tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87874380447514929632024-03-14T07:18:42.045+00:00Wendy's Writing NowWendy Clarke's journey from first short story publication to who knows where?Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.comBlogger408125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-75703097071658648232021-02-13T08:02:00.001+00:002021-02-13T08:05:49.016+00:00His Hidden Wife Hits Amazon Top 50!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgPs1bUHdEs/YCaMMhFG3WI/AAAAAAAAEu0/-LbSqA287ScVXSAi_R1nmGyCWBxQ2kZmACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4882.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1892" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgPs1bUHdEs/YCaMMhFG3WI/AAAAAAAAEu0/-LbSqA287ScVXSAi_R1nmGyCWBxQ2kZmACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4882.JPG" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I apologise in advance for the fact that this is going to be an incredibly excitable post... for many reasons.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The first is that a week ago, my fourth psychological thriller, His Hidden Wife, was published by Bookouture. That's four books in just over two years! I have to admit that although I was passionate about this book, it was a hard one to write. So much so that when I handed it over to my editor, I knew something was off but I was too close to it to know what it was. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were two parts to the story (a present day story and a story set twelve years earlier) narrated by different people. After a week or so, my editor came back to me and told me she knew what was wrong: the story set in the past wasn't necessary. It needed to come out. Yes.. all of it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ezEhr7NqTo/YCaML3obXzI/AAAAAAAAEus/DU0-b8LbLrwcNpoF1MDYJcOdB-JKACOOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s781/IMG_4931.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ezEhr7NqTo/YCaML3obXzI/AAAAAAAAEus/DU0-b8LbLrwcNpoF1MDYJcOdB-JKACOOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w192-h200/IMG_4931.JPG" width="192" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I could have cried but my lovely editor had worked with me on my three previous books and got it right so I knew I had to trust her judgement. I had to have faith that at the end of it, my book would be a stronger one even though the amount of work needed seemed overwhelming.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So began several weeks of structural edits, followed by several more of line edits that were almost as hard. They were, by far, the most difficult edits I've had to do for any of my books and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll be honest and say that, at times, I wondered if I could do it. I even wondered, at my lowest point, whether after I'd finished, I'd ever want to write another book. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But I carried on and eventually saw the light at the end of the tunnel. When I'd finished, I read the new version and thought: <i>Do you know what? This isn't bad at all.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank goodness I wasn't the only one to think so because, a week on from publication day, His Hidden Wife has become an Amazon Kindle Top 50 bestseller (peaking at #43). It is number one in the Hot New Fiction charts in both the UK and the US and has sold more books in the first week than I ever could have imagined.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The picture at the top of the page is of me signing books for my local bookshop. I have to pinch myself to believe it! At the moment they're only taking phone orders from customers but I'm looking forward to taking some photos in the shop once they open again. It's a gorgeous little bookshop and one I share with Julia Donaldson (who lives in the same village) who can often be found signing her children's picture books in school holidays.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKn2ja7hM8A/YCaL1lZLEEI/AAAAAAAAEuY/67C6sT4UWWI_XmOixoHkzj5I49vdnbUhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3180.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKn2ja7hM8A/YCaL1lZLEEI/AAAAAAAAEuY/67C6sT4UWWI_XmOixoHkzj5I49vdnbUhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3180.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>My books have always done better in the UK than in the US so it was particularly gratifying to find that the book raced up the Amazon charts across the pond as well. I am so very grateful to everyone who bought and shared and reviewed as I certainly couldn't have done it on my own.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can buy His Hidden Wife <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/His-Hidden-Wife-suspenseful-psychological-ebook/dp/B08ML1PBNH" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was the second publication day I've had in lockdown so I knew that I wasn't going to be having a huge celebration. Instead, I had a mini publication party with my friends via Zoom, drank Prosecco and scoffed the delicious cakes and biscuits my publisher sent me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0CG6SHeObw/YCajid1RafI/AAAAAAAAEvE/th1Id16L-184s-d3cIW-Huy0AODZ7WgJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1258/2021-02-03%2B%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1063" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0CG6SHeObw/YCajid1RafI/AAAAAAAAEvE/th1Id16L-184s-d3cIW-Huy0AODZ7WgJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2021-02-03%2B%25283%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LOVrrJlYAE/YCaL1wM452I/AAAAAAAAEuc/YLSkREQORNMZjiSAWdA93KITvQo0LJSNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2021-02-04%2B%25281%2529.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LOVrrJlYAE/YCaL1wM452I/AAAAAAAAEuc/YLSkREQORNMZjiSAWdA93KITvQo0LJSNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2021-02-04%2B%25281%2529.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />And what of the next book? Let's just say it's going well and when it's published at the end of the year, I'm hoping I'll be able to celebrate in (non-lockdown) style!<br /> </span><p></p>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-10764134219165438592020-12-31T13:11:00.000+00:002020-12-31T13:11:24.453+00:00Did I achieve my 2020 Writing Goals?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ci7-ShY0s2k/X-3AX00rhYI/AAAAAAAAEtI/54cy6yXsi-Uqu77HgDxNskU_K_Qs6A0qwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ci7-ShY0s2k/X-3AX00rhYI/AAAAAAAAEtI/54cy6yXsi-Uqu77HgDxNskU_K_Qs6A0qwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">First of all, I'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. 2020 has been an odd year to say the least... many of us at some time in the last twelve months have experienced lockdowns, tiers, panic buying, cancelled holidays, not being able to see who we like when we like and shops, pubs, restaurants, cinema and theatres closing. Sadly, many will also have had to cope with illness and bereavement (mercifully, we have escaped this so far).</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But there has also been a silver lining to 2020. For one, my daughter who works and lives in London, started a new job which she could do from home, gave up her tenancy and moved back with us at the beginning of March. It's not just because she's good company that it's worked so well, she's a great cook too!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As a writer, I'm lucky that my working life hasn't changed much at all. After an initial first couple of weeks when I couldn't concentrate at all, I found that with less places to go (and less breaks away) I've actually been more productive than usual rather than less. And this leads me on to the main point of this post... to see if I have achieved the year's writing goals I set in January with writing buddy, Tracy Fells.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are the results:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red;">Goal:</span> To finish psychological thriller number 4.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red;">Achieved? </span>Yes! Not only did I finish it but His Hidden Wife is going to be published on February 4th. If you'd like to pre-order it here is the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/His-Hidden-Wife-suspenseful-psychological-ebook/dp/B08ML1PBNH" target="_blank">link</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red;">Goal: </span>To secure another book deal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red;">Achieved? </span>Yes! I was offered another two-book deal with my brilliant publisher Bookouture in October and I couldn't be happier. Book five will be published at the end of 2021 and book 6 in 2022.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">... and that's it for another year. Next week, Tracy and I will be meeting for a socially distanced walk and goal set which I'll post in a couple of weeks. In the meantime... HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></p><p><br /></p>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-76595293029073207662020-11-08T18:45:00.000+00:002020-11-08T18:45:14.258+00:00Cover Reveal for His Hidden Wife<p></p><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1334" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_CAX5VcwC4/X6goaRJ--0I/AAAAAAAAErg/6tho9x_N3LEWcksphmJBcpEQ2Z5I4xbkQCLcBGAsYHQ/w175-h270/Cover%2BHis%2BHidden%2BWife.JPG" style="font-family: arial;" width="175" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Just a quick post today as I have recently had the cover reveal for my next psychological thriller, HIS HIDDEN WIFE. My fourth thriller! How did that happen? It doesn't seem any time at all since my debut was published. Time certainly works in mysterious ways when it comes to writing books.</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I actually think that seeing the cover for the first time is the most exciting part of the publishing process and I've been delighted with all of them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Every single one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In fact, I'm still trying to decide which one is my favourite... maybe this one (but then I say that every time a new book comes out).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm really lucky because I've had the same cover designer for each of my novels. She uses a different colour combo for each and makes sure the 'motif' is strong: a pair of children's shoes, a pink hair band, black and white flowers and now a set of rings. Each giving a hint of what is to come in the book.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">She also always uses the same font for the title and author name. This is so that when readers see it, they will, hopefully, recognise it as part of the Wendy Clarke 'brand'. Branding was mentioned a lot when I first signed with my publisher, Bookouture, but it's only now I have four books that I can definitely see what they mean. Don't they look lovely together... not that I'm biased or anything!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tpYr-tn0QbQ/X6gk0lRAf7I/AAAAAAAAErU/SfzeQVYkUtgBtZPKPl_JI0AXs92sxkSvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2956/F5A2567C-F20D-4CBB-AB7D-E44B58F624AA.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="2956" height="153" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tpYr-tn0QbQ/X6gk0lRAf7I/AAAAAAAAErU/SfzeQVYkUtgBtZPKPl_JI0AXs92sxkSvwCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h153/F5A2567C-F20D-4CBB-AB7D-E44B58F624AA.PNG" width="426" /></span></a></div></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">His Hidden Wife will be published by Bookouture on February 4th but you can pre-order it right now (only if you want to, of course!)</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://bit.ly/2GvvRrK"><span style="color: red;">Amazon</span></a> </span> <span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://apple.co/3l1jJO7"><span style="color: red;">Apple</span></a></span> <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://bit.ly/2HU5UTx"><span style="color: red;">Kobo</span></a> </span> <a href="https://bit.ly/2TSPmxh"><span style="color: red;">Google</span></a></span></p><p><br /></p></div>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-46970674010326393982020-10-26T06:58:00.001+00:002020-10-26T06:58:13.738+00:00Behind the Closed Doors of a Thriller Writer - Guest Post Sadie Ryan<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-CQeUjFXx8/X5VAqIOWyzI/AAAAAAAAEp0/4AooH1wHCjUWW9XxP2rkpC3bo5ETW7_AwCLcBGAsYHQ/s540/SADIE%2BRYAN%2BPhoto.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-CQeUjFXx8/X5VAqIOWyzI/AAAAAAAAEp0/4AooH1wHCjUWW9XxP2rkpC3bo5ETW7_AwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/SADIE%2BRYAN%2BPhoto.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><p><i>This week, I welcome online friend and thriller writer, Sadie Ryan, to my blog. She's the author of </i>Behind Closed Doors<i> and </i>When He Finds You. <i>I've been asking her about her novels and writing process. I hope you enjoy her answers as much as I did.</i></p></i></span><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>You’ve written two thrillers. Have you ever
been tempted to write in a different genre?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m now writing crime thrillers/police procedurals. Before
I was published I used to write romance and rom/com. Then I had a break of five
years with my writing and when I came back to it, I kind of lost my mojo for
romance. After going through a divorce, moving house five times in five years,
I guess I became a little cynical about romance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have wondered about going back to it now,
but when I do have a go they end up too dark! LOL. What does that say about me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when
the idea for your latest novel came to you? </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The idea for When He Finds You came two me a couple of
years ago, when Steve and I were out with friends for dinner and I overheard a
conversation on the table behind me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUPlbtX34so/X5VEafHPVuI/AAAAAAAAEqA/Am8LLDOc7EYfi1w8pr7Kg9xUxEw-TVyJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/When%2BHe%2BFinds%2BYou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUPlbtX34so/X5VEafHPVuI/AAAAAAAAEqA/Am8LLDOc7EYfi1w8pr7Kg9xUxEw-TVyJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/When%2BHe%2BFinds%2BYou.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></p>Can you describe it in one sentence?</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /></span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You never know how far you will fall until you're pushed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Are you a plotter or a pantster and how long does it take
you to write your thrillers? </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m definitely not a plotter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m left alone and didn’t have to work, I
could write them in six weeks. Once I get going it’s full on. Sadly, I have a
day job so I write in the evenings and weekends, sometimes into the early hours
when it’s all flowing. So they usually take me three months. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Could you describe your typical writing day? </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I get back from work after dinner and a little R&R
on the sofa, I go to my office around 9.30 and start writing. That can be
flowing or gridlocked. I find a little chocolate and a G&T often helps
nudge it along. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>I’m sure my readers would love to hear about your road to
publication. Was it long and winding or did you take a short cut? </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God no, not so much as winding but meandering and certainly
long. Ten years or so. When I started writing it was all by post. When I think
about it now it was laborious, printing out the right demands for submissions,
going to the post office and handing over a small fortune only to have it thump
back on the door mat weeks later with a NO. Email submissions are so much
easier on us and the trees. Two years ago, Ruby fiction took me on. I must
admit, I was losing the faith by then. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Do you ever struggle to find inspiration? </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I do, yes. But I don’t like to force it. I know it will
come. Sometimes my books start in one direction then take a very different road
of which I’m powerless to change. So have to go back to the beginning and make
the right amendments to make it all fit. That’s the beauty of writing on a
computer. The ease with which one can flick back and forth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>What aspects of the writing process do you find easiest and
hardest? </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I really enjoy the editing part the best. And the endings.
I find the beginning the hardest to get right. I can’t move on until I’m happy
with the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>What do you like to do when you’re not writing? </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Walking. I love walking with my dog, Willow, although she’s
not as keen as I am. She’s a little lazy. I enjoy gardening and find it
relaxing tending my garden. Reading and listening to books is my other thing.
