Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Prolific historical novelist who has published about fifty books spanning the Tudor and Stuart eras, and also writes Gothic fiction as Victoria Holt.
On the island
Eight records
The keepsakes
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:11How old were you when you developed this fascination for the past which has stood you in such good stead?
I don't know how old I was. I think it was always with me. I think I discovered it when I first went to Hampton Court when I was about seventeen, and I really felt the fascination of that place and it just gripped me. And I think perhaps then I knew subconsciously that I had to write historical novels.
Presenter asks
1:00What was the turning point?
The turning point was when I was selling my stories to the Daily Mail and the Evening News, and the fiction editor there was a very kind man, and he became an agent. And he said to me, ‘Now, look here, why don't you write something which is saleable? … Why don't you write some romantic novels, lightish romantic novels?’ So I took his advice and I did, and I wrote some of these. And then I wrote my first historical novel.
Presenter asks
8:21When you go off on a cruise around the world, how many books do you come back with?
Well, usually only one, because I write in my cabin in the mornings only. … I really am working very, very hard on publicity in the various ports that I need a little bit of relaxation on board. So I if I come back with one book I should say that's pretty good.
The book
H. G. Wells
The luxury
Not recorded.
Presenter asks
8:45Because of your large output and because your books are classified under the heading romantic fiction, you're ignored largely by the critics. Does that worry you?
No, it doesn't worry me in the least, because I have my dear, faithful public who are waiting on my books … some of them write to me and say, ‘Why don't you write more? … You're not, it doesn't take us six months to read a book. Why don't you produce more?’ So I'm not the least bit worried about the critics. I don't think they're important to me at all.
“I think the Tudor period is a wonderful period for a writer … and also the Stuart period. They're not periods which I would like to live in, but they're wonderful for the historical novelist.”
“The essence of success is sincerity, and that is always before one.”
“I think it all comes out when I'm very, very excited. I think that's how you should write a novel. You sit down, you just pour it out, and you don't stop.”
“I should hate to catch a fish and have it looking at me with those awful eyes. But if there's plenty of fruit I shall be all right, because I practically live on oranges now, so if you can provide oranges and coconuts I'll be perfectly happy.”