences for the writers I read. There are way too many to mention, but crime writer Peter Corris and Maeve Binchy are my two favourite mainstream writers. There are a quite a few romance writers on my preferred list, but B.J. Daniels and Lori Foster are at the top. Bronwyn Jameson and Marion Lennox are amongst my favourite Australian romance writers. There are heaps more writers whose books I love to read, but these are my absolute favourites.
RH: What's the easiest thing about writing? What's the hardest?
CW: Hmmmm… I guess the easiest thing - for me - is getting lost in my writing. Once I start, I find it hard to stop. For a non-writer, that's probably hard to understand, but I literally get drawn into whatever I'm working on. There have been times when I've worked for five hours straight without a break, not realising how long it had been.
The hardest thing is for me to stop. I'm happy and relaxed when I'm writing. If I had the choice, I'd spend every day writing. As much as I love housework, washing, and ironing (lol) I'd much prefer to be writing.
RH: Have other people's comments affected your writing?
CW: Oh yeah! Some years back I entered a contest. One of the judges made some really harsh and horrible comments about my entry. I decided to stop writing for good, despite the fact the other judges really liked it and scored my work quite high.
It was only because my writing buddy convinced me to ignore those horrid comments that I continued to write. She saw the potential of my work when I was so devastated and ready to give up.
I've learned over the years that no matter what others say, you have to look inside yourself and only take on board what you believe needs to be listened to. Negative comments are often based on jealousy and/or ignorance, but unfortunately they can make a big different to your self-esteem and confidence as a writer.
RH: I read that you hold workshops and make presentations about writing. Is passing your knowledge and writing skills on to others an important aspect of your life as a writer?
CW: Absolutely! I believe it's extremely important to give back to the community in which you thrive.
As a new writer, I had so much trouble trying to get support from my peers. It was like there was this big secret that no one could mention. As a published writer, I was determined that attitude would not continue. At the very least I wouldn't be party to it.
RH: What inspired you to start the Writer2Writer website?
CW: Initially it was to be a portal for my own ebooks, somewhere to sell them. Then an English friend suggested I start an ezine for writers, for publicity.
I was dead against that idea because I knew it would be time consuming, but decided to give it a try anyway.
After the first issue went out, I decided to add the articles I'd written for it on the site. Each issue that went out included more and more articles, with 'guest' articles from writers who were vying to be included in each issue.
It soon became apparent that I needed to expand the site dramatically. I wasn't advertising at all, but thousands of writers were visiting every month, and many were writing with requests.
I still receive emails from writers around the world with specific requests. I try to accommodate as much as possible.
Writer2Writer is the site I needed when I was starting out. I'm very picky about information there, and that includes articles. Everything must be of the highest quality or I won't add it. If someone contacts me to be an affiliate for their product, I ask for a review copy so I can ensure it's up to the standard my site visitors expect.
There is still so much I want to do with the site. As a working writer I don't have the time to do all the things I have planned. I'm getting there, but it's a very slow process.
RH: What are you currently working on?
CW: I'm writing a novel called Arms of a Stranger. It's a romantic suspense, which is my favourite genre to write.
I'm also romance editor for QPN Press. I'm currently working on a fantasy romance anthology, which I'm very excited about. I've pulled several hand-picked authors together, and it's shaping up really well.
The anthology is called The Enchanted Faerie, and is due for release January 2008.
RH: When is your next book published and what is it about?
CW: My next novel release is Winter Sabbatical. It's a contemporary romance, and is about a young woman whose fiancée is killed in a road accident. She goes to the country to find herself again, but instead finds her true soul-mate.
As much as she's in love, she can't bring herself to let go of her dead fiancée.
Winter Sabbatical will be released in November (2007) by Black Velvet Seductions
RH: Do you have any advice for other writers?
CW: Writing is a living-breathing thing. You need to constantly learn and evolve. Never sit on your laurels; grow and you'll do well.
RH: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, and good luck with all your future ventures.
CW: Thank you for the opportunity, and the interesting questions!