Chat with Emma Newman

Transcripts of the chat with Emma Newman, author of the Tales From the Split Worlds series, held Tuesday, March 16 2010.

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@EmApocalyptic RT @TPDonline: Click here http://digs.by/1hpF 2 read the 1st 5 eps of Split Worlds by @EmApocalyptic before the chat 2day:) #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline Today on the #thepennydreadful, right now, in fact, an author chat with one of our contributing authors Emma Newman aka @EmApocalyptic…

@techtigger Hello everyone! Welcome to the chat, and a big welcome to @EmApocalyptic author of the Split Worlds series #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic <waves> Hello everyone (those watching the #ThePennyDreadful hashtag in particular) )

@TPDonline Before we kick off proceedings, a bit about Emma, she has a blog at http://www.enewman.co.uk (Post Apocalyptic Publishing)..#thepennydreadful

@FutureNostalgic @EmApocalyptic Hi Em (& #ThePennyDreadful crew) *waves*

@EmApocalyptic @safetycomfort Heh, you can follow with the #ThePennyDreadful hashtag right now if you like:o)

@TPDonline You can find her on Twitter as @emapocalyptic and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ejnewman. #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Good point actually: if people following me are wondering what the #ThePennyDreadful tag is about – I’m being interviewed by them right now!

@RandomOenophile Hi! Excited for open spot in my schedule so I can read along! RT @FutureNostalgic: @EmApocalyptic Hi Em (& #ThePennyDreadful crew) *waves*

@FutureNostalgic RT @TPDonline: You can find her on Twitter as @emapocalyptic and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ejnewman. #thepennydreadful

@TPDonline So A big welcome to Emma! #thepennydreadful.

@EmApocalyptic #ThePennyDreadful Is a rather splendid place to find weekly serialised flash fiction by several authors: http://twurl.nl/s7xkbs

@EmApocalyptic @RandomOenophile Yay! Hello ) Glad you could join us x #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I am feeling flushed and well and truly welcomed, thank you #ThePennyDreadful

@FutureNostalgic RT @EmApocalyptic: #ThePennyDreadful Is a rather splendid place 2 find weekly serial flash fiction by several authors: http://twurl.nl/s7xkbs

@EmApocalyptic I am always delighted to be offered tea. Milk, no sugar, thank you. @TPDonline #thepennydreadful

@TPDonline Hi! RT @EmApocalyptic: @RandomOenophile Yay! Hello ) Glad you could join us x #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic @FutureNostalgic I appreciate it, nice to know that some lovelies are here ) #ThePennyDreadful

@techtigger i knew I liked Emma for a reason – tea, for the win! #thepennydreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic As always an easy question first. tell us a bit about yourself. We know you love tea.. #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic I do, it’s a fine beverage, and critical for keeping me fluffy and nice ) I live in Somerset in the UK. Mostly… #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I also think that’s the hardest question, I don’t like talking about myself very much! #ThePennyDreadful

@shadowsinstone @EmApocalyptic I’m always here. #ThePennyDreadful

@safetycomfort @EmApocalyptic …and a chocolate muffin? #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Err, what else? I run my own copywriting business to pay the bills, but my core purpose is fiction writing #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic And my debut novel comes out in October. It’s called 20 Years Later, published by @DystopiaPress.That sums me up really #ThePennyDreadful

@techtigger @EmApocalyptic tell us about writing then What got you hooked? #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Oh, and I do love chocolate muffins, that’s true. Any chocolate in fact, I’ve never met a bar I didn’t like. #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic @shadowsinstone Hello! <waves> x #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic tell us a bit about your writing then, other than the split worlds series, what else are you working on? #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic It’s always been there. I’ve been writing since *before* I can remember, according to my grandmother. I started at age 4 #ThePennyDreadful

@shadowsinstone @EmApocalyptic Look forward to that release. You’re in for a splendid October this year! #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic As for what else I’m writing, I’m currently writing the sequel to 20 Years Later, + short stories for my Short Story Club #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline the brilliant Split World series can be found here on TPD http://digs.by/1hpF and on @EmApocalyptic site www.enewman.co.uk #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic I’m working on the second draft of my story for the 2nd Chinese Whisperings anthology too ) #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic @shadowsinstone Absolutely! I can’t wait! My toes are curling just at the thought of it! Can’t quite believe it’s real! #ThePennyDreadful

@Pattycam @EmApocalyptic RT my debut novel comes out in October. It’s called 20 Years Later, published by @DystopiaPress. #ThePennyDreadful< congrats!

