Paula R.C. Readman's Blog, page 63

Clubhouse Guest’s Chat: Tim Mendees

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you who are not a member won’t be aware that the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit the clubhouse is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

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Today I’m welcoming Tim to the tearoom. Let’s order our drinks, what would you like?

Hi, as it’s a bit nippy outside, I’d love a chilli chai if you have one?

Now we have our drinks I would like to start by asking you when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre?

I’ve always been interested in the darker side of things so it’s natural, I guess. I’m a huge fan of horror in all its forms and have been since I was a nipper. My primary school teacher sent a letter home once saying that he was concerned about me and my ‘morbid’ nature. I’d just written a story about a Friday the 13th style killer at a Butlins holiday camp and illustrated it with stick-men getting butchered. It didn’t help that I was reading Ramsay Campbell at the same time… I was about ten, I think.
Plus, as a flag waving goth DJ, it wouldn’t be good for my image to be writing romantic comedies.

What writing elements do you think is your strongest points, and what would you like to do better?

I think action and dialogue are my strongest points. I struggle most when it comes to the emotional stuff. I’m not good at writing believable romantic stuff, it usually ends up like something out of the agony pages. Luckily, as most of what I write doesn’t need it, I tend to dodge the romance bullet more often than not.

[image error] Dark Tim Mendees

Tell us a little about latest writing project. Is it a new idea, or one you have been mulling over for some time?

I have a bunch of things on the go at the minute. Several of which, I’m sworn to secrecy so you would probably have to switch beverages and ply me with gin to get them out of me. I recently started a kind of pseudo-sequel to my novella, Burning Reflection. It’s coming along nicely but I’ve had to leave it for now and get a novelette written for a looming deadline. This month is going to be a nightmare. Deadlines are like buses for me, you get nothing for ages then six of the buggers turn up at once. I’m going to have to plug myself into an intravenous coffee drip at this rate.
I’m also in the editing phase of an episodic novel which I’m very excited about. I’ve been working on it for some time now and it’s going to be the start of a trilogy. Once that is finished the hard work of finding a publisher will begin.

Do you write a synopsis first or write the first chapter? If you only write short stories, or play or poetry do you plan your story, or let the characters lead you?

I’m a complete pantser. I tend to get ideas pop into my head and just go with it in an almost stream of consciousness kind of way. I rarely plan anything. I’m leading a group project at the moment so I’ve had to be a plotter on that one. I’m pleased that I can actually do it but it doesn’t come naturally. Half the time, I have no idea where the story is going to end. I guess that’s why I struggle with keeping to word counts. Drabbles are my kryptonite!

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When reading your work through do you ever find that your daily mood swings are reflected in your writing?

Immensely. There are a couple that I wrote during stressful events and its obvious to me that I was in a foul mood. I tend to satire things that are getting my goat as a kind of catharsis. I always tend to write what is in my head at that particular moment so it stands to reason that it’s not always going to be fluffy kittens and rainbows. My moods influence my writing a lot, I’m Bi-Polar so they have a big impact on my output and productivity. I channel the manic phases into work, I’ve found it a really helpful way of keeping them under control. The downswings, however… I’m absolutely useless.

Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

Absolutely. Some are affectionate, some are thinly-veiled revenge. I have dealt with a number of people on my shitlist by having them eaten by giant lobsters and murderous plants.

What did you learn when writing your book? In writing it, how much research did you do?

I learn all kinds of random stuff through writing. For Burning Reflection I had to research numerology quite heavily which was really interesting. Also, Victorian plumbing, breeds of horse and about a billion synonyms for fire, flame, etc.
One of my favourite bits of research came from a short story I set in the Scottish Highlands, I had to learn how to swear in Gaelic. That was fun. 

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Did you uncover things about yourself while writing your books or stories, whether that be a long forgotten memory, a positive experience etc.

Yeah, I tend to dig deep sometimes. For example, the novella I’m writing as a follow up to Burning Reflection came from an idea I had about using all the serious injuries I’ve had in my life as a story. So, every serious accident that happens to the MC is something that has happened to me. I’ve just finished the part where I had the top of my pinkie finger chopped off by a falling mantelpiece, I’m hoping to make the reader wince… The bit where my feet get deep-fried is going to be interesting to fit into a Victorian setting. I’m thinking an overturned skillet.

