Chick-lit your career

Novel Pursuits

OMG: What do you think are the common mistakes in trying to write your first book – what mistakes did you make?

Lisa Heidke: A common early mistake and certainly one I made, was thinking that my manuscript was good enough to send to publishers after only a couple of drafts. Usually you only get one chance to pitch your manuscript – so make sure it’s the absolute best you have to offer. Write the first draft and then stick it in a cupboard for three months. Absolute torture, I know. But after three months, you’ll have gained much need perspective and distance and be able to read your manuscript with fresh and objective eyes. 

Rather than give your manuscript to friends and family who may gush over the fact you’ve written 85,000 words but not honestly tell you what they think of your writing and the story you’ve laboured over for six months, pay a free-lance editor to offer constructive criticism and advice on where to take your manuscript from here.

OMG: Any others?

Lisa Heidke: Yes, the other mistake I made was trying to write a story I thought would appeal to publishers. In doing so I squashed my own voice. It was only when I threw away my first manuscript and started writing a story I believed in, that my words flowed naturally. Instead of forcing an artificial writing style, I let my inner and natural writing voice take over.

OMG: Where do you get your inspiration? And do you write every day?

Lisa Heidke: Mostly, my inspiration comes from everyday life, conversations with friends, stories I see on the news and read in newspapers and magazines. I write contemporary fiction so my novels usually reference pop culture and what’s going on in the wider community/world.

I also tend to eavesdrop on conversations at coffee shops and restaurants …discreetly, of course.

I try to write four days a week during school hours during the school term. I don’t write during the holidays. Having said that, if I’m mid way through a manuscript I try to take notes when a thought or scene hits me, but generally, I only write when the kids are at school (or ensconced in front of the TV with sugary treats.) 

OMG: Tell us about your new book, is it about the same heroine?

Lisa Heidke: My first novel, Lucy Springer Gets Even is about Lucy, an out of work actress and mother, who is living through a renovation nightmare when her husband suddenly takes off and she is forced to get her act and life together. I wanted to write a light hearted story in diary form about a woman whose husband leaves her, day one, sentence one. I thought it would be interesting to look at a woman in her mid-thirties with a couple of kids who thinks her life is moving happily along and rip it to shreds. I plotted Lucy’s journey from the depths of despair and bewilderment on day one to her getting her life together by day sixty-five.

My second book that’s just been released is called What Kate did Next and is about Kate Cavendish, a married mother of two, who rediscovers her passion for life amidst dealing with a distant husband, a rebellious thirteen-year-old daughter, a heavily pregnant and neurotic sister and parents who reunite after twenty years apart. Kate has a lot to deal with and her life quickly spirals out of control. 

With Kate’s story, I wanted to create a snap shot of typical suburban life where the mother’s career has been sidelined in favour of keeping house and raising a family. Then ask the question: What happens when she wakes up one morning to discover that the dreams she had for herself at twenty, aren’t any closer to becoming a reality at the age of thirty-six? I wanted to write an essentially realistic but optimistic story. However, I felt there wasn’t enough mayhem so threw in a pregnant, neurotic sister and aging parents reuniting after many years apart.

A core theme centres on the sometimes difficult yet loving relationships between mothers, grandmothers, daughters and sisters. This theme is really at the heart of What Kate Did Next  - Kate has an all-consuming love for her mum, sister and daughter, despite the heartbreak that such closeness brings. 

OMG: Who is your favourite author?

Lisa Heidke: Marian Keyes is definitely one of my favourite authors. When I read Watermelon, I thought it was fabulous and laugh out loud funny. I was interested to find out more about her life. Then when I read how difficult Keyes journey had been, (she suffers from depression and has talked about her journey with alcoholism) I felt even more inspired and encouraged to write. 

OMG: What are you reading right now?

Lisa Heidke: The how-to manual for my new HP Pavillion Entertainment PC! I don’t understand a word of it.

We have 3 copies of What Kate Did Next published by Allen & Unwin to give away. To score a wicked weekend read send us an email with your address and the word ‘Kate’.

Read Lisa’s latest blog for Omigoddess!

By Julie Hamilton on Thursday, January 28, 2010 and filed under 'Money and Work' | (3)


Authors Website: http://www.omigoddess.com.au

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