@FutureNostalgic RT @TPDonline: the brilliant Split World series here TPD http://is.gd/aKW0f & on @EmApocalyptic site http://is.gd/aKW0g #thepennydreadful

@cafenirvana @EmApocalyptic The short story club is brilliant. I am a subscriber and I recommend it to everyone #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic I’m obsessing about The Split Worlds stories, I must confess, having committed to 53 flashes in the world before the novel #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I’m really excited about that project. I’m only partly in the real world at the moment ) #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Aw, thanks. I’m editing the latest one, should be with you soon @cafenirvana #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic @Pattycam Thank you! x #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic Congrats!! Tell us a bit about both, to satisfy us curious readers What is 20 Years Later about? #thepennydreadful

@FutureNostalgic Me 2! RT @cafenirvana: @EmApocalyptic The short story club is brilliant. I am a subscriber & I recommend it to everyone #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Life is simply wonderful at the moment. Lots of writing, lots of writing friends & several other worlds to inhabit. Bliss. #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic If I don’t write fiction regularly I turn into the most evil, grumpy troll in England. Honestly, I’m awful #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline btw anyone can ask @EmApocalyptic questions it’s an open for all chat! #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic 20 Years Later is set in post-apocalyptic London and follows 3 extraordinary teens as they search for a kidnapped sister #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic As they uncover her whereabouts, they’re actually uncovering London’s darkest secret…. that’s book 1 anyway ) #ThePennyDreadful

@cafenirvana I identify with that. its awful RT @EmApocalyptic If I don’t write fiction regularly I turn into the most evil,grumpy troll #ThePennyDreadful

@RandomOenophile @EmApocalyptic Wow, you’ve accomplished a lot as a writer! What are your #writing routine/rituals? #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic You can listen to it on my site, I’ve been podcasting it a chapter at a time here http://twurl.nl/1qzh3k #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic @RandomOenophile Routine…. I’m still working on that! I write a minimum of one flash a week, a min of one …. #writing #thepennydreadful

@TPDonline RT @RandomOenophile: @EmApocalyptic Wow, you’ve accomplished a lot as a writer! What are your #writing routine/rituals? #thepennydreadful

@FutureNostalgic RT @EmApocalyptic: You can listen to it on my site, I’ve been podcasting it a chapt at a time here http://twurl.nl/1qzh3k #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic …short story a month and a couple of chapters of 20 years later 2 #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic But I do have a ritual: Every time I sit down to write I say out loud “I give myself permission to write total rubbish” #thepennydreadful

@FutureNostalgic I have this right now. RT @EmApocalyptic: If I don’t write fiction regularly I turn into the most evil, grumpy troll #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic That’s helps keep the evil Censor at bay – I write much better when I give myself free rein to write an awful first draft #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic I would love to have a life dedicated to writing fiction, but I have to pay the bills unfortunately #thepennydreadful

@RandomOenophile I’m going to try that. RT @EmApocalyptic …”I give myself permission to write total rubbish” #thepennydreadful

@gstickle Don’t we all.@CafeNirvana @EmApocalyptic If I dont write fiction regularly I turn into the most evil,grumpy troll #ThePennyDreadful

@cafenirvana I LOVE THIS! RT @EmApocalyptic Everytime I sit down 2 write I say aloud “I give myself permission to write total rubbish” #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Oh, and the link to the short story club is here if anyone is curious : http://twurl.nl/w1jcft #thepennydreadful

@TPDonline RT @EmApocalyptic the link to the short story club is here if anyone is curious : http://twurl.nl/w1jcft #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic It really does help! And it’s more powerful if out loud. When I forget, I self-edit at every line @RandomOenophile #thepennydreadful

@safetycomfort @EmApocalyptic Your “20 Years Later” sounds most excellent, will look forward to that. #ThePennyDreadful