Do you set yourself a daily word count?

No, I tend to just go with the flow. Depending on my moods, some days I can rattle off upwards of 6k, some days I struggle to do 2. I try not to beat myself up about the bad days as even if I can’t make much progress I’m usually doing promo or something so it’s still kind of productive.

How many hours in a day do you write?

I tend to treat it as a nine to five, though I often get a couple of hours in before bed. I need structure or I’ll just arse around posting pictures of octopus on Facebook all day. If I treat it as a day job, I can trick myself into behaving.

How do you select the names of your characters? Do you know everything about them before you start writing their story?

I like to try and use names that fit the story. I’m writing something that has a lot of connections to the garden so I have chosen names that are floral in nature. I do it quite a lot. I like to use names as a plot device where possible. It comes from the old occult teachings that names have power, why not play around with it? Even if nobody spots it, it makes me smile. A lot of my characters evolve organically. I tend to start with one or two then just add new characters where needed. I don’t like to have superfluous characters. I think they all need to drive the story in some way, even if they are just cannon, or giant lobster, fodder.

Thank you so much, Tim. Please have a good look around and when you’re ready to leave please let Brutus know.

If you want to find out more about Tim’s writing click on the links below.

Author of Burning Reflection: https://getbook.at/burningreflection

Website – https://timmendeeswriter.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goatinthemachine
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/timmendeesyoutube

If you want to find out more about Clubhouse Member’s Books don’t forget to check out the Clubhouse Bookshops too.

Clubhouse Guest’s Chat: Kristina Gallo

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you who are not a member won’t be aware that the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit the clubhouse is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

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Today I’m welcoming Kristina to the tearoom. Welcome. I hope red wine is okay for you. Let’s start by asking you what writing elements do you think is your strongest points, and what would you like to do better?

I am very good in dialogues, actions and making the plot. It is harder for me to describe emotions, and set up the timeline when the events happened, make a balance between past, present and future. Also I am not a type to write a romance. It always finishes in revenge or in kind of troubles.

Tell us a little about latest writing project. Is it a new idea, or one you have been mulling over for some time?

My new project is the sequel. I have been writen a book The Seller of Sins in 2019. My readers said some things were unfinished, the end was rushing, so I decided to write the part two. It is a pleasure for me, I get my readers very serious.

[image error] Kristina Gallo

When reading your work through do you ever find that your daily mood swings are reflected in your writing?

I can feel it very well. I noticed I wrote my best lines when I was angry or nervous. It motivates me. Sometimes I feel exhausted when I wrote some chapters, like I got rid of a big burden.

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Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

I am inspired by real people, especially those who gave me negative experiences. I shaped my characters by real people, gave them personality and real stories. Of course, I always change the names.

Is there anything about you your readers might be surprised to find out?

All my stories are happening in Croatia. If you don’t know anything about my country, you will find out. Place of action is in the cities in Croatia. One of my readers thought we were part of former SSSR. We were part of Yugoslavia. Readers can learn about history from my books, even they are fictional. They can learn about our tradition, habits and beauty of some places. Especially my book „I Will Kill You In My Dream“ is written by war background.

 Do you set yourself a daily word count?

No, I am spontaneous, I never do that. Sometimes I wrote few sentences, the other time few chapters.

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How many hours in a day do you write?

I write randomly, accord my mood. I don’t have a plan, it simply happens I am typing on my computer when I feel I wish to do it.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

In fact, Gallo is my pseudonym and I write under that nickname. It happens that I started with Gallo and audience remembered that name. It is more resonant, since I am Croatian and our surnames is hard to spell.

What was your hardest scene to write?

My hardest scene to write is a murder scene. I wish to do that realistic, to have a logical sense, and yet I avoid exaggerating. I don’t want my readers think this is like a bad horror, lot of blood and without real explanations. I focus on motive and reasons.

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How long on average does it take you to write a book?

I need about a month for my book, without including editing. Editing is coming in two weeks after I finish the book.

Thank you for our chat, Kristina. If you would like to know more about Kristina’s writing check out the links below.

