Paula R.C. Readman's Blog, page 68

Happy Halloween

Over this Halloween weekend my publisher is having a book sale. If you’re looking for a great read check out this link, Darkstroke Books Then search Amazon to see if the book you’re interested in is included in their sale for only 99p/99c

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If you still haven’t bought a copy of my novel Stone Angels it is available for 99p/99c too. Click on this link. http://mybook.to/stoneangels

[image error]Stone Angels has 23 reviews across Amazon, please check them out.

Happy Halloween

Over this Halloween weekend my publisher is having a book sale. If you’re looking for a great read check out this link, Darkstroke Books Then search Amazon to see if the book you’re interested in is included in their sale for only 99p/99c

[image error]

If you still haven’t bought a copy of my novel Stone Angels it is available for 99p/99c too. Click on this link. http://mybook.to/stoneangels

[image error]Stone Angels has 23 reviews across Amazon, please check them out.

Happy Halloween

Over this Halloween weekend my publisher is having a book sale. If you’re looking for a great read check out this link, Darkstroke Books Then search Amazon to see if the book you’re interested in is included in their sale for only 99p/99c

[image error]

If you still haven’t bought a copy of my novel Stone Angels it is available for 99p/99c too. Click on this link. http://mybook.to/stoneangels

[image error]Stone Angels has 23 reviews across Amazon, please check them out.

Happy Halloween

Over this Halloween weekend my publisher is having a book sale. If you’re looking for a great read check out this link, Darkstroke Books Then search Amazon to see if the book you’re interested in is included in their sale for only 99p/99c

[image error]

If you still haven’t bought a copy of my novel Stone Angels it is available for 99p/99c too. Click on this link. http://mybook.to/stoneangels

[image error]Stone Angels has 23 reviews across Amazon, please check them out.

Happy Halloween

Over this Halloween weekend my publisher is having a book sale. If you’re looking for a great read check out this link, Darkstroke Books Then search Amazon to see if the book you’re interested in is included in their sale for only 99p/99c

[image error]

If you still haven’t bought a copy of my novel Stone Angels it is available for 99p/99c too. Click on this link. http://mybook.to/stoneangels

[image error]Stone Angels has 23 reviews across Amazon, please check them out.

Clubhouse Chat Guest: Dean M Drinkel

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] Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

Today I’m welcome Dean to the tearoom. Welcome Dean. My first question is what drink would you like?

Thank you for the invite, Paula. Earl Grey tea, two sugars, no milk – please!

Right, now we have our refreshments let me ask you to tell us a little about your latest writing project.  Is it a new idea, or one you have been mulling over for some time?

This has certainly been an interesting year hasn’t it to say the least. Lockdowns aside, it’s been incredibly busy for me and right now I’m developing a sci-fi / period tv series with Adrian Baldwin (who also does the covers / branding for DEMAIN), a couple of projects with Dave Jeffery and a third tv project with actor / Martial Arts Master John Carrigan which is based on his life and published non-fiction book. There’s also another tv series idea I’m working on with two other writers which is very very special indeed but I can’t say too much about that one I’m afraid as I’m sworn to secrecy. I recently joined a Scottish based film and tv production company which is keeping me busy to say the least. I’m also working on a number of my own (commissioned) feature film projects (horror and period drama) AND I’ve written a couple of short stories which will soon be seeing the light of day. People seem to know I run DEMAIN PUBLISHING which is really cool but my day job is a full-time writer so I need to get more of my work out there – I’ve been drafting a novel this year so perhaps if I can find a publisher for that I’ll start hitting it hard – it’s a horror story based in France.

How many unfinished projects do you have on your computer?

For a change, I don’t think I have that many actually as I’m usually writing to commission but this year I’ve written two additional spec feature film scripts which need a bit of reworking. One is a horror / thriller and is quite ‘specific’ in the structure and the other is a low budget time-travelling story – I’ve had great fun with both but want to have them 100% before I give them to a producer. I do have an almost finished horror (and period drama!) novella with the French poet Arthur Rimbaud as the protagonist – that’d be real fun to get out there. I ‘finished’ it a couple of years ago but have left it on the back burner all this time – perhaps it’s the right time to resurrect it and give it that final polish, there could be a series in it too!

[image error] The wonderful Dean M Drinkel

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

Normally, all I need is the title and I’m good to go – I can spend days / weeks dwelling over a title before I even worry about the plot. That’s for short stories etc. For the screenplays as they’ve been in the main period drama these last couple of years then I’ve had to do a lot of research / planning as I like to be as historically accurate as possible (though I will bend the truth if the story requires). For my horror fiction in the main I’m happy for the characters to take me places I hadn’t even thought of.  