I’ve always got an audio book on the go, in the car, when I’m cooking or
cleaning and when I’m walking. Just plug my ear pods in and off I go. I just
love books. I’ve loved them since I go into The Famous Five books at school. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>What next for Sadie Ryan? </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Book three with Ruby will be coming out in 2021 that’s a
domestic noir, with a twist on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">strangers
on a train by Patricia Highsmith.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">Sadie Ryan is an author who loves animals and lives in
leafy Cheshire in the North West of England. She has completed two
psychological suspense/domestic noir novels. Her debut novel, Behind Closed Doors,
was snapped up by publishers and published May 2019. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #800180;">Sadie's second novel WHEN HE FINDS YOU, came out in March
2020Book 3 will be out in 2021</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>You can buy Sadie's books here:</i></span></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-He-Finds-You-gripping-ebook/dp/B084Q3XRTV/r" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> <a href="https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/when-he-finds-you" target="_blank">KOBO</a> <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-he-finds-you-sadie-ryan/1137808694?ean=9781912550319 " target="_blank">NOOK</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sadie_Ryan_When_He_Finds_You?id=kobUDwAAQBAJ" target="_blank">GOOGLE PLAY</a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Contact Sadie here:</i></span></p><p><a href="http://www.sadieryan.co.uk" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sadieryanauthor/" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/The__SadieRyan" target="_blank">TWITTER</a></p>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-57859655677866380492020-10-21T14:00:00.001+01:002020-10-21T14:00:42.412+01:00Sorry Everyone!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jm3I1e7NLn8/X5AA6ogwdOI/AAAAAAAAEpo/EYKJptKxv44c5ufT-nJ3qMCh6JmX-jSCACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/board-1500391_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jm3I1e7NLn8/X5AA6ogwdOI/AAAAAAAAEpo/EYKJptKxv44c5ufT-nJ3qMCh6JmX-jSCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/board-1500391_640.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />This is an apology post. For being absent. For neglecting my blog. For neglecting <i>you</i>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Although it will sound like a poor excuse, I feel I need to explain...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There was a time when I would post blog content once a week without fail but that was before my writing career took an upward turn (yay!). When I was writing stories for the magazines, which I loved doing by the way, I would write a story a week and how long it took me would vary. Sometimes, if it was a short story or one where the words flowed beautifully, I might complete it in a few hours. At other times, if I was struggling with an idea, it might take me three days before I wrote THE END. Either way, I had a lot of free time to do other things... including writing regular content for this blog.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Then</i> my first novel, What She Saw, was accepted for publication and things changed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't get me wrong, I love what I'm doing now (well most of the time!) and I do still get quieter periods when I can slow down a bit and catch up with things. What's different to before is these quieter times are not at regular intervals. I'll have a precious few weeks after I've handed a completed manuscript to my editor and the same again in between the many edits needed before it's ready to be published. Most of the year, though, I'll be working towards one deadline or another, and when this happens, all I can think about is my work in progress. The carpets go unhoovered, the washing piles up and interesting meals are a distant memory (thank goodness for the freezer). When at last I get that precious break, my poor little blog is at the very bottom of the list of things I need to do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So how come I'm writing this post now? It's because I am in that beautiful place between line and copy edits. The carpets are clean, the washing is done and tonight's meal is... actually I haven't a clue as it's not my day to cook! Anyway, it's great to be writing on here again and I hope you haven't all deserted me as I have a cracking guest visiting my blog next week and I wouldn't want you to miss them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's been a bit of an odd year to say the least (for everyone, not just for me) but, overall, I've been very productive. During lockdown, I managed to write book four and complete two sets of rather difficult edits. If I'm honest, I did wonder at times whether I'd ever get them finished but I did and (despite a lot of hairpulling at the time) sending them off gave me a huge sense of achievement. It's a bit like having a baby... when it's all over you forget the pain. It's seems crazy that by next February I'll have had four psychological thrillers published... how did that happen?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Before I go, I just want to say I've seen the cover for Book 4 and I love it! I'm hoping I'll be able to show you it very soon but I have to go now as I have a very pressing appointment... with the reading book I put down at the beginning of the year!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-11422151543424030162020-09-03T07:39:00.000+01:002020-09-03T07:39:39.421+01:00The Perfect Romance - Guest Post Mandy Baggot<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZyvZLXiq6Y/X0-YGZCupaI/AAAAAAAAEoA/wMB2hJlQLqoL70GKaQUrHf96Vm9YSGXqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/WEB-MandyBaggot-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="757" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZyvZLXiq6Y/X0-YGZCupaI/AAAAAAAAEoA/wMB2hJlQLqoL70GKaQUrHf96Vm9YSGXqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w310-h410/WEB-MandyBaggot-01.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>It's always lovely to welcome guests onto my blog who I've met in real life as well as on social media. This week it's author Mandy Baggot's turn to take the hot seat and she'll be talking about her writing process and her new novel, A Perfect Paris Christmas which is out today!</i></span><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY, MANDY!</i></div></blockquote><div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Perfect Paris Christmas has just been published. How hard is
it to write a Christmas book when the sun is shining and the birds are singing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is so so hard! I find it much harder to write
Christmas in the nice weather than I do to write summer books in the autumn/winter.
My deadlines have moved around a little bit recently though so I have been able
to write slightly more in line with the seasons!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Could you describe your novel in a sentence?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Can two broken hearts heal in Paris at Christmas time?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="110" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50UukzEA1CE/X0-e8zTMQvI/AAAAAAAAEoM/8SD_R-DItZMUhfEKRSoMJLFEBaBPRaqIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w210-h110/APPC%2B-%2Bshareable%2Bhandsome.jpg" width="210" /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Have you always wanted to write in the romantic comedy
genre?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have always written some form of romance since I was
a child. All my stories have been based around that first flash of a connection
and how that grows and develops. Comedy is part of who I am and so that has
naturally come into my romance writing. I always think life is a perfect mix of
love, life and laughs and that’s what I want my stories to reflect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Are you a plotter or a pantster and how long did it
take you to write A Perfect Paris Christmas?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am a total pantster. When I submit the premise of my
book to my publisher it’s quite vague because I really don’t exactly know
what’s going to happen yet. My characters really do take me on the journey and
I think if I planned everything out in the finest detail I would be bored
writing it. The getting to know the characters as I write is the bit that I
enjoy the most.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It takes me about 3-4 months to write a book. It was a
challenge writing A Perfect Paris Christmas in lockdown with children being
home schooled and a husband also working from home…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Are any of your characters ever based on real people?<br /></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No. You can never truly base characters on real
people. But you can take traits you notice or things that happen in real life
and weave them into stories. Actually though, Bo-Bo in A Perfect Paris
Christmas was based on a dog in my little Greek village…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Most of your novels are set abroad. How has that come
about?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I get asked this a lot. I write two books a year at
the moment. One is a summer book usually set in Greece and the other a
Christmas book usually set in either London, New York or Paris. I feel really
comfortable writing about Greece as I have a house there and spend as much time
in Corfu as I can. I provide the foreign escape people are craving,
particularly during 2020 when travel was very difficult or non-existent for
most people. I like exploring abroad and readers have come to expect me to take
them on a trip somewhere that either they’ve been to and love or somewhere
they’d like to go one day. My love stories are almost as much about the
locations as they are about the characters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Did you always want to be a writer?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve always written. I never thought I would make it a
full-time job. It seemed to be an elite profession that ‘normal’ people would
never be able to achieve. But now it is more accessible as a career than ever
before. Starting out self-publishing definitely shaped my career in the best of
ways. Success had to be achieved on my own – there was no editor, no proof-reader,
just me - and I am really proud of how things have developed since those humble
beginnings. Were those first books perfect? Of course not! But readers are
still loving and enjoying them now. Growing on the job, thrusting my work out
onto Amazon and trusting my instincts that the stories would be enjoyed has been
the best thing for me. I truly appreciate every stage of publishing now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Could you describe your typical writing day?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Every day starts with a school run and usually some
exercise and then I get down to social media first. Real writing of words
starts around 11am until 3pm with answering emails in between and doing the mum
stuff of washing and housework too. The pick-up school run starts about 3.15pm
and I don’t usually write again unless I am on a tight deadline or need to edit
or answer more emails. I try and have the weekends off but that depends on
deadlines or if I have a book promotion that needs shouting about. It’s a
really full on job but I love it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>What is the best piece of advice would you give to an
aspiring romantic fiction writer?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Always trust your own writing voice and never try to
emulate anyone else. Seek inspiration be reading and reading some more but
remember your own style and stick to it. Don’t be put off by negative feedback,
take the positives from every criticism, because there will be positives there.
Enjoy your writing, because if you’re not enjoying it then what’s the point?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>What next for Mandy Baggot?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Well, I am deep into my next book (my 22</span><sup style="font-family: arial;">nd</sup><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">
novel!) for summer 2021. I can’t tell you what it’s called yet, but it is set
in Greece…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><i>Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer represented by Tanera Simons of The Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency. <br /><br /><br />Mandy is best-known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring strong heroines, gorgeous heroes and always that happy-ever-after! <br /><br />The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK's Festival of Romance, her novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy's books have so far been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Hungarian.<br /><br />Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, wine, cheese, Netflix, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1's Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor.<br /><br /> <br /> Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.<br /> <br /> Visit Mandy's website at <a href="http://www.mandybaggot.com/">www.ma</a><a href="http://www.mandybaggot.com/">ndybaggot.com</a> or follow her on Twitter @mandybaggot, Instagram @mandybaggot and Facebook @mandybaggotauthor.</i><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAsmbJhwwVE/X0-jHvkFE7I/AAAAAAAAEoY/_DnshQYdFuco9UwYe6rWOsO2uvex7A0IACLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h214/APPC%2B-%2Bshareable%2Bhandsome.jpg" width="410" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Buy A
Perfect Paris Christmas</span>:- <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ygmf9R">https://amzn.to/2Ygmf9</a></span><a href="https://amzn.to/2Ygmf9R" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">R</a></p><p><br /></p></div>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-28506652510998806822020-07-16T07:36:00.002+01:002020-07-22T19:34:23.266+01:00Celebrating a BIG Milestone<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2_DiJTqWUC4/Xw8EcM4hZvI/AAAAAAAAEnA/uT0w8sUjS4o-8NGU6aCs_Zin0UrmNMfxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2_DiJTqWUC4/Xw8EcM4hZvI/AAAAAAAAEnA/uT0w8sUjS4o-8NGU6aCs_Zin0UrmNMfxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">I have some BIG news to celebrate. I hope you don't mind me shouting it from the rooftops but it is a huge milestone in my writing career. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">So what's happened</font><span style="font-family: arial;">? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, today I heard from my publisher, Bookouture, that in the year since I published my first psychological thriller, What She Saw, my three thrillers have sold a total of 100K books. Yes, you read it right, a hundred thousand... I can hardly believe it either!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">When I gave up writing short stories for the magazines, it was always going to be a risk. I'd had over three hundred stories published over the course of six years and become a regular writer for The People's Friend. It was a nice little earner. Whatever I'd thought, and I really did try, I found I couldn't write stories and novels alongside each other. I didn't have the time, but also, I didn't have enough head space to allow the ever-changing cast of characters that wandered through my short stories to co-exist with the ones in my thrillers - ones whose voices were louder and more insistent. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">So many things were going through my head when I made the decision to swap to novels: What if I couldn't do it? What if no agent or publisher liked what I'd written? What if the magazines no longer wanted my stories if my novels failed and I wanted to go back?</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">But I wanted the challenge. I needed to prove to myself that I could do it and the only way I could do that was by taking the plunge.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">My journey from short story to novel has been documented in this blog, both the ups and downs and the highs and lows... and, yes, there have been many of both! It's been both exciting and terrifying and I couldn't have done it without faith. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">I'll be honest, there have been times when I wanted to give up, such as when the agent who plucked me out of the slush pile dropped me soon after, or when I had my first mean review. There have been great times as well, though: my debut winning the Flash500 Novel Competition for example or when I signed with Bookouture only a week after sending my novel to them. In fact, every time I hold a new novel in my hands for the first time, I want to burst with joy and pride.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">This news today is the icing on the cake. When I took my first tentative steps along the novel-writing road, I imagined it would only be friends and family who might want to read my offerings.That a hundred thousand people (most of them strangers) have bought my psychological thrillers is humbling.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Mind you... my mum does have a large bookcase!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-877210198074008412020-06-17T22:17:00.000+01:002020-06-18T07:27:55.482+01:00Just for the Thrill - Guest Post Ruth Heald<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1hxRLQaGYs/Xun6TumluUI/AAAAAAAAEk4/w4Df2F1vsrAnK8dYrUfejAz3uq1h1PU0gCK4BGAsYHg/s5278/RuthHeald026.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5278" data-original-width="3576" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1hxRLQaGYs/Xun6TumluUI/AAAAAAAAEk4/w4Df2F1vsrAnK8dYrUfejAz3uq1h1PU0gCK4BGAsYHg/s320/RuthHeald026.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><i>It's been a while since I've has a guest on my blog so I'm particularly delighted that today I'm welcoming fellow Bookouture author, Ruth Heald, to the hot seat! Ruth's latest novel, I know Your Secret, was published last week and I've been dying to ask her a few questions about her writing. Here are her replies.</i></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>Have you always wanted to write in the
psychological thriller genre?</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">For a long time I didn’t think about genre
at all and just wrote books on themes or questions I was interested in. But I’d
always read and loved psychological thrillers and I wanted to write something
that would find an audience and that readers would really connect with. I saw
how popular psychological thrillers were and decided to write one myself! <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>Do you remember where you were and what
you were doing when the idea for your latest novel came to you?</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">My latest book is based on an idea that’s
been drifting around in the back on my mind for years. I’ve always been
interested in power imbalances, especially between women. I Know Your Secret is
about a marriage counsellor and her client. Neither woman is exactly who they
say they are and they both try to manipulate each other as the stakes get
higher and higher. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>Are you a plotter or a pantster and how
long does it take you to write your thrillers?</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">I aspire to be a planner, but I can’t seem
to stick to my outlines! I tend to know a few key scenes and the ending before
I start and these usually stay the same throughout the drafting process. But no
matter how much I plan the rest of the book, it all seems to change as the
story evolves. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">My thrillers take about nine months to a
year to write. I usually have a couple on the go at the same time. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>Could you describe your typical writing
day?</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">There’s no typical day! I’m looking after
my young children a lot of the time, so I have to fit around them. When I have
childcare I write the entire time without stopping. Otherwise I write when
there’s the opportunity – so during nap time and evenings and weekends. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>I’m sure my readers would love to hear
about your road to publication. Was it long and winding or did you take a short
cut?</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">It feels long, but I think that’s pretty
typical! The most common characteristic amongst published writers seems to be
resilience. My journey began way back in 2001, when I started writing my first
novel but never finished it. Eleven years later I published 27: Six Friends,
One Year. Following that I wrote four more novels and started many more, but just
kept them on my hard drive. After my daughter was born in 2016, I decided to
take my writing more seriously and I started writing The Mother’s Mistake, and
I was very pleased when Bookouture acquired it the following year. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>Do you ever struggle to find inspiration?</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">Not at all – there’s inspiration
absolutely everywhere, in every person and everything going on around us. I
don’t struggle for ideas – I couldn’t write all the books in my head if I had
all the time in the world. I do struggle to stay focused on one book at a time
and not be tempted to start a new book whenever a new idea comes in. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>Describe a typical publication day.</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">There’s always a lot of social media to do
to let readers know the book’s out. I also make sure I take a bit of time to
celebrate with a nice lunch with family and try to do something relaxing too
like going for a walk or treating myself to a Thai massage. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>What do you like to do when you’re not
writing?</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">At the moment, I spend a lot of time with
my young children, going out for walks and watching them delight in the simple
pleasures of life. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>Which writers in your genre inspire you?</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">There are so many brilliant writers in my
genre. Recently I’ve really enjoyed books by Lisa Jewell, Tammy Cohen and Victoria
Helen Stone. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>Persuade my readers to buy your book in
one sentence.</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">I think I’ll get someone else to do it for
me! Here’s a quote from a review: “Completely unpredictable and a fantastic
read from start to finish!”<o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><b>What next for Ruth Heald?</b><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">I have another psychological thriller in
the pipeline for release in February. It’s about a doomed wedding. I’ve just
finished the first draft and I’m looking forward to the edits! <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EL5VKkTqI6c/Xun7cwJM_gI/AAAAAAAAElU/uOz33nscnz4d6llIp1ioklaqstZC7XTSQCK4BGAsYHg/s2825/92473447_707139093423656_5417697340884516864_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="arial"><img border="0" data-original-height="2825" data-original-width="1860" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EL5VKkTqI6c/Xun7cwJM_gI/AAAAAAAAElU/uOz33nscnz4d6llIp1ioklaqstZC7XTSQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/92473447_707139093423656_5417697340884516864_n.jpg" /></font></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><font face="arial"><br /></font></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><font face="arial">Ruth Heald is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers
The Mother's Mistake, The Woman Upstairs and I Know Your Secret.<o:p></o:p></font></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><font face="arial">Ruth studied Economics at Oxford University and then worked in an
eclectic mix of sectors from nuclear decommissioning to management consulting.
