Paula R.C. Readman's Blog, page 77

Guest’s Book Tour: Steve Stred

Welcome to my guest page. Here, every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation, over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, if they are not driving, with a friend about their work in progress, or latest book release. I’ll be talking to all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers.

[image error]Photo by PhotoMIX Company on Pexels.com

Today I’m welcoming Steve Stred to chat with me in the Clubhouse tearoom garden as it is such a beautiful morning. Good to have you here, Steve.

Thank you for having me, Paula.

You’re very welcome. May I start by asking you when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre?

I’ve always preferred reading and watching horror and anything dark, Paula. I’ve dabbled in sci-fi with my releases Jane: the 816 Chronicles & Wound Upon Wound and fantasy with Piece of Me, but for the most part my mind takes me to darker places and even darker themes.

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

This is a difficult question to answer, simply because it almost makes me feel like a pompous ass saying what I do well! Ha! I personally think my strongest area is creating emotion and character attachment. Getting the reader to root for our MC and care about them or hate them. As for what I could do better – I think still working on refinement and story flow. I’m fairly succinct with my writing, with most of my works being novella length, but I still think there’s areas I could improve upon for conveying details.

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

Currently I am working on a follow up to ‘Wagon Buddy,’ which is in final editing stages. I’m also working on a book with my friend David Sodergren and a novel to arrive next year!

How many unfinished projects do you have on your computer?

Hmmm, that’s a tough one? I personally don’t consider anything ‘unfinished,’ more ‘in progress.’ I’d estimate currently – 3 collections, 5 novellas and 3 novels?

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

I typically come up with an idea, usually one or two lines, and will write it down. That may be an email to myself, a note on my phone or logging in and creating a word doc. I’ll then tumble that idea around in my head to plot out some of it, but for the most part I mentally complete the entire story in my head first from that first spark. I think this is one of the reasons I’m considered ‘prolific.’

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

1 – Andrew Pyper. My favorite author and such a great human. Andrew influenced me by showing me it was OK to embrace being Canadian and to have Canadian content in my writing. He’s also one of the best writers out there, and his use of settings as a character is fantastic.

2 – Stephen King. I know he’ll end up on a number of author’s lists, but Mr. King was the first author I ever read that was a horror author. He’s also always embraced that and never shied away from it. His interconnected worlds definitely inspired me.

3 – JH Moncrieff. JH has crafted some truly amazing works and her friendship and encouragement has been amazing. She’s influenced me by showing how much the story’s setting can play a role.

4 – David Sodergren. Without Sodergren’s input and guidance, I couldn’t begin to imagine where my writing would be at. I’d probably still have the same number of releases out, but they wouldn’t be near the quality they are now. When I’m working on the final draft before sending it to him for edits, I try to read it as he would and work to make changes that he’d suggest.

5 – Duncan Ralston. The third Canadian on this list, Duncan has influenced me by his unflinching attitude towards negativity. He’s given me some great advice and really helped me along the way. Really proud to call him a friend.

I also want to add that this question is ruthless in making me pick only 5!

Sorry, Steve

Guest’s Book Tour:Hannah Retallick

Welcome to my guest page. Here, every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation, over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, if they are not driving, with a friend about their work in progress, or latest book release. I’ll be talking to all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers.

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Hello Hannah. I’m so glad you can join us here today. I hope your coffee is okay.

Hi Paula. I’d hug you, but…nothing to do with Covid, I just haven’t showered. (Nah, not really, I shower once a year whether I need to or not, teehee.) Anyway, thanks for the invite. Lovely to see you!  

Right Hannah let’s started by asking you when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre?   

