The Prendergast Watch - how and why Emma Woodhouse wrote her first novel

I'm excited to share with you the story behind my novel, The Prendergast Watch, a Victorian extravaganza that follows Bartholomew Grous as he struggles to stay afloat in the shadowy London streets he inhabits, as his growing infatuation with the enigmatic Jemima takes over his reason.

This tale is a tale filled with love, loss, blackmail, asylums, art, suffrage, and family secrets.

As Bartholomew is embroiled in blackmail and poverty, Jemima Prendergast becomes his only hope of redemption, but her family secrets begin to unravel and Bartholomew realises the truth isn’t what it seems.

An intense and totally absorbing process

By the time I finished writing the book, I was so involved in the lives of the characters, I decided to write two prequels to The Prendergast Watch to explore the lives of some of the older characters and explore how they became the twisted, gnarled characters we meet in the book. These prequels are works in progress and I hope to publish them someday. I'd love to hear from writers who have similar ideas!

Researching The Prendergast Watch meant exploring the lesser-known world of working-class women

I thoroughly enjoy creating characters and researching historical details, but my work can at times be serious and focused. I like to pull back the layers of society and explore the lesser-known, almost secret world of working-class women. In fact, many of the stories of such women have been forgotten.

My background is working-class and through that I feel a strong connection to the worlds frequented by the poor in Victorian society. The Prendergast Watch dips its toes into this concept, but my upcoming books delve deeper into these worlds and incorporate real historical figures as well.

Covid pandemic gave time to write

The novel was written during the Covid pandemic. When lockdown occurred in March 2020 it was a difficult time, and really hard for so many people. I found comfort by writing The Prendergast Watch. I got lost in the lives of my characters. And, as many writers will know, the process of writing allowed me to escape into their worlds, giving me the time and space to develop my craft and create this first Prendergast novel.

My love for all things Victorian developed during my years working at Blists Hill Victorian Town, about ten miles north of where I live in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England. While I worked at Blists Hill, I dressed as a Victorian and gave talks and demonstrations about Victorian life. This passion has bled into my writing as it is a time period I feel rather at home in!

Whilst I worked there, I pursued a BA (Hons) in Literature with the Open University, followed by a PGCE and MA in Education at Worcester University. I've now been teaching for over 15 years, and I'm currently working on my MA in Contemporary Creative Writing at Northeastern University London.

Send us your questions for Emma's upcomming podcast interview

If you have any questions about my writing or how I wrote The Prendergast Watch, send them to us and we'll include them in Sheelagh's upcoming podcast interview with me.

I'm thrilled to share The Prendergast Watch with you and hope you'll enjoy exploring the Victorian world I've created as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Find my website here, and buy The Pendergast Watch on Amazon.co.uk and other Amazon sites around the world.