SASKIA WALKER
A big welcome to Saskia Walker, our Celtic Heart of the Month! Let me give you a bit of background on Saskia before we start. Saskia Walker is a British author who writes across genres. Her work has been published in over fifty anthologies and her novel-length fiction spans from contemporary erotic romance to ancient fantasy. Saskia lives in the north of England on the windswept Yorkshire moors, where she happily spends her days spinning yarns.
1. How long have you been writing, and have you always wanted to be a writer?
I started writing fiction seriously in 1996, but it first occurred to me that creating my own story would be an exciting thing to do when I was about 12 years old and an avid reader. I guess the desire to be a writer took root then, but I did all sorts of other things before I settled down to give it a proper go.
2. When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
The desire resurfaced when I was doing PhD research on British art and culture in the between-wars period. It sounds funny now but I found it very restrictive, always dealing with facts! My imagination kept running away with me, and I guess that rekindled my early desire to write fiction. I made a decision to give up academia then because I realized it wasn’t right for me.
My reading patterns tend towards fantasy, romance, and erotica, and all of those things were meshed together in my vision of what I’d like to do. My first attempt was a fantasy short that I wrote when I saw a call for gothic fiction for a small press magazine called VISIONARY TONGUE. The story was accepted, and it appeared next to an article about inspiration that was written by the one and only Neil Gaiman. That was a great start, as you might imagine! Shortly afterward I sold my first erotic short story to the groundbreaking British erotica label Black Lace. For several years I continued write short stories while I dabbled with ideas for novels in the background.
3. Why did you decide to write romance novels?
As a young reader I lapped up the fun, the adventures, and the emotion of romance novels, so I guess I was bonded to the genre at an early age. I must admit I always felt dismay when the bedroom door closed the reader out, and I vowed that if I ever had the chance to pursue my dream, all the passion would be right there on the page.
4. What type of books do you write?
I enjoy challenging myself and I alternate between subgenres. Whichever subgenre I’m working in — and I’ve written suspense, paranormal, historical and time travel, as well as contemporary and fantasy settings — the thing that characterizes my work the most is its eroticism.
5. What is your ultimate professional goal as a writer?
To continue to write full time, which means earning enough to pay my bills so I can keep doing the job I love.
6. Do you have any news you'd like to share with us? Any contests finals or wins?
I recently finaled in the Passionate Plume awards with my 2008 novel RECKLESS, and one of my 2008 short stories was selected to appear in the MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW EROTICA. Both bits of news were a huge cause for celebration!
7. What is your writing routine?
My day is a patchwork of writing stints. In between times I’m doing other things while I think on the next step.
8. What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing, or are there constant interruptions?
I’m lucky to have my own office and an understanding man in my life. When I’m “writing in my head,” Mark can tell. Something about the glazed, faraway look, perhaps? He gently teases me back into the real world…as and when necessary.
9. What, in your writing, truly motivates you in general?
Making the stories real! Story ideas are always flitting about in my mind—getting them down on paper in a cohesive, readable story format for the reader is the goal. Having readers enjoy that story is the ultimate reward.
10. How do we find out about you and your books? Do you have a web site or Blog?
Yes indeed, my website is here: http://www.saskiawalker.co.uk/home.html
And my blog here: http://www.saskiawalker.blogspot.com/
11. What can we expect from you in the future?
Hopefully some enjoyable Celtic reading! I’m currently writing paranormal erotic romance for Harlequin Spice and my first two novels are set in Scotland. The stories draw on Scottish folklore surrounding witchcraft. RAMPANT is the first title (due out in April 2010) and that story began to surface in my mind when we stayed in an old fisherman’s cottage in the East Neuk of Fife. I had enormous fun researching and writing the story. Working on it spawned lots of other ideas, and I foresee a future with lots more research trips to Scotland—bliss.
12. What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
Reading is my number one recharge activity, I also love watching films and comedy. We’re lucky to be based in Yorkshire, a beautiful county, and we can get into the local countryside easily.
13. Do you have a writing partner to bounce ideas off of?
My Real Life Hero, Mark, is a wonderful plotting partner. I always discuss my ideas with him and he's truly gifted. He’s a lateral thinker, which I'm not, and he can help me out when I’m stuck. He helps me make leaps with plotting that I would otherwise struggle with.
14. How do you define the type of writer you are? Do you outline or go with the flow?
I always outline, but I consider that a flexible roadmap rather than a strict guide. The writing process is organic and new ideas will present themselves along the way. It pays to be open to them, even if I have my route all plotted out.
15. What do you think of critique groups in general?
I have a couple of author pals I am partnered up with for critiques and proofing. I haven’t been involved in a group.
16. How important is the happily-ever-after ending?
I couldn't possibly write a long story without a positive ending because I fall for all my heroes! Even if I dance around the happy ending for a while midway through a story, readers will always find a happy-for-now ending, at the very least. It’s that positive, life affirming aspect of romance that drew me to the genre, and I want readers come away from my books with a warm, fuzzy feeling.
17. What is your goal within the next year or so for your writing career?
I’m just starting work on my second Harlequin Spice novel, THE HARLOT, another Scottish set story. My goal is to make that the best book I've ever written. It’s a challenging storyline so I have my work cut out, but I’m going to enjoy that challenge. Writing teaches us new things every day, and that’s part of its joy.
Thanks Saskia!
Thank you! The Celtic Hearts are such a talented and knowledgeable group of writers and I love being part of the chapter. It’s an honor to be the Celtic Heart of the month.