CREATIVE SECRETS Yvonne Banham




To discover how others are working, Loretta Flockhart speaks to writers and illustrators about their creative spaces, processes and inspirations. This month, we hear from writer Yvonne Banham.


 
What’s your ideal creative space and where do you usually end up working?


I have a separate room, which is great because I can be messy when I’m drafting. I have all kinds of references scattered around me. I tidy up for editing as my brain needs to be more orderly for that. My desk is under the window, and I love watching the corvids, magpies and crows in the garden.

 

Yvonne in her creative space

When do you do your best work, or feel most inspired?

When I’m drafting, I get itchy feet, often not settling until late afternoon but then working through the evening. When I’m editing, I’m more disciplined and can sit down at nine and stay there all day. I do most of my writing at home with Toby’s snores for company. Occasionally, I write with friends or in cafés, but that only works if I have the whole story. I’ve had super-productive times in the quiet spaces at Moniack Mhor too.

 

 

Where do your ideas come from?

The characters show up first, usually as vivid images. With Delores Mackenzie, it was after a storm-swept run across a causeway. I got a strong image of Delores being chased by a dead creature as I reached the safety of the shore, then it was a case of ‘what am I going to do with this?’ But it can be as random as a road sign or a photograph. Always be open to ephemera!

Next, I need to be writing for things to properly take shape and more characters and ideas pop up as I go. Solutions to plot holes are solved on hikes or runs. I’m a great believer in latent processing. 
 

The Dolores Mackenzie books

 

What inspires your work?

Edinburgh’s architecture plays a huge part, along with ruins and graveyards. I love to look at portraits for character detail – Angel from book one, was heavily influenced by a portrait in the National Gallery, London. There are some amazing vintage shops in Edinburgh and Armstrongs Vintage on the Grassmarket is brilliant for all kinds of inspiration. (Fans of Armstrongs will spot little nuggets in the home of a pair of villains in book two.)

 

For my current WIP, I’m drawing on the wilds of my native Cumbria, as well as Scotland and up into Scandinavia. Big northern skies and long nights are perfect for eerie tales. I’m currently planning a trip to a wild castle ruin in Aberdeenshire; a darkly dramatic setting for the climax of the new WIP. But my love of Gothic fiction is at the root of everything.

 

 
What are your favourite tools for writing?

I love Moleskin XL soft notebooks (lined) and fill one per project including edits. They’re an indulgence but I love the feel of them, sticking stuff in, drawing maps and floor plans. I write character notes, world-building and snatches of ideas by hand (I’m fussy about pens; how they feel on the paper, not brand). I draft on my MacBook in Word. It’s basic but that keeps me focused.

 

Yvonne's writing tools - Moleskin notebook and pens 

 
Has the way you create changed over time or is it the same as it’s always been?

I’m a pantser by nature and still love that out-of-control anything-can-happen feeling when you’re letting the plot fly. I had no idea how the first Delores book was going to end until I was in the final third of the draft, then I went back and threaded clues through the rest of the story. I love this part of the process, adding the extras that pull the plot together.


Pitching a sequel to my publisher, including a plot outline, forced me to combine pantsing with planning. I still find joy in the wild ride – it’s just now I put a seatbelt on.

 

 

Best bit of creative advice?

Write what excites you; it’s a long haul to ‘the end’ and it’s impossible to predict what the market will want.

 

 

Yvonne with her debut novel

Why do you write children’s books?

I’m inspired by what Frances Hardinge has to say about writing ‘scary’ for children. Her TED talk on the subject is fascinating. It encouraged me to explore supernatural/horror themes that I would have devoured when starting high school without having to delve into adult horror to find them.

 

I love the thrill of the uncanny without the more confronting aspects of YA or NA. The 11+ age group I write for is perfect for this. But scary books aren’t just a thrill-ride; they can provide a safe space for younger readers to test out the edges of their fears and see they can overcome them. I love that.


*Header image: Ell Rose and Tita Berredo; 

*all other images courtesy of Yvonne Banham 



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Yvonne Banham writes spooky books for readers age 11+ and her debut The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie was published in 2023, with the follow up, The Haunted Life of Delores Mackenzie published last month. She lives in Stirlingshire with her husband and their ancient beagle Toby.
 
 For more about Yvonne and her books, visit her website, Instagram, or X (Twitter).


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Loretta Flockhart is the Creative Secrets editor for Words & PicturesYou can find her on social media @lolajflo
 

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Ell Rose is the Illustration Features Editor of Words & Pictures.
Find their work at https://fourfooteleven.com
Follow them on Instagram and Twitter
Contact them at illustrators@britishscbwi.org


Tita Berredo is the Illustrator Coordinator of SCBWI British Isles and the Art Director of Words & PicturesFollow her on Instagram and Twitter or www.titaberredo.com
Contact her atilluscoordinator@britishscbwi.org.

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