@FutureNostalgic RT @EmApocalyptic: Oh, and the link to the short story club is here if anyone is curious : http://twurl.nl/w1jcft #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Hmm, a good question @FutureNostalgic ! The first story was in my head one morning when I woke up. It was complete. #ThePennyDreadful

@cafenirvana @EmApocalyptic that is excellent advice. it’s my inner critic that gets me most of the time. That ritual is now on my list #thepennydreadful

@gstickle Ditto@CafeNirvana I LOVETHIS!@EmApocalyptic Everytime I sitdown2writeIsay aloud”Igivemyselfpermissiontowritetotalrubbish” #thepennydreadful

@juxtabook RT @EmApocalyptic: Oh, and the link to the short story club is here if anyone is curious : http://twurl.nl/w1jcft #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Maybe a ditsy fairy left it there by accident during the night… The world has been brewing for a while I think #thepennydreadful

@cafenirvana @gstickle So tickled we agree #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic @safetycomfort Thank you! I hope you like it ) #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Hmm, I think the Split Worlds is like all my other fiction: it grows out of my creative mulch that lurks in my mind #ThePennyDreadful

@FutureNostalgic @EmApocalyptic Do you find that happens a lot, or are there some stories where it’s a real slog to write? #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I feed that mulch with as much as I can: books, films, rich experiences, the countryside, memories and dreams #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I guess that makes my stories like weird mushrooms that grow in the dark… yeah, that fits actually ) #ThePennyDreadful

@onbeyondwords RT @gstickle: Ditto@CafeNirvana I LOVETHIS!@EmApocalyptic Everytime I sitdown2writeIsay aloud”Igivemyselfpermissiontowritetotalrubbish” #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Some are harder to get right than others, but once I have the right idea, the right *seed*, I find my way to the story #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline ooh good question! RT @FutureNostalgic are there some stories where it’s a real slog to write? #thepennydreadful

@techtigger @EmApocalyptic where did the idea for the quirky shopkeeper come from? #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I’ve just realised that the 1st draft of 20 Years Later began with waking up one morning + the narrator talking in my head #ThePennyDreadful

@alisonwells RT @EmApocalyptic:I feed that mulch with as much as I can: books, films,rich experiences,the countryside,memories& dreams #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic He was just there, in the shop, reading his book and waiting for a customer. He’s always been there. #ThePennyDreadful

@marisabirns @EmApocalyptic Hello, Em! I love mushrooms so am glad that yours bring us Split Worlds! #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I really do feel that about my characters – like they’re living in those worlds. My job is to watch them & write it down #ThePennyDreadful

@FutureNostalgic @EmApocalyptic Same happened with my #fridayflash First Foot vampire. Bit of shock, 1st time that’s happened to me. #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Some stories leap out from behind trees like playful children, and I have to run to my computer to type as fast as I can! #ThePennyDreadful

@gstickle I hear those narrators too!@EmApocalyptic #ThePennyDreadful

@cafenirvana RT @techtigger @EmApocalyptic shopkeeper, the arbiter, the mundanes, the lovely names. how do you come up with it all #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Gosh, thanks for the RTs of things taking place during the interview with #ThePennyDreadful !

@marisabirns @EmApocalyptic So you’re the designated typist for your characters. #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Isn’t it just the best feeling in the world? @FutureNostalgic #fridayflash #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Ooh, I don’t know, their just their names. <blushes> I’m not being very useful am I? I guess they come with the characters #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic But actually, the Arbiter title is for a specific reason to do with some of the big background plot… #ThePennyDreadful

@techtigger @marisabirns @emapocalyptic – i feel the same way, I’m just their scriptwriter – they do all the hard work #ThePennyDreadful

@FutureNostalgic @EmApocalyptic Oh yes! Very spooky, but wonderful. #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I’ve been working really hard on all the background story, worlds and metaphysics, so that’s where that came from #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic RT @marisabirns: @EmApocalyptic So you’re the designated typist for your characters. #ThePennyDreadful <Absolutely! Resident scribe>

@EmApocalyptic That’s when I know the writing is flowing; it’s like watching a film in my head. I simply write what I see and hear #ThePennyDreadful

@marisabirns @CafeNirvana Hello and yes, hehe, the mushrooms spoke to me and made me rush over to #ThePennyDreadful

