Image Credits:-
Many thanks to Lynsey Adams for supplying book cover, blog tour, and author pics. Many thanks to Anita D Hunt for supplying images from Cornwall relating to Behind The Curtain. Images of Anita from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick, were taken by Keith Hinchy. Other Swanwick images were taken by me, Allison Symes, as was the screenshot of Anita’s fascinating memory workbooks. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images with some directly from Pixabay.
It is with great pleasure I welcome debut novelist and fellow Swanwicker, Anita D Hunt, to Chandler’s Ford Today. Anita’s novel, Behind the Curtain, is a domestic noir published by SpellBound Books.
The novel was launched at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick following its release in paperback on 2nd August. Anita had the joy of signing copies in the Book Room, almost literally hot off the press.
Many congratulations on Behind the Curtain and welcome to Chandler’s Ford Today, Anita.
Let’s start with the blurb for an intriguing book.
BLURB
Two wives;
One dead;
One alive;
One perfect husband.
Penny-May cannot quite believe her luck when the handsome and charming Sam is interested in her, especially so soon after the death of his first wife, Lucy.
As the relationship develops and Sam’s true nature begins to emerge, Penny-May believes that it is all her fault for not being perfect, for not doing as she is told, for not being Lucy.
After all, according to everyone else, he’s the perfect gentleman. Isn’t he?
As desperation sets in, Penny-May is stunned to come across the diaries of Sam’s first wife.
Will the legacy of Lucy’s hidden diaries finally give Penny-May the strength and upper hand to escape Sam?
For details of where to buy Behind the Curtain, Anita’s biography, website and social media links, do check out the sections at the end of this interview. For now it’s question time!
1. Anita, when did you know you wanted to become a writer? Can you share something about what drove you to want to write? What do you think are the qualities a writer needs to cope with the inevitable ups and downs of the writing life? Do share how you felt when you heard Behind the Curtain was to be published by SpellBound Books.
I have always been fascinated by stories. One of my earliest memories is of the infant school running out of the Peter and Jane books in the reading scheme for me and not knowing what to give me next. It feels a natural progression to write my own as characters and plot lines run through my head.
My journey to making this a reality began about ten years ago when I switched some university credits I had acquired to the Open University and realised I only needed another 120 credits to get a Bachelor of Arts degree. This could be done by taking a Creative Writing course followed by an Advanced Creative Writing course in which I achieved a distinction grade. Shortly after this, I was given the freelance role of theatre reviewer for the largest theatre in Cornwall and was encouraged by this, and the amazing lady who ran that side of the theatre’s business, and that people did actually enjoy reading my words.
I undertook the Master of Arts in Creative Writing which is where Behind the Curtain was first thought of and it became my dissertation. I passed the MA with merit and was 3% below the distinction grade with it. It has always bugged me, that 3%.
My advice is the same as my dedication inside Behind the Curtain, that is for my three sons – never give up on your dreams.
The other one is to sit your posterior in that chair and write. It is really easy when you are caught up in your daily lives to procrastinate. With nobody pushing you on and no actual deadlines to meet, the writing can slide. The only one who can write that book is you, so sit down and write it.
When SpellBound offered me the contract I struggled to believe it for quite a while. Publication day was amazing and I am so glad that Sumaira and Nikki were both there that day. The feeling of actually holding my novel in my hands for the first time is something I will never forget.
2. What drew you into writing domestic noir? Your other books are memory workbooks for use for adults with cognitive difficulties but Behind The Curtain is so different. I love writing a mixture of fiction and non-fiction but had this been something you’d planned to do?
The memory sessions were to do with my work. I spent many years supporting adults with learning disabilities and, as part of this role, I used to do some reminiscence/memory work with the various groups. I was looking for some resources I could use to assist me with this but couldn’t find anything that was suitable for adults with cognitive difficulties. Plenty for children, but nothing for the older person.
