Location, Location, Location - Guest Post Louise Mangos

I just love reading stories set in other countries and I love reading suspense. Author Louise Mangos has combined both of these elements in her two thrillers, Strangers on a Bridge and Her Husbands's Secrets, which is why I was delighted when she offered to write a piece for Wendy's Writing Now on the importance of setting in a novel.

Over to you, Louise.

I believe it was Mark Twain who initially coined the phrase “Write what you know.” Like me, he was a voracious traveller, and often spent weeks at a time in the settings of his stories.

Both my suspense novels are set in different areas of Switzerland, and I am lucky enough to have spent several years in two of the locations. My debut, Strangers on a Bridge, is set in and around the valley where I currently live.

My second novel, Her Husband’s Secrets (previously titled The Art of Deception) has a dual timeline in two settings. The backstory is set in the area I lived for more than 16 years when I first arrived in Switzerland many years ago, a ski resort in the French-speaking part of the country. Although never once mentioned by name in the novel, the resort of Leysin is the setting for artist Lucie’s torrid love affair with ski teacher and womaniser, Matt. Their union deteriorates into a shaky relationship of increasing mistrust, coercion and deception. But Lucie cannot leave because they have a son together. And then one afternoon something terrible happens.

The present-day part of the story is set in Switzerland’s only all-female prison, Hindelbank, situated north of Bern. The prison required a significant amount of research as I hadn’t been there before, but became fascinated with its history as I began researching where the convicts in my story might be imprisoned. Hindelbank prison is built within the grounds of a magnificent castle, and was originally a work house for disreputable young women. It has a tainted past, and I was able to weave some of these facts into the novel’s narrative. I visited the prison several times, conducted interviews with the prison staff, and was given a tour of the communal and work spaces. For the remaining information about the day-to-day life, routines, philosophy, and the sleeping quarters for the prisoners, I was able to ask the prison director and she willingly shared the information I required. I even bought crafted objects made by the prisoners for their annual Christmas market – the Schlossmärit – an event I also managed to include in the story.

Although I know my settings intimately, I work hard to bring them to life for the reader. There are some amazing locations in Switzerland for the settings of stories. I like to portray them with a complexity I might award to any of my characters. The geography and climate are as moody as the people I write about.

So I do agree with Mr Twain: Write what you know. But I also believe writers should research what they don’t know to make their novels better.

 Book link:  Amazon

Louise is a compulsive writer and drinker of Prosecco. Her novels, short stories and flash fiction have won prizes, have been placed on several shortlists and read out on BBC radio. Apart from the two novels mentioned above, her short fiction has appeared in Mslexia and Firewords, and in the Hammond House, Brighton Prize, Nivalis, Ellipsis Zine, Bath Flash Fiction, Hysteria, and Reflex Press anthologies. She lives in central Switzerland with her Kiwi husband and two sons.

You can find Louise here:

www.louisemangos.com

www.facebook.com/LouiseMangosBooks/

@LouiseMangos 

Meet Suspense Author Lynda Stacey

Author Lynda Stacey is no stranger to my blog and I wouldn't want her to be as we have been online friends for many years (as well as meeting up at writer gatherings). Lynda's writing has taken a new direction in recent years and she now writes suspense. I thought it would be fun to ask Lynda a few questions to see what life has thrown at her since she was last guest on Wendy's Writing Now.

Can you remember where you were and what you were doing when the idea for Keeper of Secrets first came to you?

I certainly do. For my day job, you know, the one that pays the mortgage, I’m a Sales Director and one morning when I arrived at work, my accountant passed me a church magazine. It had an article about the Sand House in it, it showed pictures of the tunnels, of the elephant & his mahout, the original house and of the 17-storey block of flats that now stood above it all. I couldn’t believe that I’d never heard of this Victorian marvel and my first reaction was to go and see it, to physically go down the tunnels and to take in the history that was right there, right below the pavements that I’d played upon as a child.

What three words would you use to describe your novel?

Family, intrigue, murder.

How long did it take you to write?

This book probably took the longest. I normally write a first draft in around six months. But for some reason, this one took around a year. I think it was because I was so close to the subject, too afraid to over ‘tell’ the story. I was also very aware that this was probably the only book I’d ever write that was set in my hometown, so I really wanted to do it justice.

