My latest novel, The Echoes in the Cabin, is the fourth I’ve set against the verdant backdrop of the Isle of Anglesey. I’m forever inspired by its rich history, folklore and rugged, unspoiled beauty. My connection to the island is personal: my dad was born and raised here, and generations of my family lie beneath its soil. Growing up, I spent every available holiday staying with my nain and taid, and was enthralled (and slightly terrified!) by local legends and ghostly tales, something which helped sow the seeds of an idea that developed into The Echoes…
A Strong Sense of Place
A strong sense of place is vital to establish the tone of any narrative, and the untamed, windy coastal setting of Anglesey evokes a feeling of timelessness, lending itself perfectly to the possibility of long-buried mysteries and preternatural happenings. The weather certainly plays its part – while the island obviously enjoys clear skies and sunshine, I’m sure no-one familiar with the area would dispute it has its fair share of wild, grey, blustery days, helping to create a mood of gloom and unease, and framing the loneliness and desolation felt by my book’s main protagonist, Elin.
The novel centres around Traeth Coch (known in English as Red Wharf Bay), so-named after a ferocious battle during a Norse invasion, which left the sands awash with blood. Centuries later, a hoard of Scandinavian silver was discovered beneath its cliffs. Further along the headland, as a child, my dad actually unearthed a human skull, which, after a frantic police excavation of the area, turned out to be Viking in origin. Long before I’d ever begun to write the novel, this had all set the cogs turning in my brain about the likelihood of further secrets, whether bones or artefacts, crying out to be uncovered. Hence including an archaeologist as a central character!
Additionally, in the 1940s, the battered body of a woman was discovered buried in the sand, an unheard-of event which stunned the community. Seeing the house overlooking the bay where the unfortunate woman met her demise captivated my (undeniably ghoulish!) imagination as a child; learning that an ethereal white figure has been seen hovering around the site sent shivers down my spine and cemented the idea that here was the perfect, eerie setting for my book.
My First Novel
My first novel, written in 2009, was a children’s ghost story – again, set on Anglesey. Quietly pleased that I’d completed an actual book, I bought a copy of the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, scoured its pages for publishers accepting unsolicited material, mailed numerous physical and electronic copies of my handiwork, then eagerly sat back to wait.
It quickly became apparent that getting published wasn’t as straightforward as I’d hoped. Maybe I needed an agent. But again, finding someone prepared to represent me and my little book seemed increasingly unlikely. After receiving countless rejections, totally demoralised, I decided to shelve the idea. Maybe my work was sub-par; anything I submitted anywhere was destined to become another casualty of every long-suffering publisher’s slush pile and treated with an eye-roll from agents accustomed to receiving work of a far higher calibre than mine. I very nearly threw in the towel. Several long months passed, before I eventually forced myself to get back on that horse and tried writing adult fiction instead.
Getting Your Novel Published
From my first attempt at writing a novel to receiving a traditional book deal (via Avon Books’ open submissions window), it took eleven years. A lot happened in my life during those years, and writing provided welcome escapism. I think it’s a common trait among writers: a compulsion to weave words onto a blank page. I feel blessed that my manuscript landed on the right desk at the right time.
It’s elating when someone finally validates your efforts by deeming them worthy of publication. There are very many talented authors out there who, through no fault of their own, haven’t yet secured that elusive book deal. At times it can be soul-destroying. But I would urge them not to give up.
Other Things I’ve Learnt Along the Way
I’ve learned a few things along the way, which I hope might help anyone just embarking on their journey as a writer.
Unless you’re writing fantasy or have months to spare to devote to research, though it may be a cliché, it’s wise to write (at least loosely) around what you know. Read widely and analytically; listen to audiobooks (plus watch TV dramas/films) – especially in your chosen genre. Become a people-watcher – mannerisms, quirks, interactions with others – all essential for character development. Keep a pen and notepad handy to jot down ideas – thoughts that pop up in the middle of the night often infuriatingly vanish by morning!
Write daily if possible – fifty words is better than no words at all. Describe your characters’ surroundings – what can they see, feel, hear, smell? Body language can express a whole lot more than dialogue – I’ve found The Emotion Thesaurus a useful tool for this. Try to visualise your main players (maybe as someone famous, or someone you know) to make them as 3-dimensional as possible. Think about their backstories; what’s shaped their personalities? Nothing wrong with having unlikeable characters as long as they’re interesting – although it helps if your main protagonist has the occasional redeeming feature!
Plotting and Planning
I don’t plan as such (and probably should!), but do like to have an idea of how a story will conclude and where I’m working towards (although this is flexible!), so usually write an ending before fleshing out the core of the novel. Particularly if the narrative isn’t linear, keep track of timelines (I often tie myself in knots!), and ensure events are consistent (avoid someone who died years earlier re-emerging alive and kicking). Plough through your first, messy draft before being tempted to go back and tweak things. This is when you’ll have a better feel for your characters and can begin to explore their motivations and feelings. Reading passages aloud is a great way to identify clunky dialogue or over-used vocabulary, too.
Most mainstream publishers won’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, although if you’re unagented, some offer occasional open submissions opportunities. NB – no reputable publisher/agent will ever ask you for money. If anyone requires you to part with cash, give them a wide berth!
From a publisher’s perspective, marketability is key. Demonstrate a knowledge of current trends and to whom your novel might appeal – which author/authors’ work might yours be compared with? Crucially, obey submission guidelines to the letter – check whether those you’re approaching are seeking novels which fit your own style/genre – research their backlist.
Grab their interest with an intriguing opening paragraph. Finally, before submitting anywhere, ensure your manuscript is as polished as possible – if it’s littered with grammatical/spelling/punctuation errors, it’s at a disadvantage from the get-go.
Believe in yourself. Always remember – your book only needs that one person to recognise its potential. Your gateway to publication may be just around the corner!
(c) Anne Wyn Clark
About The Echoes in the Cabin:
The past won’t stay buried…
Devastated by news of a tragic accident on the haunting coast of Anglesey, Elin returns home: to the same bay where her beloved mother was swept out to sea during a terrible storm ten years earlier.
Sinking under the weight of her loss, Elin agrees to try a grief hologram: a digital reconstruction of a loved one designed to provide solace to the bereaved.
Elin’s spirits are lifted a little by the hologram experience. Until things take a sinister turn, when the avatar seems to take on a life of its own and says something that chills Elin to the core. Something which suggests that this recent death and that of her mother are linked – and that Elin herself may be in mortal danger…
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