@cafenirvana So true RT @techtigger @marisabirns @emapocalyptic – I’m just their scriptwriter – they do all the hard work #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic So I ‘ve been in the Emporium of Things in Between and Besides, I’ve watched Cathy cry and felt so sorry for her. #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic When I finish a story, it’s like I’ve been there. 20 Years Later is very intense; been visiting that place for years now #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Heavens to Betsy, I hope I don’t sound utterly insane! That’s the way it is tho ) #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic no not at all. I feel the same way when I’m in the flow. It’s not insane at all, I love being there #thepennydreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic Will Cathy be coming back? & her ex (who I feel very sorry for despite his luckiness)? #thepennydreadful

@marisabirns @EmApocalyptic Yes, felt sorry for Cathy, too. And great irritation at the little fairy! #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Well, Cathy is coming back sooner than I thought! I have another mini-serial sketched out for her with pt 1 on Friday #ThePennyDreadful

@gstickle RT @EmApocalyptic: I really do feel that about my characters – like they’re living in those worlds. My job is to watch them & write it down #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic And I’m becoming fond of her, and she went down well with the readers, so she may be a major character in the novels too #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic I am intrigued by the Arbiter, I am jealous of the shopkeeper tho. he’s got a vantage view into ur world #thepennydreadful

@FutureNostalgic @marisabirns But wasn’t that fairy just a wonderful character? @EmApocalyptic #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic The Arbiter will be returning too, I can guarantee that! #ThePennyDreadful

@marisabirns @FutureNostalgic Yes, I will admit that the fairy was fabulous character! @EmApocalyptic #ThePennyDreadful Loved getting fussed by her.

@EmApocalyptic I’m really enjoying seeding little plots and clues about the novels in these stories actually. #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic yay for cathy, the Arbiter and more annoying fairies. they’re more like imps in your stories! #thepennydreadful

@FutureNostalgic @EmApocalyptic The clues are driving me mad already, trying to piece them all together. #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic hehe I’m so chuffed you loved the fairy. I loved writing those scenes between her and a flustered Cathy! #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Yes, no Disney-esque fairies in my worlds, thank you very much. #ThePennyDreadful

@techtigger @EmApocalyptic isn’t that fun? hints at the novels are like getting a peek offstage #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic How did you get interested in the web serial format for these stories? how does it help you? #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Hmm, that’s a good question. I didn’t plan on doing a serial at all, it just happened organically. Then I was invited to #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic When I read #ThePennyDreadful site, I got really excited by the idea of bringing exciting serialised fiction back to life with the web

@EmApocalyptic And now I am committed to a year and a day in that world, there is just the right balance of commitment, pressure and fun #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic And also the room to explore at my leisure, whilst entertaining people like your good selves #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic RT @techtigger: @EmApocalyptic isn’t that fun? hints at the novels are like getting a peek offstage #ThePennyDreadful <yes! Exactly!>

@EmApocalyptic And it’s great to make more fiction out of stuff that might not get into the final cut of a novel #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic There is a tonne of stuff that I know about the gangs in the London of 20 Years Later, but it will never be in the trilogy #ThePennyDreadful

@marisabirns @EmApocalyptic Which is lucky for us that you’ve committed to continuing telling us stories in that world. #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic I read that today, the 53 week commitment (http://j.mp/cKor8p ). It is rather inspiring to me, honestly. #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic I also like grand commitments and bold, daring adventures! @marisabirns #ThePennyDreadful

@cafenirvana @marisabirns mushrooms rule! #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic I’m so excited about the ideas I have in store for you all ) #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic oooh, please give us some hints of what you have in store for us the suspense is killing me #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Well, in the next mini-series, you’ll get a glimpse of Cathy’s life and how it’s been affected by her 3rd wish… #ThePennyDreadful

@techtigger @TPDonline *lol* we’ll have to brand this chat with a spoiler alert! #thepennydreadful

@FutureNostalgic Me too! RT @TPDonline: @EmApocalyptic oooh, please give us some hints…the suspense is killing me #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic And next week, you’ll be meeting some of her family, and seeing more of the lives of those living in the fey-touched world #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline RT @techtigger: @TPDonline !!! SPOILER ALERT!!! #thepennydreadful @EmApocalyptic