She worked at the BBC for nine years before leaving to write full time. Ruth is
fascinated by psychology and finding out what drives people to violence,
destruction and revenge. She’s married with two children and her novels explore
our greatest fears in otherwise ordinary, domestic lives.</font></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><font face="arial"><br /></font></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">You can connect with Ruth on Twitter @RJ_Heald, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rjhealdauthor/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font face="arial">Amazon links to Ruth's books: <o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Know-Your-Secret-absolutely-psychological-ebook/dp/B086Q1VMBL?tag=bookouture-cover-reveal-21" target="_blank">I Know Your Secret</a></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PRLJ32P/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0" target="_blank">The Mother's Mistake</a></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Woman-Upstairs-completely-gripping-psychological-ebook/dp/B07T176QHH?tag=soc-med-21" target="_blank">The Woman Upstairs</a></span></font></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-15344850769566169672020-05-28T07:08:00.000+01:002020-05-28T07:08:24.870+01:00My First Lockdown Publication Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week was a very exciting week for me! Why? Because on Wednesday, I celebrated the publication of my third psychological thriller, 'The Bride'. Although of course, because of lockdown, this publication day was very different to my others.<br />
<br />
Contrary to what readers of your novels might think, most of an author's day after the book has gone 'live' isn't spent hanging around bookshops stroking your cover or sitting on the Richard and Judy couch (okay so that doesn't happen now but I still imagine it). Instead, it's spent on social media: posting the news, sharing other people's posts, re-tweeting and thanking all the lovely well-wishers who have taken the time to message you their congratulations. It's very tiring on the typing fingers and mentally challenging trying to keep up with it all as the last thing you want to do is offend anyone.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--IQZv1U9t6E/Xs0iTyy1oJI/AAAAAAAAEho/6RCAift0u5Q5oe4O0M31uQ5PnjQPyb8EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--IQZv1U9t6E/Xs0iTyy1oJI/AAAAAAAAEho/6RCAift0u5Q5oe4O0M31uQ5PnjQPyb8EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/IMG_3433.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers from my husband</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What I've done in the past to manage my day, is allow myself time to meet up with friends at lunchtime. For the launch of What We Saw, I had a sneaky pub meal with writing buddy, Tracy Fells and for We Were Sisters, I had a beach walk with fellow Bookouture author, Liz Eeles.<br />
<br />
I also had evening celebrations - a small one involving Prosecco with local friends for the first novel and a full-blown book launch at the local bookshop for the second. Both fabulous occasions.<br />
<br />
There was nothing like that this year of course but I still managed to raise a glass of Prosecco to 'The Bride'. Instead of meeting in real life, my friends and I had a publication day Zoom celebration... almost as good! This was followed by another celebration with my husband and daughter.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJNmo0QVLyI/Xs0jtFalCeI/AAAAAAAAEh8/VeUSSpHrSnwUbzmpsiDjJAFvH-hky5j8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/CE8CCDC3-E8EE-403A-B84C-A371E27DCCE9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1065" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJNmo0QVLyI/Xs0jtFalCeI/AAAAAAAAEh8/VeUSSpHrSnwUbzmpsiDjJAFvH-hky5j8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/CE8CCDC3-E8EE-403A-B84C-A371E27DCCE9.JPG" width="200" /></a>Strangely, it was the most relaxing publication day I've had. Nothing to organise and only myself to please!<br />
<br />
The following day, I did something a little more out of my comfort zone. I was invited to be one of the authors at Noir at the Bar Edinburgh. Under normal circumstances, this would involve going to a real bar (I'm all for that!) and speaking to a real audience (not so happy about that!) but, with lockdown in place, it was going to be completely virtual.<br />
<br />
I spent most of the day preparing. From the way I was behaving, you'd have thought that it was an all day event not just a ten minute slot but I hate being taken by surprise (it's why, when I was a teacher, I never liked supply teaching). Can you believe I worried about what to wear, what extract of my novel to read, what questions I might be asked and even which room in the house looked least like a hoarder live there (we've emptied my daughter's flat and her things are everywhere!).<br />
<br />
By the time I got to speak, I could have done with a real bar, but as often is the case when you stress about things, the event was lovely. In fact, the host couldn't have been more welcoming, there were no trick questions and I didn't make a complete fool of myself thank goodness. If you like, you can watch it <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NoirattheBarEd/videos/876941586145020/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asS_BlxGA54/Xs0i1hIpVzI/AAAAAAAAEhw/Ql_7Gigldx496lyQxQK9vqfXRvnSaS11gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-05-21%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asS_BlxGA54/Xs0i1hIpVzI/AAAAAAAAEhw/Ql_7Gigldx496lyQxQK9vqfXRvnSaS11gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/2020-05-21%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>So now all the fun and games are over and I've allowed myself to wind down a little. I've nearly completed the first draft of the next novel and am looking forward to working on it before submitting to my editor.<br />
<br />
My fingers are crossed that come December I'll be able to have a proper launch for the next book but, in the meantime, the sun is shining, my roses are blooming and I'm feeling proud to have published three novels.<br />
<br />
If you'd like to read The Bride, you can buy it here: <span style="color: red;">Amazon</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
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<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-51632993197320327142020-05-02T16:15:00.000+01:002020-05-02T16:15:43.094+01:00A Year as a Published Novelist!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know when people say that time flies? Well, it really does!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can hardly believe that just one year ago, I was celebrating the publication of my debut psychological thriller, WHAT SHE SAW. A very different day it was too as you can see if you read my publication day <a href="https://wendyswritingnow.blogspot.com/2019/05/its-publication-day-i-did-it.html" target="_blank">post</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Book Birthday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day started with a frenzy of social media retweets, Facebook shares and thank yous but I was able to take a break at lunchtime to celebrate the launch of my novel in the pub with writing buddy, Tracy Fells. After more publicity in the afternoon, the evening was spent with my good friends and family, raising a glass of Prosecco to my new book baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's a year on and I have now been a published novelist for exactly twelve months. And what a year it's been. In that time, I've had another thriller published (We Were Sisters) and my third (The Bride) will have it's launch on May 20th. I am also nearing the end of the first draft of novel number four.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of leaving the house to celebrate, the Coronavirus has meant I'm in lockdown reflecting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what's this year really been like? Has being a novelist changed things? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a word 'yes'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As most of my regular readers know, I've been a published writer of short stories since 2012 and have had a successful career writing for the women's magazines. You wouldn't think publishing a novel would be very different, but believe me it is. And mostly it's due to this unassuming little word... deadline. What I've learnt is that writing to a deadline is a very different thing to writing when you want to. With short stories, I had my own self-imposed deadlines but if I didn't stick to them, no one cared except me. Now, if I don't meet a deadline, a whole series of things will be affected: the timing of the cover reveal, the hiring of the copy editor, the date the book is due to go on NetGalley, the studio time for the studio bookings for the audio, the paperback printing. In other words, if one thing is delayed, everything else is too. It's not just yourself you're letting down, it's your publisher and a lot of other people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The main difference is the emotional highs and lows you get from having written a novel. If you write a story and it doesn't get accepted, you just dust yourself down and write another. The magazine's publisher will have lost nothing and you might have lost a day of so of your time. With a novel, it's very different. If your novel doesn't meet your publisher's required standard then that's many months of work and expense down the drain. You will have let not just yourself but your publisher down. If, like me, you spend your life anxious to please, that can be a big weight on your shoulders and that's something you're very aware of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And don't get me started on reviews! If you're lucky, a magazine might pass on to you a nice comment about your story from a reader. More often than not though, you'll have absolutely no idea how it's been received and you'll never know if a reader didn't like it. With a novel you are at the mercy of reviews (NetGalley, Goodreads and Amazon) and although nothing beats the feeling of getting a glowing one, a bad review can send your emotions spiralling downwards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After three novels, I should be used to all this but I'm not. Maybe I never will be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, would I change anything? Sometimes when I'm struggling to think where my novel is going, if I've had some difficult edits or I've received a bad review, I wonder if I might have been happier when I was a short story writer. But then I look at my books on my shelf or in my local bookshop, read the wonderful things people have said about them and remember how proud my family and friends are of what I've achieved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's then I see that everything I've talked about (the good and the bad) is just part and parcel of being a novelist. I'm proud of having written three novels and I mustn't ever forget it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vgF1g7BZ7ZU/Xq1_GQ28GOI/AAAAAAAAEgM/FhJllBWQExIYGKLET_moAcspA_EB8_FzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20190201_072004481_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1043" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vgF1g7BZ7ZU/Xq1_GQ28GOI/AAAAAAAAEgM/FhJllBWQExIYGKLET_moAcspA_EB8_FzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20190201_072004481_iOS.jpg" width="208" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you'd like to wish What She Saw a Happy Birthday you can buy it <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-She-Saw-psychological-heart-pounding-ebook/dp/B07N8YGN5B" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>. </span>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-25854982220379437802020-04-08T07:24:00.000+01:002020-04-08T07:24:17.324+01:00Confessions of a Debut Author - Guest Post Nikki Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDq9Z1aBZHs/XoyVuXKsIOI/AAAAAAAAEfE/GWviiTiSBnwLUX3EITb-TwArHbU3FQljQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orionbookpic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDq9Z1aBZHs/XoyVuXKsIOI/AAAAAAAAEfE/GWviiTiSBnwLUX3EITb-TwArHbU3FQljQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Orionbookpic2.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I met today's guest, Nikki Smith, at a lunch for psychological thriller writers in London last year. We hit it off straight away and I was happy to hear that her debut thriller, 'ALL IN HER HEAD', would be coming out this year. That time has come and I'm delighted to welcome Nikki onto Wendy's Writing Now to answer a few questions.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are her answers.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Describe your latest novel in one
sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">ALL IN HER HEAD is a timely psychological suspense
novel that explores the darkest corners of a mother’s mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m sure my readers would love to hear
about your road to publication. Was it long and winding or did you take a short
cut?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I did an English degree & wrote a novel after
leaving University, but it wasn’t very good & unsurprisingly wasn’t picked
up by an agent. So, I gave up trying to write a book and went on to have a
career in finance – it wasn’t really what I wanted to do, but it paid the bills.
