It is my pleasure to welcome Alli Sinclair, an author I have admired since I read her debut novel, Luna Tango, in 2014. Now it is time to host Alli on Mrs B’s Book Reviews for a Q & A session. This follows a five star review I published last week of Alli’s latest novel, Burning Fields on the blog.
About the author…
An adventurer at heart, Alli Sinclair is a multi-award winning author who has lived in Argentina, Peru, and Canada. She’s climbed some of the world’s highest mountains, worked as a tour guide in South and Central America, and has travelled the globe, immersing herself in array of exotic destinations, cultures, and languages. Australia has always been close to Alli’s heart as she loves the diverse landscapes and the rich multicultural heritage of this wonderful land.
Alli’s books explore history, culture, love and grief, and relationships between family, friends and lovers. She captures the romance and thrill of discovering old and new worlds, and loves taking readers on a journey of discovery.
Alli regularly presents workshops for Writers Victoria, Queensland Writers Centre and private writing groups, as well as providing mentoring and manuscript assessment. She is published by Harper Collins (Australia), Kensington Books (USA, UK, Canada), and her books have been translated into German and Serbian. Alli enjoys working with writers and helping them develop their craft and finding the gems that will make their stories and characters shine.
Hello Alli. It is my pleasure to welcome you to my blog, Mrs B’s Book Reviews. I greatly appreciate the time you have provided to answer a few questions. To begin, Burning Fields, your latest novel published by Harlequin Books Australia has recently been released. Can you give us an outline of what we can expect?
A. Burning Fields is an Australian historical set in 1948, following World War II. It was a major time of upheaval around the world and Burning Fields is about a young woman, Rosie, returning home to her family’s sugarcane farm after years away working for the war effort. She’s experienced independence and finds it difficult to adjust to “traditional” ways once more and when she meets Tomas, a newly arrived Italian, who is also struggling to adapt to his new life, they fall in love, despite objections from both families. Family secrets are discovered, hidden pasts are revealed, and heartbreaking decisions will be made, all against the backdrop of Australia’s beautiful far north Queensland.
Q. What came first in the creation of this novel – the plot, the characters or the setting when you first set out to write Burning Fields?
A. The title actually came first! I was washing the dishes and daydreaming (no surprises there), and Burning Fields popped into my head. As soon as I finished the chore (sigh) I sat down to write an outline and didn’t stop for two hours. I knew the story would be set in the sugarcane fields of northern Queensland, then the characters and plot started appearing on the page as I wrote the outline. This is the first time I’ve ever had a story come to me fully formed. I wish that happened more often!
Q. Did you need to undertake any research to bring Burning Fields to life?
A. Yes! I’m a researcher by nature and I’m always happy to escape a Victorian winter to head north in the name of research. I interviewed a lot of people who grew up on and/or worked on sugarcane farms decades ago, and I spoke with historians who specialised in the history of sugarcane production in Australia. I also interviewed Italian immigrants and a gentleman who holds a doctorate on Italian immigration in Australia. And, of course, I visited small towns in sugarcane growing regions to get inspiration for my fictional town of Piri River.
Q. Let’s talk setting. What made you decide to base your new novel in Northern Queensland?
A. For me, there’s something very romantic and picturesque about sugarcane farms and lush northern Queensland was the perfect backdrop for my story. I like to think of my settings as their own character in the story, as the weather and landscape can have a marked impact on my characters. I could never imagine Burning Fields set anywhere else as northern Queensland played such an integral role in the story.
Q. What character did you most identify with in Burning Fields?
A. Oh, that’s a tough one! I absolutely adore Nonna because of her feistiness and wisdom, but I identity most with Rosie. Her heart is in the right place but sometimes her intentions are misinterpreted, which can cause problems, though she always manages to fix them by enlisting help or doing it herself. She has a wonderful empathy for the plight of other women and people from different cultures, and she strives for equality for all, even though it’s an almost impossible task. Rosie is a woman ahead of her time and I love that about her.
Q. Is there a particular scene in Burning Fields that you are proud of?
A. Oooh, that’s a tough one! It depends on the day! I do love the scenes where Rosie and Tomas get to know each other and realise that even though their childhood and life experiences are vastly different, they have a common desire to right the wrongs of the world. Theirs is a romance that really touched my heart.
