Tell us about something that has just happened or is about
to happen in your life that you would like to share.
My puppy Emily, born
last September, is still a daily revelation. Emily was born almost into my
hands, and I held her little cord closed for twenty minutes to stop the
bleeding. It was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences I’ve ever had.
What inspired you to start writing, and when?
I don’t know that I
really was inspired. It just always seemed a natural thing to do. I actually
started writing Dance of Chaos quite by accident. I was testing my new
computer, which my boyfriend at the time had built out of spare parts, to be
sure it all worked correctly, and found I’d written two chapters of a novel.
How many books have you written? If more than one, are any a series…or
trilogy?
Two and a half novels
(one in progress). The two published ones, Dance of Chaos and Gift of
Continence, are the first two books in a planned trilogy. The work in progress
is an historical novel. And I’m collecting short stories for a collection that
I hope to release around the end of this year.
What is the name of your most recent book and please sum it
up in 50 words or less.
Dance of Chaos –
about a young woman who takes a job in her company’s Infotech because sitting
the aptitude tests will get her an afternoon off work. Predictably, this
frivolous attitude doesn’t lead to a great success on the job. While this is
going on, on the home front she struggles to deal with the chaos caused by her schoolboy
brother’s obsession with pornography.
Do you have plans for a new book?
Well, as I say, I
have one in progress, and then there will be a third book to round off the
Fiona MacDougall series. I’ve got notes for it, and I’m planning to send Fiona
to live in the country. I’ve also plans for an episodic series, like the
popular Witchwood Estate series, although mine will not be fantasy.
Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?
Not really, at least
not in the sense of wanting to meet some famous person that I don’t know. I’m
not much of a one for chasing celebrities. I greatly admire Stephen King, but
his thoughts are all shared in his book, On Writing, so I’ve no need to meet
him in person. The one author I would really like to see in person is my good
friend Patti Roberts; sadly, she lives at the other end of our vast country.
Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?
Ebooks, for sure! You
can carry thousands of them with you, you can be on the train and suddenly
decide you’d rather read a different book. They cost so little, in fact I get a
great many free, and best of all they don’t take up any room in the house and
never need to be dusted. And they can’t be destroyed or lost, as long as you
have a backup.
Where do you prefer to buy your books?
I mostly buy from
Amazon or Smashwords. I used to buy from Angus and Robertson, but their refusal
to honour gift vouchers at the time of their financial trouble left a bad taste
in my mouth and I now prefer not to deal with them.
Are you a self- published (Indie) Author? Yes!
What books would you like to read again?
Well, there are
particular favourites to which I return again and again. Drinking Sapphire Wine
by Tanith Lee. Deerskin by Robin McKinley. Pride and Prejudice, of course. Lord
of the Rings. The Once and Future King, by T.H. White. The Screwtape Letters,
by C.S. Lewis.
Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book
version?
Not a movie, no; I
don’t believe there is a good fit between a book and a movie. To my mind, a
better relationship in terms of the amount of content is between a movie and a
short story. But a television series. Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie’s Jeeves and
Wooster, surprisingly, made Wodehouse’s books come alive in a way that,
although they were screamingly funny in the first place, left me forever
preferring the series.
What book are you currently reading and in what format
(ebook/paperback/hardcover)?
Sign of the Moon by
Erin Hunter. It’s on my Kindle. I adore the Warrior Cats series.
Who designed the cover of your book?
The awesomely
talented, energetic, clever and lovable Patti Roberts. I don’t know where I’d
be without Patti. But my beautiful niece, Cindy Smeeton Chenhall, also deserves
a mention for being the Face of Fiona on my covers, and Darrell Caruana of
Glimmarpics Photography for the cover shoot.
Do you find yourself intrigued by the cover of a book enough
to buy it?
No.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Not really. Heaven
knows I’m no expert.
But I do have some
advice for wannabe writers. Don’t imagine you can get by without a sound
knowledge of the workings of your own language. Trying to write a book when you
can’t write a proper sentence of English is like trying to build the Taj Mahal
out of old cardboard boxes. If you need to, swallow your pride and go back to
school. You will never regret it.
Do you write under a pen name? A Yes or No answer is fine. No
Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Certainly not! What a
slovenly habit.
What are your pet peeves?
People who use ‘lay’
intransitively. I just want to bitch-slap them until they die. Dangling
modifiers. People who adopt a lordly and dismissive attitude to grammar, as if
they were somehow above it. And misplaced apostrophes. But overall, indie
authors who don’t bother to have their work properly edited. If you’re putting
yourself out there and selling your work, the purchaser has a right to expect a
certain level of professionalism.
What are your favorite food and beverage? Coffee
Do you write outside of your favorite genre? Why?
I tend to explore
different genres and styles in short stories. They’re like a laboratory where
you can try out new things without a big commitment. I can’t see myself ever
not writing comedy in a book though.
In your case, how many hours do you devote to research and
writing per day?
That depends on what
I’m working on, and is so variable that it wouldn’t make sense to say. But I
would rarely write for more than a few hours at a time. I find I lose my edge
if I go on for too long in one session.
What are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from
keys, money and phone)?
My dog. And a packet
of poo bags, just in case.
Sleep in or get up early?
Definitely get up
early. Those precious hours in the early morning are my absolute best working
time. Often I get up at four.
Laptop or desktop for writing?
I have a laptop which
I use when I go to the country, but mainly I prefer my desktop machine. I like
the big screen and the full size keyboard. Occasionally I will take a laptop
into the garden, but nearly always I stay in my office.
Your favorite gadget -
My Kobo mini.
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
Early in the morning,
in my office.
Your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the
bad -
I’ve never had a
really bad review, so I’ve been excited and happy every time I’ve read
someone’s review of my stuff. I know, though, that that means a bad review is
somewhere in my future. I trust that I will behave properly when that happens.
I.e. not whining about it, either to the writer of it or to anyone else. It’s
important to bear in mind that every reader is entitled to his opinion, and
whatever the reader is like, it was your book that caused him to form that
opinion, whatever it is.
Where is one place in the world that you would really love
to visit someday?
After reading
Alexander McCall Smith’s wonderful series The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,
I’d like to go to Botswana. It sounds like such a beautifully civilised place.
One of your favorite quotes –
“And with that he
took the bloody old towser by the scruff of the neck, and by Jesus, he near
throttled him.” (From Ulysses)
List 3 of your favorite movies?
Star Wars
True Lies
The Castle
What is a movie or TV show that you watched just recently
and really enjoyed?
I just saw a premiere
of Healing, a wonderful, wonderful film.
Where can your readers stalk you? Catch me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tabitha-Ormiston-Smith/137637486306612)
or Twitter (@Ormiston-Smith)
Is your book in Print, ebook or both? both.
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