Our Writer Of The Week is author Sara Partington. Sara’s new serial, “A Deadly Discovery”, begins in the April 12 issue, on sale this week.
In my mind, this is your best serial yet for the “Friend”. How would you describe “A Deadly Discovery” to the readers?
Very kind. I hope “Friend” readers enjoy it as much as I was entertained researching and writing it. It’s based on the real-life discovery in 1912 of a cache of mysterious 16th/17th century treasure (now called the “Cheapside Hoard”, which is displayed in the London Museum). It was fun to reimagine the unknown labourers who happened upon such a spectacular find.
What became of those men, I wondered, and what impact did the treasure have on others’ lives? The “sardonyx” featured in the serial is a cameo in which a craftsman used the difference in colours between the orange “sard” and white “onyx” to depict a face.
If it were possible, what era would you like to visit for one day?
Gosh, so many options! Rather than an era, may I have an event? Possibly a visit by Shakespeare’s players to the court of Elizabeth I, or Howard Carter’s 1922 opening of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Or the day in 1811 that Jane Austen received her first, bound copy of “Sense And Sensibility”. Bag packed, when do I go?
You are a highly successful “Friend” writer. What has pleased you the most about your writing journey thus far?
It’s always a joy to see any work in print, but I’ve recently been happy to see the occasional poem appear. It’s a different challenge and skill to condense words into “verse pictures”, making every word or even syllable count and resound. I hope readers see my name and know to read my poems aloud!
Hearing from readers is also very pleasing; to know that something I created made them laugh, or remember a special time in their life.
Serials or short stories. Which is your favourite to write and why?
That’s a toughie, as each has its pros and cons. Short stories have the satisfaction of wrapping up neatly and quite quickly, but I think the planning and intricacy (and trap/clue-laying for later, channelling my inner Agatha Christie) of serials probably takes it by a whisker.
Can everyone learn to become a better writer?
Absolutely. The past few years have taught me the truth of the oft-repeated maxim that a piece of work is made in the editing rather than the writing.
Once you’ve finished, leave it alone: overnight, a couple of days, a week. Then go back and reread. Often a piece of work can be improved, whether tightened, expanded, or taken in another direction entirely.
One golden rule is “never throw anything away”. Ideas and fragments of conversation may prove useful on another occasion. Read as well as write. Meanwhile, dream and talk to yourself as though you were “X” character or “Y” baddie.
It’s amazing what your imagination comes up with when you’re not looking. The other golden rule is to write down an idea once it has presented itself – trust me, you won’t always remember it in the morning!
Does story inspiration come easily to you?
There’s a story in everything if you keep your eyes and ears open. Conversations with friends, reading the news, sitting on the bus or walking in the countryside. Always think, “What if…?” Thoughts and observations can take you in all sorts of directions.
I keep a list of plot ideas, sometimes eliding themes, events or characters.
If someone wanted to write for the “Friend”, what advice would you give them?
Write what you’d like to read, but also read some back copies of the magazine itself to get a feel for your readership.
The purpose of a piece – whether short story, serial instalment or poem – is for the reader to enjoy the read and sometimes even feel better about the world.
Most importantly, don’t take your reader for granted – they’re doing you the honour of spending a few minutes with you.
Make them feel it was time well spent!
Thanks, Sara!
You can buy issues of “The People’s Friend” on Mags Direct, in newsagents and supermarkets every Wednesday, or by money-saving subscription.
If you enjoy fiction, don’t miss our stories and serials online, too.
Alan Spink I am a member of the “Friend” Fiction Team. I enjoy working closely with writers and being part of the creative process, which sees storytelling ideas come to fruition. A keen reader, I also write fiction and enjoy watching football and movies in my spare time. My one tip to new writers is “write from your imagination”.
