Silver Cords, Planned Decisions and the Adorable Flowers Boys: An Interview With Saga Writer Carol Rivers

I read some wonderful books last year, but the one I looked forward to the most was The Fight For Lizzie Flowers by the bestselling saga writer Carol Rivers. I always look forward to Carol's books, but this one was extra special because it continues the story of Lizzie and the other characters from Lizzie of Langley Street. This week I am thrilled to welcome Carol to my blog to talk about what it was like to write a sequel.

Carol, welcome! Your books have given me so much pleasure, not to mention the sleepless nights when I just had to find out what happened next. I'm delighted to have this opportunity to ask you some questions about what it was like to write The Fight For Lizzie Flowers.

First of all, whose idea was it to write a sequel to Lizzie's story? Yours or your agent's/publisher's? And, out of all your heroines, why Lizzie in particular?

LIZZIE OF LANGLEY STREET was my first novel for Simon & Schuster and Lizzie has always been 'waiting in the wings.' When my editor asked me how I felt about developing her story, I knew at once this was the time for her to step back on stage.

How long have you known what happened next to Lizzie? Was the plot of the sequel bubbling away for a few years?

A writer, I believe, has a kind of silver cord to their characters. Perhaps we are just the cast's 'agent,' as in theatre life?

I often role play aloud, then meditate quietly on my breathing and almost at once, my mental theatre begins, as if opening my agency doors.

Could you talk a little about the logistics of writing a sequel, especially such a long time after the first book. Did you feel it was a different process to writing a stand-alone novel?

A sequel requires information from previous books. I enjoy dialogue, because it's natural and you can't fall into the trap of long paragraphs of description which might bore or confuse the reader. Back to agenting again! Keep to the 'show don't tell' rules - and you won't stop your cast from vocalising.

Is there an extra responsibility when writing a sequel? Not just to your readers, but also to your characters?

Writing is entertainment. If the juggler juggles well, you watch mesmerised. If not, you turn away. If the car salesman gives you a rough demo ride - he doesn't sell his car. If the actors on stage capture your attention, you'll continue to sit in your seat. It's a writer's one responsibility to cause the reader to turn the pages until the satisfactory last.

I have to ask you about that wedding scene. Talk about a dramatic beginning! Did you agonise over how to start the book or was that scene in your head already?

Lizzie and Danny's romance was fraught with problems. In THE FIGHT FOR LIZZIE FLOWERS, what could be more problematic than - - won't say, as it might spoil the surprise. If what happened to Lizzie had happened to me... well - perhaps it almost did!

Were there tough decisions to make about who and what to include or leave out of the sequel? And how do you tackle a story from the outset?

I would say, for the most part, planned decisions. I need an outline. Some writers don't. They write by the seat of their pants, now known as 'pantsters.' But working with a traditional publisher has trained me to plan - and plan for many reasons. Publishers need some kind of upfront information. From this, they can market your book early enought to create a demand on the electronic shelves. As for keeping to the outline, detours are inevitable. Nelson didn't duck quickly enough, Churchill's Dardenelles campaign was fatally flawed. Both detours took the war in different directions. The writer, however, is the creator of the work and must know the way.

If you have to provide plot information in advance to Simon & Schuster, does this mean you wouldn't be able to change your plot if a wonderful new development occurred to you that your characters were dying to get involved in?

Your outline is just your road map and there are always detours - roads up, wrong turns, floods! But you have your road map to guage your overall direction. Just make certain your new development results in a satisfying ending for your readers.

What is it about Lizzie that readers love and identify with?

Readers tell me they identify with Lizzie's independence, loyalty and family spirit. My test of character? I like to think I would live next door to Lizzie and I would never need to go to the movies for entertainment!

For me, one of the most intriguing aspects of the book was the way you developed the Flowers brothers, Danny and Frank. How important is character in driving the plot?

I absolutely adore them. When the brothers step on stage, one with bravery, one with cowardice, I shiver. They are two sides of the one coin. Danny falls short, Frank steps in. Frank voices his fears, Danny hides them. I could write about this deceptive duo forever!

To finish, I have to ask you this, as a number of people have asked me to put the question - might Lizzie's story become a trilogy?

Without a doubt. I'm bringing back the whole cast. Lizzie's story isn't told by half. Like us all in the modern world, Lizzie is fighting to achieve her dreams. She sits in my temporal lobe whispering tantalising secrets. Once again, I can't wait to write them!

Thank you for joining me today, Carol, to share your thoughts and provide some insight into your work. I hope I can tempt you to return, as long as you don't mind being bombarded with more questions!

I've really enjoyed being your guest, Susanna. Once again, thank you for giving me the chance to answer your insightful questions. I'd love to come back, perhaps next time with news of this year's book, a 1950s novel set in the East End and Soho, with a very ambitious 19-year-old heroine, Ruby Payne, an incorrigible shopaholic and fashion addict.

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Carol's links:

Carol's Twitter page

Her Facebook page

Carol's website, where you can find out more about her books and subscribe to her quarterly Newsletter keeping you up to date with her news, Blitz recipes, quizzes, freebies and photos.

Amazon's Carol Rivers page

Simon & Schuster's Carol Rivers page