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

Clive Barker – Clive is the alpha and the omega as far as I’m concerned. I do what I do because of him. Hellraiser is my go to film and he / it still inspires me to do this day. I’ve been lucky to meet him a couple of times, to direct one of his plays, and I’m extremely blessed to call several of the actors from the series, my friends.Umberto Eco – for me his influence began with The Name Of The Rose which when I first read it as a kid, blew me away (I also enjoyed the film and the recent tv series) but all his subsequent work (novels and philosophical essays etc) have had a massive impact on me as both writer and person. I was never able to meet Umberto while he was alive, but the horror novel I mentioned I was working on is heavily influenced by Umberto and his writings.John Fowles – every year I read Fowles’ The Magus and all these years later I still find new stuff in it. For DEMAIN we recently published a Short Sharp Shocks! by James Marx and I told him that it was a shoo in from the start as it reminded me of The Magus. I would so love to get the film rights and make a proper film of the book – I know I could do it justice.Arthur Rimbaud – ah, Arthur. As well as the novella, I’ve been developing a project with a foundation in London about M. Rimbaud. What a character he certainly was. I’m also currently writing a short film about Rimbaud – my first script in French.William Burroughs – I was introduced to Burroughs at University and admit I was hooked. I’ve been lucky enough to put together two anthologies of stories inspired by him too – I’d love to make a movie based on his work but appreciate he’s not to everyone’s taste ha ha.

Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

Always! I love writing about real people in my stories and basing made up characters on people I know. Watch out is all I say haha.

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What did you learn when writing your book (story, play or nonfiction)? In writing it, how much research did you do?

I love writing the historical dramas because though they’re set in periods I’m particularly interested in, I learn so much. It was great when Romain (Collier) and I wrote our award winning feature script (and now being developed as a tv series) about the son of Napoleon. Though we were based in the South of France we had to go to Paris and Vienna to do lots of additional research – this was important as there were lots of little ‘nuances’ that we were able to add that we wouldn’t have known unless we’d gone. For the history stories I would say that I spend a good month or so doing the research before I start plotting / writing. For me it’s all about finding the right ‘angle’ which then opens up the whole story and once I start, it’s not easy for me to stop haha.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing? Do you set yourself a daily word count? How many hours in a day do you write?

I generally work 14 or so hours a day, seven days a week, right now as there’s so much going on. I’m at the laptop from about 8am working on DEMAIN for a good couple of hours before then hitting my own writing. If I’m writing a story I’ll do at least 1,000 words a day, for a script at least 10 pages – the ‘problem’ is that I’m working on several projects at the same time (just the way my mind works) so I’ll probably be producing three, four thousand words and maybe as many as fifty pages of script. With the new production company I’ve joined we’re shooting our first film early next year so there’s lot of pre-production work going on and we have several (zoom) meetings a week. I always have music playing in the background and that really helps (my taste is very eclectic and recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Tom Waits, Daniel Lanois, Sammy Davis Jr, HRVY, Fleetwood Mac, The Vamps, Robbie Robertson, Joni Mitchell, the Smashing Pumpkins) my concentration.

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

Generally when I start writing the short stories / novellas I don’t know character names so I use the names of people I know or film stars / musicians / footballers etc and then as I draft / redraft I start swapping them around and grant them their ‘real’ names. And do I know everything about them? No way and that’s the fun as far as I’m concerned. The last eighteen months or so I’ve been playing with the idea of the ‘unreliable narrator’ which has been great fun. What’s that saying – “we don’t know everything about anybody, even those closest to us” – something like that anyway, and as far as I’m concerned, never a truer word spoken.

How long on average does it take you to write a book (story, poem, or play)? 

For a story (so let’s say 5,000) probably a week or two of ‘playing’ and then a week of hard graft to get it right; for a 60 min tv episode, it’s roughly a week research then three weeks to write about three drafts of the script; for a feature it’s a couple of months but that depends on who’s paying and how much!

Thank you so much for such an interest chat, Dean. Please enjoy more of what the tearoom has to offer and when you’re ready our driver Brutus will run you home or wherever you need to go.

