The Lost Garden

About Katharine Swartz

After spending three years as a diehard New Yorker, Katharine Swartz now lives in the Wales with her husband, their five children, and a Golden Retriever. She enjoys such novel things as long country walks and chatting with people in the street, and her children love the freedom of village life—although she often has to ring four or five people to figure out where they’ve gone off to. She writes women’s fiction as well as contemporary romance under the name Kate Hewitt, and whatever the genre she enjoys delivering a compelling and intensely emotional story. The Second Bride is the third book in Katherine’s charming series, Tales From Goswell.

Below is a Q&A with this author.

1. What first inspired you to write the Tales from Goswell series?
Moving to a 200-year-old vicarage in a small village in Cumbria lit the creative spark.
2. Do you have a particular writing routine?
I have small children so I tend to fit my writing around them. I try to write in the mornings for about three hours while I have childcare and then be firm about closing the laptop and devoting time to my family.
3. Name the writing habit you rely on to get you through a first draft.
I have to push through the hard parts, including, inevitably, when I am convinced this is the worst thing I’ve ever written, and just finish it.
4. Which living author(s) do you most admire?
Mary Lawson. Her books are beautiful.
5. Which book would you take to a desert island?  Let’s stick to the formula – excluding the Bible and the complete works of Shakespeare.
Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss, which has been on my bedside table for years. I always pick it up when I need to be encouraged.
6. How much of you is in any of your characters?
Everything and nothing—all my characters are fiction, but I bring myself, my emotions and fears and desires, to every person I write.
7. In another age I would have been . . .
A governess. I like the safety of the school room.
8. Who would your fantasy dinner guests be?
My family. Living abroad I don’t see them often enough.
9. Which book do you wish you had written?
The Harry Potter series for obvious reasons, or the above mentioned Stepping Heavenward for how much hope it has given people over the years.
10. Who is your favourite literary character?
The narrator of Remains of the Day. He is oblique and unreliable and yet you have so much sympathy for him.
11. Did any of the characters in your book surprise you while writing?
Characters continually surprise by how they have a mind of their own, even though I’m the one controlling them!
12. What would your super power be?
Flying.
13. What is the worst piece of writing or career feedback you’ve received?
Many years ago an agent once sent me an email that was not meant for me to see—‘Her writing is mediocre, but this is the kind of thing we could make money from’. I never want that to be my motive for being in this business!
14. What is the worst job you've done?
Waitressing in New York City.
15. What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Trust in God. Love never fails.
16. Have you written anything and been surprised by its reception?
I have been gratified by how many people have enjoyed my books, and I have also appreciated the criticism I’ve received as I hope it makes me a better writer.
17. Which book (not your own) do you wish everyone would read?
The Bible, with an open mind.
18. Which book do you suspect most people claim to have read, but haven’t?
The current work of literary genius, whatever it is!
19. How do you feel about physical books versus e-books?
I have a foot in both camps. I love reading e-books but I don’t actually feel like I own the book, and I keep all my physical books too.
20. Do you have any advice for an aspiring author?
Write. Try to write everyday, or as often as you can. That is the only way you will improve your craft.