I started when I was little, so I was inspired by Beatrix Potter and Enid Blyton, primarily. I wrote animal stories and a few failed openings of detective stories. I had the slight issue of not being able to think up mystery plots! My teenage years were a blip on the writing front, as I was too afraid to try, but in retrospect, I don’t think that did me any harm. I got on with my life and learnt lots, which gave me experiences to draw from and observations I’d use later. Perhaps if I’d have written constantly, I’d be less passionate about it now. Who knows? Anyway, I’m not sure what my ‘chosen genre’ is – is there such thing as Low-key Literary Fiction? I’m interested in people and what we weirdly tend to refer to as ‘normal life’ – the extraordinary in the ordinary. Sorry, Paula, you asked a simple question and I replied with a tirade…Good word, tirade. Tiraaaaade.  

Go for it, Hannah. My next question what writing elements do you think are your strongest points, and what would you like to do better?  

Probably dialogue and characterisation. What would I like to do better? Erm, dialogue and characterisation! And descriptions. And structure. And everything else. (There: a nice, short, vague answer. You’re welcome.)  

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How many unfinished projects do you have on your computer?  

Not a huge number. I usually finish what I start, but sometimes there’s a while between the initial idea and the final version. They often need time to brew.  

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 ( poem), or let the characters lead you.)  

I mostly write short stories. The process varies. I don’t tend to plan them to the letter before I start, but I usually know where they’re going, in a hazy sort of way. As I write the opening, I might think, ‘Ooh, I could put such-and-such in the ending/middle’, and sort of fill it out as I go, like a jigsaw puzzle. I planned my university assignment short stories a lot more. Some stories seem to write themselves though and require little editing. I’m not sure if it’s possible to tell which have been planned extensively and which haven’t. Maybe I should get people to guess!  

[image error]Young Writers’ Anthology 2017

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

Mood swings? WHAT MOOD SWINGS? Nah, I just rant my journal into a nervous breakdown.  

Were any of your characters inspired by real people?  

Yes. Not you though, Paula. I wouldn’t dare, not when you’re always sharing dragging-dead-bodies-through-the-woods memes! Several of the characters in my MA dissertation stories were inspired by real people, but sometimes it’s unintentional – my mum laughs because she can often ‘hear’ herself or her dad! There’s a lot of me in my stories too, even in the many ‘old men’ characters. Is my secret safe with you?  

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

Hmm, not much. I have a reputation for being an open book – well, in my case, an open short-story-anthology. Maybe my ‘past life’ as a music tutor, brass band conductor, and trombonist? Maybe that I’m only 26? I have the audacity (another good word) to write a lot of older characters. The youth of today, eh?  

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

Ew, yes. It’s uncomfortable at times. I’ve often used memories of tragic events and emotions in my writing. Creativity can be therapeutic though, with so much potential for making sense of the world and bringing beauty out of hardship.

Sorry, that got a bit serious, Paula. Fancy another biscuit before I scoff the lot?

I’m good Hannah. Help yourself, but this time try not to spray me with biscuit crumbs.

Days Pass Like a Shadow

I may only have one child, a son, but being a child from a household of four siblings I know a bit about sibling rivalry. This year I’ve had three books published as you all know. First was in February and was novelette called The Funeral Birds which has done extremely well and I received my first royalty payment this week. Okay, so my husband and I are not about to change our lifestyle just yet, but it is lovely to know my writing is worth readers paying to read it. My novelette has received 15 reviews too. This has helped build my confidence as well as giving me an insight into what readers like about my work. All positive so far.

Many readers have asked when is The Funeral Birds going to become a novel. The answer, very soon. I just have three projects that I need to finish in the next couple of months and then Dave, Joan and Granny Wenlock will be solving more mysteries again.

The next book I had published was in June. Days Pass Like a Shadow is a single collection of thirteen dark tales and is made up of stories that I’ve had published since 2012 though some have never been published before.

Within the pages of Days Pass like a Shadow the thirteen dark tales cover the theme of death and loss. At the centre of each story is a beating heart. For the reader to make the journey to that centre, along the flowing veins of the words, all they need is a few minutes during a lunch break, or at the end of the day. The reader is introduced to a rich and diverse collection of characters – a gardener, a serial killer, a time traveler, a sleepwalker and many more.

