Are there any story themes or styles that appear more commercial or easier to sell to a publisher?
ER: I don’t think so. I’ve been writing a long time and have asked this question – especially when I was Secretary of the Society of Authors in Scotland – of many agents and editors who all said the same thing. I want a good book, a well-written story.’ In other words write from the heart. The head needs to be there too, of course, but write with passion and conviction and make the editor say Wow.’ Then you’ll sell. GW: Does writing romance novels pay the bills? What would you say to someone who intends to quit their job and write full-time? ER: It does for me but I have been unbelievably lucky. One of my earlier books brought me in the princely sum of 1000. That did not go far. I was overwhelmed to have Someday Somewhere wanted by more than one publisher and so, for the first time, in almost thirty years of writing, I can more than survive on my advances. I would never recommend that anyone give up paid employment in order to write unless they have a partner who is earning. Writing a