Books: Amazon Author’s Page

Blog: https://ironlady39.blogspot.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKW0QVVLemtACh2-MQq1sDQ?view_as=subscriber

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkristinagallo

If you want to find out more about Clubhouse Member’s Books don’t forget to check out the Clubhouse Bookshops too.

Clubhouse Guest Chat: Gareth Writer-Davies

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you who are not a member won’t be aware that the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit it is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

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Today I’m welcoming Gareth to the tearoom. Welcome. Can I order you a drink?

Thank you for asking me to join you, Paula 

Clubhouse Chat Guest: Callum Pearce

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you who are not a member won’t be aware that the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit it is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

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Today I’m chatting to Callum about his writing. Welcome to the tearoom. My first question to you is what refreshments would you like?

Thank you for inviting me, Paula. Since it is winter, and I normally go everywhere on my bike, but today you sent a car to pick me up, I would still like to have a nice hot chocolate with squirty cream, please.

Of course, you can. Now we have our drinks let start by asking you did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

No I’ve never considered writing under a pseudonym. At sixteen, I chose my own name and changed it legally. It would seem a shame not to use it after spending so much time picking just the right one for myself. I wanted a name that spoke to what I wanted from life at the time. I chose Callum as it is Gaelic for Dove, a symbol of peace. Then the surname so that I can drop a few letters in my signature.

Callum –  Pearce

Ca l m – Pea ce

When you first began your writing journey, what drew you to your chosen genre?

I write mostly fantasy and horror. This is largely because that is the kind of entertainment I have always been drawn to. I’ve done a few science a fiction stories and some factual articles but fantasy and horror are my comfort zone. Even when working on other styles of stories, I think I bring those elements along with me.

I think they both work really well together too. The best fantasy stories have elements of horror and the horror I enjoy the most has elements of fantasy. I’m not too interested in extreme horror as I like a bit of magic in mine. I think for me, when you go really dark, it’s important to have some lighter elements too.

[image error] Callum Pearce

Tell us a little about latest writing project. Is it a new idea, or one you have been mulling over for some time?

Now  and into the next year I am working on a lot of projects with other authors. Most of them I can’t talk about yet. We recently finished work on Zero Hour 2113 though so I can finally speak about that one.
The others are similar. Zero hour 2113 is a cyberpunk novel set in the future in London. It was an idea by David green for the 13 series by Black Hare Press. 13 chapters, 13 authors each telling their own story within the world that he created. This was the first of these projects that I was invited to work on. I really enjoyed working with the other amazing authors to add to this world and share feedback with each other. I have since been invited to join lots of similar projects and am thoroughly enjoying working with so many talented people.

I’m also working on a novella which will be a new idea. It’s a dystopian novella. So far  it’s called “The beautiful ones” but that could change.

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How many unfinished projects do you have on your computer?

I have a few larger stories and some anthology ideas that I keep adding to as I go along. As far as my short stories, I’ve actually managed to make sure that most are finished and sent off. I’ve been very lucky to find homes for most of them. I have one or two that are finished that I haven’t come across the right place to submit them yet. Sometimes I’ll write something tailored for a specific call-out. Other times I will just write something to entertain myself and then go looking for somewhere to send it afterwards.

Do you write a synopsis first or write the first chapter? If you only write short stories, do you plan your story, or let the characters lead you?

I tend to have a fairly good idea of where I want the story to go for the short stories. I know what points I need to hit along the way and usually where it will end. Then I just let the characters live in my head a bit. After that, I prefer to just hit the page and see what happens. As long as I have a good idea of the characters and the world then I find that works best for me. I often put notes on my phone as a reminder of stories that I want to tell or something interesting that I want to add. Still, I prefer to let the characters lead me really. For longer stories I tend to add notes as I’m writing for important details that I don’t want to mix up. But I will still jump in the deep end first and see where that takes me.

When reading your work through do you ever find that your daily mood swings are reflected in your writing?

I don’t think they are. I think with any job you kind of have to put that side of things away and get on with your work. I’ve always worked in bars and clubs. It didn’t matter what was going on through the day. When it was time to work I’d fix my hair. slap on any make-up I fancy and play the lovely, camp bar man.