On the Streets of Kabul, which is set in Afghanistan, a soldier faces a life-threatening situation while searching for his missing comrade and childhood friend among the narrow alleys. Perfect Justice finds a secretary planning a murder. Shelved takes a reader into the unusual librarian’s office, while Burning the Midnight Oil has a son uncovering the truth about his dying mother.

So all the reader has to do is put their feet up, relax with a cup, or glass of their favourite beverage and begin reading… The Meetings.

Days Pass Like a Shadow has only received two reviews on Amazon so far but here’s a link to an in-dept review of my collection.

[image error]My much neglected book.

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So after neglecting Days Pass Like a Shadow I’m trying to make up for it by writing this post today. I can’t let Stone Angels get all the attention. As usual the middle child never gets their fair share of love and attention for the parents.

If you do buy a copy, please leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or even your blog and let me know what you think . Thank you.

Guest Book Tour: Elaine Marie Carnegie

Welcome to my guest page. Here, every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation, over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, if they are not driving, with a friend about their work in progress, or latest book release. I’ll be talking to all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers.

[image error]Photo by Flora Westbrook on Pexels.com

Welcome to the clubhouse tearoom, Elaine and for bring in some lovely banana bread too. I hope your coffee is how you like it. Can I start our chat by asking you when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre?

I would have to say I have always been on this journey. I used to tell stories to my brothers and sisters, anyone that would listen really. I began writing early, maybe 12 years old and I was fascinated with nature and the fantastical. I wrote poetry and stories about Fairies and football players, Cowboys and Indians and ghost stories. The stories I wrote were always fantastical, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Magical Realism. I love to write real stories with an element of magic.

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

For years I worked in Journalistic Media, and as a Private Investigator, I am designated a research specialist. I think it spilled over and my strongest point is research and the way I see all elements of the story in a rather straight line. My weakest point is {punctuation} and fleshing out the story. You know… “The sky was blue, the trees were green, and she halted at the edge of the golden wood…” I write the story and then have to go back and flesh it out.

[image error]Lovely Elaine Marie Carnegie

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

I thought it was time to begin writing that novel I always wanted to write. In 2015, a friend and I were having a discussion and the idea came to me in the form of a picture… He is a farmer in the Midwest and was telling me about how a certain weed has changed to combat the effect of Glyphosate. The story just continued to evolve in my mind for a couple of days and I sat down and put it to paper… Now, I have Part I of the Gaia Factor finished. You can see the Book Trailer at https://www.authorelainemarie.com/thegaiafactor I am still querying the manuscript.

How many unfinished projects do you have on your computer?

I have two short stories and two novels working at present. I have an idea card with three others that I flesh out from time to time when the muse strikes me.

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 (poem), or let the characters lead you.)

I just sit down and let it pour out of me. When I have a rough draft finished, I do an outline to verify perspective and storyline, plot holes, etc. I add or subtract from the story and do the first edit. Then after Beta Readers and Editing Professionals have “done their thing” and given their input I go back and do the crucial edits and repeat until I am satisfied with the story. I did a professional edit and six rounds of Beta Reads, some repeat Beta Readers, and some fresh eyes for Part I of The Gaia Factor. The synopsis is the last thing I write.

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

My mood is always reflected in my writing and it will sometimes take my story in a direction I don’t want it to go and I will have to backtrack.

 Did you uncover things about yourself while writing your books (or stories, play, poem) whether that be a long forgotten memory, a positive experience etc?

Yes, I would say that experiences, forgotten memories, even scents worked their way into my story much more than actual people I have known. The characters developed their own personalities and circumstance as the story progressed… but the details were in the recesses of my mind. A soft southern summer night surrounded by the smell of sweet magnolia, jasmine, and wood smoke. Sensory memories were the elements I most drew from while writing my novels and short stories also.

Do you set yourself a daily word count?

