Word Weaver in Residence: Bryn Turnbull
WORD WEAVER IN RESIDENCE
is a fun Q&A series where I pick the brain of writers, authors and the literary-inclined to get a behind-the-scenes look at their creative genius while answering everyone’s burning questions about the magical, yet often mysterious realm of writing and publishing.
Meet the Author: Bryn Turnbull
WRITER Q&A
Describe what it feels like to have your first book published in 3 words:
Oh. My. God!
What are you currently reading?
Utopia Avenue, by David Mitchell. I love anything associated with the music scene of the 1970s, and I admire how David Mitchell plays with structure. So far, this book has everything I hoped it would, along with incredible writing.
What books are you excited about on your TBR list?
Invisible Woman, by Erika Roebuck, Trick Mirror, by Jia Tolentino, The Pull of Stars, by Emma Donohue, and Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
What’s your favourite bookstore?
We’re lucky to have some really fantastic indie bookstores in Toronto! My favourites are Ben McNally’s, and TYPE on Queen West.
What are you currently watching?
Defending Jacob.
What is one podcast you highly recommend?
Backstage’s In The Envelope. It’s all conversations with people in the film industry about their craft, mainly geared towards early-stage actors, but I find the technical aspects of the film industry fascinating. It goes so far beyond the questions you find in typical celebrity interviews, and even as someone who would be absolutely useless on stage, I enjoy listening to it.
What authors have influenced you?
Louis de Bernières, Philippa Gregory
Do you write listening to music?
I do, but I can only listen to instrumental music while I write – anything with lyrics is too distracting. I mainly stick to classical (Tchaikovsky, Brahms) and movie soundtracks. Whenever I’m stuck in a plot hole, the soundtrack to Tron: Legacy tends to pull me out of it.
Any books or articles on writing you would recommend?
Steven King’s On Writing is a classic, but for a good reason. He breaks down the writing process in such an effective way.
Where can we find and connect with you online?
Website: brynturnbull.com
Instagram: @brynturnbullwrites
Facebook: @BrynTurnbullAuthor
Twitter: @BrynTurnbull
Upcoming events (check out her website and socials for all the deets):7.21 – Launch party with Alka Joshi
7.22 interview with Janie Chang
7.27 Warwick’s Historical Fiction Panel with Chanel Cleeton and Kerri Maher
THE WRITING PROCESS AND CRAFT
Describe a typical writing day (i.e. morning routine, do you write every day?)
I try to stick to an eight-to-five schedule when I write – I need to set boundaries for myself, or else I’d be in my writing cave, ineffectually scribbling, all the time. I tend to write my best work in the morning, so I try to keep that time for building out pages and pages of work so that in the afternoon I can refine it into something that fits in the scene. I write my first draft longhand, then move it online once I know how I want to pare it down. Exercise is a key component of my creative process, so I try to fit in a swim or a pilates workout. I prefer writing in the company of others, so I’ll hit up about three or four cafés in the course of my day. Covid19 has definitely been challenging in that regard.
What does your writing space look like?
I’m currently living up in cottage country, so my writing space is a large desk in the corner of a screened-in porch, tucked behind the back of a stone fireplace.
Do you have any interesting writing quirks or rituals you adhere to?
When I’m writing about a historical character, I like to try out their signature perfume. It helps me get a sense of how they wanted to be perceived by others.
Favourite tools of the trade (i.e. pens, notebooks, stationary, computer software):
I write longhand, using fountain pens. It can be a bit messy on my hands (I am fairly certain the ink-stain on my right middle finger will one day turn into a tattoo of its own accord). I’m a bit of a tyrant when it comes to paper, as well, but that comes with the territory when using fountain pens. There’s no point in writing on cheap paper with a Caran d’Ache or a Lamy, the other side of the page would be useless. I prefer large Leuchtterm and Life notebooks.
In terms of computer software, I use Scrivener, both to plot out my books and input everything I’ve written longhand. I used to plot out my books using index cards on the floor, but that became a bit too unruly (especially when working in a screened-in porch: one gust of wind and you’re back to square one!)Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
Films and documentaries, mainly. I found Thelma Furness in W.E., a movie directed by Madonna, and was amazed that her story really hadn’t been told before.
What kind of research do you do for your books and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
To me, the research is as important as the writing. I spent two straight years researching The Woman Before Wallis, then two straight years writing it. I like to dive into the historical record, as far as it exists for my character – firsthand accounts, memoirs, letters, biographies, newspaper articles – to get a sense of the timeline and character motivations. I also like to interact with artefacts from the time period – music and clothing and cigarette holders, cocktails and dinner menus, jewelry. I was incredibly lucky to have written The Woman Before Wallis while I was living in the UK, so I was able to visit many of the places that she interacted with during her life: the Ritz Hotel and Claridges, Grosvenor Square and Glen Affric.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? If the former, how do you outline?
