Elizabeth Rose Murray

Writing requires dedication, passion, skill and sheer hard work. Laura Cassidy, a young Irish author who recently secured a book deal with Puffin Ireland, radiates all these qualities. An inspiring and talented individual, Laura generously made time for an interview between rewrites and meetings with her editor…

Tell us about your journey to becoming a published writer.

I am not published yet but I have just signed a publishing deal with Puffin Ireland. My first novel, Angel Kiss will be out in early 2011. It is the first book in a teenage crime series. I started sending query letters to agents and publishers in February 2008. I knew very little about the industry at the time but I was to discover that getting published is a very lengthy process. Eighteen months of rushing to the postbox and obsessively checking my emails followed and then came the magical day when I got an agent and then an offer from Puffin came shortly afterwards.

It sounds like you needed lots of patience. What was the most challenging aspect along the way?

Trying to stay positive. Around the time I started querying, my mum lent me her copy of The Secret. It is all about the art of positive thinking. Reading that book really helped me to stay confident about my writing, but now and again I would slip back into my pessimistic ways, especially after receiving a rejection.

Which authors do you like to read?

I love Mary Higgins Clark. I always buy her new books the day they come out, and usually have them finished the next day. When I was trying to put more suspense in my writing, another writer recommended her books to me. I sat down with my notebook and pen and started reading Loves Music Loves to Dance. I read the whole thing in one go and was so engrossed in it that I didn’t even think to take a single note. Mary Higgins Clark certainly deserves her title as the Queen of Suspense. I also like reading Tracy Chevalier, Sue Townsend, Nick Hornby, Roddy Doyle, Alex Barclay, Eoin Colfer and lots more.

How and when did the idea for your book present itself?

I honestly cannot remember when the idea for this series popped into my head. It was about three years ago. I hear about writers who get ideas for books and short stories all the time, but I had never thought of an idea for a book before this one appeared.

Thank goodness it did! So, reveal a little about your book…

My book is called Angel Kiss and is teenage crime with a supernatural edge. It tells the story of Jacki King, a fifteen year-old who is adjusting to her new life in a small Irish village. She misses Dublin but starts to make new friends: artistic Colin, feisty Emily – and Nick, gorgeous but unavailable. But just as Jacki is settling in she starts to suffer from recurring nightmares and frightening visions. She refuses to believe that anything paranormal could be happening, but then she hears about the unsolved murder that occurred in the village, thirty-two years before…

Which is your favourite character?

My favourite character is Jacki. She is the kind of girl that I would love as a friend. She is fun and fearless but there is also a great depth to her personality. She plays guitar, likes rock music and wears vintage clothes.

She sounds like the kind of girl everyone wants to know. Are there any characters that surprised you or that you dislike?

There is one character that really surprised me. At the beginning I didn’t like her at all, but as the book progressed I got a clearer picture of her motives and what drives her. I don’t want to give too much away, so I won’t mention her name. As I wrote Angel Kiss the characters really did take on a life of their own, and I know so much about them now that they seem like real people to me. I hope that doesn’t sound too crazy.

Not at all. That is what makes your characters believable…

Aristotle said, “Even when laws have been written down, they ought not always to remain unaltered.” Do you think this is true for writing also?

I do think that when you have mastered the rules of writing, then you are free to experiment with altering them. Some writers do it brilliantly. In terms of children’s writing, Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book springs to mind. It is particularly dark and jumps from lots of different points of view. I try not to get too caught up in rules, I just write in the way that comes naturally to me.

What opportunities do you think being a published author will bring?

I have no idea. I am just delighted to be able to call this my job. I am truly passionate about writing, and although it is sometimes difficult, I love every second of it. I enjoy being part of the writing community and love meeting other writers.

The passion shows. And now you have achieved your dream of being a novelist. What advice would you give other aspiring writers?

Write every day and never give up. Even if you just write a paragraph in the morning, I think it’s vital to write regularly. It is important to read, but it is even more important to write. If you can get to Dublin then I really recommend Inkwell Writers Workshops. I did the Women’s Commercial Fiction one back in 2007 and it put me on the right track.

Finally, what’s next for Laura Cassidy?

I’m currently putting the finishing touches to Angel Kiss and then I will start into the second book in the series, which has a working title of 18 Kisses. I am really looking forward to continuing Jacki’s story and creating lots of new characters.

Many thanks to Laura for giving such a great interview. Look out for Angel Kiss in bookstores, 2011.

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