I still wrote, but just things for me. Then a couple of years ago, someone I
was at school with contacted me on Facebook to ask if I’d ever done anything
with my writing as she still remembered the stories I used to read out in
class. It was a now or never moment, and I signed up for a Curtis Brown
creative writing course, which I absolutely loved, and started writing All In
Her Head. I subsequently won a competition that another author, Amanda
Reynolds, was running and she became my mentor. After I’d worked on the first
few chapters of my novel with her for a while, I sent it off to the amazing
agent Sophie Lambert who had read my cover letter on the Curtis Brown course,
and who I really, really hoped would like it. She agreed to represent me, and a
few months later we submitted the manuscript to publishers where Orion offered
me a two-book deal.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are you a plotter or a pantster and how
long does it take you to write your thrillers?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m a plotter. It might be down to my background in
finance but I love a spreadsheet and plan my books on one – dividing it into
chapters that I colour code so I can easily see what’s going on. For me, it’s a
bit like working with post-it notes, but easier not to lose! I can write a
first draft quite quickly – in around 2-3 months, but it takes at least a
further 6 months to edit it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Could you describe your typical writing
day?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m more productive in the morning, so my ideal
writing day would involve dropping my children at school and then writing until
about 2-3pm. If I’m on a deadline I may then write more in the evening or at
the weekends. I was working full-time when I wrote All In Her Head so I had to
get up very early and work late. However, from Monday, I’ll be starting home
schooling with my daughters, so I have no idea what my schedule is going to
look like!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What do you like to do when you’re not
writing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I’m not writing I like to read, watch films and
box sets, cook and travel. I love seeing new places and meeting new people. It
is one of the things that I am going to miss most over the next few months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When did you first realise you were going
to be a writer?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have always enjoyed making up stories since I was
really young. Creative writing was by far my favourite lesson at school, and I
loved reading anything I could get my hands on. So, from that point of view, I
would say that from very young I knew I <b>wanted</b> to be a writer. But it
was only when I got my agent, Sophie Lambert, that I realised I had a real
chance of getting a book published, and when my editor, Harriet Bourton, bought
my book I knew I was going to become an author.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What does your family think of your
writing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My parents were on holiday in Australia when I told
them I had a book deal and I’m not sure they actually believed me! All my
family have been so supportive of my writing – my two daughters are my biggest
cheerleaders – I dedicated my novel to them as I couldn’t have written it without
them and I am so grateful for all their encouragement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How important is social media to an
author?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think it is becoming ever more so. For two reasons –
firstly because I think we can all see that in the current situation, the power
of social media comes into its own. My physical book launch event, and all
other publicity events (as with everyone else who is published at the moment)
have been cancelled. I’ve found that online people have been wonderful at
offering support – I have joined in Facebook Live virtual book launch parties
and will be attending online events and festivals. Secondly, even before this horrendous
situation arose, I found the writing community to be so willing to share their advice
and expertise. I have made friends online through Twitter and Instagram who I
have gone on to meet in person, and have set up WhatsApp groups with other
authors who are a wonderful source of daily support in what can be quite a
lonely business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What next for Nikki Smith?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m working on my second book which will be published
in 2021 – I can’t tell you much about it, except that it’s a psychological
suspense novel which involves families and secrets!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About Nikki</span></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><span style="color: purple;">Nikki
Smith studied English Literature at Birmingham University, before pursuing a
career in finance. Following a ‘now or never’ moment, she applied for a Curtis
Brown Creative course where she started writing this book. She lives near
Guildford with her husband, two daughters and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. <i>All
In Her Head</i> is her first novel.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can buy ALL IN HER HEAD <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Her-Head-Nikki-Smith/dp/1409192970/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1584700898&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>You can discover more about Nikki on social media</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><a href="https://twitter.com/mrssmithmunday?lang=en-gb" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Twitter</span></a> </span><span style="color: cyan;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nikkismith_author/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Instagram</span></a><span style="color: cyan;"> </span></span><span style="color: cyan;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><a href="https://nikkismithauthor.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Website</span></a></span><span style="color: cyan;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-8832469997965319492020-04-02T12:08:00.000+01:002020-04-02T19:58:53.212+01:00Writing in Lockdown - The New Normal<div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTzobjkLRmw/XoWvr1GRApI/AAAAAAAAEeA/CfYUbSZaVdAswZU3K_QKnIk9jfxIluC3wCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoAzq3zMsDUzhRNpLq1LNpcFaa74vmJFEy0gjgl2lYy4VdvqcR4Z7yTNMHHm5gGH13IbFHF8YsF6_bdZhZCaPPw_a8HsW0FxgPkz3eskAL1SAplkKDkbvQEzfktpOWrUncX6Hg33ld1lsGNOV01G4gLQrhFZj8Klmm4v4xk9enynOJqsQ0CFHHtsoxow7C_-FU9gLW8lzQlG9_NPMaGOW1OVGQHn-JPQdXJDg32ORMygZetJVBQ5y3WWZCyAeMaZVjNeK7gu7VmLSe-pmnjVagSOXiXr6dWFQ5XOmqEWINLoyb_-4fWeyfXSmbeLfiAkFIq7pcB_lcE5JqdVfVaSLUUohbgRPE7_Zoq8UKyGjwwghZJTkCFeIlf-Tbz6j0LzU4upPx7_Xh07ia5OuASSm6MSpKVYYbPU-Ucn5D8SxFmSS5wQUOxx55MS3J3tfZFWpXviLLFrBhVaBIfgRKqTxCIOaHNNWwsTYyRz3icH2ZfZ3WCmAkcfqtZnDQIMnzfrswmxT-aNXXtg6dK-0pMiAFECsODRNfMWKXI9A3yDgWDjDo4v2cIAPeY9AF5qF9zMHlfbA-AsaP-9Pcm9kC82g6xNJ1W_pvgmoNgw_uSW9AU/s1600/lock%2Bdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="640" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTzobjkLRmw/XoWvr1GRApI/AAAAAAAAEeA/CfYUbSZaVdAswZU3K_QKnIk9jfxIluC3wCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoAzq3zMsDUzhRNpLq1LNpcFaa74vmJFEy0gjgl2lYy4VdvqcR4Z7yTNMHHm5gGH13IbFHF8YsF6_bdZhZCaPPw_a8HsW0FxgPkz3eskAL1SAplkKDkbvQEzfktpOWrUncX6Hg33ld1lsGNOV01G4gLQrhFZj8Klmm4v4xk9enynOJqsQ0CFHHtsoxow7C_-FU9gLW8lzQlG9_NPMaGOW1OVGQHn-JPQdXJDg32ORMygZetJVBQ5y3WWZCyAeMaZVjNeK7gu7VmLSe-pmnjVagSOXiXr6dWFQ5XOmqEWINLoyb_-4fWeyfXSmbeLfiAkFIq7pcB_lcE5JqdVfVaSLUUohbgRPE7_Zoq8UKyGjwwghZJTkCFeIlf-Tbz6j0LzU4upPx7_Xh07ia5OuASSm6MSpKVYYbPU-Ucn5D8SxFmSS5wQUOxx55MS3J3tfZFWpXviLLFrBhVaBIfgRKqTxCIOaHNNWwsTYyRz3icH2ZfZ3WCmAkcfqtZnDQIMnzfrswmxT-aNXXtg6dK-0pMiAFECsODRNfMWKXI9A3yDgWDjDo4v2cIAPeY9AF5qF9zMHlfbA-AsaP-9Pcm9kC82g6xNJ1W_pvgmoNgw_uSW9AU/s320/lock%2Bdown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a very strange post to write because we are all, writers and readers alike, in a very strange, unprecedented situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coronavirus</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lockdown</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">self-isolation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">social distancing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few months ago, I'd never even heard of these things and if you'd told me they would soon be part of my everyday vocabulary, and affect every aspect of my life, I wouldn't have believed you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, how has this odd and scary situation affected me in general and as a writer in particular?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought I'd start with the not so good things and then finish with the good things (the best way I'm sure).</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not so good things</span></u></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even before we were required to stay in our homes as much as possible, I had anxiety issues about large social gatherings and travel in particular. My safe place was my home. I'm afraid that when this is all over, my brain will be whispering <i>see you were right</i> and my issues might get worse.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite what I've written above, I love going out and meeting people as long as it's in small groups or individually... and as long as it doesn't involve travelling long distances. I like to do this in measured doses though as too much socialising cuts into my writing time and I do like my own company and space. Because we can no longer go to cafes, WhatsApp, social media and video conferencing apps such as Zoom have come into their own. BUT... there are so many WhatsApp groups being formed, so many group chat requests, so many messages, so many phone calls. Frankly, it's overwhelming but, if I don't join in, I feel like I'll be judged or will be missing out on something.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anxiety in the first week (before the full-lockdown) meant I wasn't able to concentrate on writing, so little was done.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm a full-time writer. I write on my own at home with my dog. I have my own space and time to organise things as I want. Now, I have both my husband and my adult daughter at home which requires a different way of working and thinking. Every day feels like a weekend. Thankfully, at the end of week one, we've found ourselves a routine of sorts and it doesn't seem to have affected my productivity (more of this in the 'good' things section).</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My eldest daughter is a key worker in the prison service which is a constant worry.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I miss going to cafes. I miss visiting National Trust Gardens. I miss my ballroom dancing. I'm desperately sad I won't be visiting the Highlands and Skye for the first time in May. I miss seeing my friends and the members of my family who don't live with me. </span></li>
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good things</span></u></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the moment we are all well.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We live in a small town in the country so we have walks from our doorstop (river and downland). It would be nice to go further afield but I know we're very lucky.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I said earlier, my husband is now working from home and I have my youngest adult daughter living with us. Despite my worries about how it would affect my working day, now that we're all used to rubbing along with each other, it actually makes the day more varied. There's always someone to chat to when I need a break and people to share the dog walk with. As long as I get my daily word count done at some time in the day, there are now other interesting things to do and share with my family.</span></li>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaAGYdyAZD4/XoW7zx1dugI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/cpIs5wHPeI4TP1HXcs7e2HgN_n9gPSFVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaAGYdyAZD4/XoW7zx1dugI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/cpIs5wHPeI4TP1HXcs7e2HgN_n9gPSFVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/IMG_3192.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am still able to have my monthly teacakes and goal setting with writing pal Tracy. We've been having monthly meet-ups for the last eight years and a bit of social distancing isn't going to stop us!</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite all of the clubs and activities I belong to closing (I do ballroom and Latin dancing, badminton, choir, Pilates and Fitsteps) my daughter and I have discovered a wealth of material online to help us stay fit. We've tried Pilates, yoga and have started Jo Wicks' morning workout (that was certainly a killer the day after).</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a family, we've rediscovered activities we used to play when the children were younger: boules, swingball and indoor darts. And have realised you don't need children to still enjoy them.</span></li>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCu6LBFO9XQ/XoW7z4TVmWI/AAAAAAAAEeg/OHtd16fhoBATBMCIbmoWYi2OblLz1NfigCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoDQmIJk2pLPNFMTzCHHnmALU8jO_SDfIjS0ms5QkminD7ax7LVDaMrQKuthVEN-iIKLuM4oCiiCz2tW0agBgbpUjjCGBUb0UKZnrFIHqz24uWSDTkcdp-5oNmDXk2TcgkiYpCqPVOvcxB831venF1_QgSxPboa9Lq5GWkM2icE8TXQKvcHAk475s2aAU--VfcGk3bE0WGz8ExchwzdPLLZYwXP10L-1oChyfd1mYiKFs0yCRVBZVgBVVLJJinrGCMJFs4cUZe9KFiqA5MTok5DSUBSv06LfGQyJjCl79uLD7N__a3UGriceNYArOuhrp-j3zjwOJJmi0AuMi_xccQjds2P17LBiBNdLX_E1CMG2p12pb9I2UXUeTWI4i0psPTrer7oiZig6Q0po3bHiyZJ840OWPuaKYhGemMqdLwSuT71n3g84gJqj2YGbTFCaT0sEyjzRN4EmCv75Qp8PiaPj8y30Z_Ya7ri3jPZZ_Wu9ybQZ2-BAnHF2_WW5UxeEx7BKLsy0AaNcd5D_fUvk8lAFX7u__JG4YzLkYXfAo_YC0UncO7qUb55t5AaXR0NC_QYdOAd9TDm8_UHW1Knyz9xwqzhIe1jzwl4wj4KX9AU/s1600/70a88e1c-4b02-4c1f-bba7-d6305afbe3e1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCu6LBFO9XQ/XoW7z4TVmWI/AAAAAAAAEeg/OHtd16fhoBATBMCIbmoWYi2OblLz1NfigCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoDQmIJk2pLPNFMTzCHHnmALU8jO_SDfIjS0ms5QkminD7ax7LVDaMrQKuthVEN-iIKLuM4oCiiCz2tW0agBgbpUjjCGBUb0UKZnrFIHqz24uWSDTkcdp-5oNmDXk2TcgkiYpCqPVOvcxB831venF1_QgSxPboa9Lq5GWkM2icE8TXQKvcHAk475s2aAU--VfcGk3bE0WGz8ExchwzdPLLZYwXP10L-1oChyfd1mYiKFs0yCRVBZVgBVVLJJinrGCMJFs4cUZe9KFiqA5MTok5DSUBSv06LfGQyJjCl79uLD7N__a3UGriceNYArOuhrp-j3zjwOJJmi0AuMi_xccQjds2P17LBiBNdLX_E1CMG2p12pb9I2UXUeTWI4i0psPTrer7oiZig6Q0po3bHiyZJ840OWPuaKYhGemMqdLwSuT71n3g84gJqj2YGbTFCaT0sEyjzRN4EmCv75Qp8PiaPj8y30Z_Ya7ri3jPZZ_Wu9ybQZ2-BAnHF2_WW5UxeEx7BKLsy0AaNcd5D_fUvk8lAFX7u__JG4YzLkYXfAo_YC0UncO7qUb55t5AaXR0NC_QYdOAd9TDm8_UHW1Knyz9xwqzhIe1jzwl4wj4KX9AU/s200/70a88e1c-4b02-4c1f-bba7-d6305afbe3e1.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uueGLxjk9CE/XoW7zzNHxnI/AAAAAAAAEek/2uNMax_kpR4XbxQTvmZZ7Satva8HCcCbwCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoDQmIJk2pLPNFMTzCHHnmALU8jO_SDfIjS0ms5QkminD7ax7LVDaMrQKuthVEN-iIKLuM4oCiiCz2tW0agBgbpUjjCGBUb0UKZnrFIHqz24uWSDTkcdp-5oNmDXk2TcgkiYpCqPVOvcxB831venF1_QgSxPboa9Lq5GWkM2icE8TXQKvcHAk475s2aAU--VfcGk3bE0WGz8ExchwzdPLLZYwXP10L-1oChyfd1mYiKFs0yCRVBZVgBVVLJJinrGCMJFs4cUZe9KFiqA5MTok5DSUBSv06LfGQyJjCl79uLD7N__a3UGriceNYArOuhrp-j3zjwOJJmi0AuMi_xccQjds2P17LBiBNdLX_E1CMG2p12pb9I2UXUeTWI4i0psPTrer7oiZig6Q0po3bHiyZJ840OWPuaKYhGemMqdLwSuT71n3g84gJqj2YGbTFCaT0sEyjzRN4EmCv75Qp8PiaPj8y30Z_Ya7ri3jPZZ_Wu9ybQZ2-BAnHF2_WW5UxeEx7BKLsy0AaNcd5D_fUvk8lAFX7u__JG4YzLkYXfAo_YC0UncO7qUb55t5AaXR0NC_QYdOAd9TDm8_UHW1Knyz9xwqzhIe1jzwl4wj4KX9AU/s1600/IMG_3198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uueGLxjk9CE/XoW7zzNHxnI/AAAAAAAAEek/2uNMax_kpR4XbxQTvmZZ7Satva8HCcCbwCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoDQmIJk2pLPNFMTzCHHnmALU8jO_SDfIjS0ms5QkminD7ax7LVDaMrQKuthVEN-iIKLuM4oCiiCz2tW0agBgbpUjjCGBUb0UKZnrFIHqz24uWSDTkcdp-5oNmDXk2TcgkiYpCqPVOvcxB831venF1_QgSxPboa9Lq5GWkM2icE8TXQKvcHAk475s2aAU--VfcGk3bE0WGz8ExchwzdPLLZYwXP10L-1oChyfd1mYiKFs0yCRVBZVgBVVLJJinrGCMJFs4cUZe9KFiqA5MTok5DSUBSv06LfGQyJjCl79uLD7N__a3UGriceNYArOuhrp-j3zjwOJJmi0AuMi_xccQjds2P17LBiBNdLX_E1CMG2p12pb9I2UXUeTWI4i0psPTrer7oiZig6Q0po3bHiyZJ840OWPuaKYhGemMqdLwSuT71n3g84gJqj2YGbTFCaT0sEyjzRN4EmCv75Qp8PiaPj8y30Z_Ya7ri3jPZZ_Wu9ybQZ2-BAnHF2_WW5UxeEx7BKLsy0AaNcd5D_fUvk8lAFX7u__JG4YzLkYXfAo_YC0UncO7qUb55t5AaXR0NC_QYdOAd9TDm8_UHW1Knyz9xwqzhIe1jzwl4wj4KX9AU/s200/IMG_3198.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My daughter and I have also been learning new skills. She's learning German and we're both learning to play the ukulele. It's a really easy instrument to learn and we now have a repertoire of around ten songs which don't sound too bad, if I do say so myself.</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDlMbRcaztw/XoW71aax2GI/AAAAAAAAEec/tiXNy93Z_4ktdg6QZOTKoY7MH-dftstdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDlMbRcaztw/XoW71aax2GI/AAAAAAAAEec/tiXNy93Z_4ktdg6QZOTKoY7MH-dftstdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3211.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's and odd situation to be in but we're making the best of it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd like to finish this post by wishing all my readers the very best in these difficult times and hope you stay well and happy.</span></div>