To find out more about Dean click here: www.deanmdrinkel.com If you would like to find out more about DEMAIN: www.demainpublishingblog.weebly.com

Dean’s Short Sharp Shocks! Dirty Paws is currently available on Amazon (paperback / ebook) and his anthology The Thread Of The Infinite is available on Amazon (paperback / ebook) and all good book-shops. Dean’s Amazon author’s Page

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

Planning what comes next.

I’m not good at keep to my self-imposed deadlines. I often plan in my head about what to do next and by when. It’s a bit different from having competition deadlines or submission deadlines. These you cannot change. At the moment I have three projects on the go and I often find my mind is jumping from one things to the other. I really want to complete them all at the same time. My problem is I want to do my very best, to take my work to a higher standard, to give them each my all.

[image error] Characters aren’t always what they seem.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

As a writer we are all very critical of our own work, and I worry that it just not good enough that I can do better. So it’s difficult for me to just let go. I don’t know how it is for you. We all write in different ways. I start with an idea and write an opening. Of course, you need to get your main character down as soon as possible. The reader needs to stand in someone’s else shoes to connect with the story you’re telling.

I’m never sure who my main character is going to be. My first line normally gives me their voice. Once I hear it then my character develops from there as my story unfolds. I’m not one for writing a character sheet where you’re suppose to write everything about them. How many friends do you have that you know everything about them?

James Ravencroft, the main character, from my Stone Angels novel started life as a walk on part in a short story. The short story had already developed his character by the way two other people reacted to him. He’s a bit like Marmite. Either you fall for his charms or he makes your skin crawl.
I enjoy playing with the idea that things are not always what they seem, and people aren’t either. Most serial killers don’t come from poor or uneducated backgrounds. You can’t point the finger at individuals and say for sure which one will become killer. If you were to talk to people after the event most will say, ‘Well, there was always something odd about them etc, etc.’

[image error] The people we image to be criminals are not.
Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

If that had been the case why wasn’t it picked up before too many victims had lost their lives. No, there isn’t a tick list we can use before a crime is committed, only after someone or a few people have suffered and the police have uncovered the deed can a criminal profiler give the police some idea of the sort of the person they need to look for.

This is the reason I don’t create a check list of who my main character is. Once I have their voice I normally start by giving them a name. I agree my main characters tend to be a bit like me middle-class white, but that might be my upbringing. Though, you don’t know that for sure, do you?

Character building is a fun part of writing, but I really enjoyed editing. Once I find the beating heart of my story, I’m normally on the right track to being satisfied with the project. This is where I have problems with self-imposed deadlines because I can’t say for sure I’ll have it finished by a certain date. I must allow my characters to tell me everything they are willing too while they are uncovering things for themselves as they move through the storyline.

Going back to James Ravencroft and Stone Angels, I was constantly add in new information about him as the book developed. These were things I would never have thought of if I had just wrote a check list about him. Of course, if you were to look on my computer now, you will find a list of things about James which I wrote down as I discovered them.

[image error] Lost in Space
Photo by sergio souza on Pexels.com

Right, I shall get back to the story I’m working on. At the moment I’m lost in space with Josh Fulton. He has got himself into a real pickle. His spacecraft is in need of maintenance but when he had the opportunity to fix it, he gambled the money instead. Ahh, you see things are not always what you see, and Josh is about to find that out too.

Have a great day, and chat again soon.

Clubhouse Chat Guest: Debz Hobbs-Wyatt

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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Welcome to the tearoom, Debz.

Thank you for invite me, Paula.

Now we have our refreshment, I will start by asking you, when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre?

I write what I love to read; good literary writing with commercial appeal and characters who stand out and stay with me. I love stories that put the extraordinary in the ordinary and so books I love to read — a whole mixture of classics, psychological and medical horror and just great literary novels inspire me to want to do the same. So I guess Stephen King, Robin Cook, Dean Koontz and more recently authors like Jon McGregor and Matt Haig inspire me.

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

Both! I have a new novel which I have to say has been waiting for me to return to which is more uplit, quirky British and would make a good follow-up novel (but not a sequel) to my other quirky one currently with my agent. And I reworked one of my first novels — an American civil rights novel during lockdown. I mean I totally reworked it and the passion and obsession came back from the first time I worked on it. I know it’s a million times better and current, I just hope my agent agrees!

[image error] The Fabulous Debz Hobbs-Wyatt

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

I have an idea, be it for a short story or a novel and I allow it to percolate off set, until it begs for life. That’s how I discover voice and character and often even when I know who I am writing, they take over and surprise me. I know the message that will beat at the heart of the story, when I start it, I just don’t always know how it will get there. I never over-plan as the magic happens best when you allow it to happen! I never write a synopsis first! The plotting for function is for later stages because once the first draft is down, and the work begins, then I will examine each chapter for functionality, lose any filler, make sure it is all fully functional for plot. That technical stuff comes later. And I like to think since I write so much, a lot of that happens anyway, you know what a chapter needs intuitively. 

