‘I love having “author” as my occupation’

Claire Wade won our competition in 2018 and her book, The Choice, was published last month and is reviewed on this month’s Bookshelf pages. Read how she did it... How does it feel to be a published author?

I can’t quite believe the amazing things that have happened. Holding my finished book in my hands was such a special feeling; I felt quite emotional to see it in the shops! Publishing a novel was a dream that almost felt too big, but now here it is. If I’m filling out a form, I now put ‘author’ for my occupation, which I love!

What do your family think?

My mum and grandma are delighted for me. I’m so pleased there’s going to be audiobook so my grandma can listen to it. She was one of the first to read the early version of the book but the story changed a lot; now she can find out what happens.

How did you find the writing experience?

It was hard work, but I’ve grown so much as a writer. It involved taking a story I’d spent seven years on and thought I was finished with and editing it page by page, reforming it into something new that I love much more. I didn’t think that was possible. I have ME, so I had to pace myself, but I could manage an hour or two at a time, rest, then work again.

What’s the biggest thing that you learned?

That I’m capable of more than I ever realised. In the first weeks of editing, I didn’t know if I could do it. I had a lot of insecurity and doubt but I had to keep going and the more I did, the more my confidence grew.

What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished the first draft of my next book. Like The Choice, it explores ideas around food and power. I’m really excited to get back to it.

CLAIRE’S BEST WRITING ADVICE

 Write something you love because you’re going to be working on it for at least a year, if not two. It has to be a story that you can’t let go of so you have the momentum to keep going.  Do as much as you can on your own – revising, rewriting – and only when you have it at a stage where you can’t do any more, share it with others.  Trust your gut. It’s your story, so you have to do what you feel is right.