Keeper of Secrets features an archaeological site that’s being excavated. Is it based on somewhere you know or is it fictitious?

It’s a site that was filled with concrete in 1964. The council needed the land to build high-rise

flats and they had to fill the tunnels to give the land the stability it needed. So sad that this site wasn’t kept though. I honestly believe that in any other country it would be preserved as a site of historical importance and we’d still be able to see it.

If anyone would like to see the real Sand House tunnels and their history, here’s the Sand House Charity’s website www.thesandhouse.org.uk

What was your favourite chapter to write?

I actually loved the chapters between Cassie and her Aunt Aggie. I loved Aggie’s story, her secret and the fact that she’s always cared for her nieces. There’s also a true love between these two ladies and I really hope that shows in the words.

Describe a typical publication day.

Lol... I’m normally at work. I get up in the morning early. I post as much as I can on social media, I set tweet deck up to shout about the release all day in my absence and then I turn into a Sales Director and I go about business, albeit with bated breath for the whole day.

I must admit though, my mobile is always close to hand. I check it repeatedly and I both love and hate waiting for those first reviews to drop in. Once two or three of them are there, and they’re good... I feel the relief and start to breathe again.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love to go on holidays. I have a new found love of cruising. I love to scuba dive and I really enjoy good food. I used to love going for long walks. I live in the countryside and keep saying that I’m going to get another dog to take out with me. Since losing my Springer Spaniel, Bonnie, a few years ago, I still feel a bit lost and love the fun that a dog brings to the house.

What does your family think of your writing?

I’d like to think that they’re proud and probably read the books looking for themselves in the characters. But I wouldn’t do that to them... would I?

Any advice for budding authors?

Don’t stop. Keep writing. Write every day and keep submitting.

It’s all about persistence. The more you write and the more you submit, the better chance you’ll have. Make friends in other authors, they’re the only people who understand what you’re doing and what you’re going through. Authors are great sounding blocks and people who’ll brainstorm with you for hours and hours over coffee and cake.

Finally... believe in yourself.

What next for Lynda Stacey?

I’m currently writing a story set on the east coast, near Filey, called The Consummate Storm. It’s a story of two sisters. Of sticking together through thick and thin and of how the dynamics change when a man comes between them. Especially when that man isn’t all he initially appears to be.

KEEPER OF SECRETS

Should some secrets stay buried?

For as long as Cassie Hunt can remember her Aunt Aggie has spoken about the forgotten world that exists just below their feet, in the tunnels and catacombs of the Sand House. The story is what inspired Cassie to become an archaeologist. 

But Aggie has a secret that she’s buried as deep as the tunnels and when excavation work begins on the site, Cassie is the only one who can help her keep it. With the assistance of her old university friend, Noah Flanagan, she puts into action a plan to honour Aggie’s wishes. 

It seems the deeper Noah and Cassie dig, the more shocking the secrets uncovered – and danger is never far away, both above and below the ground …

Buying Links:

Kindle: https://smarturl.it/7v75yy

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2pLIiXC

iBooks: https://apple.co/2pNhUNb

Google Books: https://bit.ly/2PfHWDb

Nook: https://bit.ly/2N9N5dj

Audible: https://adbl.co/2PhM1a6

A Little About Lynda

Lynda grew up in the mining village of Bentley, Doncaster, in South Yorkshire,

Her own chaotic life story, along with varied career choices helps Lynda to create stories of romantic suspense, with challenging and unpredictable plots, along with (as in all romances) very happy endings.

Lynda joined the Romantic Novelist Association in 2014 under the umbrella of the New Writers Scheme and in 2015, her debut novel House of Secrets won the Choc Lit Search for a Star competition.

She lives in a small rural hamlet near Doncaster, with her husband, Haydn, whom she’s been happily married to for almost 30 years.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @Lyndastacey

Facebook: Lynda Stacey Author

Website: www.Lyndastacey.co.uk

So Excited to Reveal the Cover of my Debut!

It feels like I've been waiting so long for this moment... the cover reveal of my debut psychological thriller, What She Saw, which will be published by Bookouture on 1st May in e-book, paperback and audio.

I was first sent the cover (along with the new title) in November. The email from my editor arrived while I was on holiday in La Gomera, sunning myself by the pool. I loved the cover immediately and I had to restrain myself from showing the woman on the sun bed next to me! 