Also, when I write I’m not really engaged in anything but the story. It would be extreme to call it a trance state but that is the closest comfortable description. It’s like sitting at the computer or with a pad and paper and letting the story happen through you. I’m often surprised by what I read back at the end of the day.

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Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

Not really. Sometimes they will be loosely based on a few people that I know from the bars rolled together. Usually when you have a certain character type that you seem to meet again and again wherever you go. That will just be a type rather than any real details about those people. I have added friends names to stories for fun. They always know before I do it. These characters will sometimes take on small traits of the person who’s name I give them. I’m careful no to get too close to the real person. Writing horror, my characters tend not to be having too good a time. It wouldn’t be right to do those things to friends.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

I started pretty much working as a writer full time this year. I also have to read for a couple of things and have started writing book reviews for The bold mom website. The projects also involve a lot of reading. If there is a lot of that to get through I will read in the morning, then write all afternoon until my husband comes home from work. When there isn’t much reading to do, then it’s basically nine to five writing with breaks. Sometimes I will take time off for work in the allotment but its also quite nice to write there when the work is finished.

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What was your hardest scene to write?

I’ve written a couple of things that involve suicide. Those scenes are hard to write because I know that it’s a triggering subject for people and you have to be careful how you go about it.

Sometimes though, a character will really grow on me when I know that I’m going to do something horrible to them later. I do get a little pang of guilt as if they were real people that I’ve grown to like. I do it anyway of course.

Do you set yourself a daily word count?

Never, some days you can really labour over a very small fraction of a story whilst the rest seems to fall onto the page. Other days it is more steady. Sometimes I’m running up against a deadline so I have to be sure that I’m writing enough but I don’t have a set word count in mind for the day.

Thank you for join us today, Callum. When you’re ready to leave just let Brutus know.

If you would like to know more about Callum’s work check out his blog

www.facebook.com/calmpeace13

www.Twitter.com/Aladdinsane79

If you want to find out more about Clubhouse Member’s Books don’t forget to check out the Clubhouse Bookshops too.

Tearoom Book Launch: Alyson Faye

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you who are not a member won’t be aware that the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit the clubhouse is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

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Today in the tearoom we’re helping Alyson celebrate the launch of her book The Lost Girl/Spindleshanks. Welcome.

Thank you, Paula for inviting me over to the tearoom.

So let me start by asking you, did you try to be more original when writing this book, or deliver what you felt the readers wanted?

There are 2 stories in this standalone e-book in Demain’s Short!Sharp!Shocks! Series – The Lost Girl/Spindleshanks.

I write the stories I would enjoy reading, and whilst I write them I think – is this exciting? Is this scary? Will the reader have fun reading this? Have I left enough hints/clues for the reader to work out the mystery?

Did you feel energised or exhausted after writing this book?

Writing is surprisingly tiring I find, mentally at least. If I write for several hours I always feel quite drained and want go do something different then like walk the dog or watch a film.

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Do you want each of your books to stand alone, or are you building a body of work that are interconnected? Whether that be a theme, a set of characters, a setting, etc. Explain more for our readers.

Currently I write short spooky, thriller stories, flash fiction and I’ve had a crime novella published too. So they are all stand alone and there are no overlapping characters, though several of the stories reference the area in West Yorkshire where I live and often the moors near me.

How do you balance your demands on the reader with taking care of your readers? In the book did you spell everything out so your reader just had to read it, or did you rely on their emotional response to your words?

I am very keen on writing with subtext, and leaving the ‘knowledge gaps’ for the reader to fill in.

[image error] Alyson Faye and friend

Do you hope your book will deliver you literary success and how will this look to you?

This book has already had a couple of early brilliantly positive reviews (on Goodreads) and there has been some chat on twitter about it amongst the indie writing community. This is really what I’m most fussed about- the reviews, the networking, the opinion of my writing peers.

Was there anything you edited out of this book, you wanted to keep in, but you knew it would be a better book by cutting it?

Both of the stories were rewritten and edited a few times. The first draft is just that- and along the way I tweak, edit out, tighten up the dialogue and even change the ending – which I did in The Lost Girl.