Therefore, I started to write my own. This started with simple four-line poems of the What am I? variety. I then added questions, discussion topics and song choices, word searches, colouring pages etc all based on a specific theme. The people I worked with loved them and kept asking for them, so I decided to make them available for others to use in their own settings. I do find it quite therapeutic when I write this kind of material, it challenges my brain in a different way than writing a novel or a short story does.
As for writing domestic noir? I am fascinated by what happens to other people when they are alone, or with those they love. What is going on in that house next door where everyone else thinks perfection lays, but the occupants know it doesn’t.
I had previously mainly written female fiction for the first year of my Masters and had been scoring well on my grades with that, but I wanted to try something that used more writing techniques and would be a bit darker and grittier than I could achieve within the lighter romance genre. So when Penny-May popped into my head and started telling me her life story with Sam, and then Lucy arrived with her diaries from beyond the grave, it was a tale that had to be investigated further.
3. How many drafts did you need for your novel? How did you find the editing process? I find editing elicits a Marmite response in writers – they love it or hate it.
This is difficult as, because a fair chunk of it was required for grading on my course, there were bits that were polished and had been critiqued and edited way before I was able to write the THE END tag on the completed first draft. I’d say, once that draft was done and I had the whole novel in my hands, it was probably only two more before I sent it out to some awesome critique readers and then another one when they returned their comments.
I don’t mind the editing process, I see it as the polish and enjoy working on the writing to make it better than it was before. I also find that, because I leave a gap between each edit, I read something and take pleasure when I realise I had forgotten I’d written that bit and loved it all over again.
4. Which authors inspire you? You are based in lovely Cornwall. Has that fantastic scenery/Daphne du Maurier inspired your work? What are your favourite settings for stories? What is it about a setting which grips you (or has to grip you to make it work for you)?
I am proudly Cornish, born and bred. I always say that, as I live in everyone else’s favourite holiday spot, why should I move to anywhere else?
I love every square inch of this county and my inspiration is always from down here rather than Upcountry – as we locals call anywhere further up than the Tamar. The town of Trecase is loosely based on the real town of Newquay. I changed the name for literary reasons and because I haven’t necessarily adhered to the exact layout of our beautiful surfing capital. I needed cliffs and the sea to be within walking distance for the characters so the cliff scenes are reminiscent of Pentire Headland. I even managed to get the poppy fields of Polly Joke in there which I’m sure the eagle eyed Cornwall lovers will have recognised.
There are also a fair few Cornish customs which play a part throughout the timeline and I also used Cornish language for many of the place names – Pereusi – the restaurant – means to make ready or to prepare – Sam’s house – Karadow – means beloved/fond or loving.
I guess the feeling of a place is what grips me, it is then that the pictures start to form in my mind and the stories start begging to be told. Standing at the top of the cliffs in Newquay, listening to the crashing waves and watching the gulls swirling around on wings of trust, up and down the cliff faces that would be so treacherous to us… how can that fail to conjure up a scene that has to be told?
5. What do you like about creating characters? Is there anything you dislike? Did you outline Behind the Curtain or was it a case of getting it written and then preparing an outline for submission to publishers later?
I enjoy bringing them to life. Making them real. If there’s anything that I dislike it’s when they start to play hide and seek with me. That can be infuriating when I know they are there but they are just waiting until it’s three o’clock in the morning to show their faces or reveal that part of their character that I need for the next scene.
My outline for Behind the Curtain was a bit piecemeal, purely because of the nature of the finished book and the regime that I was writing for. I knew the beginning and end but I had to write Lucy’s diaries first because I needed to know what had happened to Lucy in order to figure out what to put in Penny-May’s path. From there, I had a basic outline for about ten chapters at a time that would lead to the conclusion. Again, because I was writing it for qualification purposes, it was get it written and worry about the submission process later.
6. What themes inspire you? From Behind the Curtain there is the theme of coercive control. Is this something you would like to write further about? What draws you to a topic or is it a case of creating the character and the topic comes through them?
