CanterburyWriters: Hi Soraya, Thank you so much for agreeing to talk with us. There are so many questions that one might think of to ask you about your writing and your writing career so far, but why don't we focus on the questions that shows that you're exactly like every other writer out there.
When did you first start writing?
Soraya: To be honest, I’ve always been writing. I recently found old exercise books from when I was maybe 10 yrs old, full of scribbled stories, and then an old folder full of very dark poetry and partial chapters from when I was in high school. But I started to write seriously when I was about 19yrs old, in my final year of studying law. It took me two years to write that first manuscript (historical romance, circa 100k words) and after that I was hooked on writing romance.
CanterburyWriters: How did you decide what genre you wanted to write?
Soraya: I loved reading romance, so it seemed the right step to try to write what I liked. Also, I wanted to try to turn my creative outlet into a viable career, and romance seemed like the right move from a business-minded standpoint too. Funnily enough, my favourite genre to read was historical women’s fiction, which is now my focus as a writer, but I didn’t start writing that genre until I had quite a few published romances under my belt. I went back to university and did my MFA in Creative Writing when I was about 25 years old, and that’s when I wrote my first historical women’s fiction (published as Voyage of the Heart).
CanterburyWriters: What's your motivation for writing?
Soraya: My motivation is simple — it’s my career. I approach it like a job, and some days it’s tough and other days my fingers fly across the keyboard. I’m very fortunate to be able to write full time now.
CanterburyWriters: How do you know when you're finished with a manuscript?
Soraya: Hmm, that’s a good question. I suppose I usually have the ending in my head when I start writing, so I know when I get there and I’m ready to write that scene. Also, for my historical women’s fiction novels, I work from a detailed chapter outline, so I’m following that as I write to guide me. Also, if I ever get stuck or I’m having a tough writing day, I’ll often jump ahead and write the final scene. It’s often the scene that is most clear in my head.
CanterburyWriters: Do you ever have those moments of self-doubt? If so, how do you move past them and keep going?
Soraya: I am full of self doubt!! I suffer terribly from Imposter Syndrome — I’m always waiting for someone (like my editor) to tell me they’ve realised I’m a fraud and that I’m not really an author. This self doubt and anxiety over my work has actually become worse over the years, and I’m always terrified I won’t be able to write another book as good as my last. I suppose I just deal with it as best I can, focusing on the next book and trying to ignore those doubts, and my author friends are a great support during those times. Emails from my readers help tremendously too, they’re a great boost in self confidence!
CanterburyWriters: You have been writing for some time. What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you first started?
Soraya: I’ve been writing seriously for the better part of two decades now, and published for 10 years, and I wish I could tell my younger self that I will get published. I was so close to giving up after writing seven full manuscripts, and being rejected countless times by editors and agents. It’s such a tough road, and it requires such determination and a very thick skin. I also which I knew how friendly published romance authors are — it’s a very unique industry and most established authors are only too happy to answer questions from newbies!
CanterburyWriters: What tips do you have for aspiring authors?
Soraya: Just keep writing. Write every day, set a realistic daily target, and just write. There are so many people who say they want to write a book, but they will never carve out the time to actually do it. If you’re writing, then you will get there. It’s never been easy to get published, there are no short cuts, so the only way to get there is to stay focused, believe in yourself, and keep putting words on the page. And don’t be afraid to ask questions from authors you admire!
I think about my seven years before I was published as my apprenticeship. Your voice becomes stronger with every manuscript, your writing becomes better, you learn through actually creating ideas and writing. Courses and conferences can be great, but no one can teach you how to find your voice or how to write. The only way to learn how to write, is to write.
CanterburyWriters: Describe what your typical writing schedule looks like.
Soraya: My writing schedule is not as hectic as it used to be as I’m only writing for one publisher now instead of juggling multiple publishers, and my kids are both at school! I write every day, and when I’m drafting my minimum daily goal is 2,000 words. I usually walk in the morning after school drop off, then work solidly until it’s time to pick the kids up. I try not to work nights and weekends unless I’m right on deadline — this is a luxury I have now that I don’t have very young children at home. I’ve found that I can work really efficiently between 9.30-2.45pm each day.
CanterburyWriters: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Soraya: Naturally I’m a pantser, and that’s how I write my romances. But for historical women’s fiction, my editor makes me send her a chapter by chapter outline. I’m not a natural plotter so this is torture for me, but I have to confess that it makes the actual writing so much easier and faster. Also, because I’m juggling at least three main characters, each with their own ARC within the historical plot of the story, it’s impossible to write by the seat of my pants.
CanterburyWriters: Now for the most important questions of all. Coffee, tea or wine?
Soraya: Wine on the weekend, tea every other day.
CanterburyWriters: And for our last question, ice cream or cake?
Soraya: Cake all the way, or anything chocolate!
CanterburyWriters: Thank you again, Soraya.
Soraya: Thanks for asking me.
Soraya's historical women's fiction novel The Last Correspondent is slated to be released on November 1st, 2020. There are no spoilers as to what the book is about, but if it is anything like her other historical novels, it should be a moving story filled with inspiration.
