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On The Table Read, “the best book magazine in the UK“, author D. Lawrence-Young talks about what inspired his research into female criminals from history in his book, Wicked Women Of Yore.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed D. Lawrence-Young about his life and career, what inspired him to research famous female criminals in history, and the work that went into his new book, Wicked Women Of Yore.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I was born in the UK in 1946 and moved to Israel in 1968 as a qualified teacher. I taught English and history in high school and universities until 2013 and then retired. I wrote my first novel “Tolpuddle” in 1999 and since then have written and had published in the UK, USA & Israel 25 historical & crime novels.
I am married, have two children and four grandchildren and have lived in Jerusalem since 1984. I love reading and travelling, both in Israel & abroad, play the clarinet (badly) and today I work as a volunteer helping kids with their English studies as well as repairing wheelchairs in an organization for helping the needy.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
In the 1950s at Junior school in London.
When did you take a step to start writing?
I first started writing material for students when I was an English teacher in the 1970s and from this, it grew.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
About 6 months preparing and writing and then a year to find a publisher and get it published.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
About five months. I write quickly when I know what I want to say.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Wicked Women Of Yore?
I wrote my latest historical book, “Wicked Women of Yore”because I wanted to write a companion volume to my “Villains of Yore” and I thought that an historical book which concentrated on the fair sex would be a good idea since (I believe), most historical novels etc. are read by women.
What were your biggest challenges with writing Wicked Women Of Yore?
Finding which wicked women to write about. Some of them had already appeared in my “Villains of Yore” so I had to find some more. However, there seemed to be so many so that wasn’t too much of a problem. In the end I had a list of about forty! Another problem was finding sufficient information about some of them.
What is the inciting incident of Wicked Women Of Yore?
When several of the Wicked Women get caught out, e.g. Elizabeth Bathory, (Hungarian serial killer), Mary Anne Cotton (serial killer) and Mary Baker (imposter) and how they react to this.
What is the main conflict of Wicked Women Of Yore?
The various Wicked Women taking on the society that they lived in at the time.
Did you plot Wicked Women Of Yore in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
I plotted it carefully in advance, i.e. so I knew who I’d be writing about and then working hard so that I would get the chronology right.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Wicked Women Of Yore need?
I had no editing support while writing (as usual), but my professional editor was quite busy afterwards when he received the finished ms.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Enjoy your writing and feel involved with it and then have it seriously edited.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
A book about Dona Gracia Mendes Nasi, (1510-69) a rich Jewish Portuguese philanthropist who was also a proto-Zionist and hoped for an independent country for the Jews.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Yes I am proud of what I’ve written so far. It is/was worth it and I plan to continue as long as I can. I learn a lot from my writing and it occupies much of my time and thoughts.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Website: www.dlybooks.weebly.com
Twitter: @dly70473845
Email: dlybooks15@gmail.com (preferred)
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