I don’t set a goal per se, but I might decide that a scene or a dilemma that needs to be worked through has to be completed by a certain day or time to give myself the motivation to work toward that goal.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

I wrote nonfiction for years, so I wanted a different name when I started writing fiction, but it got all confused, so I just hyphenated and use both names now.

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

Poetry is not something I strive to write. It will pour out fully finished or sit on my computer until the day that muse comes round again. A short story average length 3,000 to 7,000 words about a week on average, some longer and some shorter depending on the story, and research required. I began my novel in 2015 finished the manuscript rough draft in 2016, also working a full-time job. It was 2019 before it was edited, honed, Beta Read, and ready to start Querying. I have already finished the Rough Draft of Part II and it will go out to Beta Readers in February of 2021.

I have a short story called The Revenant that will be published by Barrio Blues Press in the Charity Anthology Unity. 

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Thank you so much for this chat, Elaine and hope you will join us again in the future.

Below is a list of Elaine’s connections:

Elaine Marie Carnegie Website: The Writer’s Journey Blog: 

Facebook Author’s Page:  Amazon Author’s Page:  Twitter:  LinkedIn:  Instagram: 

Guest Book Tour: Alyson Faye

Welcome to my guest page. Here, every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation, over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, if they are not driving, with a friend about their work in progress, or latest book release. I’ll be talking to all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers.

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Welcome to the Clubhouse Tearoom, Alyson. It’s lovely to chat to you though our work as appeared together and we do have two publishers in common. I’m looking forward to finding out how you got started and what drew you to your chosen genre? 

Well, Paula in the 1990’s I began writing for children and poetry. I worked with children as a tutor and would run my story ideas past them. Thumbs up! Thumbs down! I had some success getting published e.g. with Collins and Ginn. My current genre, horror, is a very long way from where I started out. However I have always enjoyed reading ghost stories and watching those sort of films and I drifted over to the dark side sometime in 2016!!

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

I am writing a horror novella currently, for Y.A.’s and it is set in my home town of Bingley, in West Yorkshire in both Edwardian times and the current day. It is a supernatural tale, with a lost boy, a haunted clock tower, a Goth teen from Bingley Secondary School and a diary with a macabre tale from 1906.

I’ve enjoyed doing some of the research online and I’ve had a few trips to Bingley cemetery, which dates back to that era.

It is great fun writing it and it has been a while in the making and creating.

Possible title – The Forgotten Boy.

[image error]Alyson with a friend from Harry Potter.

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

I am a pantser more than a planner. Show me a spreadsheet and I run a mile! For short stories I am led by the characters and the setting and see where it takes me, be it 1930’s Depression America or the woods over the road where I live.

For longer works like novellas, I tend to do more planning- I have to else I get lost in the thickets of the story twists and characters.

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

Though I write horror I intensely dislike violence, and I definitely don’t believe in ghosts. I believe in the power of ghost stories though. I love animals, and have four rescue animals, so in my stories people may die or vanish, but you will never read of an animal being injured/killed.

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

I also work as an editor/proofreader for an indie publisher, blog, write articles for horror blogs,  review books and interview writers. So there is a lot of screen time in all of those activities, as well as writing my own fiction.

I’m not a lark, more a night owl, so I can be up till 3am writing my own stuff but some days I don’t write fiction at all but do the other tasks. I can write for 6 hours or 6 minutes. It depends what mood I’m in and if the ideas are flowing.

Do you set yourself a daily word count?  

If I write anything I am pleased, it is a gift and a pleasure.

How many hours in a day do you write? Between half-an-hour and at best six- rarely more than and not every day.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

Alyson Faye is my pen name – and it was my maiden name and the name I was published under in the ‘90’s, so I’ve stuck with it. My father named me after the 1930’s film star Alice Faye, which is rather nice, as I’m a vintage movie aficionado.

I would consider a pen name if I began to write very different fiction than horror – a total move over to say – romance.