Q. You have published a number of historical novels. What attracts you to this particular genre?
A. Every era has something we can learn from and I am a big believer in learning from past mistakes and successes. There are so many different moments in history that still resonate with people today, and it’s this endless pool of ideas and inspiration that is so appealing.
Q. How has your writing evolved since your first published novel, Luna Tango?
A. I still hate writing first drafts and much prefer to revise (I don’t think that will ever change!) but I am getting better at writing “cleaner” first drafts. I also find that my characters are coming to me more fully formed and I don’t have to spend as much time getting to know them before I start writing. I think this mostly has to do with my craft being more developed than when I first started writing, but there are always new things to learn and try out, which is part of the beauty of writing.
Q. Can you tell us about your creative working space, where do you write and is there anything vital you need to get started?
A. The timing is perfect with this question as I’ve just rearranged my office and decluttered after handing in next year’s book. A few days ago my office had the “Alli on deadline” décor which means paperwork overflowing on my desk, research books all over the floor and scribbled in notebooks. I’m lucky enough to have my own office (it’s the formal dining room which we’ve never used for this purpose!), and this is where I work most of the time but when I’m doing edits or revising I like to sit on the couch with the laptop and work there (no idea why!). Motivation is the only thing I need to get started (and this is in the form of deadlines!) but a coffee or two always helps!
Q. How do you balance life with writing?
A. This has taken a while for me to master, although some days it is still a work in progress. Working from home means it is very easy to think “oh, I’ll just go and quickly send that email” and three hours later you’re still at your desk. I’ve got young kids and I want to spend as much time with them and hubby as possible, so it’s a matter of trying to fit everything around each other. Some days are easier than others but I’m lucky that my family and friends are wonderful supporters so if I’m under a tight deadline they understand and know I’ll make up the time with them later down the track.
Q. What is next on the horizon for Alli Sinclair? Do you have any writing projects you would like to share with us?
A. Ah, well, I’ve just handed in book number five to my publisher, Harlequin Books and I’m really excited about this one as we head back to northern Queensland, but this time it will be 1994. Although different characters to Burning Fields, this new book still touches on themes of sexism, racism and immigration, as well as a heartfelt romance between star-crossed lovers.
Q. Finally, what 2018 book releases are you most excited to read?
A. Oh, that’s a toughie as there are so many amazing books out there! Ones I’ve read recently are The Memories That Make Us by Vanessa Carnevale, The Art of Friendship by Lisa Ireland, and The Cowgirl by Anthea Hodgson. But of course, there’s a heap of other books on my To Be Read pile just waiting for me to get hold of – can’t wait!
Thank you for taking the time to visit Mrs B’s Book Reviews Alli and congratulations on the publication of Burning Fields!
Thank you so much for having me, Mrs B!
Connect with Alli here:
Website: https://allisinclairauthor.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlliSinclairAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/allisinclair
If this Q & A enticed you to read Burning Fields, here is the blurb:
Romeo and Juliet set in Queensland’s sugar cane fields in 1948, as the daughter of an Anglo-Australian family falls for an Italian immigrant against the wishes of her family.
1948. The world is struggling to regain a sense of balance after the devastation of World War II, and the sugar cane–growing community of Piri River in northern Queensland is no exception.
As returned servicemen endeavour to adjust to their pre–war lives, women who had worked for the war effort are expected to embrace traditional roles once more.
Rosie Stanton finds it difficult to return to the family farm after years working for the Australian Women’s Army Service. Reminders are everywhere of the brothers she lost in the war and she is unable to understand her father’s contempt for Italians, especially the Conti family next door. When her father takes ill, Rosie challenges tradition by managing the farm, but outside influences are determined to see her fail.
Desperate to leave his turbulent history behind, Tomas Conti has left Italy to join his family in Piri River. Tomas struggles to adapt in Australia–until he meets Rosie. Her easygoing nature and positive outlook help him forget the life he’s escaped. But as their relationship grows, so do tensions between the two families until the situation becomes explosive.
When a long–hidden family secret is discovered and Tomas’s mysterious past is revealed, everything Rosie believes is shattered. Will she risk all to rebuild her family or will she lose the only man she’s ever loved?
Burning Fields by Alli Sinclair was published on 21st May 2018 by Harlequin-Mira. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