I do work from the topic rather than the character. The hidden side of people is what inspires me and what they are trying to stop other people from finding out about them. For Behind The Curtain I wanted to raise the subject of coercive control and domestic abuse.
I wanted to show how easily some people can get manipulated into a situation from which they find escape difficult. I also wanted to show family loyalty and strength when a person they love are placed in adverse situations. I’m not sure if coercive control will feature in my future writing, but the darker side of human nature certainly will.
7. How easy was it to write the blurb? Having written the novel, condensing it is an art form in itself. What tips would you share for others who are having to write blurbs?
My blurb came about in a weird way. I was tasked with coming up with a tweet sized pitch for a competition so came up with a micropitch that was just 240 characters in length. From the success of that pitch – I was asked to send in a full manuscript based on it – I then worked on enlarging it for the purposes of the blurb. I then had three different versions for SpellBound to decide on which they wanted.
So as a writing blurb tip – try a micro pitch and work from there – it certainly helps to identify which bits are needed and gives your brain a bit of a workout.
8. Anita, this interview is part of a blog tour organised by Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines Book Vlog but can you tell us what other launch plans you have for Behind The Curtain? Please share three top tips on marketing.
I am a member of Rock Choir and their specialist sign language section called The Hands That Rock. I have been really supported by the members of the choir throughout this exciting time and am joining them for a special social evening where I am going to be signing the books they have all purchased.
I have also donated a book to my local library and am in talks with them to do a local author talk alongside a couple of other local authors in the near future. I also regularly join in talks with my Cornwall Writers colleagues where we discuss our anthologies and our own work.
My three top tips are:
A) Use social media as much as you can – but don’t let it take over your life. I use Facebook and Instagram mostly but am also on Tiktok, X and LinkedIn. Use tools that help you to post by scheduling for when you are not able or by sending the same post to two or three different media outlets simultaneously.
B) Don’t always talk about your books, people will start to switch off and not read your posts. Throw in the occasional one, yes, we need to sell our books after all, but post other stuff that people will find of interest. I love to post about Cornwall and about being happy, good mental health. I don’t find it a chore because it’s what I love and a part of me. People like seeing little bits of your life, what makes you human.
C) Talk to people and network. I know it can be difficult, as writers we tend to be a bit introverted and prefer talking to our characters rather than to real people, but, if you want to sell it, you have to find people who are able to help you as much as you can help them. I guess that also includes, help others. If someone reposts one of your posts, do the same thing for them – sharing is caring as they say.
9. Can you share more about what Cornwall Writers do and how they have supported your writing? What would you recommend writers to look out for when joining a writing group? What would you recommend writers do to make the most of a writing group?
I have been a member of Cornwall Writers since just after its inception and I am also on the admin team. We are lucky enough to have a real driving force in Tracey Dockree who created the group and has been relentlessly pushing us ever since. The groups ethos is to give writers with connections to Cornwall a helping hand, a chance and some support at whatever stage of their writing journey they are on.
So far, we have published three anthologies of short stories from the group and I have four short stories across the three books. The anthologies are totally group led with a poll to choose the theme – so far we have had Curiosities, Misfits and Legends; Secret and Hidden; Beneath and Beyond. Each participant then writes a short story based on that theme and it must be connected with Cornwall.
The whole group critique and edit their work and come together to ensure that each contribution is at its best when we come to publish it. The whole process usually takes between 18 months and two years because of the amount of critique and editing work that goes into this and the knowledge that everyone has their own lives to fit in also.
The contributors are all at different stages in their writing, some are seasoned veterans and others this is their first foray into the publishing world. Our third anthology – Cornwall: Beneath and Beyond – was published in June this year and the success of all three are testament to the work that goes on behind the scenes to make them so brilliant.
My advice for anyone looking for a writing group is to find like-minded people who are willing to give their knowledge and support without judgement. For how to make the most from a group? Then accept the help and support that is offered, accept the critique and work on that to improve your work.
