Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Clare Scopes
Book Title: Drawing the Line
Released: 11/09/20
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Drawing the Line”?
Scopes: Having never written a whole novel before, only the first ten thousand words or so, Drawing The Line was my first attempt to embark upon the task with an actual outline. Before that I was a complete panster. And didn't get far. This time I set out to write a traditional three-act story with a strong romantic element, and after watching an excellent documentary about Walt Disney, I got interested in the women who worked in the animation industry in the late 1930s, and the fact that their work largely went uncredited. The context gelled with my interests in art, feminism and social history.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Scopes: Well, I didn't spent too much time thinking about it. I did a little research to find common names of the era. Maggie Goodwin gets her surname from an ex-boyfriend of mine, Ted gets his name from my love of Teddy bears, and is a soft, kind sort of name (if you forget Ted Bundy). And you know what, I can't remember the other names! Generally, I choose names pretty quickly and then they just stick.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Scopes: Nope. But if anyone has specific questions, feel free to ask me through Goodreads. :)
If "Drawing the Line" were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Scopes: Ooh. I really like this question. Let me think…Maggie would be played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Ted by William Hurt. But you'd have to put William in a time Machine to make him young enough for Maggie. No, hang on, you'd have to put Maggie in the time machine. Or something. Lets not get too hung on the time/space continuum.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Scopes: Don't hate me but honestly I don't really get writers block. I get days when words don't flow so easily, but I've come to recognise the ups and downs as part of the process, some waves are big and take you far and others are just little lapping ones. If you get stuck just push on. Even if you only manage to squeeze out a sentence or two it's good. I'm lucky to have the luxury of staying at home all day and writing without the need to work or look after a family, (again, don't hate me). I tend to look forward to writing every day as my food. If I don't write or do something creative I feel sad.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Scopes: Don't over-edit. Keep going. Don't expect anyone to give a rats ***** that you've written a book.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Scopes: I like satire. Austin or Brett Easton Ellis. Love classics. F Scott Fitzgerald, Orwell, Margaret Atwood, love Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca.
What are you working on next?
Scopes: Many projects. Possibly too many. I've finished the second draft of my Austen-esque Regency comedy/romance, Truth & Fallibility. I have a novella on the boil, a departure from historical fiction set on a bizarre cruise about fans of the fictional heavy-rock band, Love Monsta. I have a musical in the making, a spoof of a certain well-known soap opera, and, on the back-burner furthest from reach, a three-part saga set in 1920's Australia about a money-hungry con-artist and her twin brother, a silent film star in search of his real father. Well. Better get on with it then…
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here:
Interested in submitting your book for review? Visit my review page for guidelines and submission requirements.
review