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Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-7878307254358547612020-03-03T07:52:00.000+00:002020-03-03T07:52:06.351+00:00Cover Reveal of The Bride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FemUzxiFd5A/Xl0l9dpUsBI/AAAAAAAAEcg/X7JhS_YHFVwMXsf0-yOboatndye1R_2UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/The-Bride-Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1043" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FemUzxiFd5A/Xl0l9dpUsBI/AAAAAAAAEcg/X7JhS_YHFVwMXsf0-yOboatndye1R_2UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/The-Bride-Kindle.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the last few months, I have been welcoming guests to my blog to talk about their writing and their books but today it's back to me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm delighted that after weeks of keeping it under wraps, I can now reveal the cover of my third psychological thriller, The Bride, and I couldn't be more excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But that's not all. The Bride is now available for pre-order on Amazon which will mean you can have it land on your kindle or doorstep on publication day (May 20th).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I actually think this stage of the publishing process is my favourite - better even than publication day. That's because on cover reveal day you have the excitement of letting people see what the book looks like without the anxiety of whether you'll get good or bad reviews. It's all good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have loved every one of my Bookouture covers and this one is no exception. Three cheers for my fabulous cover designer! I love how for each book, the font for the titles and author name remain the same (strengthening the 'Wendy Clarke' brand) while the colours change. This means each novel is individual rather than a clone of the others. For What She Saw, the colour choice was blue and red with red lettering, for We Were Sisters, indigo and pink with yellow lettering, and for The Bride, red, black and white with white lettering.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also, each cover has a 'motif' that gives a clue to something that happens in the novel. What She Saw had an abandoned pair of children's shoes (child in jeopardy) in We Were Sisters it was a child's ribbon tied to a railing (missing child). With The Bride it's a white and black rose... I wonder what that could symbolise?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you'd like to pre-order The Bride, the link is here. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bride-completely-gripping-psychological-thriller-ebook/dp/B0859CD6MZ/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1583164513&refinements=p_27%3AWendy+Clarke&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Amazon UK</span> </a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0859CD6MZ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i5" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Amazon US</span></a></span><br />
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<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-65597574201127857012020-02-26T07:45:00.000+00:002020-02-26T20:06:18.226+00:00Life as a Debut Author - Guest Post Emma Jackson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I love inviting author friends onto my blog. Today, the lovely Emma Jackson, a fellow member of the RNA, is going to talk about her life as a debut author.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Over to you, Emma.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life as a Debut Author<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your
dream has come true – now what?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When your
goal is to become a published author, it’s likely to be a long, hard slog and
that moment of signing the contract or getting ‘the call’ shines like a pot of
gold at the end of your sludgy rainbow. You battle through the slush pile and a
publisher finally, <i>finally</i>, wants your manuscript (and maybe a second or
third). It’s amazing and all your dreams have come true… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Where
is the instruction manual?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you
have an agent, maybe this part isn’t so mind-boggling but these days more and
more authors within commercial fiction don’t. I’ve heard it said that it’s
easier to get published than to get an agent and we know how hard that is! So,
if you <i>don’t</i> have an agent, you’re in new territory without someone
dedicated to explaining everything to you and advising you accordingly on how to
make the best start of your career. You probably expect there to be an editing
stage or two but other than that, the reality of how your life is about to change
will only become clear as time passes, and new challenges are revealed. I
thought it might be helpful to lay out a few of the milestones I came across
here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Congratulations
- now you are running a business!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hold on,
you might think, it’s all about the creativity for me. Well, I’m afraid I must
burst that bubble. Of course, if you write, you do it because you love it. (Goodness
knows you’d have to be majorly deluded to get into it for the money.) But, once
you’ve committed to a contract with a publisher, you have obligations,
deadlines, legal clauses to try to wrap your head around, tax to pay, and lots
and lots of emails to deal with. Perhaps you imagined being an author under
contract would mean you could finally find the time to drink tea and gaze out
the window, waiting for inspiration because your talent has been validated and
people would respect your creative needs? Hmm. Not so much. Instead, it’s more
likely you will be hunched over your phone or laptop, agonising over how to
word each email with your editor, whether it be about your account details for
their financial department or organising the best time for your cover reveal on
social media, which leads me nicely into…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Effective
marketing or unicorns – which do you believe in more?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You have a
hard-won deal to shout about and a cover and pre-order link to show off, so you
are likely to take to social media and share it with everyone on the internet.
Your publisher may or may not have a specific amount of marketing they want you
to do – whether it means being present on as many social media platforms as you
can stomach or simply making yourself available for a few days when your book
launches. However, one thing is inescapable, unless you have signed a five-figure
deal, the marketing will be left largely to you. Tread carefully. On the one
hand, the internet and our smart technical gadgets make it a lot easier to
market ourselves and our books. On the other hand, this means there is now a
new, never-ending list of ‘to-do’s’ and the social media office never closes.
If you’re not careful you can burn yourself out trying to promote your book.
This may be a job but there should be a balance, because your career as an
author has to fit alongside your normal life, just the same way your day job
does (which you are likely to still have) and your responsibilities to family
and friends and, of course, yourself still exist. Take a break, go for a walk, speak
to people in the real world and put the phone down occasionally! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reviews
– the Schrödinger’s cat best left in the box?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a last
note about keeping a healthy work life balance, I would just like to talk about
the minefield of reviews. You want to know what people think of your book when
it is finally out there in the public domain. After the creative expression of
writing it, the thought of sharing it with readers was the point. Perhaps you
imagined someone would read that really clever line you wrote in Chapter
Sixteen and be moved to tears or laughter by it and how else will you find out
unless you read reviews? But beware…where there are five starred reviews there
will also, in all probability, be one-star reviews (particularly on the
hellscape that is Goodreads). It’s a known phenomenon of our psychology that it
takes five positive comments to repair the damage of one negative. Bad reviews
can really knock you off you’re stride if you are a sensitive soul. And there
is literally nothing you can do about them. Your book is out there and it’s
scary because it’s going to get judged but you did your best so</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> you may as well
move on to the next story, or piece of cake, whatever makes you happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, remind yourself at regular intervals that you achieved something amazing – it can be easy to forget as you get busier and busier. Be kind to yourself</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><b>Author Biography</b><br /><br />Author of the Best Selling A MISTLETOE MIRACLE, published in 2019 by Orion Dash, Emma has been a devoted bookworm and secret-story-scribbler since she was 6 years old. When she’s not running around after her two daughters and trying to complete her current work-in-progress, Emma loves to read, bake, catch up on binge-watching TV programmes with her partner and plan lots of craft projects that will inevitably end up unfinished. Her next romantic comedy, <a href="http://bit.ly/SummerITC" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">SUMMER IN THE CITY</span></a>, is due for release in June 2020. <br /><br /> Emma also writes historical and speculative romantic fiction as Emma S Jackson. <a href="http://bit.ly/TheDevilsBride" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">THE DEVIL'S BRIDE</span></a> was published by DarkStroke in February 2020. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br />You can find out news about Emma via her website <a href="http://www.esjackson.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.esjackson.co.uk</span></a> or on:<br /> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://twitter.com/ESJackson1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Twitter</span></a><br /> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmmaJacksonAuthor/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a> <br /> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emma_s_jackson/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Instagram</span></a> </span></span>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-76961351157294014192020-02-19T07:06:00.000+00:002020-02-19T07:06:04.428+00:00The Darker Side of Crime - Guest Post Lorraine Mace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xU8bwFWPnYM/XkvEPFI1VbI/AAAAAAAAEbM/lfnV4hiW42ock697lEhDHoKVJoHyozsJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Lorraine%2BMace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1177" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xU8bwFWPnYM/XkvEPFI1VbI/AAAAAAAAEbM/lfnV4hiW42ock697lEhDHoKVJoHyozsJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Lorraine%2BMace.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I first 'met' this week's guest, Lorraine Mace, when I was lucky enough to win the Flash500 Novel Opening and Synopsis competition which she runs. That win helped me to secure my publishing deal with Bookouture and, since that day, Lorraine has been nothing but supportive of my work. Lorraine is a columnist for Writing Magazine and Writers' Forum and is head judge for Writers' Forum's monthly fiction competitions. She writes a series of crime novels featuring D.I. Stirling and I couldn't wait to ask her some questions.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are her answers.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You
write crime. Have you always written in this genre?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No, my first completed novel was written for children
in the 8-12 age range. I thought that was where I wanted to be as a writer, but
I used to (still do) read a lot of crime and psychological thrillers and
wondered if I could create something others would love to read: the D.I.
Sterling series was born. The series is definitely on the darker end of the
crime spectrum.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Which
writers in your genre inspire you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I enjoy a few American authors for the way they bring
their characters to life on the page, such as Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane
and John Lescroat. British favourites include Val McDermid, Sheila Bugler and
Chris Curran.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do
you remember where you were and what you were doing when the idea for your
latest novel came to you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Rage
and Retribution</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> came about because I saw a programme covering
how few rapes are reported, compared to rapes committed. I wondered what would
happen if a vigilante type person had incontrovertible knowledge of rapes
committed but never reported and that person decided to carry out a programme
of retribution.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are
you a plotter or a pantster and how long does it take you to write your
thrillers?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think I must being a plotting panster! I always know
the crime, the villain and how the novel will end. I try to plot each chapter,
but all too often characters and subplots appear as I’m writing, which means I
have to incorporate issues I hadn’t even considered when I started out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can get a first draft down in a few months, but then
the real work starts – edit, rewrite, edit, rewrite, edit … and so on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could
you describe your typical writing day?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I try to write between 9 and 11 each morning, but am
not always able to stick to it. I am involved in so many different fields of
the writing industry that sometimes deadlines for articles or critiques have to
take precedence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m
sure my readers would love to hear about your road to publication. Was it long
and winding or did you take a short cut?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I moved to France in 1999, I needed something to
do and foolishly believed getting short fiction accepted would be easy. After
more rejections than I care to think about, I was lucky enough to hit the right
note and was paid the grand sum of £300. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used the money to fund a Writers Bureau course and
discovered I had a knack for writing humour pieces. This led to being offered a
column in <i>Living France Magazine</i>. I
subsequently moved to Spain and wrote a similar humour column for <i>Spanish Magazine</i>. For the last ten years
I’ve been the humour columnist for <i>Writing
Magazine</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Writing novels came much later. The children’s book, <i>Vlad the Inhaler- Hero in the Making,</i>
was written in 2005 and my first crime novel was completed in 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do
you ever struggle to find inspiration?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No! If anything, I struggle to turn off the inspiration
gene. I have more ideas in my head (and languishing on my hard drive) than I
will ever have time to write.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
do you like to do when you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I live in a small village in Spain and enjoy trying
out my appalling Spanish on the locals in tapas bars. My partner and I are both
keen joggers and try to run at least five times a week. Apart from that, I
spend as much time as I can with my family. I am doing my best to enjoy life,
as who knows what is around the corner?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
suggestions do you have to help a writer write better?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Join a good writing group and be open to criticism.
You don’t have to follow all the advice you are given, but you should take each
piece seriously and ask yourself if there is any merit in what has been said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
next for Lorraine Mace?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fifth in the D.I. Sterling series has already been
accepted by Headline Accent, so there will be editing and rewrites for that,
I’m sure. I am currently writing number six. After that, I have the outline for
a standalone psychological thriller.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Born and raised in
South East London, Lorraine lived and worked in South Africa, on the Island of
Gozo and in France before settling on the Costa del Sol in Spain. She lives
with her partner in a traditional Spanish village inland from the coast and
enjoys sampling the regional dishes and ever-changing tapas in the local bars.