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

Sometimes characters’ names come effortlessly like in the Victorian Gothic Night of the Rider, the brother/sister names :- Barnabas and Leonie, just popped into my head. Other times, it’s a slog and I change the name four times. I like boys’ names beginning with J, I’ve realised. My son is a Joshua, and I often use Jack, Jake, Jordan, etc.

Again, sometimes they appear fully formed in my head and other times, they are faint outlines which need to be filled in.

What was your hardest scene to write?

Good question – it is all fiction I remind myself, but in my latest short story, Maxed Out for Inferno due out in December 2020 from The Infernal Clock Press) I wrote a pretty disgusting scene involving a worm and a stomach.

Emotionally one of the toughest was the Gothic Victorian story, When Dead Eyes Weep (in ShadowBound out now) because a haunted post-mortem photograph plays havoc within the grieving family, and to save his baby brother from its clutches, Edward, aged 10, sacrifices himself. I got a bit tearful when writing that.

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

The initial drafting of a short story can take me between 3-7 hours, depending on energy bursts, research pauses, and how the length of the word count. But the real question is how long does the rewriting take? That can be hours more as I edit/tweak/move around or delete material.

The fastest story I ever wrote which is published in Deadcades, Mr Dandy, (about the 1920’s WWW1 veteran ventriloquist and his dummy) and it is one of my favourite of my stories – took less than 3 hours.

It came out, it flowed, it read well, and it worked. Oh, one other thing if I can mention, Paula?

Go ahead, Alyson.

Today me and Stephanie Ellis have announced the launch of our indie horror press, Black Angel Press, run by women for women writers. Our first two publications are:- my solo mini collection :- Darkness Calls  and a debut collaboration with Steph Ellis is Shadow Bound a the NHS charity anthology I have a story in is Diabolica Britannica which is raising funds for Covid19 research.

I look forward to hearing more about Black Angel Press in the future and hopefully you will join me back in the Clubhouse Tearoom to chat more

Aly’s Blog is found here and here’s a link to her Amazon author’s page 

Guest’s Book Tour: Amanda Huggins

Welcome to my guest page. Here, every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation, over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, if they are not driving, with a friend about their work in progress, or latest book release. I’ll be talking to all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers.

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It’s lovely to have you here for a chat today, Amanda. It looks as though we timed it just right as the Clubhouse Tearoom is quiet.

Thank you for inviting me over for coffee, Paula! It’s great to see you again, and it’s always lovely to get the chance to have a chat about writing.

Let’s get started I know you’re a busy lady, so tell us a little about your latest writing project.  Is it a new idea, or one you have been mulling over for some time?

I’ve just started writing my third novella, An Unfamiliar Landscape. I’ve been mulling it over for some time, as it’s based on a previous short story of mine. It follows the life of a young woman called Sophia after she moves to Tokyo. Sophia and her husband have recently lost their child and their relationship is suffering. In an attempt to move on they relocate to Japan when her husband is offered a post there. This new location serves as a vehicle to reveal the true extent of Sophia’s grief and isolation. Left to her own devices, knowing no one in Tokyo, her sense of disconnection and loneliness is reinforced, amplified by the noise of the city and the legacy of her complicated past. Her life is examined in the context of this alien and transformative environment, where everything is slightly off-centre, unsettling, not quite as it seems. The city eventually pulls her under its skin and in the new noise she finds her silence.

[image error]The Well Traveled Amanda Huggins

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

Travel writing was the first genre I chose, as I love exploring the world and learning about other cultures. I soon started writing short stories as well, and a strong sense of place has always been as important as character and plot in my fiction. My work is set all over the world in the cities and landscapes I have lived in and traveled around – settings as diverse as Cuba and India, mid-west America and the North Yorkshire coast, Japan and Russia, Paris and New York.

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How many unfinished projects do you have on your computer?

Very few! I do tend to complete most of the pieces I start, so there are only a handful of short stories that are hanging around unfinished.

