If you've always wanted to write a book, here's an author's guide to getting it done

If you ask someone what one of their lifetime goals is, chances are that writing a book will be fairly high on the list. They say that everyone has one book in them, but if you’re struggling to come up with the novel that you’ve always dreamed of writing, we’ve got the insider advice you need to know.

Fellow Scot Catriona Innes is a top magazine features director, and now, the breakout author of the critically-acclaimed The Matchmaker. Here, she talks exclusively to Hood about her first novel and reveals how you (yes, you!) can finally put pen to paper and make that book you’ve long been dreaming of writing a reality. We dare ask, if not in lockdown, then when…?

How did you start your writing career? Has it always been a passion?

“I’ve always written little stories. I remember when I was younger I used to go to this weird spot in the courtyard where I lived, that had one tree in it, and write stories about fairies that lived there. I've also always kept diaries but when I look back they’re largely fiction, as they’re sprouting about how all these different boys were in love with me (they really, really weren’t!). When I became a teenager I set my sights on magazines, quite simply because I thought working for one would make me cool. And maybe get me a boyfriend. I eventually reached where I wanted to be in magazines (unfortunately, still not that cool). And that was when I felt ready to move onto my next ambition, which was writing my first novel. For a long time I knew I wanted to write a book but ideas didn’t come naturally to me, or maybe I didn’t have faith in them. My first (unpublished) book I wrote because it had very similar themes to my own life experience, and I found it was as if I had to get that one down on paper to make room for the next. As, even though that currently remains in a drawer, once I’d written it I found I had this other idea. Then once I’d written The Matchmaker and handed that in more ideas flooded to the surface.”

How would you describe The Matchmaker in your own words?

“You know, I still find this the toughest question! It’s about Caitlin, a professional matchmaker who has always had an amazing ability to know who is right for one another. She’s married herself, and knew her husband was right straight away—almost like love at first sight. But recently she’s been messing things up and keeps getting things wrong. It’s because she’s hiding a secret about her own relationship and she’s so scared if people find out it’ll ruin her entire business.”

It’s such a unique concept—what was your inspiration? 

“I used to always want to be a matchmaker! I would try and set up friends and even strangers on nights out. One day I saw a couple at a party and they were so wrong for each other—and I began to write a little story about someone who thinks they know what makes a perfect relationship, but gets it entirely wrong. I didn’t think about it for years; until I pitched a feature for my magazine where I wanted to interview experts on where they go wrong in their own lives. Sex experts must have bad sex, so matchmakers must have bad dates… I then thought that would make a good book, and remembered the little stories I used to write.” 

Being a journalist, did you find the transition into writing a novel smooth, or are they very different beasts? 

“When it came to getting the deal I naively assumed because I was a journalist, working in the book industry, it would be easy to get a deal. I networked my ass off, but the novel I had written wasn’t right for the market at that time. And no matter who you know, that’s not going to change. But I did eventually get the chance to meet up with someone from my would-be publisher and pitch this idea to her, which is how The Matchmaker came about. When it came to writing, being able to work to tight deadlines definitely came in handy. Of course, you have to stick to fact in magazine features, so I found it so much fun being able to write entirely from my own imagination; the hard part is holding someone’s attention for an entire book—you have to have a good mix of funny with the sad and balance that.”

Many people dream of writing a book but find it extremely daunting. Even with your writing experience, did you get the blank page fear? 

“Yes! Especially when it came to writing the scenes that were supposed to be lighter or funny. I feel incredibly out of my comfort zone trying to make people laugh—and was sitting on my hands when reading over them in the editing process. But I was writing this book at 6am before work most mornings, and knew I had to get it done—working that extremely helped me, as I had no choice. We had a builder come round and when we asked him tips on how to decorate well he simply said: “you get paint on the wall”.  I would say that to myself, “it’s just paint on a wall” and concentrate on just getting the words down. I could cringe later.”

Did you join a writing group? If so, would you recommend this experience? 

“I created my own writing group! At various book events I met other people who were also writing books, and we agreed to meet up every few months and give feedback on our work. I’ve had experiences of larger writing workshops that I’ve paid for, though personally I don’t think I’d do that again. It could be the ones I went to, but I did find them competitive and intimidating. I like my group as I trust them to tell me the truth but to do so in a kind way and for their feedback to be based on nothing but seeing me doing well, rather than an ulterior motive. Saying that, I’ve since made lots of relationships with other authors on Twitter and they’re all really, really nice and welcoming. My advice would be to form your own offset group of people who resonate with you and have your back.”

Can you tell us how you went about structuring your novel? Any tips of the trade? 

“The first book I wrote didn’t have a formal structure at all. I just wrote what came into my head—and I was so convinced that was the right thing to do. But all the feedback I got from agents was that they liked my writing but there wasn’t a proper plot to it. So for The Matchmaker I set about plotting it first. I read a book called Save The Cat, which shows you how most movies follow the same structure, and helps you structure your story in the same way. It totally ruins films for you! So I followed that, laying the structure out on cards, and pinning them up. It helped in the morning as I knew exactly where I was picking up, and knew I had to balance lighter chapters with the more serious, sadder ones. But I still let myself run wild every now and then—especially the scenes on holiday. That hadn’t been planned but I just decided one day I wanted to take the characters somewhere else… And it must have been cold at the time so it became the Maldives.”

Given your journalist day job, you’re used to working on the go, and we saw you editing your manuscript for The Matchmaker from different locations. Would you recommend breaking free from your desk when writing? 

“I don’t know if I’d recommend it. But I am a big believer in saying yes to stuff; if I’m offered an opportunity and I can afford to go, I’ll go and do it. It’s why I’ve done stand-up comedy after only rehearsing at lunch, why I’ve worked in the Playboy club, why I’ve ended up at secret poker games at 7am on a work night… When I was writing the book I had to turn down a lot of invitations out, as I knew I had to get up and write. But it meant, every now and then, I’d go f*** it and do something mad. I went to Amsterdam to see Elton John (who cancelled!) when I was due to give a big edit back in. I then flew to Greece straight after that. I did a lot of editing on a sun lounger, feeling hungover, while the waiter came over and told me to relax as I was on holiday. I think I could only do those things because the rest of the time I had been so structured. I also think the wilder experiences will play into other, future books. So I guess find a mix of both is I’d prescribe—I hear about writers who get vitamin D deficiency staying in all the time! I just couldn’t do that, I’d end up creating drama in my own life and my husband would hate me.”

We hear there’s a second novel on the way—is that true? 

“You’re partly right; I have an idea for a couple! But this year has been so, so mad I kind of want to take a break. But every now and then I find myself writing a random scene, so we’ll see...”

The Matchmaker, £7,99, is available online and from all good bookshops now.