Travel Buy the Book: Marsha Moore author of 24 Hour London.

This month we are joined by author Marsha Moore. Marsha shares with us her journey from idea to publication of her new book, 24 Hour London.

1. Diverse Traveller: Marsha, before we talk about your book, please tell us about yourself.

Marsha: First and foremost: I love to travel! It’s always played an important role in my life. I grew up in Canada with both parents as teachers, so they always had the same vacation time as me. They took me across Canada, the States and even to Europe – they definitely injected me with the travel bug! In my mid-twenties I moved to Poland, where I lived and worked for two years and continued my European travel. I went back to Canada hoping to settle down, but I couldn’t stay in one place so I moved to London!

I fell in love with the city. There is just so much to do here, with people from all over the world. My husband is also an expat (from Egypt) so together we explored the city by going on guided walks and reading history books. London’s a great base to travel to other parts of the world, too.

2. Diverse Traveller: Thanks! Let's talk about your new book, 24 Hours London. Please tell us have you written before, where did the idea for the book come from and what was your writing process?

Marsha: I trained as a journalist, so I’d written plenty of articles but nothing as lengthy or as intensive as a full-length book. I didn’t know exactly what format I wanted it to take, but I knew I wanted to write about London: what I’d discovered along with my favourite places, breaking it down in a easy way so people wouldn’t have to face my dilemma of how on earth to even start getting to know London!

In the meantime, I’d met a publisher who was seeking non-fiction projects. There’s already a lot of London material out there, so we needed something different; something that didn’t already exist. Most London guides list a mind-boggling number of activities and sights to see, but there didn’t seem to be a guide to help people decide what to do, when – a kind of ready-made itinerary spanning 24 hours. A few more brainstorming sessions later, and the 24 Hours London idea was born! I wrote up a few sample hours to give my publisher a sense of how it would look, and the project developed from there. The actual writing took about six weeks, and then the lengthy process of editing and fact-checking was a few months.

3. Diverse Traveller: While researching for and writing 24 hour London, what were the challenges and surprises if any?

Marsha: The hardest part was making sure all the factual information was correct – you wouldn’t believe how difficult it can be to pin down some businesses on their actual opening hours! Other than that, both the research and the writing were great fun (because really, who wouldn’t like to sample all the delights London has to offer? It offered a great excuse to have just one more Ladurée macaroon…).

4. Diverse Traveller: Marsha, how did / do you balance writing (and promoting) 24 Hours London and having a personal life?

Marsha: Great question! As a full-time writer, balancing a personal life with writing is certainly one of the things I find hardest. Working from home, it’s very easy to let your job gradually encroach on your free time. There were times when I realized I hadn’t actually left the flat for two or three days – definitely not healthy! I try to set definite ‘office hours’, working from around 8 a.m. to around 4 p.m. Then, when I leave my office, I leave my work behind. I’m also part of a writers’ group which has provided me with a forum of like-minded people to whinge about the hardships of being within striking distance of the fridge 24-7.

5. Diverse Traveller: With so many London guidebooks available, tell us why people should buy 24 Hours London and how does it differ from other London guides?

Marsha: Unlike other guides that list activities by category, 24 Hours London is an hour-by-hour guide. It breaks down the day and night and lets readers choose from the best London has to offer. From running up walls to hunting down ghosts or just kicking back and relaxing at an underground loo-turned-pub; readers can see the top picks for what's happening city-wide at any moment in time. It’s a bit like having a ready-made itinerary for 24 hours.

6. Diverse Traveller: What advice would you give anyone with the desire to publish a travel book (e.g research tips and tools for capturing moments, ideas or facts, how to find a publisher)?

Marsha: Find something you’re passionate about, whether it’s a city, a country, or your own personal travelogue. Getting published is a long haul that requires a lot of persistence, so if it’s a subject you don’t care about it may be hard to stay the course. Study the market and read other books on similar subjects. Ask yourself what’s unique about your travel book; try to come up with an angle to make it stand out from what’s already available.  Then, make sure you approach agents or publishers who work with non-fiction travel writers. Finding the right contacts is half the battle!

7. Diverse Traveller: Marsha, in your opinion, what is the most important attribute an aspiring travel writer should have and why?

Marsha: I think curiosity is one of the most important attributes for a travel writer, because it will always lead you to get behind the surface of a place, to meet the locals and discover the ‘real’ locale. There’s no greater joy than finding a restaurant, a theatre or a square where you can sit and watch the life around you. For a just a second, you are a part of their world as opposed to them being a part of yours.

8. DiverseTraveller: Let's talk about your last holiday. Where did you go, why that destination, did you travel alone and how long did you go for?

Marsha: My last holiday, purely for personal reasons, was to Cairo, Egypt, to meet my husband’s family. We stayed for a week and it was brilliant – mainly for the reason I talked about above. Being with locals gave me a very unique insight into the culture that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Cairo is an extremely dynamic city where life oozes from every corner, from the boys on their donkeys selling street-food door-to-door to the businessmen rushing between modern skyscrapers. We saw the Pyramids and took a felucca on the Nile – obligatory for first-times – but we also ate in local falafel joints and drank tea on top of Al-Mokattam, Cairo’s mountain.  It was unforgettable.

9. Diverse Traveller: What one thing do you always take when you travel (work and / or holiday) and one thing you are happy to leave behind?

Marsha: It’s going to sound very clichéd, but one thing I always take with me – for personal and professional travel - is a notebook where I can jot down observations and impressions of a place, as well as stick in any business cards, from restaurants, etc. I’d go crazy trying to retain all that information in my head! I’m always very happy to leave behind my trainers, since I don’t force myself to exercise while I’m travelling.

10. Diverse Traveller: Finally, Marsha, what and where to next, e.g. do you have plans for another travel book?

Marsha: 24 Hours Paris is due out in the spring, and I’m off to Paris again at the end of the month for a bit more fact-checking (and eating… all in the name of research, of course!). We’re also launching iPhone applications for both the London and Paris guides, to make all the material easily accessible for on-the-move travellers. There are plans for more 24 Hours books, as well.

My favourite things from the book:

I love Ye Olde Mitre Pub just off the diamond stretch of Hatton Garden. It’s so tiny and hidden away even some locals don’t know it’s there!

One of my favourite city walks is along the South Bank, where you can stroll by the Thames past the Royal Festival Hall, the British Film Institute and the National Theatre, then hit the Tate Modern (free admission) for some art. Cross the river over the Millennium Bridge, take in St Paul’s and have a drink by the river.

And for some great Indian food away from the tourist traps on Brick Lane, head to Tayyab’s in Whitechapel, recently voted Indian Restaurant of the Year in the London Restaurant Awards.

Diverse Traveller: Thank you so much Marsha for taking the time to tell us about your book, 24 Hours London, and for sharing your travel and writing experiences with us at Diverse Traveller. We wish you lots of success with your book.

Marsha has kindly given us a copy of her book 24 Hours London. To win this copy, answer the following question:

Question: Before becoming a full-time writer what was Marsha's occupation:

1.     Novelist
2.     Journalist
3.     Actress?

Click here to read competition Terms and Conditions and to post your answer. The correct answer will be selected at random. Closing date February 28th, 2010. CLOSED!

 Click here to read a sample of 24 hour London and to buy a copy of the book. You can also read more about Marsha and what's she's working on at her blog  marshawrites

NB. Diverse Traveller is not responsible and does not recommend any of the content, product or service provided by any of the external websites mentioned above. This feature is 100% endorsement-free as it has been provided free of charge.

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