JW - We all know there are six
elements of fiction. Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. I believe the first
five lead to the sixth which for me is plot. What's your take on this?
HG - I normally begin with the plot. I
work around it.
Most mysteries begin with murder scene
and the author unravels the mystery behind the who.
My imagination took me in a different
direction with my most recent novel, DONE. I didn't begin with gruesome scene.
It doesn't begin with the discovery of a body.
The who, why, when and finally where
fall into place.
JW - How do you create your characters? Do you
have a specific method?
HG - My characters are developed
through the 'what' The villain has to
suit the crime. I have to make him or her believable, but deplorable. Or at the
very least disliked, depending on the plot. The level of education has to suit
the character.
JW. - Do your characters come before
the plot?
HG - That depends on my initial
idea. My inspiration.
When I wrote The Natasha Saga - I began
with the character Natasha. The plot for the entire saga evolved around her
character.
While working on 'Done' I began with a
specific scene, the end of the story, and wrote characters to suit the plot.
JW - Do you know how the story will end
before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?
HG - So far, in my writing, I know the
ending. It gets modified but basically I write around the initial idea.
My original idea for The Natasha Saga
ended with Book 1. Natasha's Dream. My husband read it and said, you can't end
it there. So it grew…and grew… and grew and became a continuing saga.
Natasha's Dream, Natasha's Diary,
Natasha's Hope, and Natasha's Legacy.
My latest project DONE did not end the
way I initially intended. Another ending had more impact. The basic plot
remained the same
JW - Do you choose settings you know
or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around?
HG - Homes are based on places I have
visited. In the saga, William and
Keeghan's home is similar to our current home. Their property was inspired from
a bed and breakfast we stayed in while visiting British Columbia. It was a
beautiful ocean-front piece of property.
The main home in Done is a based on a
friend's home with some changes of course. My grandparents' home inspired the
villains house.
I think it's easier when an author can
picture an actual setting in their mind.
The outdoor setting is based on a
walking trail we use daily with our dog. It isn't quite as secluded, but we can
truly see for kilometres.
JW - Where do you do your research? On line or
from books?
HG - The Saga had an historical
element so I found myself looking up dates for inventions. Cars, gas lighting,
wars, clothing, etc.
Done is not historical so I went on
line for specific terms or information to keep it legit. I also speak with
people who have knowledge in the field.
JW - Are you a draft writer or do you
revise as you go along and why? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the
characters develop the route to the end?
HG - I try to draft my plot but
then my imagination takes over with 'something shiny'. Wouldn't if be cool if…
Or, oh, this would be better if…
My mind is rather active. Like most
artists, I'm always thinking of ways to make it better. Or developing a new
plot in my mind
JW - Where can we find you on the net?
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