So the other day when I was chatting with Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat … Oh did I not mention?  Yes, Joanne and I go way, way back.  To February 7th 2014 to be precise.  Okay so we weren’t exactly alone and it wasn’t exactly in person… alright it was a live web chat with Stylist UK!  But still, it’s kind of amazing to be able to talk to one of your writing idols and ask them about their process, insights and experience.

Now what I’ve always loved about Joanne Harris is that she doesn’t stick to any one ‘formula’ when it comes to writing successful novels.  Her stories tend to jump all over the place – my favourite being Blackberry Wine, probably because it has a dual narrative and two separate timelines, one set in present-day France, one set in Yorkshire twenty years earlier.  Then there’s the non-fiction cookbook My French Kitchen and most recently The Gospel Of Loki, a fantasy novel based on Norse mythology.  While her central themes of everyday magic, being an outsider, the sensuality of food and obviously her connection to France run through her novels, she is not afraid to take on different genres.

The question of exploring new genres was a very important one for me.  My own debut novel, The Cross Of Santiago is a Time-Slip novel, also with a split narrative and separate timelines.  I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed writing that novel!   Historical fiction can be so engaging and the research like an exciting treasure hunt.  Tying up two completely different stories into one novel was challenging but so rewarding and I think it makes for a very interesting read.  But do I want to write an endless list of Time-Slip novels?  I’m not sure.  I love incorporating historical elements into my stories and I’m sure I will write another Time-Slip novel, but I’m not sure if I want to feel pressured into staying in the one genre.

Like Joanne, (I call her Joanne now!) I have found my own distinctive style and writing voice and would hope that this is what readers would look for when they decide to pick up one of my books.  Because what is the point in taking readers on the same journey, over and over again, just to play it safe?  Now I’m sure we all know traditionally published authors (who shall remain nameless!) who are very successful at rehashing the same old formula time after time.  The powers that be tell us to find our genre and stick to it – apparently that’s the only way to build a fan base.  But surely in self-publishing there has got to be a bit more leeway when it comes to expressing yourself as a writer?

So, that was my question for my BFF Joanne 🙂