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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, author of Echoes Of Drowning, Lis McDermott, shares the inspiration behind her story and creative writing process.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Lis McDermott about her life and career, the story of her new book, Echoes Of Drowning, and the experiences that inspired her to write it.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I’m Lis McDermott, an author, lover of music, films, reading and married to the love of my life, Conrad. Not surprisingly, I love to write about relationships, and how sometimes against all odds, love wins through.
I live in the South West of England, in a small town, called Royal Wootton Bassett. I’m in my third career, having previously been in music education for 34 years, then I worked as a self-employed photographer, photographing all things people. Weddings, families, babies, and latterly, business headshots. I closed my photography business in 2020 and embraced the author in me.
I’d already written books linked to my work, when I was in education and as a photographer, but then I wrote the autobiography of me and my husband, a book of short stories and several anthologies of poetry, before writing my first novel in 2022 – ‘He is Not Worthy’. My second novel, ‘Echoes of Drowning’ is to be published on May 1st. Both are suspenseful romance.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
As an only child, I used my imagination a lot when playing, and often created dramas in my head. Although, at that time, I didn’t do anything else with them – they remained in my head. I’d not thought about writing a book until, along with another friend, we were approached to write a book for primary teachers, to help them teach music to the pupils.
However, I didn’t feel like an author, because it was just more of my job.
When did you take a step to start writing?
As I’ve already mentioned, when I embraced writing in 2020, I decided having written the other different genres, I wanted to write a novel. I was very uncertain that I could do it. However, I had already come up with an idea, in 2019, but hadn’t done anything much with it, apart from work out the overall plot and jot down ideas.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
I started to write ‘He is Not Worthy’ in 2020, but when the pandemic set in, unlike some, I didn’t have the focus to write anything that was too long. Instead, I wrote hundreds of poems.
When we things started to relax a little more I gradually started to write. I think overall it took about 2 and a half years between writing and publishing dates.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
My latest book, ‘Echoes of Drowning’ took about a year to write, and another six months to publication.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Echoes Of Drowning?
There has always been a family story about one of my mum’s uncles who was killed when the Lusitania was torpedoed and sank in 1915. The passenger ship was on its way from the US to Liverpool. Uncle Will’s body was never recovered, but his wife, Amy lived until the late 1950s, never remarrying, and living in Llandudno, looking at the Irish sea where he husband died.
I wanted to tell their story, but I’m not a historian, so I wanted to find a way to bring the story into the present. So, I have created my own ship, a completely fictitious story about the sinking, but keeping Will and Amy in the story.
What were your biggest challenges with writing Echoes Of Drowning?
Creating a scenario where someone in the present day would be investigating what happened back in 1915 – I needed to have a plot that worked.
I introduced the idea of a ghost visiting the main protagonist, Jess asking her to investigate why Will died – but how could Jess prove what she was finding when a ghost was giving her information?
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
Basically, there is the love story between Amy and Will, and then a growing relationship between Jess and Lukas, plus a relationship between Jess and her dad – both of whom are grieving.
I lost my father a week before my 19th birthday, so I was able to tap into some of my emotions from that time, to help me with Jess who is a similar age.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
There were (and probably still are) many conspiracies about the sinking of the Lusitania, so by creating my own boat, I could explore some ideas about who might have caused the sinking, without changing history, but giving me free reign as to by my antagonist is involved.
What is the inciting incident of Echoes Of Drowning?
Jess begins to dream about drowning, and eventually sees a ghost in her room, and she begins to understand that the ghost wants her to solve a mystery for her.
What is the main conflict of Echoes Of Drowning?
Jess’ love interest, Lukas doesn’t believe that what she is learning in her dreams is real and it causes problems in their developing relationship. Plus, her dad, also doesn’t initially believe her either.
Did you plot Echoes Of Drowning in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
I always have to know that my plot works before I start writing – if not, I’d get annoyed if I’d written a lot and then found something didn’t work.
Even though I do know the plot, it doesn’t mean that everything is set in stone. In a very free way, I plot out the story and begin writing, but I always have to add in extra chapters, or bits as I go along.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Echoes Of Drowning need?
I had valued readers who read through the very first draft to make sure it made complete sense, and then I paid for a professional editor to edit the book.
Mostly, I write far too many commas (due to my age and how we were taught to use them at school)! I also had some other bits to alter where POV needed clarifying. But there was nothing drastic that needed changing.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Write and keep writing. Don’t keep going back and editing what you’ve already written, otherwise, you’ll never finish.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
I’m already working on my third book. They’re not exactly a series, but there is character (not a main one) who appears in all three books. The third book is also about relationships – there are three couples, and there is a question about identity.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
I’m incredibly proud of having written my books. I always thought I’d be a musician until my dying day, but I realise now, that I love telling stories, and I’m loving writing and hope to do so as long as I can.
It may not necessarily be worth the effort in monetary terms, but in my confidence – yes!
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3zjXqPX
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3KZGsJ9
Website: www.LisMcDermottAuthor.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisMcDermottAuthor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lismcdermott/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lismcdermott/
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