Her knowledge of Spanish is expanding. To stop her waistline from doing the
same, she runs five times a week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">When not working on
her D.I. Sterling series of crime novels, Lorraine is engaged in many
writing-related activities. She is a columnist for both <i>Writing Magazine</i> and<i> Writers'
Forum</i> and is head judge for <i>Writers’
Forum</i> monthly fiction competitions. A tutor for Writers Bureau, she also
runs her own private critique and author mentoring service. </span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find her at:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Website:
<a href="http://www.lorrainemace.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.lorrainemace.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blog:
<a href="http://thewritersabcchecklist.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://thewritersabcchecklist.blogspot.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter:
<a href="https://twitter.com/lomace"><span style="color: blue;">https://twitter.com/lomace</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lorraine.mace.52"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/lorraine.mace.52</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can buy Lorraine's books here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/33wkbLI"><span style="color: blue;">https://amzn.to/33wkbLI</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-91938261415528948882020-02-12T07:34:00.000+00:002020-02-12T07:43:13.454+00:005 Tips for Writing a Psychological Thriller - Guest Post Jenny Quintana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IfYKNHBP2A/XkJ-RwkZ1sI/AAAAAAAAEaY/DakQyLBFkFQxnTc5WpyckR3pAD3pqxTqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Jenny%2BQuintana%2Bcredit%2BAlicia%2BClarke%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IfYKNHBP2A/XkJ-RwkZ1sI/AAAAAAAAEaY/DakQyLBFkFQxnTc5WpyckR3pAD3pqxTqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Jenny%2BQuintana%2Bcredit%2BAlicia%2BClarke%2B.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Ever wondered what it would be like to write a psychological thriller? Today, as part of my 'Psychological Thriller Author' series, author Jenny Quintana gives us her five tips to ensure you do it right. Jenny's second thriller 'Our Dark Secret' was published in February by Mantle. Can't wait to read it!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Five Tips
For Writing A Psychological Thriller</span></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Characters</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the
most important things to consider when writing any novel is your characters,
and it is most definitely true when writing a psychological thriller. This is
because a lot of the suspense takes place inside the character’s head, so it is
crucial to understand their emotions. It is also important that the reader
cares about the characters. If they don’t engage with them they won’t be
bothered about their plight and they won’t be interested in their story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Pace</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Knowing
when to speed things up and slow things down is an important skill. There are a
few rules that can help with this. For example, avoid giving the reader too
much backstory right at the beginning of the novel as this can become boring. A
line or two is sufficient. The rest can be drip fed through the story.
Description is important, but don’t clog the action up with paragraphs and
paragraphs of beautiful, flowery writing. A few lines and then the reader wants
to know what is going on. Make sure you don’t repeat information either.
Readers like to work things out for themselves or flick back through the book
to check things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dur9R2YieIw/XkKAvQVWTEI/AAAAAAAAEak/qPgf-OgvzNUXJq10l2egCmZUY5hsQ7WcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1598%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="462" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dur9R2YieIw/XkKAvQVWTEI/AAAAAAAAEak/qPgf-OgvzNUXJq10l2egCmZUY5hsQ7WcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/IMG_1598%255B1%255D.jpg" width="144" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Language
and Style</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vary your
style. Use short, punchy sentences when something speedy is happening and then
longer sentences to step back from the action. Use different sentence
constructions and a variety of verbs. Spend a long time editing, getting rid of
superfluous words that slow things down. Do a search on words like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very, pretty, such</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so</i> and get rid of them where possible.
Watch out for repeated words – we all have our favourites. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Conflict</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Put your
characters into difficult situations. This doesn’t mean they have to be
embroiled in fights or dangerous events all the time. Conflict can occur
because of all kinds of situation, from getting lost in a strange place, to
arguing with or misunderstanding another character, to a feeling of being
watched or followed. Make sure your characters suffer. If the reader truly
identifies with them (see above!) they will suffer and sympathise along with
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Foreshadowing</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some
writers plan their novels meticulously. I’m not one of those people. I start
with my characters and I get to know them before I consider what their story
is. I usually know the beginning and the end. Then I fill in the gaps as I go.
When I finish a draft, I go back over the book time and again, planting subtle
clues. It’s important that when a reader finishes a book that they are able to
recall these clues. If they want to reread and pinpoint these moments, then the
writer has done their job! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jenny Quintana is
the author of the psychological mystery <i>The
Missing Girl </i>which was chosen as a Waterstones thriller of the month in
2018. Her second novel <i>Our Dark Secret </i>was
published in February 2020. She has taught in London, Seville and Athens and
now lives in Berkshire with her husband, three children and two dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can buy Our Dark Secret here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F37tJIap&data=02%7C01%7C%7C7b995e1d556547e3560608d79f85277a%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637153266543615744&sdata=NXdF4quV4kZvWt165oIFNy10ObwZe%2BH5X3oPx6YTDms%3D&reserved=0"><span style="color: red;">https://amzn.to/37tJIap</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can buy The Missing Girl here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2LBniLU&data=02%7C01%7C%7C7b995e1d556547e3560608d79f85277a%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637153266543625737&sdata=VkIGhE9FdSgdJsVMvmofS7bc1Kz%2B67JxUsdnbpOjfog%3D&reserved=0"><span style="color: red;">https://amzn.to/2LBniLU</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Follow Jenny here: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter:
@jennyquintana95</span></div>
<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-34375604112784123192020-02-05T07:23:00.000+00:002020-02-05T07:23:33.534+00:00The Rise of the Audiobook - Guest Post Diane Jeffrey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHHaIBU3KIE/XjcM6AsJdoI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/yDzRZBu3smkQOOrUTfX80jts1pm_CPYTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/author.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="944" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHHaIBU3KIE/XjcM6AsJdoI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/yDzRZBu3smkQOOrUTfX80jts1pm_CPYTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/author.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so lucky to have had such great guests on my blog recently. Today it's the turn of psychological thriller author, Diane Jeffrey. Diane lives in France but will be coming over to England for the 'Killer Women' festival in London next month so I'm hoping we'll be able to meet in real life. Both Diane and I have been lucky enough to have had our novels made into audiobooks, a format that is becoming increasingly popular, and I asked her to share with us her thoughts on the new kid on the block.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over to you, Diane.</span></i><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Listen Up!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Rise of the Audiobook.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Audiobooks are increasingly popular
and look set to continue to expand even as sales of physical books are
dropping. Publishers are more and more creative and ambitious with their
production of audiobooks. So, what makes a good audiobook and why are more and
more people drawn to this format?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THE ADVANTAGES OF AUDIOBOOKS</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Surely the first advantage of
audiobooks is that we can listen while we're doing something else. With our ever-busier
lifestyles, there just aren't enough hours in the day to read all the books on
our to-be-read piles. But we can listen to books in the car on a commute, while
we work out or do the housework. They make the journey go faster or the ironing
less tedious and they keep us company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Furthermore, for many of us, our
working day involves sitting for hours in front of a computer screen. When we
get home, listening can be more relaxing than reading, especially from a tablet
or an electronic reader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Secondly, while audiobooks might
provide an alternative format for many readers, they also are attracting new
audiences: children and adults with dyslexia, for example, or the visually
impaired. According to Nielsen Book statistics, there has been a huge increase
in downloads of audiobooks by males aged 25-45, who weren't big on buying books
until now. Although many men in this age group aren't keen on reading books,
they seem to enjoy listening to them being read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, studies have shown that
listening to stories stimulates the parts of the brain that are associated with
attention, memory, language and mood. Audiobooks are also an efficient way to
learn a foreign language. I teach English at a secondary school in Lyon, France,
and one of the set books this year is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time</i> by Mark Haddon. My pupils are
reading and listening to the book at the same time and it helps them with both
comprehension and pronunciation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WHAT MAKES A GOOD AUDIOBOOK?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first audiobooks I listened to
were David Walliams's children's stories. My kids and I used to listen to them every
day in the car on the way to and from swimming training – an hour's round trip.
They're brilliantly narrated – by David Walliams himself – complete with sound
effects. We all preferred that to music, which we could never agree on!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then an author friend of mine
gifted me her book in audio format. I started listening to it while I was
walking the dog. The narrator had a voice that I found both grating and
soporific. I couldn't get into the book at all, so instead I bought the ebook
and devoured it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These two experiences highlighted
for me the importance of having a good voice actor. At the end of last year, my
third psychological thriller, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Guilty
Mother</i>, was selected as one of the Daily Mirror's Top Ten audiobooks of
2019, largely thanks, I believe, to the narrators, Charlie Sanderson and Philip
Stevens. Charlie read the chapters written from the perspective of Melissa, a
woman convicted of killing one of her children, and Philip read the chapters
written by Jon, a journalist investigating this possible miscarriage of
justice. Both Charlie and Philip affected slight Bristolian accents as the
story is set in Bristol and they both did a fantastic job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's no secret that voice is vital.
People leave reviews specifically for audio versions of books and sometimes
even select an audiobook because they have become fans of a particular narrator
rather than the author. Celebrities are attracting listeners to the audiobooks
they have narrated just as they attract viewers to films that they have starred
in. I've listened to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Becoming</i> by
Michelle Obama, which she recorded herself, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Handmaid's Tale</i> read by Elisabeth Moss. I would highly
recommend anything that Stephen Fry has narrated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a relatively new format and
yet it echoes an old custom – stories were passed down orally from generation
to generation, long before the written word. And in our own lifetimes, our
parents used to read us bedtime stories. Perhaps that has something to do with
why we like audiobooks. There have always been stories – throughout our lives
and throughout history. In a strange way, new technology has come full circle
and recreated this oral tradition. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Diane Jeffrey has published three psychological thrillers with HQ / HarperCollins all of which have been Kindle bestsellers in the UK, the USA, Australia and Canada. THE GUILTY MOTHER, Diane's third book, was published in 2019 and was a USA Today bestseller.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: purple;">Diane grew up in North Devon, in the United Kingdom. She now lives in Lyon, France, with her husband and their three children, Labrador and cat. Diane is an English teacher. When she's not working or writing, she likes swimming, running and reading. She loves chocolate, beer and holidays.</span><br /><span style="color: purple;"> Above all, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.</span><br /><br />Author website: <a href="https://www.dianejeffrey.com/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.dianejeffrey.com</span></a><br />Readers can also follow Diane on Twitter <span style="color: blue;">@dianefjeffrey</span><br /> or on <a href="http://facebook.com/dianejeffreyauthor"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook.com/dianejeffreyauthor</span></a></span><br />
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<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-71450424422946826222020-01-29T07:26:00.000+00:002020-01-29T07:26:04.427+00:00Confessions of a Suspense Author - Guest Post Zoe Lea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYvH-aYXY7M/Xi9AyUDnKYI/AAAAAAAAEYo/b5FE-0h4cDMnWtCwc8GNzkmOmJ4-OJHqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYvH-aYXY7M/Xi9AyUDnKYI/AAAAAAAAEYo/b5FE-0h4cDMnWtCwc8GNzkmOmJ4-OJHqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/me.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Continuing my 'psychological thriller author' series, I'd like to welcome the lovely Zoe Lea to my blog. Zoe is an author who first came to my attention on Instagram due to the wonderful photographs she posts, all set in the beautiful Lake District where she lives and writes. Loving this part of the country myself, I couldn't wait to ask Zoe some questions.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You’ve written two psychological thrillers. Have you
always written in this genre?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXc1DMQcJNg/Xi9DI0h2CRI/AAAAAAAAEY0/nMBxV2UQIgQ8_SHYYZ3EoqIbFmJ_Yz7aQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1242" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXc1DMQcJNg/Xi9DI0h2CRI/AAAAAAAAEY0/nMBxV2UQIgQ8_SHYYZ3EoqIbFmJ_Yz7aQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/IMG_9650.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first time I tried to write a book it was for
young adults and it was bad, really bad. I wrote several of these that were
unsuccessful until an agent said that the book I was writing would be better
suited to an adult audience. I gave that a go and it kind of went from there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could you describe ‘If He Wakes’ in three words?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Twisty. Page-turning. Shocking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You live in the beautiful Lake District where my own thriller
is set. How important do you think setting is to a novel?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hugely. And it was something that I overlooked for
such a long time, but I think setting is almost like another character in the
novel. It sets the tone and atmosphere of the book; it gives the reader
indications as to how everything builds. Without a good setting, I think a
novel can become two dimensional.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you remember where you were and what you were doing
when the idea for your latest novel came to you</b>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not so much with The Secretary, I’d had an idea
batting about for a while about a woman who does little acts of revenge on
people she feels have wronged her. I think it was actually whilst on a school
run that I thought a primary school would make an excellent setting!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Are you a plotter or a pantster and how long does it
take you to write your thrillers?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to be a pantster and I love that way of
writing, but it doesn’t work for me in the long run. I keep forgetting this and
start giddily writing each novel as soon as I get a spark of an idea, but I
need to have a good plan. I need to think about the plot and so, I usually get
half way through a novel and then have to start planning which is not ideal at
all. Because of this, it takes me a stupidly long time to write a thriller, but
I’m working on it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_1xgv2QBEo/Xi9DrjK3cRI/AAAAAAAAEZA/_WrIZBiKjx0MA158N5UkZMfpUJFKLE-bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_1xgv2QBEo/Xi9DrjK3cRI/AAAAAAAAEZA/_WrIZBiKjx0MA158N5UkZMfpUJFKLE-bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9647.jpg" width="259" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Could you describe your typical writing day?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As well as being an author, I also run a business so I
don’t really have a typical writing day. But usually, my writing will happen
either early morning or late afternoon, or on my lunch-break depending how the
book is going, so it can vary from day to day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I’m sure my readers would love to hear about your road
to publication. Was it long and winding or did you take a short cut?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh it was a long road! I’ve been writing for years,
but mostly short stories. I didn’t have the confidence to write a book for the
longest time. Then it was YA books and then, with my first stab at an adult
book I went on a Curtis Brown online course. That was invaluable, not only
because of the advice and support I got, but because it made my attitude shift
