Skin Deep ~ Laura Wilkinson
Accent Press ~ 15/06/2017
Laura Wilkinson ~ Q&A
If you can tell us a little bit about yourself and your publishing journey.
Liverpool-born, I’m a taff at heart. I’ve published four novels and many short stories. Some have made the shortlists of major competitions. Competitions have been good to me. My debut won one and a teeny tiny press published it. Sales weren’t great but the reviews were and I was signed to award winning Welsh press, Accent. My novel, Public Battles, Private Wars, was a Welsh Books Council Book of the month; Redemption Song was a Kindle top twenty. My latest, Skin Deep is published on 15 June. Alongside writing, I work as an editor and run workshops on the art of fiction.
Describe yourself using three words?
Passionate, kind, quiet.
What inspired you to write your first novel?
A newspaper article about a sixty-three-year-old Sussex woman who was having another baby. This was back in 2007 and since there have been older women still who have given birth in the UK. And as for other countries…
What time of day do you like to write?
I’m most productive and creative in the mornings, though I wrote my debut at night once my children were in bed.
How did you pick the title of your book?
Oh, titles are hard. At least for me! I had four, maybe five, titles for the novel that is now known as Skin Deep. My editor and I came to it via the themes of the book: outward appearance versus inner reality; beauty and ugliness, and what this even means; from the saying ‘beauty is only skin deep’.
Are the characters in your book based on real people?
No. I never base characters on anyone I know in case I offend. Of course, like all authors, I draw on my experience of life, my observations of human nature, of those close to me and strangers, but alongside this, there is a heavy dollop of imagination
What’s your favourite word?
Love.
If you were a colour what would it be?
Blue.
Do you plan your story beforehand or go with the flow?
These days I’m more of a planner. At the start of my writing life, I was a pantser but I have learned that if I plan, I have to redraft less. I always know where the story starts, what the high and low points will be and where I feel it should end. My process isn’t rigid, however. Flexibility is essential to me and every book is different. Process alters depending on the book.
Who is your favourite Author?
Way too many to mention here. I am constantly awed by the talent out there.
Are you working on a new project?
I am indeed but I rarely talk about my WIP. At least until the first draft is down and I’m not quite there yet.
Do you have any upcoming events our members can attend?
I’m appearing at a few events over the spring and summer, in Brighton, Frome, and North Wales. I’d advise members to check out the ‘Out and About’ section of my website.
Author Links
Twitter – @ScorpioScribble
Facebook Author Page – Laura Wilkinson Author
Instagram: laura_wilkinsonwriter
Author Website – www.laura-wilkinson.co.uk
Jacket Cover
Art student and former model Diana has always been admired for her beauty, but what use are good looks when you want to shine for your talent? Insecure and desperate for inspiration, Diana needs a muse.
Facially disfigured four-year-old Cal lives a life largely hidden from the world. But he was born to be looked at and he needs love too. A chance encounter changes everything and Cal becomes Diana s muse. But as Diana s reputation develops and Cal grows up, their relationship implodes.
Both struggle to be accepted for what lies within.
Is it possible to find acceptance in a society where what’s on the outside counts for so much?
Review Of Skin Deep By Guest Blogger Kimberly Livingston
I recently received a rejection letter from a publisher that read, “Although I like the concept, the sample wasn’t resonating with me”. As a writer, I, of course, wanted to know what I could do to make it resonate. After beginning the novel Skin Deep I now understand the publisher’s point. Not everyone’s writing will resonate with every reader, and thank goodness for that! There are so many different books out there, and, luckily, so many different readers. For me, Skin Deep was similar to going to see the much acclaimed movie Her directed by Spike Jonz. The critics loved the movie, whilst on the other hand, I had to leave only part way in. Admittedly, I’m more Pollyana than most. If you liked the movie Her and tend to love books that Oprah Winfrey recommends (The Glass Castle comes to mind), then Skin Deep is likely a book you will love. It received a 4.3 on Goodreads for being an intelligent, thought provoking novel, and with that reasoning, I agree.
The description of Skin Deep reads:
It’s what’s inside that counts…
Art student and former model Diana has always been admired for her beauty, but what use are good looks when you want to shine for your talent? Insecure and desperate for inspiration, Diana needs a muse.
Facially disfigured four-year-old Cal lives a life largely hidden from the world. But he was born to be looked at and he needs love too. A chance encounter changes everything and Cal becomes Diana’s muse. But as Diana’s reputation develops and Cal grows up, their relationship implodes.
Both struggle to be accepted for what lies within. Is it possible to find acceptance in a society where what’s on the outside counts for so much?
For me, the challenge with reading Skin Deep was not the concept. I immediately felt a connection to the story. The cover pulled me in. The writing is smooth, honest, and gritty. For me, a bit too gritty. There are mature themes here, deeper than just an ex model looking for respect beyond her beauty. These include drug use, child neglect, promiscuity, urban struggle, suicide, and the like. Not to say there isn’t a redeeming message. But a reader needs to be prepared that Skin Deep is not a surface novel.
You can buy your copy today here ~ Amazon UK
Thanks to Accent Press and Laura Wilkinson for my ARC copy and being on my blog today.
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