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

No. I show up every day and I escape from that. Sure, if you’re going through something it will affect you I guess, but I write for passion and a job too, so I show up and I write and the rest of the world disappears!

Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

No! Never do that, not intentionally. I guess by observing people you notice traits and idiosyncrasies and might use them, but never so you’d recognise anyone because it is more of an amalgam of all kinds of people. The only real person was John F Kennedy in my While No One Was Watching novel but he wasn’t a character in it, just events related to his assassination.

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

I have had over thirty short stories published, won some big prizes and written about seven novels, one published, four with my agent as we speak. I always learn something; I have this theory that characters take over your brain. They lead you into their stories and show you things you never knew existed. Yes, it’s research and I do as much or as little as I believe is needed for the story, but often a character leads me to something I didn’t know… by magic! I am always learning!!!

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

I am up early, like on my laptop at 5 am and I write until about 8. Then I go to the gym, every day for classes. Then I write some more until lunch time. That way I can clock up 5 hours at least. After lunch, I shift from my writing space and laptop to my desktop in my office to do my paid editing and critique work for clients and publishers. I write first because it’s what I am. I long to be able to only write and then I could do it office hours and just focus on that!

Do you set yourself a daily word count?

Never. It’s counterproductive. Editing means you could edit out more than you add in. Better just to write, then you can’t feel like you failed if you didn’t reach 2000 words or something. When it flows, I can write 5000 or more in two or three hours, but then I might cut half of them the next day. Just write. Best not to get hung up on how many words!

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

No but I got married last year, so since I already write as Debz Hobbs-Wyatt and edit as Debz Hobbs-Wyatt and have a website www.debzhobbs-wyatt.co.uk then I guess now that’s my pseudonym, kind of! I am now Debz Brown. But since I have my more US-based commercial novels under this name, then my agent has suggested a different name for my quirkier British novels which I am happy to do since readers have expectations!

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How do you select the names of your characters? Do you know everything about them before you start writing their story?
Sometimes they just come and feel right, other times I try out different names. Sometimes I check the meaning of the name and how authentic it feels for era if applicable. When it’s right you just know it. I certainly do not know everything about them when I start. I know enough; they teach me the rest as we go!

It’s been lovely chatting, the carrot cake was lovely  Thank you, Paula.

I’m so glad you could join us today, Debz. If you would like to find out more about Debz’s writing or books check out her Website: www.debzhobbs-wyatt.co.uk 

Blog: https://wordznerd.wordpress.com/

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

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: Amanda Brittany

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.

[image error] Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

Welcome the Clubhouse tearoom, Amanda.

Thank you so much for inviting me, Paula. It’s very nice here. A bit of the beaten track, but the surroundings are lovely.

Yes, it’s a haven in these uncertain times, a bit like writing, don’t you think?

Oh yes. Writing and reading both help.

Let me start by asking you when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre?
I was torn, at first, as I really do love writing humorous stories – and actually have a comical magical story finished and on my hard drive waiting to do something with, but thrillers and crime won me over because I’ve always loved reading those kinds of novels, and I was brought up on Agatha Christie who is my inspiration.

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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?

I’ve just finished the first draft of my latest project, and it’s now with my editor. It’s a new idea and is set on a fictional island just off the Suffolk coast, and is separated from the mainland by a causeway. My main character is drawn to a hotel on the island and begins to discover things about her father she never knew before. But as guests are found dead or disappear she knows she should never have come . . .

Do you write a synopsis first or write the first chapter?

I used to always write the first chapter and let the characters lead me – with only a few main pointers about the plot in mind – particularly the twist. However, I now write an outline and synopsis as my editor needs this to agree the plot – though she is always open for it to change direction to some degree, which is good as I do find my novels tend to veer off course when characters decide to take over.

Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

No. Honestly! I do pick up on traits of people and use those sometimes, but I never base my characters on real people.

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

I’m always dipping onto Internet sites to check and research as I go. My latest book is partly set in the eighties – and I think my last search was to find out if Woolworth still had their pick ‘n’ mix on the date I was writing about, as I wanted my character to work on that counter. I loved writing Her Last Lie as my main character travelled a great deal, and discovering unusual places she would write about as a travel journalist, was great fun.

