Georgina Troy lives on the island of Jersey and can see the lights in France at night from her bedroom window. This isn’t surprising as Jersey is only fifteen miles off the French coast. She lives near the sea – but then again most people live fairly close to the sea in an island only nine by five miles in size. She’s an impossible romantic and likes nothing more than creating gorgeous heroes. She’s a fellow Accent Press novelist and I’d like to welcome her to my blog.


Georgina Troy Author Pic webIs A Jersey Dreamboat your first book, Georgina?

Hi Jenny. No, it’s not – I have the first two books in this series, A Jersey Kiss and A Jersey Affair and a boxset that includes A Jersey Kiss and four other books by Accent Press authors. I also have a story in an anthology, ‘Once Upon An Island’, with other members of the Jersey Writers. The stories take people through the ages and on a trail across the island, but it’s written to help promote Jersey Heritage and was launched on 9 May this year, the 70th anniversary of the island being liberated from German occupation.

Was getting published easy for you, Georgina, or a long and winding road?

I’m a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and was in their New Writers’ Scheme for a few years. Both A Jersey Kiss and A Jersey Affair went through the scheme – where each member is allowed to send in one manuscript every year and receives a report from an anonymous reader. I was given some incredibly useful advice, which I’ve used in both these books.

I originally self- published A Jersey Kiss and A Jersey Affair and they were selling well in Waterstones Jersey. I’d just turned down a publisher for both books when I was offered a four-book contract with Accent Press last August. I was delighted to have the chance of having my books published by a publisher I’d long admired. They republished both my self-published books and this week – 9 July – A Jersey Dreamboat.

Sounds just like me!  I also had self published two books in my series before Accent Press took me on and gave me a four-book contract. We must be kindred spirits! How do you write – are you a plotter or a pantster?

I used to be a pantster, but now I write an outline for each book. I find that even if I deviate from my original plotline, it helps spur me on if I revert to the outline, especially when I reach that difficult time at around 30,000 words into the book when I begin to wonder what I was thinking to attempt to write the story in the first place.

Wow, that’s just like me too! Let’s see if we have anything else in common. Do you have a favourite writing spot?

I can write anywhere as long as it’s peaceful. It depends on the weather. Sometimes I write in the garden or at a local park in St Brelade’s Bay, other times I write in my dining room. I know a lot of writers like listening to music but it distracts me too much, so I aim for my surroundings to be as quiet as possible when I write – not that easy with a family and two dogs.

Spooky! I love writing in my dining room too – and music distracts me too much! On the other hand, I don’t have dogs… Do you have writing buddies? Beta readers?

I had three beta readers – generous writer friends – for A Jersey Kiss and a couple of them who kindly read A Jersey Affair. Each of them read the books once they’d been written and gave me comments about slight changes they thought would improve the story. I really appreciated this because all of us are busy and for another writer to take the time to step away from their own writing and study yours to give you feedback is invaluable. I was given useful advice that I took on and I know it improved my books in ways that hadn’t occurred to me.

Now that I write for Accent Press, I’m lucky to be able to work with a wonderful editor, Cat Camacho. I’ve learnt a lot from her.

We never stop learning, do we? Do you have any tips for would-be authors, Georgina?

Read, a lot. Read different genres and think about what makes the book work or not work, whatever the case may be.

Write each day. It can be 100 words or 1,000 words, but if you get into the habit of writing every day it’ll start to feel odd if you don’t.

Don’t give up. If you’re like me and have bouts where you lose confidence in yourself, then you have to work through it and just keep writing until you feel happy with what you’re doing again.

Wise words, thank you. And good luck with your new release!


A Jersey Dreamboat webThe third instalment of the Jersey Scene series. Event planners Izzy and Jess are badly let down when a Jersey socialite hires them for the busiest weeks of the season and then cancels at the last minute, leaving the girls with no bookings and no money. Feeling despondent, they try a night out to cheer themselves up, and meet the captivating and aristocratic Ed, who invites the two on a luxury yacht cruise to Nice, together with his two brothers. Romance builds through heady days of blue sky and warm seas, but when a last-minute wedding booking is offered, the girls must return to Jersey, and real life has to begin again …or has it?


A Jersey Dreamboat UK

A Jersey Dreamboat US

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Blog


 

 

Georgina Troy is living the Jersey dream

12 thoughts on “Georgina Troy is living the Jersey dream

  • July 6, 2015 at 6:06 am
    Permalink

    Always interesting to see how other writers work. You two do sound similar!

    Reply
    • July 6, 2015 at 3:26 pm
      Permalink

      Yes, that’s what I thought when I was uploading Georgina’s post!

      Reply
  • July 6, 2015 at 6:08 am
    Permalink

    Thanks very much for inviting me onto your wonderful site Jenny, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed chatting to you.

    Reply
    • July 6, 2015 at 3:25 pm
      Permalink

      It’s been a real pleasure!

      Reply
  • July 6, 2015 at 7:30 am
    Permalink

    Lovely interview and I enjoyed reading a bit more about your path to publication, Georgia! I do love Jersey and it’s been too long since I was last there.

    Reply
  • July 6, 2015 at 8:31 am
    Permalink

    I’ve read both Jersey books so far. They are pure escapism to me. I join the characters in the book. It makes things special as I also live in Jersey, so it is good thinking of the different areas of the island. Being able to visualise and add in the characters along with plot.
    I’m looking forward to reading the third instalment.
    Great tips from both of you on the blog re . writing.

    Reply
    • July 6, 2015 at 3:26 pm
      Permalink

      Forgot to say – we went to Jersey for our honeymoon!

      Thanks for dropping by Rebecca.

      Reply
    • July 6, 2015 at 5:17 pm
      Permalink

      Thanks very much Rebecca, I’m glad you enjoyed the interview and writing tips!

      I hope you enjoy the third book as much as the first two.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Rebecca Baudains Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *