Sharon’s Writing Process

It all starts with a blank page and a pen. An idea, a hook that forms the theme of the

story. It can be anything from a word or a phrase or even the words of a song, that sets

me off. For instance, my first published novel, The Shakespeare Murders (2017), if we

discount my self-published novel Riders on the Storm (October 2000), began with my

desire to create a thriller involving Shakespeare and the London stage. As a student of

English Literature, I’ve always loved Shakespeare, and I was aware that he wrote for the

stage. So, I thought it would be interesting to recreate the Elizabethan stage and set a

whodunnit in that setting. This endeavour took me back to my notes from College, to all

the works related to the English stage and the host of material on Shakespeare. I went

through some of my favourite Shakespeare plays again to immerse myself in that world

and then started forming the plot. I decided early on that it would centre around murders

in Shakespeare’s company, The Chamberlain’s Men. So, I began to think about motive.

Who would want to murder players (or actors as they were called at the time)? How

would they do it? Quietly or in front of the audience? Or both? Once I got the main plot,

then came the subplots, the red herrings, the events aimed at misdirection. This brings

us to an important question, which I’ve been asked quite often: Does the plot drive the

characters or do the characters drive the plot? The latter, obviously. So, out came all the

interesting characters we meet in the novel: Queen Elizabeth and her courtiers;

Shakespeare and the players in the company; players in the rival companies; the

detective-knight Sir Geoffrey Drake, and so on.

How do I actually write? By hand or on the computer?

I used to write the first draft entirely by hand but I’ve got accustomed to my laptop now

so it’s mostly on the computer.

What time of the day do I write?

Anytime, whenever I get a chance! Since I’m working, I try and grab half an hour during

the day around lunch time during the week. On weekends, it’s mostly early morning or

in the afternoon when everyone’s taking their afternoon siesta. When I’m in the zone,

finishing my last draft, I often get up as early as 4 a.m. to get cracking.

Where do I write?

At my desk in office or the dining table at home or at my folding table in bed.

How long does it take to finish a book?

Approximately 2 years. 1 year of research and another year of actually writing it.

How often do I write?

As often as possible. I try and write a little every day. It’s important to show up and be

consistent.

Do I read while I’m writing a novel?

Oh yes, always. Usually novels in the same genre, thrillers. But I revert to Bill Bryson for

humour and travel stories and to Shakespeare ever so often, too.