All of our writing is precious to us, but we are often far too close to make some judgements about what is and isn’t working. If the critique is given in good spirit, then take it the same way.
10. Do you find it easy to get into a character’s head, especially when they’re not “nice”? I have to know where they’re coming from. I don’t have to agree with them. Do you start with a character bio or do you create one as you write the story and you find out more about the character as you go along?
I can get into their heads, I feel that it is essential in order to be able to portray them fully in the words that I write. However, I don’t have to enjoy being in their perspective, particularly when they are not very nice people. I did find some things that Sam did and said very difficult to write, he is the total opposite of everything I believe in – especially when it comes to people who are disabled or marginalised.
I remember it took me about three weeks to get the courage to write one particular Penny-May scene because I loved her so much, it is in her perspective, and I didn’t want to have to make her go through it. Eventually, I pulled up my big girl pants and wrote it, it is essential to the plot so I didn’t have a choice, but there are definite downsides to being in the characters’ heads when you absolutely feel their pain.
I do initially write a short bio of the basics for each character. I add to this as I go along and I find out more about them as they begin to react to the situations they find themselves in so my character creation is quite fluid throughout. I use Scrivener to write in and keep each characters notes in the side pane so I can flick in and out as and when I need to add or check something.
11. Both of us go to The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick, Anita. What do you find special about it and how has it helped you with your writing career?
This year was my sixth year at Swanwick and I know, absolutely, I would not be where I am today without it. I have met some tremendously supportive friends who are now friends for life and were also some of my beta readers for Behind the Curtain. Their selfless knowledge and support helped me to shape the novel in the final edits and they gave me the confidence to get it out there into the world.
The sheer joy of being surrounded for a whole week of people who are like-minded and want to talk about this really weird world of writing where strange people sit in your head and tell you things without wanting to call an ambulance for you is unparalleled and worth its weight in gold.
And, to go back to me saying I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Swanwick, it is where I was lucky enough to be able to meet Sumaira and Nikki, to pitch Behind The Curtain to them, and to be signed for a two-book publishing contract with them. For being able to meet this amazing duo and be accepted into the SpellBound Books Ltd team, is something I will always be indebted to Swanwick for.
12. Last but not least, good luck with the launch. Please do share anything about future writing plans.
Thank you, it has been a pleasure chatting to you. I am currently writing my next novel, also psychological suspense but I’m holding the details close at the moment. It isn’t a follow-on from Behind The Curtain though, they will both be stand-alones. I also have two-thirds of a first draft completed for a female fiction novel set in Cornwall which I am intending to complete soon.
Poetry is another love of mine, and where I first became published many years ago, and I have enough to create my first poetry book which I am also looking to publish soon.
When you have stories and tales to tell, then you never stop writing them down do you?
Conclusion
It was lovely to see you at Swanwick back in August, Anita. Congratulations on Behind the Curtain. It is a thrilling moment for any writer when they know they’re going to be published, not least because, suddenly, all that hard work in writing and editing the book is so worthwhile. To find out more about Anita and her work, do check out the links below.
ANITA D HUNT – BIOGRAPHY, BUY LINK, AND WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Anita D Hunt lives in the beautiful County of Cornwall. She has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and is a published poet, theatre critic and short story writer with four of her short stories appearing in the three volumes of Cornwall Writers anthologies. She is also an admin on the Cornwall Writers team.
Anita works in the care industry working with people with dementia and delivering cognitive stimulation therapy sessions for them. She is passionate about equality and accessibility for all. With this driving force, she has several volunteering roles within the County as well as singing and performance signing for Rock Choir Cornwall.
In what spare time she has left, she spends her time with her family, walking her elderly dog and turning her hand to anything crafty. She has often been known to say that ‘sleep is for wimps…’
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Website – Piskie Dreams
Related Posts:-
Read interviews with Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes: Part 1 and Part 2.
Read blog posts by Allison Symes published on Chandler’s Ford Today.
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