My dear Gentle Reader, I recently had a super fun podcast interview all about one of my favorite things… libraries!
The Circulating Ideas podcast, interview dropped Feb 25, 2020. I giggle a lot because I am so pleased and honored to talk to a real librarian.
Here are some of the questions I answered with extra notes & fun links for you!
What is your relationship with libraries and librarians in your life and work?
I chat about being a library page my first job.
Can you discuss the importance of research when writing your books?
I told my hot air balloon story and talk about using not just primary and secondary books but also children’s books.
Books I use all the time for Victorian research:
Primary:
- The Ladies’ Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners by Eliza Leslie
- Baedeker’s travel guides
- Things a Lady Would Like to Know Concerning Domestic Management and Expenditure by Henry Southgate
- Plain home talk about the human system by Edward Bliss Foote
Secondary:
- To Marry an English Lord by Gail Maccoll
- What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool
- Eyewitness Books: Train; Flight
Bonus!
Find these books and more on my Research List.
Some of my research books.
Impetus for moving from adult fiction into YA?
Blog post on this in detail here.
What’s different about writing for an YA audience?
I talked about being harder, snappier, shorter, tighter – must pay attention to pacing. I have a blog post on pace versus plot.
How did you decide to combine steampunk and paranormal?
I talked about the scientific thought experiment that started it all. And have a bunch more on Worldbuilding the Parasolverse.
What types of things do you find yourself doing to avoid writing?
Here’s a follow up: When I’m not writing
How is your writing style reflected in your personal style?
I talked about how being an archaeologist effected by aesthetic choices. Here I am ranting about proper dress.
What are you reading now? YA/Adult?
I shouted out:
- House of the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in)
- The Afterward by E.K. Johnston (YA lady knights, YES)
- Jupiter Storm by Marti Dumas (midgrade, strong bossy girl with garden)
More on Libraries?
- The Life Cycle of a Library Book
- Awful Library Books Best of 2019
- How to order a digital book from your local library.
Yours (destined to retire in a library),
Miss Gail
- Want audiobook codes, early access to special editions and more? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
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BOOK DE JOUR?
Meat Cute: The Hedgehog Incident featuring Alexia & Conall’s first encounter!
OUT NOW!
In this short story Alexia Tarabotti attends what seems to be a dull London party, until the new werewolf Alpha turns up, is unconscionably rude to her, and sits on a hedgehog.
Upcoming Scribbles?
- Defy or Defend featuring Dimity
- Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.
Gail’s Daily Tea Party
Tisane of Nifty
A librarian has a lot of fun with graphic novels, read the titles out loud in order… (photo courtesy of my assistant, Kelly).
Writerly Tincture
Book Nibble
Quote to Sip
Tags: Q&A