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’m currently furloughed, so technically I should have a lot of time to work on my novella. However I’m writing a course for Retreat West at the moment, so that’s taking up some of those extra hours. In normal circumstances I try to write for a couple of hours a day. I’m usually working on a short story or poem at any given time, plus my novella. I never set a word count – I’ve adopted Hemingway’s practice of stopping when I still know what’s going to happen next. That way I can start writing again straight away the following day.

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Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

I submitted my first short story collection, Separated From the Sea, to Retreat West under a pseudonym! I’d met Amanda Saint in real life and I wanted her to read my work blind. I totally fooled her – she googled the pseudonym to try and find out more about me!

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

I select names very quickly and without much thought – and surprisingly I hardly ever change them! I avoid using the names of anyone I know, however I recently named a character Janet without thinking. I have two close friends called Janet – and a mother-in-law! However the character in my novella is nothing like any of them so I don’t think I’ll be in trouble!

I’ve just written a tutorial about character development, so of course I should say that I know everything about mine before I start writing. However I admit I often don’t – especially in shorter pieces. Do as I say, not as I do

Guest’s Book Tour: Dawn DeBraal

Welcome to my guest page. Here, every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation, over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, if they are not driving, with a friend about their work in progress, or latest book release. I’ll be talking to all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers.

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Hello Dawn so lovely you could make it here today. I hope you enjoy your coffee, not too much milk I hope. Let’s start by asking you, when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre? 

I think finding Black Hare Press. I am a prompt writer, meaning I work best if given a prompt. Black Hare does this. So I ended up writing horror. I write other genre’s too, but that’s how I began.

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

I’m currently working on my Lord’s Prayer Series. Terror House Magazine has been wonderful at publishing my stories. The fifth story will be out August 30th. I take each line from the Lord’s Prayer and write a horror story to it. I am enjoying the process of writing these stories.

[image error]The Highly Amusing Dawn DeBraal

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 ( poem), or let the characters lead you?

I am a pantser. I start at the beginning and write to the end. Sometimes a thought will occur to me. So that I don’t forget it I will go to the bottom of the document and write “Anna is the suspect, but she gets murdered.” Then I will write in that direction. I don’t like to plan things because when the twist comes, I am just as surprised at the reader.

[image error]Sloth Book Cover

Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

All of my characters are inspired by real people. A nod of their head, a phrase, the way they walk, etc. They are a conglomeration of several people. I am a people watcher and I love developing something I’ve observed into one of my characters. I am not above eavesdropping in a restaurant for a conversation line either. Beware! (I shall be watching out for an English character in one of your stories, Dawn

The Downside to Having Your Book Published.

After the excitement and joy of having my novel launched on Tuesday I discovered there’s a darker side to the publishing world. Of course I was aware that the world isn’t a perfect place. Though, I wasn’t expecting this to happen to my newly published novel. Who am I? I’m just a very small fish in a ocean of bestselling authors.

I have a habit of googling my name and the title of my novel. It started really when I came across someone reviewing a book I had a story in by chance. Not all reviews are posted on Amazon or GoodReads. Okay, so some may see this habit of googling oneself as touching on being vain, but it can be very interesting to see what unexpected articles you do come across by chance. Unfortunately, it’s not always good things you find out.

I don’t know whether to be flattered or pissed off

Guest’s Book Tour: Penny Hampson

Welcome to my guest page. Here, every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation, over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, if they are not driving, with a friend about their work in progress, or latest book release. I’ll be talking to all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers.

Today, I’m welcoming Penny Hampson to the clubhouse tearoom to share a cuppa and a chat. Hello Penny. I hope the tea is to your liking.

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Hello, Paula. Thank you for inviting me to the tearooms for a chat. It’s lovely to meet you at last.

And you too. I know you’re very excited at the moment as Darkstroke will be releasing your first novel with them very soon. First may I begin by asking you when you first began your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre?