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

All my ebook royalties for Her Last Lie go to Cancer Research UK in memory of my younger sister, and I’ve now raised over £8000.

(That’s amazing. I’m so sorry to hear of your family’s loss.)

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

It depends what stage I’m at with a book. But I tend to spend most days either writing or working on writing related things. I write at my best in the mornings, and get up very early to start.

Do you set yourself a daily word count?

I do when I’m up against a deadline. Some days I can’t quite reach it though, as my head isn’t always in the right place, and other days I write twice as many words as I’ve set myself.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

I did. I was going to call myself Amanda Timoney, which is a family name. But in the end I decided it would be lovely to see my own name on a book.

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

I tend to visualise my character, and then decide what name would suit them. Sometimes I look up popular names in the year my character was born, and that works well. When I start writing my characters I don’t know them very well at all, but by the end of the book they are very real to me, and when I read through the first draft again, I often take out things I know they wouldn’t say or do now I’ve got to know them better. For example, my main character in my latest manuscript was far too cowardly in my first draft, and I knew after getting to know her, she would be braver so had to amend a few scenes to incorporate that.

Thank you for a lovely chat, and taking time out to join us.

If you would like to find out more about Amanda’s work check out her links to Amazon UK: and her website You can follow her on: Twitter: @amandajbrittany
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/amandabrittany2 Instagram: @amanda_brittany_author

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: Alice Castle

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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Welcome to the Clubhouse Tearoom, Alice.

Thanks so much for having me here, Paula. Lovely to enjoy a cup of Earl Grey with you!

I’m so pleased you could join us. May I start by asking you, when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre? 

I really have two favourite genres when I’m reading, romantic or chicklit comedies, and crime fiction. At first glance they seem quite different, but both promise neat endings – either a happy ever after or a criminal brought to justice, both of which I find satisfying. My first book was a romantic comedy but I just couldn’t get into the sequel. Then I finally realised that I needed to write crime fiction and here we are now.

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

I enjoy creating characters and trying to make them consistent within their own constraints. It’s like running a theatre group – and sometimes the actors don’t want to obey their director.

[image error] Alice Castle

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 just finishing writing my favourite book ever, The Invitation. It’s a traditional locked room mystery (a limited number of suspects in a confined space) but with a modern twist. Writers have been drawn to this device since Edgar Allan Poe wrote probably the first locked room mystery in 1841 (the wonderfully titled Murders in the Rue Morgue) and I’d always wanted to have a go. Suddenly during lockdown, while we were all feeling constrained, wary and fearful, I decided to take the plunge. I really think it’s my best yet.

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

I’ve just written a synopsis for my next book. It’s not my favourite way to work as I feel it locks things down before the characters have really been able to take shape and help form the story – but publishers like to know what they are getting!

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

One of the joys of writing for me is losing myself and my own moods and escaping into the world of the book. Having said that, there are certain themes running through my books which certainly reflect things I am going through at the time. Writing is cheaper than therapy. I recently learned that Tutankhamun used to have the faces of his enemies drawn onto the soles of his shoes, so he could walk all over them. Killing people in books is a little bit like that!

Do you set yourself a daily word count? 

I always set myself a word count of 1000 words a day. That’s because Graham Greene used to do 500 a day (even breaking off in the middle of a sentence) and this way I can console myself that I’m writing twice as much as one of the literary greats. Obviously I’m not writing the same stuff though, lol.

How many hours in a day do you write?

I set aside every morning, seven days a week, and will write for longer if necessary. I also edit books for other novelists and like to do that in the afternoons.

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

There’s a wonderful alchemy when coming up with names. Sometimes I just try and empty my mind and see what pops up. Other times I look around the room and try and garner a bit of inspiration that way. It’s amazing all my characters aren’t named after biscuits.

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What was your hardest scene to write?

I think I’ll be controversial on this one and say that if a scene is really difficult to write, maybe it’s not the right scene. That’s not to say I don’t labour over certain scenes in my books, particularly if I’m trying to reveal just enough to give the readers a clue without revealing all. It’s like an Edwardian lady showing just the right amount of ankle.

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

A first draft will take about three to four months, then there are rewrites, edits… it depends which publisher I am writing the book for, but the journey from mind to shelf can sometimes take years, and sometimes only five or six months. It’s always wonderful seeing the finished product. That makes it all worthwhile.

Thank you for such an interesting chat, Alice.

If you would like to find out more about Alice’s books click here

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