The official cover reveal day was actually over a week ago but it's taken me this long to update my blog as I'm in the thick of edits for book two. But what a day it was! 

At 4.45 pm precisely, Bookouture made the above announcement on Facebook and other social media, and then the fun began. Good wishes, wonderful comments about the cover, shares and re-tweets began and all of these lovely well-wishers needed to be thanked and replied to. Not that I'm complaining - I was truly thankful to know that my cover reveal was being well received.

That wasn't all the good news though, as at the same time as the cover reveal, the e-book of What She Saw was also put on pre-order. So exciting!

Not that I was Amazon rating watching (well only a little) but it was exciting to see my novel race up the charts even though it won't be published until May!

If any of you lovely readers would like to pre-order What She Saw for just 99p (it's a great opportunity as the price will rise on publication) you can follow the links below.

Amazon: http://geni.us/B07N8YGN5BCover 

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2t1mQfv 

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2S1vGc5 

Googleplay: http://ow.ly/T1gC30nxHwC 

I'd love to know what you think of the cover and tagline. Just leave a comment in the box below.

Her Last Lie - Guest Post Amanda Brittany

Today, I'm delighted to welcome Amanda Brittany to my blog. Amanda is a fellow magazine writer and this week her debut novel, Her Last Lie, was published by HQ Digital. What makes this story so wonderful is that all proceeds from the sales will be donated to Cancer Research in memory of her younger sister.

I hope you'll enjoy hearing more about Amanda and her writing in this interview.

You first started your writing life as a women’s magazine writer. How difficult was it to move to something longer?

Hi Wendy. Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog. I think the main difficulty for me, is keeping the faith in a novel for so much longer than you would with a short story.

Women’s magazine fiction is known for being gentle and uplifting. How difficult was it to change genre?

Although I’ve written many gentle, uplifting stories for magazines, and really enjoy writing that kind of story, I have been known to go over to the dark side when writing short stories, and really enjoy writing twisty-turny thrillers for That’s Life! Australia, and Take a Break Fiction Feast. Maybe I was destined to write a psychological thriller. I know plotting short stories in that genre helped me a lot with my novel.

What were you like at school? Would your English teacher be surprised to see that you have become a published author?

If I’m honest, I was a bit of a dreamer at school. My English teacher was actually my favourite teacher, and she always said I had a great imagination, but she would get frustrated that I never applied myself. I think she would be shocked about my book, but I like to think she would be pleased too.

How long did it take you to write your novel?

I wrote the first draft fairly quickly. In six weeks, in fact. But the rewrites and edits took me a lot longer.

I love the cover. How important do you think the cover is to a potential reader?

I’m thrilled with the cover of Her Last Lie –the designer is amazingly talented. I think covers are very important. If they are eye-catching they can really draw the reader in, and also give the reader a good idea of the kind of genre the book is. In fact, I know someone who buys books purely based on the cover – so hopefully I’ve made one sale. J

Tell us something about the main character that will make us want to read more about them.

Six years ago, Isla Johnson survived an attack by a serial killer, and I hope readers will feel for her and the potential trauma she had been through, especially as she is now convinced the killer is out of prison and stalking her. But I also think the reader will feel conflicted by Isla’s present-day behaviour towards her partner the kind and caring Jack.

Are you a pantster of do you plot?

A bit of both, I think. For novels, I have a brief outline of the main plot, and where I want to go, and then I tend to let my characters take me there. I admit, it does mean I occasionally lose my way – characters can be naughty like that – so when I feel myself heading off on a tangent, I stop and reassess my plot and where I’m heading. For short stories, I sometimes have an outline, but often I write a whole story purely based on something I’ve heard someone say.

What have you found to be the most difficult thing about writing a novel?

The hardest thing when writing a novel, in my opinion, is keeping on keeping on, and, as I said earlier, not losing faith in what you are writing. I find the hardest moment is about halfway through, when I suddenly wonder if it’s any good at all. And the other difficulty is the temptation to keep on going over and over the first few chapters until they are perfect, instead of getting the first draft down.

What next for Amanda Brittany?

I love writing short stories, and hope to write more in 2018, but I’m not sure what the future holds for novels. I guess, for now, I’m taking it one step at a time.