Writing  mystery/romance was a logical choice for me. Books had offered me the chance to escape from my problems on days when everything seemed to be conspiring against me. I knew I felt better after reading an uplifting and compelling story, with characters I cared about overcoming their problems, and – more often than not – finding their happy ever after. So, because I’m also passionate about history, my writing journey began with my traditional historical mystery/romances.

How many unfinished projects do you have on your computer?

At the moment, just two. The first is a short story set in present day Scotland. Some years ago, my family and I lived in Scotland and a house that we considered buying at the time had a lovely rowan tree in the front garden. The lady selling the house told me that if I bought it, I ought not to get rid of the tree, because it was there as protection against witches. We didn’t buy that house, but I always wondered what might happen if the next owner did decide to chop down the tree.

My second project is a continuation of my Gentlemen Series, telling the story of Jack Ashdown, late of His Majesty’s Navy, and a charming French emigrée whom he has been ordered to keep under surveillance as she is suspected of being a Napoleonic spy. Expect lots of historical detail!

[image error]The Intriguing Penny Hampson

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

I only do a very sketchy synopsis, and things only start to gel once I’ve started writing. Generally, I have my two main characters in mind and I know where I want them to end up, but it’s the journey that is open to change. I never know where my characters will take me.

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

Gosh, I did quite a bit of research for this book, even though it is a contemporary mystery. A key element of the story is a missing early 19th century portrait, so I did a lot of research on portrait painters working in this period in Bath. You’d be amazed how many there were! I finally settled on one who isn’t too well known, but just famous enough to make his works reasonably valuable. You’ll have to read the book to discover who he is.

[image error]Penny’s Book Cover

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

See my answer to the question below.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

I do write under a pseudonym!

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

That’s difficult to answer. Sometimes I’m up early and can spend several hours writing before real life catches up. Other days I don’t get started until the afternoons and carry on working into the night. It all depends on what my ‘real’ life commitments are.

Do you set yourself a daily word count?

No. I’m just glad when I manage to make a reasonable amount of progress on the particular project I’m involved in on the day.

How many hours in a day do you write?

Some days my writing hours are restricted, other days, when I’m free to write and I’m ‘in the zone’, I have to be dragged off the computer. I’m very strict on meeting deadlines though.

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

A first draft can take from between three to six months; then begins the long job of getting second opinions, checking references, re-writing, and editing, until I’m happy with it. The Unquiet Spirit started life back in 2018.

Thank you so much for joining me for this chat, Penny. I do hope you will join me again soon.

Links

Blog:https://pennyhampson.co.uk/blog/

Amazon Author Page (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Penny-Hampson/

Amazon Author Page (US): amazon.com/author/pennyhampson

Guest Book Tour: Jean Fullerton

Welcome to my guest page. Here, every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation, over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, if they are not driving, with a friend about their work in progress, or latest book release. I’ll be talking to all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers.

[image error]Photo by Julia Khalimova on Pexels.com

Today, I’m welcoming Jean Fullerton to the clubhouse tearoom to share a cuppa and a chat with me.

It’s so lovely to meet you with you again, Jean. I think we met for the first time in Chelmsford library during the Essex Book Festival quite a few years ago. My opening question to you is when you first begun your writing journey what drew you to your chosen genre? 

I can tell you Paula exactly when it was in February 2002 when I attended an NHS stress management course. I was a community manager then with responsibility for 7 clinics and over 100 District Nurses, Health visitors, school nurses and support staff.

I’d been a lifelong-reader of romantic and mainstream historical fiction but sometimes, and I’m sure this has happened to all of us, I’ve read a book and said “I could do better than that”. One of the tips to a relieve workplace stress was to take a hobby or start a new activity so I decided to try my hand at writing a historical novel. I spent four years learning my craft and in 2006 I won the Harry Bowling Prize with No Cure for Love. From there I got my agent and first two-book contract. Since then I published a book a year all set in East London where I was born and raised.

[image error]The Amazing Jean Fullerton

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

That’s a bit of a difficult question because you have to be spot on with all the elements of story craft published and have your books sell. If I was to choose one it’s probably would be plotting. My stories are multi-threaded with multiple characters and points of view so I have to ensure by careful plotting that they all work seamlessly together.