How long did you spend researching this book’s subject matter, or was it a book you had already planned?

The Lost Girl is set in 1970 and the present day so I did do some googling to revisit the music and clothes of 1970 to get me in the writing zone.

What was the hardest scene to write in the book?

In The Lost Girl the toughest scene to write is where the two protagonist ‘find’ the titular lost girl- I wanted to be respectful about this, you will see why when/if you read the story. In Spindleshanks the final scene on the beach with the father and Spindleshanks was tough to write- how much a parent will sacrifice for his child. Being a mum myself I can really identify with that.

How will you cope with bad reviews on this book?
I’ve been lucky in the past with my publications and I haven’t had that many bad or even poor reviews. There has been the odd tepid one or not so keen, but no outright stinkers. But not everyone will enjoy my writing, and if the review is fair and courteous that’s fine, it’s still a review that a reader has taken time to write.

What’s the one thing you would give up to become a better writer? Interesting question there Paula! I’ve already made a few life/work/family choices along the way to accommodate my writing- I think that’s what you do when you’re passionate about it.

Thank you for joining me here today, Alyson and may I wish you good luck and lots of lovely sales. If you would like to find out more about Alyson’s books and writing check out her Author’s Page.

Demain Publishing Website: and for their Submission Call-outs click on link.

If you want to find out more about Clubhouse Member’s Books don’t forget to check out the Clubhouse Bookshops too.

Clubhouse Chat Guest: Margaret James

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you who are not a member won’t be aware that the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit it is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

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Today I’m chatting to Margaret about her writing and books. Welcome to the tearoom.

Hello, Paula – thank you so much for inviting me to chat to you today. It’s a great pleasure to be here. Oh – I see you have my very favourite drink all ready for me – Green and Black’s hot chocolate, with cream and marshmallows floating on top. Delicious!

Lovely to have you here. Yes, thanks to Brutus’ gentle questioning during your journey here, he was able to order ahead of your arrival

Clubhouse Chat Guest: Austrian Spencer

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you not aware the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit it is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

[image error] Photo by Daniel Torobekov on Pexels.com

Brutus I just wish you would be a bit more gentle with our guest. Please removed the tape, Thank you.

(indistinct mumbling) (Tape is ripped from Austrian’s mouth)

Welcome to the clubhouse Austrian. My apologies for Brutus’ treatment of you.

Ah. Agh. Wow. Thanks. Um – Paula. Can I open my eyes now?  Getting entry to this place is a real experience. (clicks jaw) It’s really cool here. 

Thank you. We are real lucky to have such a shaclued spot. What would you like to drink?

A drink? Thank you! Umm, you do cocktails? Great. I’ll have a Homeboy, please. (grins) Yep – you won’t have heard of it before. It’s a creation of an old work colleague I owned a bar with.

It’s a caipirinha base (crushed lime slices and brown sugar), then crushed ice to the top of the glass (0,33 Libby glass).

2cl Kahlua (a coffee-based liquor)

2cl Southern Comfort (a whiskey-based liquor)

Top up with mango/orange juice. Shaken, not stirred. Literally the best drink that exists on the planet. You’re welcome.

Now we have our drinks are you ready?

Ok. I’m ready for your questions about The Sadeiest, my Paranormal Horror novel that’s being released by Darkstroke Books on 27th November. Shoot!

What writing elements do you think is your strongest points, and what would you like to do better?

I’m brutally honest and direct, and I am really enthusiastic with experimentation. I use short, sharp sentences to dictate breathing tempo. I use format as king. If there is a pregnant pause in the text, I represent it. If wind affects someone hearing something, I miss words out. It’s a comic readers perspective brought to novels – a visual effect that resounds, I think, with my audience.

One thing I would like to be better at, is female representation. I think the Bechdel test is one of the best things that happened to modern novels. And way past time. The same is true of POC representation. I didn’t make Williams black as a political point though, it was just a very natural decision. He was a black Englishman from the first sentence.

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Tell us a little about latest writing project. Is it a new idea, or one you have been mulling over for some time?

Lol. I’m writing the next book in the series, The Masocheist. I’ve had the series in my head for the last 25 years. I know exactly what I want to happen, when, how, and the method it will be presented in, and in what order. Yep. I’m that nerd.

