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Congratulations on your nomination for the RBOTY Award with
Daughter of Darkness. Would you like to tell us a little about the process
of writing the book?
I began writing Daughter of Darkness about 1994. It was my first
attempt at a historical novel. I wrote detailed character sketches and a
step sheet to use as a guide. With multi-characters and subplots to juggle I
knew I'd have to slot one into the other, which was different to the way I'd
always written before. It turned out to be surprisingly easy.
It was sent off to be professionally critiqued, and came back with a generally favourable report with lots of encouraging remarks. There was
useful information regarding places to cut, and a query to why I had bumped
nearly everyone off!
Altogether I did about 8 drafts, cutting out about
15,000 words in the process and resurrecting a few of the deceased
characters. About that time the 1996 Women's Day/Random House competition
was advertised. I entered it and it won 3rd prize from over 600 novels.
Finding a publisher took longer, and after a couple more rewrites, I sent it
to Robert Hale in the year 2000. It was accepted it within 17 days of
dropping it in the post box.
 Where did you get your inspiration for this book?
From an 18th century servant girl called Nellie. She appeared in a
dream, and was watching me from a tower. There was a raven on the roof above
her. The dream stuck in my mind and the plot grew from that. Nellie is still
part of the book, so is the raven. The heroine of the story is Willow, an
unloved and unwanted daughter of a villainous marquis and a woman reputed to
be a witch. Forced into marriage at the age of 14, Willow struggles to make
the best of what fate brings her. Against an unfolding love story, a battle
of good vs evil takes place as Willow strives to cope with her changing
circumstances, her background, and the paranormal sense she inherited from
her mother.
Willow is an unusual name. How do you choose your characters names?
Many ways. If the name doesn't suggest itself straight off, I go
through the name book. Several names might take my fancy. I then look up the
meaning of the names to see if they suit the character's personality. I try
to be careful with names that start with the same letter, especially with
matching couples. The female name must be a good match for the hero's family
name if they're going to get hitched. For instance, I wouldn't call a
heroine Angelina if her intended was an Andrew Anglesby. And Willow wouldn't
marry a Wilbur Woodstock.
Please tell us a little bit about your background as a writer.
I decided to become a writer round about 1986. It was after my
children had grown up. My first effort was a badly written contemporary
romance novel - but I suppose most of us have one of those embarrassments
hidden in the back of the cupboard. However, I enjoyed writing it so much
that I knew writing was for me. I did a correspondence course which covered
just about every aspect of writing, and it helped me sort out what I didn't
want to write. I was left with the urge to write short stories and novels.
Two of the short stories I wrote as exercises for the course have since been
published - one of them twice.
What was your reaction when Daughter of Darkness was accepted for
publication?
I was very pleased after so much work had gone into it. It wasn't
the same 'high' I got with my first publication though - more a quiet glow
of satisfaction and a feeling of being rewarded. I still get, what I call my
'yeehar!' days when I expect something special to happen. Sometimes it does,
but often I think my 'yeehars' are connected to fluctuating hormone levels
more than anything else.
Do you write in any other genres?
I have four contemporary romances e-published with New Concepts
publishing. A romantic fantasy is being considered by an American print
publisher at the moment. I totally enjoyed writing that one.
 Pandora's Girl, the personal favourite of my books, was released recently. It's a
modern relationships novel. Many of my adult short stories have been
published in popular magazines and anthologies, and there have also been
stories for children published.
When was your first book published?
In 1992. It was a Rainbow Romance called Thread of
Destiny which
was written under another name. The Rainbow Romance line was discontinued by
Hale shortly afterwards.
How did you feel with that first book publication?
Famous - but nobody else seemed to notice I was famous!
What advice would you give to people starting out?
Not to expect success to come too easily. Write for the love of
being creative by all means, but also regard writing as a business requiring
self-discipline, persistence, and the willingness to learn the craft and
apply it to the trade.
How did you feel and react when you heard you'd been nominated for
the RBOTY?
I read the letter a few times to make sure my eyes did not deceive,
then performed a couple of imaginary leaps in the air, clicking my heels and
shouting out, olé! I felt exuberant - exhilarated - extraordinarily lucky to
have my book short-listed. The worst part was not being allowed to tell
anyone. (Guess what? I told my crit group)
I hear you have a new book coming out. Can you tell us about it, please?
Angelina is a historical romance set in 18th century England, and due for
release in April. It's the story of a girl of noble blood who was abandoned
at birth. Eighteen years later, and now a wealthy heiress, she's reunited
her with her family, which includes the young woman substituted for her at
birth. The reunion is a catalyst. The "sisters" become rivals for the love
of the same man. Family secrets are exposed and mysteries must be resolved
before the story can be resolved happily. Prologue, first chapter and cover
can be accessed through my web
site.
What are you working on at the moment?
Another 18th century historical, the plot of which isn't yet fully worked
out yet. It's giving me a hard time at the moment. I think that's because I
haven't got enough sub-plots to juggle - though outside influences are also
intruding on my concentration levels.
Janet, thanks very much for your interesting comments, and the very
best of luck with Daughter of Darkness in the RBOTY awards.
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Angelina
Janet
Woods was born in Dorset, England, moved to
Australia 34 years ago, and now
lives near Fremantle in Western Australia.