@EmApocalyptic That’s all I’m going to give away now, but there will a rather controversial topic too #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I’ve been working on Cathy’s family this week, and I love every single one of them ) #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic A few more minutes before concluding this chat (officially) Do you have any advice 4 fellow writers? #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic I can also give you another tidbit: the novels will be set in Bath. I went to the city today to check it out, and it fits! #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic Bath! that sounds yummy indeed. you might have to speed up episode production for your readers’ sakes now #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic So I had a wonderful time wondering around, being inspired by it, and picking out details. #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I walked around London so much when writing 20 Years Later – all places in it are real places, with accurate descriptions #ThePennyDreadful

@marisabirns @EmApocalyptic That is marvelous! I spent a month in Bath and just loved my time there. #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Any advice? Write. Write until your heart sings and your fingers ache and your eyes weep #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic I think there is a lot of contradictory advice out there, but if you want to be a writer, you have to write above all else #ThePennyDreadful

@FutureNostalgic Brilliant! RT @EmApocalyptic: Any advice?Write. Write until your heart sings and your fingers ache and your eyes weep #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic !’d love to do it full time, but finances won’t allow. It’ll have to be weekly Unless 20 Years Later becomes a bestseller! #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic you have humored us with a lot of hints, but do you have any messages for your fans/readers! #thepennydreadful

@EmApocalyptic Fantastic! Then you’ll probably recognise places ) @marisabirns #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic Only a big warm bear-like hug for reading my stories. The comments help keep me motivated, so thanks for those too! #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic And feel free to drop over at my blog any time for tea and stories and the occasional rant ) There’s always a chair free #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic With that lovely bear hg from writer to reader,we conclude our official chat session. thanks for being here #thepennydreadful

@techtigger @EmApocalyptic On that lovely note, I think our hour is up. Thank you so much for chatting with us today! #ThePennyDreadful

@EmApocalyptic And many thanks for having me. It’s been a pleasure, and thanks for your support! #ThePennyDreadful

@techtigger and thanks to @cafenirvana for taking over @tpdonline to run the chat! #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline It’s our pleasure, my preciousss! We loves it!! RT @techtigger thanks to @cafenirvana for taking over @tpdonline! #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic For all the tea and being so utterly wonderful. I am none of us can get enough of your stories #thepennydreadful

@shadowsinstone @EmApocalyptic Great chat there Em! #ThePennyDreadful

@marisabirns @techtigger @cafenirvana @TPonline @EmApocalyptic Thank you all for this chat. It was terrific! #ThePennyDreadful

@FutureNostalgic @EmApocalyptic Thanks for giving your time. It’s been great chatting with you & very illuminating. #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline @EmApocalyptic Thanks for being a part of our team. you can find Emma’s work at http://is.gd/aKW0f & http://is.gd/aKW0g #thepennydreadful

@FutureNostalgic Thank you both. RT @techtigger: and thanks to @cafenirvana for taking over @tpdonline to run the chat! #ThePennyDreadful

@FutureNostalgic RT @TPDonline: @EmApocalyptic thx 4 being a part of R team. U cn find Emma’s work://is.gd/aKW0f & http://is.gd/aKW0g #thepennydreadful

@shadowsinstone Hmm, now I’m wanting to write, thanks to #ThePennyDreadful and @EmApocalyptic’s inspiring chat.

@EmApocalyptic My pleasure @FutureNostalgic , @shadowsinstone , and @marisabirns xxx #ThePennyDreadful

@TPDonline here’s a link to @EmApocalyptic ‘s Short story club http://ow.ly/1n5st . Highly recommended for all storylovers. #thepennydreadful

@TPDonline Tales from the Split Worlds, New episodes at The Penny Dreadful. http://j.mp/ba4bYb An urban fantasy by @EmApocalyptic #thepennydreadful

@TPDonline Thanks everyone for joining us. Of course you can gab all u want I for one wanna know more about the arbiter. #thepennydreadful

@gstickle @TPDonline It was great. I’ve never seen #thepennydreadful before.

@safetycomfort @TPDonline And thanks for hosting, and a great interview @EmApocalyptic #thepennydreadful

@techtigger Quick note – watch for more chats with the authors of #ThePennyDreadful – dates and times, coming soon!