Choosing only five of your favourite authors, can you list them in order 1 begin the top of your list and say how have they influenced your writing?

Ok. Wow. So, actually, I pay homage in the Sadeiest to several authors, it’s a part of the easter egg hunt I have set up in the novel, so without giving to much away:

1: Alan Moore. I have to. His work is just the most thought out, brilliant, detailed genius. It’s not easy to read, but his work transcends art. There are massive sections of the Sadeiest set up as tribute to him. Literal lines of text I have quoted to see if anyone noticed. Halo Jones. Watchmen. V for vendetta. From Hell. Genius. Now see if you can find my little homages.

2. Stephen King. And here’s the thing, I have read maybe five of his books. That’s all. But I am a person that admires commitment, and he is a man that has committed his entire life to his art form. I hid the title of one of his books in the novel. Nobody found it yet.

3. Iain Banks. It killed me to hear he died, I love his culture series, mind bending. The player of games and Use of weapons are two of my favourite books ever, though I love Inversions for all the things it doesn’t say. If you know the culture, reading that book shows you how to write nothing yet tell your reader everything. It kills me that he’s gone.

4. Neil Gaiman. For concept. I was a young man when Sandman started its run, old enough to understand the genius. I must admit I actually don’t really like his novels, and I don’t like his new additions to the sandman run, but for conceptual world building, he was a guiding light. Every white point of light in Williams eye sockets is a tip of the hat to one phenomenal frame in the Sandman, when he knows, he KNOWS he has to die.

5. Isaac Asimov. That’s an unusual one, but I guess when I am being a dry factster when detailing gory death, that’s his factual influence. I loved the Foundation series. I obsessed about collecting his massive list of books. I tracked them all down (just the fiction stories), and was in a bookstore, buying the last missing book I didn’t own, when I heard over the radio that he had died. I raced home and devoured the book, only to regret that, afterwards, I would never read anything he had written for the first time, again. I swore not to repeat the mistake, and have, for example, an unread Iain Banks book at home, which I will always look forward to reading when I feel ready to say goodbye.

Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

Ow. I guess. In a way. I have a character that is the least represented in the book because he’s such a massive influence in the second part, The Masocheist. But due to the detailed structure to the book, he had to be in the first part too. Tom is a Sadeiest that cannot retain memories. Without giving too much away, he can’t even remember his name or his appearance, so he is a shifting, amorpheous blob that snaps back into form when not stressed, which is not often. I guess he is an unconscious representation of my mother, who has late stage Alzheimer’s.

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What did you learn when writing your book? In writing it, how much research did you do?

Er… Are you ready for this?

I had to research ways to remove a face, the effects of drugs to relieve pain, and how to keep a person alive through trauma.

I had to practice keeping a razor blade in my mouth and practise spitting it out, if I could do it fast enough to cause injury (That was really, really scary. I kept thinking I would swallow it and it would look like I had killed myself. Not surprisingly, I didn’t tell my family I was trying it out…).

I also had to research the physical effects of freezing to death and was in contact with Austrian/Canadian/American mountain rescue for a month, learning different help signals. Surprisingly, they aren’t universal.

Is there anything about you your readers might be surprised to find out?

I am totally colourblind, my little fingers never grew (they are tiny in comparison to the rest of my hands, making playing the piano impossible) and I woke up in hospital aged 8 with no memory. I had been hit by a truck. My life starts with me being introduced to my parents.

Do you set yourself a daily word count?

Very, very rarely. I write when the time is right, and it just flows out like it’s been waiting for me to decide to let it. I don’t know why it works like that, but it does. I’ve had no major revisions. Pretty much everything I have written has fallen onto the page as it remains today, with only corrections to fine tune required. The benefit of lots of time planning I guess.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

I do. My real name isn’t a secret, it’s Andy. When I moved to Austria and married, my dad would be talking to his friends and if he talked about me, he would refer to the “Austrian Spencers”. My mum developed Alzheimer’s a while ago and in an attempt to help her remember who we were, we produced a photo album full of pictures of us and our family, and called it the Austrian Spencers. Then Brexit happened. And I was so frustrated with it, due to having no right to vote against it. So I decided right there, that I’d call myself Austrian from that point on. It felt like England had turned it’s back on its ex-pats, even though we were the people that were representing England in foreign countries all this time. You know when English people go drunk abroad and vandalize things? The ex pat shave to shoulder that impression. And we were all just dropped like dead weight.