Amanda Brittany lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and two dogs. She loves travelling, and visiting Abisko in Sweden inspired her to write 'Her Last Lie'. 

She began writing fiction nine years ago, and has since gained a BA in Literature, a Diploma in Creative Writing, and has had 200 stories and articles published in magazines globally.

When her younger sister became terminally ill, Amanda’s hope was to write a novel where her royalties went to Cancer Research. 'Her Last Lie' is that book, and all of Amanda's royalties for downloads will go to that charity. 'Her Last Lie' is her debut novel.

Psychological Thrillers and Me - Guest Post Louise Jensen

I am enormously pleased to have as my guest this week psychological suspense writer, Louise Jensen, whose novels, The Sister and The Gift, have both been number 1 bestsellers and sold for translation in ten different countries. Having just read The Sister, and thoroughly enjoyed it, I couldn't wait to ask her a few questions about her writing.

You’ve written two psychological thrillers, had you written anything before?

I have been writing non-fiction for years for health and wellbeing publications, writing mainly about mindfulness and chronic pain. Writing a novel had always been the dream but time and family meant it was something I kept putting off although looking back I think it was fear that held me back. Beginning something and knowing you need to write 90k words is incredibly daunting.

What made you decide to write a novel?

I lost a great deal of my mobility in my 30’s and with more time on my hands I decided to write a book about mindfulness, which I teach. I went along to a local writing group to find out a little about self-publishing and I was given 3 words and 10 minutes to do a ‘hot pen’ exercise. I wrote the opening to The Sister and for days afterwards I couldn’t stop thinking about Grace and Charlie and decided to try and expand my snippet into a short story but I couldn’t stop writing.

Had you always had a burning desire to write in this genre?

I didn’t realise I was a crime writer until I was offered a book deal and my publisher wanted to talk about marketing. I wrote the story I wanted to tell, one I would like to read. One that made me scared, one that moved me to tears. I’m contracted for 2 more thrillers, I’ve recently released The Gift, the second and I’ve had to write knowing it needs to slot into a genre which has been more difficult. Ultimately I love feeling unnerved but I also love the emotion in commercial fiction so I try to blend the two genres.

‘The Gift’ is your latest novel. Can you describe it in one sentence?

Jenna hasn’t been the same since her heart transplant; recognising people she’s never met, discovering secrets she shouldn’t know, seeing a murder that never happened.

Are you a planner or a pantster?

Oh I wish I could plan. Particularly now writing to a deadline. I generally start with an idea and a strong female lead and see where it takes me. Throughout the writing process though I always bear in mind what the character wants and what is stopping her from getting that. This means everything I write stays connected to these points and doesn’t veer too far off track.

What would you say would be your typical writing day?

I catch up on social media when I wake and then after the school run I write until around 12. After lunch I’m not very creative in terms of getting new words down so it’s time for blogging, admin and editing. I try to finish around 4 so I can spend some time with my son.

You’re published with Bookouture. Can you tell me a little about your road to publication?

My road to publication was relatively easy, although I did receive the inevitable rejections every writer has. The Sister wasn’t finished until November and I had a contract by January. That said I’d been very careful in making sure it was absolutely ready. I paid for a professional critique which was enormously helpful and I made some last minute tweaks after receiving my report.

You’ve recently been interviewed by ITV news. Was that scary?

ITV rang me the night before as I’d just reached my second UK no.1 in a year so I didn’t really have time to get nervous, plus, if I’m honest I thought it was a joke and didn’t expect them to turn up. The interviewer was lovely and really put me at ease and it was a great experience for all the family.

Any other novels in the pipeline?

I’m due to release my third psychological thriller with Bookouture at the end of this year so I’m in the infancy stages of writing it. Not quite knowing yet what it will be about but that’s half the fun!

Thanks so much Wendy for inviting me onto your blog.

Find out more about Louise:

www.louisejensen.co.uk

Twitter

Buy Louise's books here:

Amazon UK 

Amazon US 

Louise is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, children, madcap spaniel and a rather naughty cat. 

Louise's first two novels, The Sister and the Gift, were both No.1 Bestsellers, and have been sold for translation to ten countries. The Sister was nominated for The Goodreads Awards Debut of 2016