Helena Fairfax | Novels Now

Writing is a solitary occupation.

Joan Hessayon contenders 2014

That’ll be why Lin Treadgold is seen here, front centre, partying.

JK Rowling famously wrote in an Edinburgh café. I’ve written on stage sets when the actor needed extra words or different words. I’ve also written in a café, but I wouldn’t like readers to think I’m jumping on any bandwagons.

I did, too, rush to record my impression of arriving in Istanbul airport. It was busy with a returning pilgrimage and crowded with people in their pilgrimage clothes. Not a little surreal to be surrounded by large bearded gentlemen in pristine white robes. I needed to get the impression down.

But truly, the most common experience of writing is in a bubble of aloneness. Here’s Edinburgh JH contender, Jennifer Young.

Jennifer Young

A lot of dramatic work these days, particularly comedy scripting is collaborative. It’s really hard to go on thinking up fresh ideas, so having a buddy or buddies to test them against is a good thing. Here’s Helena Fairfax, glamorous in red, with friends.

Helena Fairfax

As always, the Romantic Novelists’ Association put on a lovely evening at their Summer Party following the AGM. Sponsored by Dr. David Hessayon in memory of his late wife, the Joan Hessayon award marks that moment when a writer ‘graduates’ from the New Writers’ Scheme into publication. I was a contender last year with Mariah’s Marriage and like the three ladies mentioned above, I wasn’t the winner on the night, but I had a wonderful time.

Party, party, party because tomorrow you return to the cave and solitary contemplation.

ps the winner in 2014 was Jo Thomas with The Oyster Catcher. Congratulations.

http://goo.gl/pASdjp Mariah’s Marriage amazon US
http://goo.gl/NxYxj5 Mariah’s Marriage UK
http://goo.gl/PKptQg Bella’s Betrothal US
http://goo.gl/5RBzIm Bella’s Betrothal UK

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Mariah Fox is my leading lady as she’s the heroine of my debut novel Mariah’s Marriage

London Girl

Thank you to Rachael Thomas for tagging me to follow her in the My Main Character blog hop. Rachael’s blog is here:

http://rachael-thomas.blogspot.co.uk/

Also talking about her main character after Rachael is Kate Blackadder here:

http://goo.gl/gsoG7L

Mariah is a fictitious character.

When and where is her story set? I set Mariah’s story in London, 1822. George the fourth has been on the throne for two years and that means it’s not strictly a Regency, but I hope it has all the same qualities. Sparkling dialogue, a fast paced changing society, frocks and horses.

What should we know about her? She is an educated person who happens to be female.

What is the main conflict? Mariah is passionate about education and would like to spend her life working in the teaching profession, but an earl comes along and thinks she might make him