towards myself as a writer. I began to think I could actually do it. I got an
agent from the novel that I started on the course and after several rewrites,
got my deal with Canelo and now I’m working with Piatkus</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You post great pictures on Instagram. How important do
you think social media is to an author</b>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHn_IDYc-Y4/Xi9Df8VSH8I/AAAAAAAAEY8/tUSh4Gqpszg7rYEOdBlwwZyqOR2SS_nuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHn_IDYc-Y4/Xi9Df8VSH8I/AAAAAAAAEY8/tUSh4Gqpszg7rYEOdBlwwZyqOR2SS_nuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="520" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHn_IDYc-Y4/Xi9Df8VSH8I/AAAAAAAAEY8/tUSh4Gqpszg7rYEOdBlwwZyqOR2SS_nuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/IMG_9648.jpg" width="162" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hmmm, that’s a tricky one. I think it can be a really
useful tool to building up an audience and community who know you and this can
be wonderful for when you have a new book out or a deal that you want to
announce. However, it takes a lot of time and can suck the life out of you if
you’re not careful. I do Instagram because I adore it, it’s a hobby for me, a
way of connecting with my readers and sharing my life as well as getting a peak
into the lives of others, but I have to be careful it doesn’t take time away
from my writing. If you’re an author, the main job is writing books, not
spending ages on social media, and I think it’s important to remember that at
all times!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you like to do when you’re not writing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love being outdoors. I try to get a hike in every
weekend if I can with the family. I’m also starting to really enjoy cooking,
which is a novelty for me as I’ve hated it in the past, but recently I’ve found
a new love for it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What does your family think of your writing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They are immensely proud. My teenage son showing off
my book to his mates was a joy to witness, and my husband, who is my writing
rock, is delighted. He shares my every high and low and I absolutely would not
be able to do it without his unwavering support.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
But something quite pivotal happened when I got my proofs of The Secretary. I took
a copy to my parents, who have been my biggest cheerleaders and supporters
since I was a kid. Having a tangible book I could give them was a momentous
thing in my head as I’d dreamed of handing a finished book to my parents for so
long.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGQcVUChrls/Xi9GsrfvP0I/AAAAAAAAEZU/Mnrcr1q2YfEIJtjiQgcrxn-M27DuwVMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/secreatary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGQcVUChrls/Xi9GsrfvP0I/AAAAAAAAEZU/Mnrcr1q2YfEIJtjiQgcrxn-M27DuwVMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/secreatary.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the time I was going through a really rocky patch, I was full of self-doubt
and as I handed the book to my dad, I said, ‘Finally, I did it. After all that
time.’ And he hugged me and said, ‘love, we’re not suddenly proud just because of
this book, we’ve always been proud of you.’ <br />
And it changed my perception of the whole process. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think, when you’ve been chasing a dream for a long
time, it can become an insurmountable goal that becomes more than it actually
is. My dad’s comment that day taught me not to put so much pressure on the
outcome, it reminded me that I write because I love it, and that’s so important
to keep hold off as you go through the publishing process. So, my family are
forever the wisest, best and most brilliant council I could ask for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What next for Zoe Lea?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m just in the process of completing my next novel,
The Influencer. It’s about a social media queen who gets involved in the case
of a missing teenager. After that, more writing, more novels but I have no idea
as yet as to what they’ll be!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: purple;">Zoe Lea lives in the Lake District, UK with her husband, two
children, dogs and peregrine falcons. As well as writing, she helps manage an
animal tracking company used for raptors and other wildlife. She's previously
worked as a teacher, photographer and in the television industry, but writing
has always been her passion. She is currently working on her next novel.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Website: <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fzoelea.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ce5b64aee74274ec146a808d7a32a550d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637157274600165444&sdata=3uMfdCcJ5wll4cOqN2F7lDBuSVVgnX8MqgIxVGBYstE%3D&reserved=0">https://zoelea.com/</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instagram: <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fzoeleawriter%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ce5b64aee74274ec146a808d7a32a550d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637157274600175453&sdata=HbKOgr26u9Axc3RLQwseZ3UyK87iMTLY88gi1NENBTY%3D&reserved=0">https://www.instagram.com/zoeleawriter</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fzoeleawriter%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ce5b64aee74274ec146a808d7a32a550d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637157274600185458&sdata=PaV5s8UqAFP2t2U43g3X8wzRBUmF5Lv4YkDOVw3g9Fs%3D&reserved=0">https://www.facebook.com/zoeleawriter/</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-294647927144451122020-01-22T07:49:00.000+00:002020-01-22T07:49:15.140+00:00My Road to Publication - Guest Post Lesley Sanderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I'm always fascinated to hear about the writing journeys of authors. This week, as part of my continuing 'Psychological Thriller Writers series', author Lesley Sanderson tells me about her road to publication. Lesley's third novel, The Leaving Party, will be published by Bookouture on 31st January.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Over to you, Lesley.</i></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you
Wendy for inviting me to your blog. I’m sharing my writing journey here with
you as these are the posts I read avidly about my favourite authors!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Like many
writers, books defined my childhood. My happiest memories are of being ensconced
with a Malory Towers under the bedclothes or those moments when the children’s
librarian in the public library produced a new book from her magic cupboard for
me. Age fifteen, I was working as a Saturday assistant for Islington Libraries
and despite following my other passion for languages and completing a French
degree I gravitated back to libraries where I have worked ever since,
eventually switching from public to school libraries. Consequently, I have
spent most of my working life surrounded by books. Psychological thrillers and
crime have always been my favourite genre and I attended author talks and
festivals as an avid fan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve
always loved writing; as a child I wrote poems and plays and forced my friends
to perform them! I filled exercise books at primary school with ‘novels’. Every
now and then I’d attempt a short story, or a novel but lacked confidence and
abandoned these projects. As a school librarian I’d chat to visiting authors
who often mentioned doing courses had helped them get started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In around
2011 I changed my working hours from all year round to term time only and
decided to make the school holidays count with a serious attempt at writing.
This time, once I started I couldn’t stop. The single thing that kickstarted me
was entering the </span><a href="https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/real-life/grazia-first-chapter-competition-winners/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Grazia First Chapter competition</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">. I didn’t get shortlisted but
I asked for feedback and was told ‘you can certainly write.’ That single
sentence gave me the confidence I needed to pursue writing seriously and I was
off!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I took a
course in Writing for Children and began writing YA fiction. By this time I was
keen to get an agent and was receiving the usual rejections - each one stabbed
at my soul! Being an impatient person I self published four YA books as I knew
I’d have a ready audience in my school library. The students liked the books
and this motivated me to keep going. One of the most important aspects of the
course was linking up with other writers, and I formed a group with three
others. At some point we all switched to writing for adults. In 2015 I wrote
the beginning of a psychological thriller and was accepted onto the Curtis
Brown six month </span><a href="http://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">novel writing course</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In 2017 I
entered the </span><a href="https://www.fictionprize.co.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Lucy Cavendish prize</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and was shortlisted which was the most
exciting experience of my career and the whole experience was lovely. The
extracts we entered were displayed on the website and the day after the winner
was announced (not me!) I was contacted by Hayley Steed from the Madeleine
Milburn agency asking me if I’d like to submit to them. Would I?! My book was
by no means complete but she still wanted to see it (defying all the advice I’d
been given about submitting to agents!). Three weeks later I was offered
representation and I could finally say those words ‘I’ve got an agent’! This
culminated in offers from Bookouture and Audible and my first book The Orchid
Girls was published in 2018. My second book The Woman at 46 Heath Street was
published lin 2019 and I signed another two book contract. My third book The
Leaving Party is published on 31st January 2020 - in ten days time and book 4
will follow in June.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Having my
books published has been wonderful. I’ve discovered I love the editing process
and working with Bookouture which has a fast turnaround I’ve become much better
at planning my books. Instead of making it up as I go along I work through the
synopsis with my editor and we plan it together so that when it comes to
writing I have a detailed structure to follow. The magic of writing still
happens - twists and turns come to me as I write and lead the characters in
surprising directions. For me the best part happens after the first draft when
I can pull the draft apart and make it work, adding clues and red herrings and
extra twists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yesterday
I received a comment from a reader on social media saying: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">‘Love
your books! Pre-ordered.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is
what makes all the effort worthwhile. My favourite authors give me so much joy
with their books and to be able to do the same is a gift. To all aspiring
writers I’d advise to just keep on working at it and you will get there
eventually; I never thought it would happen to me!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Lesley spends her days writing in coffee shops in Kings Cross where she lives and also works as a librarian in a multicultural school. She loves the atmosphere and eclectic mix of people in the area. She has lived and worked in Paris and speaks four languages.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lesley discovered Patricia Highsmith as a teenager and has since been hooked on psychological thrillers. She is particularly interested in the psychology of female relationships. The Leaving Party is her third psychological thriller.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pre-order your copy of The Leaving Party <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leaving-Party-absolutely-addictive-psychological-ebook/dp/B0828ZT6B4" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find out more about Lesley on her website<span style="color: red;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.lesleysanderson.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Visit Lesley's Facebook author page </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lsandersonbooks/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a></div>
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Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-81842193971448690512020-01-15T07:08:00.000+00:002020-01-15T07:08:06.380+00:00Your Truth or Mine - Guest Post Trisha Sakhlecha<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zlrv8NSwjc/XhtXaCCBUNI/AAAAAAAAEXY/4gK5fUpjyJkortKbslDpo-pMgZb_EKPmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trisha%2BSakhlecha_portrait1LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zlrv8NSwjc/XhtXaCCBUNI/AAAAAAAAEXY/4gK5fUpjyJkortKbslDpo-pMgZb_EKPmACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Trisha%2BSakhlecha_portrait1LR.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Continuing my psychological thriller series, I'm delighted to welcome the lovely Trisha Sakhlecha to my blog. Trisha's debut Your Truth or Mine (don't you just love that title?) was published in June last year and I've been dying to find out how this thriller writer goes about the writing process. I love these interviews as every author has been so very different.</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your
Truth or Mine is your debut novel. Do you remember where you were and what you
were doing when the idea for your thriller came to you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5bD9tNtZzI/XhtaNG8bAoI/AAAAAAAAEXk/hz8F_DUmtZI-wNx6Zk3-JXBOWKVrIr8VACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Your-Truth-or-Mine-Trisha%2BSakhlecha-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="311" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5bD9tNtZzI/XhtaNG8bAoI/AAAAAAAAEXk/hz8F_DUmtZI-wNx6Zk3-JXBOWKVrIr8VACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Your-Truth-or-Mine-Trisha%2BSakhlecha-cover.jpg" width="124" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wish I did, but it doesn’t usually work like that
for me. There’s very rarely a single moment of inspiration, it’s more like a
slow building and layering of lots of ideas and themes. With <i>Your Truth or Mine?,</i> my starting point
was a single image: a happily married woman discovering that her ‘perfect’
husband had been having an affair. The characters had been living in my head
for a while at that point and I knew early on that I wanted to write about the
shock of infidelity in a marriage in which one partner’s version of the truth
completely contradicts the other’s and the subtle, and often crippling, forms
of emotional and psychological control that can go unnoticed, all of which is
brought into sharp focus as the protagonists find themselves enmeshed in an
investigation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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you describe your novel in a sentence?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When a young woman goes missing, an expat couple are
forced to confront uncomfortable truths about their relationship and all the
lies and secrets it conceals.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have
you always wanted to write in the psychological thriller genre?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I started writing <i>Your Truth or Mine?</i> I had no idea what genre it would fit into. All
I knew back then was that I was writing a novel about a toxic, dysfunctional
marriage that had layers of lies and deceits woven through it. It was only once
I finished the first draft that I realised that what I had in my hands had the
potential to be a psychological thriller. But looking at it in hindsight and
considering how dark and twisted I like my plots, I can’t imagine writing
anything other than psychological thrillers!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are
you a plotter or a pantster and how long did it take you to write your
thriller?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think I’m a bit of both. I usually have the main
beats mapped out – the big reveals and twists -
and I do a very vague outline, but other than that, I like to discover
the story as I work through the first draft. If my characters don’t surprise
me, I doubt they’ll be able to surprise my readers. I NEVER know the ending
until I’ve written it. The first draft usually takes me between five to six
months, then there’s a couple of months of edits. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
did you find hardest and what easiest when writing Your Truth or Mine?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your Truth or Mine? isn’t just my first published
novel, it was my first attempt at writing fiction, so I think the hardest part
was getting to grips with the rules and the conformations of writing fiction –
I’d never even considered things like the three act structure or pacing and
tension before. It was a very steep learning curve. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The easiest part, ironically, was writing the actual
first draft - knowing so little about the craft meant I had complete freedom to
make so many really, really obvious mistakes and just have fun with the
process. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can
you describe what you were doing and your emotions when you heard Your Truth or
Mine had found a publisher?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was shopping at IKEA with my Mum when the very first
offer came through. I was pushing a trolley stacked with flat pack furniture
when I heard my phone ping. There had been a lot of back and forth with
publishers that week and I knew even before I’d looked at my phone that it was
my agent. Typically, my signal dropped out before the email could finish
loading, so all I could see was the subject line with the word ‘Offer’ in it. I
remember abandoning my shopping trolley - and my very bewildered mother - in
one of those massive aisles and running around IKEA like a mad woman trying to
find cell signal! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have
you always wanted to be a writer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes! Though it wasn’t until I showed the finished
first draft of <i>Your Truth or Mine</i>? to
a few writer friends that I dared to dream about being a <i>published</i> writer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could
you describe your typical writing day?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I’m writing the first draft, my writing day begins
at 5am. I tend to go straight to the draft and write for a solid hour or so,
before going back to sleep. I find that writing that early in the morning when
I’m not even fully awake lets me tap into my subconscious and write more freely
– and quickly - than I do later on in the day. It helps that I’m really just
desperate to go back to bed but I do usually manage to get the bare bones of
the scene or chapter I’m working on down in that time. I go back to my desk
around 9.30-10am and spend a few hours reworking whatever I wrote in the
morning, building in the layers, adding description, refining the dialogue etc.
