Fiona Robyn Interview

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Interview with the author of The Letters, FIONA ROBYN

by Lori Tiron-Pandit

When did you know you were writer?

I knew I was a reader long before I knew I was a writer. I've always loved books and I can remember copying passages from books into a notebook when I was quite young. I wrote my first poem when I was about twenty, and wrote poetry for many years before trying a novel. I'd give up being a writer before I gave up being a reader!

When did you start writing The Letters?

I started writing it a few years ago. It is actually my third novel, but it'll be the first one to come out. The Blue Handbag will come out with Snowbooks in August, and then Thaw in February next year. I'd been looking for a publisher since completing Thaw, at least five years ago.

What part of the book do you feel most passionate about?

I am very fond of Violet, although I can understand that not everyone would find her easy to like! Certain bits of the book make me cry, but I'd be giving the story away if I told you which bits... I also love language, and so I feel pleased with some of the imagery and descriptive nuggets.

What is your view of the publishing world after the experience with your first novel?

My publisher, Snowbooks, is a small company with big clout, and so my experience has been quite unique, and I've only heard stories about being with the 'big boys' from fellow writers. I've very much enjoyed working with my editor and publisher, and I see their job as 'getting the book into the shops', which they have achieved with great success. I think there is a lot of cynicism around about the publishing world, but after all they are there because they need to make money - I see it as a real privilege to have my books in the world. I think there is a lot of luck and perseverance involved in getting published. I try to enjoy the process of writing as much as I can, and I've always seen getting published as a “long term goal”. That helped during those five years, but I had bad days when I wanted to chuck it all in - I think all writers do! The trick is NOT to chuck it all in.

How important have been your blogs and web presence for your writing?

Hmm - good question. To answer the first bit, I do think my http://asmallstone.com site an important way for me to “honour” the writer in me - and to make sure that I write something every day, even if it's only a few words. I also love writing at http://www.plantingwords.com - it gives me a space to work things out, or reflect on my writing practice. In terms of how effective they are as 'marketing tools', then I'm not sure as I don't have anything to compare it with - but I have certainly found very many friends and very many fans of my work over the years through my blog and internet presence. The trick for me is to enjoy it, and know that I'd be doing it whether or not it has an affect on my book sales. Although book sales would be lovely!

Do you have any ritual meant to inspire and spark your writing?

I only have one small ritual, which is lighting a tea-light before I start writing and blowing it out when I'm finished. It sits in a kind of coppery metal mini-birdcage, which my good friend Esther Morgan (a very fine poet) gave me. It helps to remind me that I'm not alone - other writers are out there, all by themselves in their offices or bedrooms, typing away at the same time as me!

Fiona Robyn is an author of our times who writes books while also blogging daily about her writing, as well as about and other “small stones”--bits and pieces of insight and wisdom, gathered while walking through her daily life, or found by other people, on their own journeys.

Her blogs have been for me a reminder to pause and breathe in and then breathe out, a great source of well-being on moments when life seems to weight too heavy.

She gracefully answered a few questions about her writing journey and her first novel, The Letters, a book that brings to life characters of rare complexity and unexpected persistence in the reader’s mind.

For more information on Fiona Robyn and her writing, you can visit her web site at: www.fionarobyn.com.

You can read my review of The Letters here.