Barbara Taylor Bradford: living the dream

iVillage: Do you have a book that you've always wanted to write, but an editor or publisher said no? As a writer, do you have any advice on handling that negative feedback?

Barbara Taylor Bradford: I've not yet submitted an idea to a publisher that has been rejected, but I do know from other writers (who are friends), that this kind of rejection can be very negative, and often affects their future work. I suppose the only advice I can give, if this should happen, is to believe in your work and to keep writing. In other words, if an idea or a book is rejected by a publisher, just start a new one. Don't give up, strike out in a different direction. I have always believed this pays off.

iVillage: Do you have a female author in particular who you admire?

Barbara Taylor Bradford: There are a number of good women authors writing today. I like the work of Jane Hamilton especially. I also love the historical novels of Margaret George. She's one of the best in the business.

The art of the novel

iVillage: When you write a new novel, do you set it out in outline form first or does the story just flow as you sit down to write?

Barbara Taylor Bradford: Before I begin a novel, I must think it out, all the way through, and know the story from the beginning to the middle, right through to the end. I always start with the main character, and build the story and the other characters from there. Once I've thought the book through, I sit down and break it into parts, then detail each part, chapter by chapter. Obviously, when I'm writing other characters, ideas come to me because I have a flow going, but I really do think it out carefully before starting, because I must know the end and I must know the underlying theme of the book. Incidentally, I must also have a title, otherwise I find it really hard to begin. And if possible, I like to know the last page before I start.