How do you select the names of your characters? Do you know everything about them before you start writing their story?

I know exactly what I need to know about my characters after 25 years of them living in my head. Their names just sprang to me from the word go. I knew Williams was called that, and Henreich too – I hated the name Heinrich but wanted something similar to Henry but European and just made his name up, and it was like it was always meant to be. Sinclair is named after one of my best friends, as is Dave, the janitor. Greta was Greta long before the eco warrior. And Mortis was just a natural fit.

What was your hardest scene to write?

The “Rot” sex scene. I can write about people burning to death, drowning, hanging themselves, going mad etc. But sex is a totally different set of skills. Senses are different. You have to represent reactions and sensory input from two people at the same time, and how those responses dictate each other. I took it as a challenge and wrote it as it fell. It’s something I need to get better at, but not in the next book. The next book is a lot darker, nastier and foreboding. We really get into Death, and John learns the hard way what being hunted actually means.

Here’s the links to my books – The Sadeiest –

My short story “Krampus” is in the Burial Day Blue Book 6 – A Krampus Carol –

Thank you so much for joining us here today, Austrian. Please take your time looking around and when you’re ready to leave, just let Brutus know.

If you want to find out more about Clubhouse Member’s Books don’t forget to check out the Clubhouse Bookshops too.

Book Launch Chat with: Mehreen Ahmed

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you who are not a member won’t be aware that the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit the clubhouse is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

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Today we’re here to help celebrate the launch of Mehreen’s book The Blue, Red Lyrae. Welcome Mehreen.

Thank you for having me back to the tearoom, Paula.

Congratulations on the launch of your book. First let me ask you did you try to be more original when writing this book, or deliver what you felt the readers wanted?

Yes, I have been more original when I wrote this book. I tied two novellas, two stories under the same theme connected like the Lyrae. Reading them would give a feeling as though our destiny was determined by stars, hence the title, The Blue, Red Lyrae. I have tried to portray that appearance is not our reality. The actual reality is something that we do not see or does not appear. It is realised only through sense perception.

Did you feel energised or exhausted after writing this book?
I felt energised because I felt I accomplished something totally out of this world. It is not the story that’s important but the idea behind them which brought the twin stories together.

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Do you want each of your books to stand alone, or are you building a body of work that is interconnected?

Whether that be a theme, a set of characters, a setting, etc. Explain more for our readers.
Here the works are interconnected, yet uniquely stand-alone types. Depending on how one views them, but what I have tried to do is set my mind to travel across the boundaries of space and time. From one story to the next, the mind meanders and gives birth to a new one.

How do you balance your demands on the reader with taking care of your readers?

In the book did you spell everything out so your reader just had to read it, or did you rely on their emotional response to your words?
I think I rely a lot on their emotional response. I perceive my readers to be independent thinkers. I write what I write, and then leave myself bare to their critique. 

[image error] Mehreen Ahmed

Do you hope your book will deliver you literary success and how will this look to you?
I have written it with the hope that this will deliver success. And when success comes to me it would look like I have made a serious contribution.

Was there anything you edited out of this book, you wanted to keep in, but you knew it would be a better book by cutting it?
I have not edited much. I wrote this in stream-of-consciousness style and decided in the end, to leave some of the rawness in.

How long did you spend researching this book’s subject matter, or was it a book you had already planned? 

I had a dream of publishing a twin novella book. When my publisher proposed to me that this was possible, I welcomed it whole-heartedly. I had the stories ready and well described in my mind. I knew exactly how I was going to tie them up in this book. 

What was the hardest scene to write in the book?
Tying up the discrete pieces into one meaningful whole. I had to do a lot of thinking to make that happen.

How will you cope with bad reviews on this book?
I think I’ll have to take it in the chin.

What’s the one thing you would give up to become a better writer?
I won’t give up anything. Life is to be lived and enjoyed to its full. Life is to be observed and take lessons from so we can transform reality and create wonderful things in our books.

