Writer Of The Week: Becca Robin

Our Writer Of The Week is author Becca Robin. Becca’s new serial, “Best Foot Forward”, begins in the April 26 issue, on sale this week.

Morris dancing brings the characters together in your serial. What is it about this type of dancing that appeals to you?

I love all kinds of dancing but morris dancing, like other types of folk dancing, seems to me particularly joyful and life-affirming. The music is tremendously catchy and I love the sense of age-old tradition, and that people of all ages can enjoy it. I have done a little morris dancing myself, but have friends who are really into it, and it seems a lovely community.

You are an accomplished writer of both male and female characters. Do you have a preference writing one over the other?

I haven’t a preference really, although a little while ago I wrote a play with a friend of mine and he wrote all the male parts of the dialogue while I wrote all the female parts, so that was interesting.

Do you find it an easy process to share characters’ thoughts and feelings on the page?

It’s a challenge certainly, but it’s probably what keeps me interested. As a writer, you’re in a privileged position of being able to delve deep into your characters’ inner lives. While people can be puzzling in real life and maybe even a puzzle to themselves, you can make sense of why your characters do what they do in a story.

You are a proven writer of short stories and serials. Any plans to write a novel at some point?

I like the idea of writing a novel for an adult audience and, if I ever do, I’ll have come up with a character or characters, situation and story that I am totally excited by and committed to. Simply because of the time and effort I know it’s going to take.

For you, what makes writing fiction worth it?

I love the creative process and how it feels when ideas fit together and the words flow. I’m hardwired to write for the first few hours of the day, most days, and can’t imagine ever wanting to stop.

Do you ever chase inspiration ideas, or quietly wait for the process to happen?

Very occasionally, inspiration may strike unbidden, but it’s more usual for me to set aside time to pursue ideas, which are gleaned from everyday life: the people I know, the things I’ve heard and done. The exciting and inspirational bit for me is to find ways of fitting different ideas together to kickstart a fresh and surprising story. I can’t see machines ever being able to do this as well as a creative human being.

As a successful “Friend” writer, what advice would you give writers who wish to try new genres and formats – for example, short story to serial?

This is a good example as three years ago I made the leap from short stories to writing my first “Friend” serial, “The Sweet Shop Mystery”. Good short stories are told in an economical way. If you want to move on to serial writing, you have the freedom to explore scenes in more depth. Perhaps as an exercise, you might take a key scene from one of your short stories and think how it could be expanded in a profitable way.

Maybe more description about the setting can reveal more about your character’s inner life. For example, a sunny garden reflecting their sense of contentment. Maybe extending a section of dialogue will deepen your readers’ understanding of the relationship between your characters.

It’s just a shift of gear, but you can enjoy the new scope it gives you in terms of telling your story and really getting to know your characters.

Thanks, Becca!

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