What can you tell our readers about your new novel A Humble Companion?
It’s about George III’s vast family, in particular one of his daughters, Princess Sofy, and told from the point of view of Nellie, the Humble Companion recruited to give Sofy a non-royal perspective on the world.
The novel is set in 1788, how did you go about researching this period in history?
The same as I research any period. I read a lot then try to kind of pre-chew it for my readers.
What made you want to write about this time?
Well it was a fascinating time, French Revolution, Napoleonic Wars, the start of railways and the Industrial Revolution, plus the story of Princess Sofy and her sisters really drew me.
How did your career in journalism aid your writing?
I don’t know that it did, except perhaps that I’m quite anal about deadlines and I deliver pretty clean copy.
What is your writing process?
I go to my desk at 9am five mornings a week and give or take a bit of cooking and ironing I stay there till 6pm.
How diffuicult is to encorporate historical facts with fiction without overloading the reader with detail to set it in a specific time frame?
Well some readers love fact overload. Personally I don’t. I think judging the balance is a question of instinct or ear. Like some people will never realise they’re singing off-key.
What advice can you give to someone wanting to write about this period in history?
The same advice I give to anyone who wants to write about anything. Sharpen your pencil and begin.
What plans do you have for another novel?
I’m working on a novel about the sleb cult around Lord Nelson.
Who are your favourite reads?
I read biographies, popular science and the classics I never read during my misspent youth.
Who have been your biggest influences in your writing?
I find Jane Austen faultless and I could read Evelyn Waugh till the cows come home. I also bend my knee to Elmore Leonard’s perfect commercial touch.
Female First Lucy Walton
by Lucy Walton
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