I’m more of a plotter, albeit not a strict one. For me, everything falls second to the historical record, so the first thing I do is set out as detailed a timeline as possible for my character’s life: what was happening, when, with who. Then I start outlining scene by scene: what is the historical importance of this moment, and how will it drive the plot and character development? Finally, I start placing the scenes in the order I feel will work best (that is, not chronologically).
What is the BEST part about the writing and publishing process for you?
Finding out my characters have autonomy. It’s so interesting to have a scene laid out in your head, knowing exactly what you want your character to do, then discovering as you write that your character has their own ideas of where they want to go. It doesn’t always immediately make sense, but you tend to find out later on in the book that their reasoning was spot on.
What is the most challenging part of the entire creative process?
Finding out my characters have autonomy.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I think it can happen, but I don’t think it’s something to fear. In my experience, writer’s block occurs when you’ve not thought out your scene in enough detail – meaning that you’re not as confident in the writing as you would be otherwise. When I get writer’s block I go back to the research and start fleshing out the plot and characters in more detail, which tends to help. Sometimes you just need to let the scene marinate.
What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
Character development, pacing, and attention to detail.
What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out on this journey?
Really get to know and like your protagonist. Books take a long time to write, and you’ll have your characters rattling in your head the whole time. Make sure they’re people you want to have around.
What are you working on now and/or excited about in the future?
I am working on a novel about the fall of the Romanov dynasty – my second book about abdication!
BOOK STATS
Book Title: The Woman Before Wallis
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
“Brimming with scandal and an equal amount of heart…a sweeping yet intimate look at the lives of some of history’s most notorious figures from Vanderbilts to the Prince of Wales… A must-read.”—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of When We Left Cuba and Next Year in Havana
“Bryn Turnbull takes a story we think we know and turns it on its head, with captivating results… A beautifully written, meticulously researched and altogether memorable debut.”—Jennifer Robson, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Gown
For fans of The Paris Wife and The Crown, this stunning novel tells the true story of the American divorcée who captured Prince Edward’s heart before he abdicated his throne for Wallis Simpson.
In the summer of 1926, when Thelma Morgan marries Viscount Duke Furness after a whirlwind romance, she’s immersed in a gilded world of extraordinary wealth and privilege. For Thelma, the daughter of an American diplomat, her new life as a member of the British aristocracy is like a fairy tale—even more so when her husband introduces her to Edward, Prince of Wales.
In a twist of fate, her marriage to Duke leads her to fall headlong into a love affair with Edward. But happiness is fleeting, and their love is threatened when Thelma’s sister, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, becomes embroiled in a scandal with far-reaching implications. As Thelma sails to New York to support Gloria, she leaves Edward in the hands of her trusted friend Wallis, never imagining the consequences that will follow.
Bryn Turnbull takes readers from the raucous glamour of the Paris Ritz and the French Riviera to the quiet, private corners of St. James’s Palace in this sweeping story of love, loyalty and betrayal.
ABOUT THE WOMAN BEFORE WALLIS
What came first: plot, scene-setting or the characters?
The characters, definitely. The woman who lost the Prince of Wales to Wallis Simpson? I needed to know more!
Which character was the most challenging to write?
Gertrude Payne Whitney. She didn’t come to me until much later in the writing process. I didn’t want her to come across as some pantomime villain, so understanding her motivation for launching the court case was key.
Tell us about the title, was it always TWBW?
The Woman Before Wallis was my working title, but when I first started sending it out to literary agents I’d changed it to People Like Us, because I worried putting Wallis in the title didn’t give Thelma enough credit. I changed it back to The Woman Before Wallis because in the end, this is a story about women who get tarred with labels that aren’t of their own making: Gloria is remembered as the Vanderbilt Widow, Wallis is remembered as the American shrew. In the end, it felt fitting to give this book the title that Thelma would carry for the rest of her life.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only you or a few people will find?
The book is littered with famous faces – Nancy Mitford appears in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo. My grandmother also makes an appearance as one of the debutantes who dances with the Prince of Wales.
Tell us about the cover design process (it’s gorgeous!):
The cover design process was so easy, at least from my perspective, because when I saw it, it felt as though they’d gone into my head and pulled out exactly what I’d wanted. It’s uncanny – they even chose my shade of green! Later on, I met with the designers and they showed me some other treatments they’d tried, but the cover we went with was the clear winner.
What was the highlight (the best part) about writing this book?
This is my first book, so the highlight for me was knowing that I could do it – I could bring a book home. I’d worried I might not tie up all the loose ends, so the feeling of accomplishment is really rewarding.
What was the most challenging?
Making sure I didn’t take too many creative liberties when writing about real people. I felt it was important to recognize that these were real people, with real lives – turning someone into an outright hero or a villain felt disrespectful to their legacies.
If (When) this book is made into a movie, who is your dream cast?
I plan on stealing the lead actor’s heart on set, so it’s important he’s well cast. I’ve got a few people in mind.