Paths to Publication: Evelyn Cosgrave
Evelyn Cosgrave is the latest writer represented by Font International to launch her career to a flurry of media interest and a steady climb up the bestseller charts. Below she talks about her writing life and offers her three top tips for writing success.
Evelyn’s first book, Desperately Seeking, has been described as “Brilliantly funny and engaging” (Sunday Independent) and “well written, with humour and emotion” (RTE Guide). It has garnered Evelyn interviews in the Irish Times, Evening Herald, Irish Daily Mail and other press, as well as on TV and radio, together with the widespread reviews.
All are agreed — Evelyn is a bright and bubbly new star on the commercial fiction scene. See her writing tips below.
Why do you write?
“I write to keep the writer in me happy. I write because I want to. I write because I’m always surprised (sometimes disappointed) but always glad to have had the experience. Because I like the escape. I’ve always daydreamed a lot; for me writing is a more constructive way to daydream. I’m happy when I do it and a little anxious when I don’t.”
What kind of a writer are you?
“I’m interested in people and what’s going on inside their heads. I like to write about characters and see how they interact. I’m no good at description (as in nature or anything that requires intricate detail). I used to be in love with language but much less so now—I think it interferes with the storytelling. Now I’m quite happy to be in love with other people’s language.
I’m also useless at anything that requires research but I think that’s probably a symptom of being new at all of this. Hopefully when I settle down I’ll have the patience (and the time) to do research and not be afraid that the ideas will disappear before I start.”
List your top three tips for writers.
“1) Read. I remember hearing, at a very young age, that in order to be a writer you have to read a lot. I have always read a lot but I used to think I must be a slow learner or something because nothing dramatic happened.
Now I get it. Reading everything and anything you’re interested in or can lay your hands on does eventually pay off (apart from the obvious joy of the reading). Things like structure and style and voice and character are slowly forming (unconsciously probably) all the while — but it may take a long time before your own style and voice emerge.
2) Write. It’s so obvious but it’s true. If you don’t write you can’t write. I don’t think it matters what you write, sometimes, as long as you do.
If the novel isn’t happening try the short story. If that’s not working try poetry. If you’re not inspired, write your diary. Can’t take the introspection, compose a letter to imaginary friends. The practice pays off and you eventually write your way into something that might go somewhere. Then, once you feel you might be going somewhere, keep going and don’t get distracted.
Don’t wash the dishes. Write.
3) Daydream. Allow the writer in you to have space even when you’re not writing.
Remember what you see and hear. Make notes, maybe. Read your notes when you don’t think you have anything to write about. Value any time that can be spent just ‘being’. You never know what might slip into your sub-conscious.”
Evelyn juggles a day-job teaching and caring for two young daughters with writing novels. If she can make the time to write and publish well, anyone can.
Over to you…
3 Responses to “Paths to Publication: Evelyn Cosgrave”
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March 8th, 2008 at 4:26 am
I love the suggestion to daydream. My life has evolved to help me believe in Albert Einstein who said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” It is in learning to permit the ideas flow that we discover and value the creativity and spontaneity within ourselves.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
this is an inspiring writer. I’d like to read her book
November 13th, 2008 at 5:53 am
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