Best of Author Q&A

“Everybody’s journey to publication is different. Everyone has different pressures, lives and difficulties to deal with, so I don’t like giving advice, except to say never give up. Keep pushing until your dreams become a reality.” — Fleur MacDonald

McDonald is the author of four books, including Silver Cloud.

“Whenever possible, take a break and have a cappuccino and a salted caramel macaron.” — Nicola Moriarty

Moriarty is the author of two books, including Paper Chains.

“Developing your own tone is so important; it’s what keeps readers coming back for more.” — Gemma Crisp

Crisp is a magazine journalist and the author of Be Careful What You Wish For.

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“Outsource, outsource, outsource. If you can get a cleaner or someone to do the ironing once a fortnight, for example, then do it, and use the few hours you saved to go to the park with the kids or see a friend or treat yourself to some time out. There are only a set number of hours in a day and the best thing is to choose carefully where, how and with whom you want to spend them.” — Sally Obermeder

Obermeder is a TV reporter, cancer survivor and author of Never Stop Believing.

“You can have it all, just not all at the same time.” I’ve made peace with that concept.” — Catriona Rowntree

Rowntree is a reporter and the author of A Grandmother’s Wisdom: Lessons learnt at my Nan’s knee.

“Keep at it. Talent or a love of words or a good story just isn’t enough — it takes stubbornness to finish a book. Then more stubbornness to polish it, and the same again to get it into the hands of an agent or publisher.” — Jaye Ford

Ford is the author of five novels, including Just Breathe.