Author Interviews

Trisha FitzGerald-Petri was born in Ireland. She studied Graphic Design and Visual Communications at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, but later turned to creative writing. At present, in addition to her freelance activities (English language/cover design), she works as an assistant in the area of business development.

Trisha Fitzgerald/Petri-Author-Cover Artist
http://www.myspace.com/trishafitzgerald

Jacki:  Trisha, before we get to the question and answer session, please, tell us a little more about you.

Trisha:  Well, I’m native Irish, but came to Germany as a student. I only planned to stay three months, but before I could blink twice I had a German husband and two children (I never thought that one day my own children would speak to me in a foreign language!). I live in a quiet village in the north of Bavaria and now that my kids are grown and out of the house most of the time, I have more time to pursue my own little projects and hobbies. I love water sports (of course, coming from Ireland!) and spend as much time as possible on our little boat.

Jacki:   First, I would like to talk about your writing. When did you know you wanted to write?

Trisha:  I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with words. I relish juicy vocabulary just like a cook trying out new recipes! As a graphic designer thinking up slogans and playing with language was part of my studies. At some stage towards the end of the nineties, I began to put these words into sentences, paragraphs, chapters and finally a whole book! The result was Making Tracks which was originally titled Peggy Does a Runner. In British/Irish English “to do a runner” means to take off into the blue, but as the expression baffled many American readers, we decided to change it.

Jacki:  Do you have a time of day when you're most productive? When your MUSE is awake and helpful?

Trisha:  It’s very different. Before I started my morning job, I used to sit in bed and write for an hour with my notepad propped on my knee! Now usually write at weekends—on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I’m most productive when it raining outside—I don’t have the feeling I should be doing something else! At times I get an idea lying awake at night. Then I have to get up and jot it down, otherwise the brainwave will have disappeared before morning light.

Jacki:  Do you get most of your material from real life--your life?

Trisha:  Oh, yes! If only my readers knew! Nearly all my characters and stories are based on people and situations I’ve encountered in real life. Very often, real stories happen right on your doorstep. It’s just a question of recounting these, sometimes “everyday” tales in a way that will make them exciting for the readers.

Jacki:  Which of your books is your favorite?

Trisha:  Over The Wall means a lot to me personally as much is based on my own experience, but I love Making Tracks because this was my very first novel—and the one that earned me the title EPPIE finalist. It’s a lot of fun and the typical Irish dialogue takes me back home every time I leaf through it. Having said that, Casting Off is special because this novel reflects my love of the sea, its wind, waves, and subtle romance. In a way, they’re all my favorites!

Jacki:  Which did you enjoy writing most?

Trisha:  I think Over the Wall. It took me back to my adolescence at boarding school, my first heartache and my first years living independently as a grown up. It’s the first novel that made me cry while writing it!

Jacki:  I read your novel, Over the Wall. A beautifully written story set in Dublin, Ireland, about two women who grow up together as best friends. They share love, loss, discovery, rejection and finally, hope. I highly recommend this book. Please tell the readers a little more about it.

Trisha:  It’s about growing up and growing old—inevitable stepping-stones of life. Very often, we are so preoccupied with our own lives we fail to see that those closest to us are fighting their own personal battles. In Over the Wall Finnula falls for the son of the very man her mother—a happily married woman—secretly loves.
 
Jacki:  I can't wait to read your latest, There and Back, can you tell us a little about that one?

Trisha:  There and Back will not be released for quite a while yet, but it’s about Tessie, a woman whose life is laid down by law—Murphy’s Law. Her sister, Gwen, tells the story of this scatterbrained woman who seems to wreak havoc wherever she goes. When Tessie falls in love with a Serbian pilot during a time of political strife, no one is laughing anymore.

Jacki:  What would be your best advice for a new writer looking to be published?

Trisha:  I think, first and foremost, new writers should realize that getting their work accepted by a large, traditional publishing house is a little like winning in the lottery—but if you don’t play, you can’t win. Many are disappointed when the first rejections land in their letterbox, but this does not mean the end—there are so many other possibilities. It is important to keep on going and not to give up too quickly. It’s also essential to keep your eye on the market. Like clothing, genres go through fashion changes. What was popular reading twenty years ago might be passé today. Here in Europe, for example, no-one reads westerns anymore, but who knows? Maybe they’ll become popular again in a few years when the present “chicklit” wave wanes. Most importantly, as a new writer make sure you look for a publisher, which suits your work, and don’t commit yourself to anything before reading the small print!

Jacki:  You're a very talented woman, Trish. When do you find time for your career as a Cover Artist along with writing and your position in business development? Whew, you're a busy woman.

Trisha:  In the afternoon, I work freelance, so I’m able to plan my time. My kids are grown, which leaves me a lot more space for myself. Luckily, I usually have quite a good idea of what a particular author would like, so I can usually do a cover in a day or two. I’ve rarely had to spend much longer trying to come to an agreement. I’m not writing quite so much at present, mainly short stories. In a few weeks the anthology A Place Between Worlds will be published by Fairmount Publishing and The Frankfurt Writers Group. It includes three of my short stories.

Jacki:  How did you decide to do Cover Art?

Trisha:  It was more coincidence than anything. My own publisher was looking for cover artists and I offered to help. Writers saw my work and mailed me, asking if I would do their cover art, too. I now do covers for a second publisher as well.

Jacki:  Did you have special training for this work?

Trisha:  I studied graphic art back in the days when fonts were applied with a hammer and chisel (;-)), so computer graphics were new to me. When I published my books, I didn’t have the technology to do my own covers, but later when I had more time, I got the software and started learning from scratch. Nowadays, nearly everyone with some experience with computer technology knows how to use a paint, or photo-editing program, but that does not mean they have a good concept of design. This is independent of technology and while a good portion of natural talent helped, I gathered a lot of experience during my years at The National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland.

Jacki:  Here's a sample of Trish's covers:
 

Jacki:  I have a couple of author friends who don't want anyone but you to do their covers. How do people get in touch with you?

Trisha:  Anyone interested in cover art can contact me at TrishaFitzgerald@aol.com. I suppose like many things, by word of mouth. They saw my covers elsewhere and got in touch, or authors I already worked with recommended me. It gives me a great lift when writers like and appreciate my work. As an author myself, I know that, unless a book has been recommended, the cover is the most important marketing aspect, even before the blurb. Many underestimate this fact. Think about it—when you go into a bookstore, but aren’t looking for any particular book, which ones do you take down from the shelf? More samples at www.myspace.com/bookdesign

Jacki:  Trish, thank you so much for taking time from your busy schedule to talk with us. You have a very interesting life. I can't wait to read There and Back.

Trisha:  Thank you, Jacki, my pleasure.

NOTE
BE SURE TO ENTER OUR MAY CONTEST AND A CHANCE TO WIN A SIGNED COPY OF TRISHA'S BOOK, MAKING TRACKS.
GO ON OVER TO THE CONTEST PAGE NOW AND HAVE FUN.

Also, don't forget to visit my BOOKS page while you're here.

If you're interested in the basics of inspirational writing take a look at the FREE GROW WORKSHOP on our homepage. 

Whatever you do, look around, have fun and come back to see us again soon!!!

Archive of Interviews:

April 2008 Interview: Sylvia Rochester