Many thanks, Paula.

Once again let me congratulate on the launch of your book. It’s available here and here too.
If you want to find out more about Clubhouse Member’s Books don’t forget to check out the Clubhouse Bookshops too.

Clubhouse Chat Guest: Jane Lovering

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you who are not a member won’t be aware that the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit it is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

[image error] [image error] Photo by Martinus on Pexels.com

Hi Paula! Thank you so much for the chance to take part in the clubroom chat! The most important thing is – my drink of choice! I think a good strong cup of Yorkshire Tea will do nicely, thanks.

Welcome to the tearoom, Jane. Do take a seat. I thought over by the window, with the view across the lake.

Oh yes very nice, thank you.

Now that our refreshment have arrived, let’s start by asking you when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre?

Love is such a pervasive emotion, and it can make people behave in so many different ways and I love exploring what makes people tick. (You aren’t allowed to take them apart to find out, apparently).

What writing elements do you think is your strongest points, and what would you like to do better?

My most praised element tends to be my writing of character. Reviews often mention that the people feel ‘real’ and behave as real people do, so I’d guess that’s what I’m best at. I’m not great at writing fear though. Or action scenes. But, as I write romance, there’s not always a lot of call for action scenes. I don’t write graphic sex, so I get out of it that way.

[image error] The Lovely Jane Lovering

Tell us a little about latest writing project. Is it a new idea, or one you have been mulling over for some time?

I’m writing under contract, so there isn’t usually a lot of time for mulling over ideas! But, in my case, that’s a good thing. I have a tendency to ‘overmull’, when really I’d be better just cracking on and writing the damn thing, rather than spending months trailing gloomily around fields wondering about motivations. Most stuff tends to work itself out in the writing anyway.The current WIP is about two people competing for the same job, whilst having very different approaches to it. It’s funnier than it sounds. Pass the biscuits, all this talk about writing is making me hungry.

Do you write a synopsis first or write the first chapter, or let the characters lead you?

I just launch myself in and get writing. I am notoriously bad at planning, so I start with a vague outline idea, some characters and, of course, as I write romance I know what the ending is going to be. Then I just sort of sit down and let the characters do their thing. I am of the opinion that my subconscious is a lot more intelligent than I am, so I let it do the work while I sit back and drink tea.

Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

No! My customers (I work in the local Co Op) are convinced I am writing about them, but I don’t need to, I’ve got a head full of people waiting for their turn on the page. I think, if I tried to write about real people, I’d find it harder to get them to do what I need them to do for the story. I’d be forever thinking “so-and-so would NEVER do/say that!” All the people I write must, therefore, be aspects of my own personality, which is a bit of a scary thought.

What did you learn when writing your book? In writing it, how much research did you do?

I’m quite bad at research. The only book I really had to do research for was Living in the Past, which was a timeslip, set partly on an archaeological dig site and partly in the Bronze Age. I watched a lot of Time Team episodes for that one, and read Francis Pryor’s books, particularly Home. But I think research can often become a means to an end, and it’s only too easy to lose oneself in it. You can tell yourself ‘it’s all research’ and put off the actual writing. Sometimes you just have to throw yourself at a book and only research actual points as they arise! Mostly, I just make stuff up and nobody has caught me at it yet.

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(Me too, Jane. I write fiction so I assume that gives you a certain amount of rope to hang yourself with by using your imagination to making things up.

Say Hello To James

My author friend Joan Livingston is running an interesting series on her blog, Character Traits. She’s interviewing authors about their main characters and today is my turn. So please allow me to introduce you to James Ravencroft.

James’s description in my novel, Stone Angels is based on the 15th century German artist, Albrecht Durer.

[image error] Albrecht Durer: Self-portrait age 28 (1500)

I had an artist friend who modeled himself on Durer, so I modeled James on Durer because I felt that Durer’s self-portrait showed him to be very self-assured young man. Looking at Durer’s paintings you can see he’s passionate about his art. My artist friend had the same passion, reassurance but….

If you would like to read Joan’s fascinating series please check out this link:

Character Traits: Meet James Ravencroft