How many unfinished projects do you have on your computer?

None. I have six unpublished stories on my computer the first three I ever wrote would need so much editing and re-writing I’d be better off the take the storyline and write then again. The other three, set in Georgian London,  that were written just before I got published need a bit of work but I’m hopeful I might eventually get them published. However at the moment, as I’ve got three books to finish by this time next year I just haven’t got the time to do that at the moment.

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

I write a brief synopsis of two books, which my agent uses as a basis for negotiating the contract after that I just write Chapter one and carry on chronologically until I write The End.

Were any of your characters inspired by real people?

Usually not but they are an amalgamation of people I’ve met.  However, in the current Ration Book Series much of the backstory of the characters are my family’s stories about their WW2 experience living in Wapping and Stepney during the Blitz.

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

Tons. For me every book I write is like a history project. So far during the course of writing the Ration Book Series, I’ve learnt about what different members of the ARP did, the rise of fascism in 1930s Britain, the birth of MI5,the work of the Royal Engineers in Bomb Disposal and the WVS plus wartime rationing and much, much more .

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

They might be surprised to know my husband is a rector in the Church of England.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing? Do you set yourself a daily word count?  How long on average does it take you to write a book?

I aim to write five days a week and set myself a wordcount of 1500 words each day. It doesn’t always work out like that and when I’m heading towards a deadline, I can sometimespush myself to work six days a week and up my daily tally to 2k which means I usually finish my first draft in six to seven months. After some editing I have it ready to send to my publishers two months later. 

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

I have several medieval romances which haven’t been published and if I did want to published them, which I might, I would have to write under a pseudonym as they are very different from my current Jean Fullerton books.

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

My current writing project is in fact A Ration Book Victory. It is the last book in my current Ration Book series. It is just tying up the ends of all the previous stories plus resolving twoplot threads, one for the oldest member of the Brogan family and another with the youngest,  that has been carried through the entire series plus bringing all the members serving in the army home safe to their wives and families.

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A Ration Book Wedding:

In the darkest days of the Blitz, love is more important than ever.

It’s February 1942, and as the Americans finally join Britain and her allies, twenty-three-year-old Francesca Fabrino is doing her bit for the war effort in a factory in East London. But her thoughts are constantly occupied by recently married Charlie Brogan, who is fighting in North Africa with the Eighth Army.

When Francesca starts a new job for the BBC Overseas department, she meets handsome Count Leo D’Angelo and begins to put her hopeless love for Charlie aside. But then Charlie returns from the front, his marriage in ruins and his heart burning for Francesca at last. Could she, a good Catholic girl, countenance an affair with the man she has always longed for? Or should she choose Leo and a different, less dangerous path?

Available in paperback, across all electronic platforms and on audio.

Author Bio – Jean is a true cockney and was born and bred in East London. She is also a retired district nurse and university lecturer. She is the author of fifteen novels all set in East London. Her first series was a mid-1800s family Saga featuring the Nolan family. The second jumped forward a hundred year to post-war, pre-NHS district nurses Britain with Mille Sullivan and Connie Byrne. Jean is currently writing the penultimate book in her Ration Book Series focusing on the boisterous Brogan family during the dark days of WW2.  In addition, she leads writing workshop and is a regular guest speaker at WIs, U3As and on cruise ships.

Social Media Links –

Website: http://jeanfullerton.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jean-Fullerton-202631736433230/?ref=bookmarks

Jean Fullerton – Fall in Love with the Past.

Ration Book Series: 1st A Ration Book Dream https https://amzn.to/2TQjpFd

                              2nd A Ration Book Christmas     https://goo.gl/eZ4TD5

                              3rd A Ration Book Childhood    https://amzn.to/2G7Xbt0

                              4th A Ration Book Wedding       https://amzn.to/2RFkaRw