I usually finish by 2pm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I’m editing though, I find afternoons better and
I’ll usually start around midday and work until late into the night. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
next for Trisha Sakhlecha?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m waiting on line edits for my second psychological
thriller, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Can You See Me Now?</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> which
is due to be published later this year and working on the first draft of book 3.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: purple;">Trisha
Sakhlecha grew up in New Delhi and now lives in London. She works in fashion
and is a graduate of the acclaimed Faber Academy writing course. In the past,
Trisha has worked as a designer, trend forecaster, and lecturer. <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Your Truth or Mine?</span> is her first novel.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can buy Your Truth or Mine: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FYour-Truth-Mine-Trisha-Sakhlecha%2Fdp%2F1509886265%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C88730e38ad8146cb2a0308d7944217ca%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637140884171292457&sdata=X9%2F28bY3G80%2BaG7kfEpbPjkwLvSa7Z1mzfc2aJ7UUqU%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Amazon</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find out more about Trisha here: <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Ftrishasakhlecha%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C88730e38ad8146cb2a0308d7944217ca%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637140884171302468&sdata=LBPN68RmCApzvFa6lKHaVJ%2FT4x9ebF5XfvmkGjIG%2FHM%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Instagram</span></a> <span style="color: red;"> </span> <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Ftrishasakhlecha&data=02%7C01%7C%7C88730e38ad8146cb2a0308d7944217ca%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637140884171312485&sdata=cbTqwywZ8qpYiQcFgQhUFlVo04vHqcFG4gU7HlpDhaQ%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Twitter</span></a></span></span></div>
<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-33877871218393345142020-01-08T07:25:00.000+00:002020-01-08T07:25:18.489+00:00The Truth Waits - Guest Post Susanna Beard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqTNrhbGF1c/XhMI15cIxpI/AAAAAAAAEWs/oz-8lOz8e9or3DI7SUf1Lnao24d9jMz0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/tickled4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqTNrhbGF1c/XhMI15cIxpI/AAAAAAAAEWs/oz-8lOz8e9or3DI7SUf1Lnao24d9jMz0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/tickled4.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Continuing my 'Psychological Thriller Author' series, I'm delighted to welcome Susanna Beard to my blog, Wendy's Writing Now. Susanna has had two thrillers published by Legend Press, Dare to Remember and The Truth Waits. I couldn't wait to ask her some questions... here are her answers.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You’ve written two psychological thrillers. Have you
always written in this genre?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes! These are my first two books, ever. With Dare to
Remember, my debut, I had no idea what genre I was writing in — I was just
writing the story that came to me. But when I wrote The Truth Waits I set out
to write a psychological thriller, as they were very much front-of-mind for
editors at the time, and I knew I would enjoy the process. My next two books
are more in the suspense category, though I suppose it depends how you define a
genre!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you remember where you were and what you were doing
when the idea for your latest novel came to you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes — the one I’m currently writing came from a
charity lunch: not something I do very often! The speaker was from a charity
that focuses on modern slavery; she spoke passionately about the horrors that
some people are forced to endure. It occurred to me that modern slavery is
often a hidden crime and hard to identify, and that it would make a very good
story. I would also like to raise awareness of the issue, which can only be a
good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your second novel, The Truth Waits, is partly set in
Lithuania. How important is setting in </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">helping to build suspense?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In The Truth Waits, setting is really important. The story
starts with a body on a beach, and I felt the beach itself needed to be remote,
quiet and threatening rather than sunny, beautiful, and full of tourists. My
first idea was Sicily, but I soon realised that wasn’t going to work – it has
too many associations with beach holidays and beautiful scenery. Also, British
people tend not to know much about Lithuania, which added to the sense of
mystery. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I visited the beach I used in the book – it’s on the
Kuronian Spit on the Baltic Sea. It was just perfect: totally unspoilt, long
empty sands, lowering skies, a strong wind, and a dark forest flanking the
beach. I also set the beginning of the book in March, when the weather there is
cold and miserable, which added to the atmosphere.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Using setting as a strong metaphor in this book has
convinced me of the importance of place and time in drawing the reader into a
story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What three words would best describe your latest
novel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Truth Waits is my most recently published novel.
It’s dark, suspenseful and gripping!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a psychological thriller, how important is it to
have ‘likeable’ characters?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good question! I don’t know about likeable, but I
think there needs to be a main character that readers care about. She/he can be
flawed, annoying, frustrating — but she must also have a background or other
characteristics that make her compelling. I think there needs to be an element
of surprise with the characters in a psychological thriller: something
unexpected that emerges as the story unfolds. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you a plotter or a pantster and how long does it
take you to write your thrillers?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here’s the thing. I’m by nature a pantster, but it
hasn’t taken many books for me to realise that that’s not a good thing — for
me. My first novel took about two years, start to finish, while The Truth Waits
took almost three. The reason it took longer was because I got to the half-way
point and realised I didn’t know what the ending was going to be! It took a lot
of teeth-gnashing and hair-pulling, and at least three different endings,
before I settled on the right one. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So nowadays I’m planning. I find it quite difficult,
but for me, the ending must be clear before I can write the story. And you can
always change your plan, or refine it as you go along; if a new, brilliant idea
comes to you as you’re writing, so much the better! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also, I know that having a properly worked-out plan in
place will help me concentrate on the writing rather than angsting about the
plot. A much more satisfying process! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could you describe your typical writing day?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve been a PR consultant for many years and still
have some PR work, so I tend to get that done first in the day – after the dog
walk, of course! I check social media and marketing first thing as well, and
deal with any deadlines that are coming up. Then I get down to the writing or
editing work. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I almost always work through lunchtime (I might have a
snack at my desk) and when I can, I take a break to go swimming. The walking
and swimming help me think about my plot and my characters, particularly if I’m
a bit stuck. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I’m writing a first draft, I try to write 1-2,000
words a day – the job gets done remarkably quickly that way (as long as I have
a plan!). Editing takes a long time, and much thinking goes into it. Towards
the end of the afternoon I walk the dogs again, and then read for a couple of
hours, which feels like a treat, especially if I’ve had a satisfying day
writing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m sure my readers would love to hear a little about
your road to publication. Was it straightforward?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started late in life, though it was always part of
the plan (!). My career in PR meant that I was writing almost every day, so I
suppose the ‘writing switch’ was already on when I decided to take the plunge
and write a novel. I was already working from home, too, which helped. I took
the Faber Academy Writing a Novel course, which was the best thing I’ve ever
done. I got a number of rejections, as most authors do, and for a while I
wondered if it was going to happen, but to my surprise my first novel got me an
agent and a publisher! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What aspects of writing psychological thrillers
do you find easiest and hardest?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The easiest bit, for me, is the first draft. It’s fun,
and exciting, and as long as I know where I’m taking it, I like the
intellectual challenge. It’s like filling in the gaps in a jigsaw. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever considered giving up writing?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel like I’ve only just started, so no. It’s
something I’ve always wanted to do, and in some ways I wish I’d started
earlier. I’d like to keep writing for as long as possible!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What next for Susanna Beard?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My third novel is with my agent now; my fourth is
undergoing an overhaul and my fifth is well under way! It feels great to have a
body of work under my belt, and I’m hoping and intending that each one is
better than the last – that way I’ll definitely have a best-seller one day. Fingers
crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can buy both of Susanna's novels <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Susanna-Beard/e/B06XSZMYS9/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Susanna is fascinated by human relationships. She can be found people-watching wherever she goes, finding material for her writing. Despite the writer’s life, she has an adventurous streak and has swum with whale sharks in Australia, fallen down a crevasse in the French Alps and walked through the sewers of Brighton - not in that order.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Her passions include animals — particularly her dogs — walking in the countryside and tennis, which clears her brain of pretty much everything. <br /><br />Susanna’s debut novel, Dare to Remember, was published in February 2017, and her second, The Truth Waits, launched on 1 November 2018. Both are published by Legend Press. She aims to keep writing, and never to get old.<br /><br />Visit Susanna at <a href="http://www.susannabeard.com/">www.susannabeard.com</a>, email her on info@susannabeard.com,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like her page on Facebook: @susannabeardauthor</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or follow her on Twitter:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">@SusannaBeard25<br />@legend_press</span><br />
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Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-34937533451682963942019-12-30T08:37:00.000+00:002019-12-30T08:37:41.351+00:00Meet The Woman Downstairs - Guest Post Elisabeth Carpenter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How Exciting! Today I have another author lovely on my blog as part of my 'Psychological Thriller Author' series. Please welcome Elisabeth Carpenter whose novel 'The Woman Downstairs' was published in November. </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Have you always written in the psychological thriller
genre?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first manuscript I wrote was about a man who died
and went to an afterlife. I classed it as ‘women’s fiction’ with supernatural
elements. It was great fun to write and I worked on it for years before finally
giving up the ghost (I know, groan!). I then wrote another three: literary,
dystopian, historical, before I developed an idea for a psychological thriller.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like many writers of this genre, I’d read the genius
that was <i>Gone Girl</i>. The gripping internal struggles combined with the
page-turning mystery really inspired me. I’m now writing my fifth psychological
thriller and I love writing them!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I’m sure my readers would love to hear about your road
to publication. Was it long and winding or did you take a short cut?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As per the above, it was long and winding! I subbed my
first manuscript to about fifty agents and didn’t get more than a standard rejection.
When I sent out my literary novel, I received seven requests for the full manuscript.
It also won a Northern Writers Award, and I took this as a sign I was getting
better. I didn’t get any offers of representation for this book, but I kept
going and worked on my psychological thriller. I realised that it’s not just
the quality of writing that captures the attention of an agent, it has to have
a great hook.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I subbed <i>99 Red Balloons</i> almost a year later
and received four offers of representation. I signed with Caroline Hardman from
Hardman & Swainson, and a few months later, signed a book deal for two
books with Avon HarperCollins. It was a dream come true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>We all write differently. Could you describe your
typical writing day?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My writing day depends how close to deadline I am! It
would begin after dropping my son off at school. If I have a few months to
deadline, I aim for 800-1500 words a day. Sometimes I find it hard to get into
the flow, and I tend to be easily distracted with Netflix! I have to force
myself to sit in front of the laptop. I love to write longhand with a nice
fountain pen, but this can be time consuming.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nearer the dreaded deadline, I will write for several
hours a day and give myself small rewards for hitting self-appointed targets
(an episode of the latest drama for example or read a chapter of a book).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">School holidays are different, of course. I might get
the odd half an hour to write, but usually I have to wait until bedtime to get
those words down. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Where did you get the inspiration for your last novel?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Woman Downstairs</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
was inspired by the true-life story of Joyce Vincent. Joyce’s remains were
found in her flat more than two years after she died. The documentary <i>Dreams
of a Life</i> by Carole Morley featured Joyce’s friends who couldn’t believe
that she died alone and went undiscovered for such a long time. They described Joyce
as vivacious and loved life and assumed she was travelling, still living a
glamourous life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The location of <i>The Woman Downstairs</i> is a
northern town – I set most of my novels in Lancashire. It follows the story of
two women brought together by the discovery of a body in their block of flats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Could you describe it in one sentence?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When human remains are found in a ground floor flat, the residents of Nelson heights are shocked to learn that there was a dead body in their building for nearly three years.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Are you a plotter or a pantster and how long does it
take you to write your thrillers?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to be a pantster and would take a year to write
my first drafts then months and months editing the hell out of it. Then I was
lucky enough to get published and with that comes contracts. Writing to a
deadline is often challenging – I must like torturing myself because in the
past I wrote so close to sending it to my editor that sometimes I was in tears
with the stress of it all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This time, I wrote a detailed plan, chapter by chapter
and I’m aiming to finish the first draft by the end of January so I can have at
least a month editing it. Editing is my favourite part. I say that because I’m
in the middle of the first draft. When I’m editing, writing the first draft
will be my favourite part. The first draft takes about six months to write.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What does your family think of your writing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They are so proud! My eldest son said he would read my
book if I was ever published, but he hasn’t yet. I think he might think it a
bit cringey! My youngest son thinks I’m famous because I’m ‘on Google’ – which
is really sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you like to do when you’re not writing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I go to an art class every Tuesday, which is so
relaxing, and we have a lot of laughs. I love seeing friends and family, and of
course watching Netflix. I love reading but now I read differently to how I did
before I was published as I tend to scrutinise everything! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>How important do you think social media is to a
writer?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I entered the Richard and Judy <i>Search for a
Bestseller</i> a few years ago. The organisers were a few days late announcing
the results (I now know that most competitions contact those shortlisted a few
days before) and there were several other writers on the competition’s Facebook
page. We used to check-in several times a day and when the results were
published, we consoled each other and decided to create a Facebook group. After
a few months we met up and got along so well. We meet up once or twice a year
and it has been such a support, and I’ve met some wonderful friends. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As an author, I don’t use Twitter as much as I should,
nor do I update my Facebook page as often as I’d like, but it’s a great place
to share news and I love hearing from readers who’ve enjoyed my books. Every
time I get a message from a reader saying they’ve enjoyed my books gives me the
push to keep going – because sometimes, as a writer, you wonder why you’re
doing it, that I should be doing something more useful with my time! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What next for Elisabeth Carpenter?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m in the midst of writing the first draft of <i>The
Vacancy</i> (working title – the only title I’ve ever been ‘allowed’ to keep
was <i>99 Red Balloons</i>). It’s about a woman who goes to work for a writer
as her live-in assistant. But of course, being a psych thriller, nothing is
quite what it seems! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Elisabeth Carpenter lives in Preston with
her family. She loves living in the north of England and sets most of her
stories there – including the one she is writing at the moment. Her fourth
novel, <i>The Woman Downstairs</i>, is out now.</span><span style="color: #444950;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Y</span>ou can buy The woman Downstairs <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Woman-Downstairs-Elisabeth-Carpenter-ebook/dp/B07T6YPBJT/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1575557207&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Where you can find Elisabeth:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/ElisabethCarpenterAuthor/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </span></span><a href="http://www.elisabethcarpenter.co.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Website</span></a></div>
<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-85624250568087511822019-12-27T17:53:00.000+00:002019-12-27T17:53:38.983+00:00Did I Achieve my 2019 Writing Goals?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqjPyzeAGwg/XgYLzsjKNUI/AAAAAAAAEVc/Ixq_UeBWK_wQYzCH52IquPUxZZHxZvM2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqjPyzeAGwg/XgYLzsjKNUI/AAAAAAAAEVc/Ixq_UeBWK_wQYzCH52IquPUxZZHxZvM2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/goals.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will soon be time to say goodbye to the old writing year and hello to the new.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every year in the first week of January, best buddy Tracy Fells and I get together to set our yearly writing goals. At the end of the year, I look back and see if I've achieved any or all of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one thing I've learned over the years is it's important to have goals that will stretch and encourage but which are manageable too (rather than stressful). The other thing it's important to remember is that luck and life circumstances play a big part in what happens as well and that I should not to be too hard on myself if I don't achieve all my targets. The important thing is that I try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the goals I set for myself:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Goal: </span>To enjoy every minute of being a published author.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Achieved? </span>Mostly! As most of you will know, my debut psychological thriller, What She Saw, was published by Bookouture in May this year (you can read my blog post about it <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://wendyswritingnow.blogspot.com/2019/05/its-publication-day-i-did-it.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>)</span>. It was fabulous... exciting... amazing. The same can be said when my second thriller, We Were Sisters, came out in August. But did I enjoy every minute? Not when I was struggling with structural edits or when I was stressing about whether or not my novels were good enough for people to buy or when I received my first bad review. But all these things come with the territory. It's what happens when you're published. In fact it's <i>proof</i> that you've been published! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest test is whether I would do it all again... and the resounding answer is YES!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Goal: </span>To secure another publishing deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Achieved?</span> Yes! I was delighted when in May my wonderful publisher, Bookouture, offered me another two-book contract. Yay!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Goal: </span>To think about and start novel three.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Achieved? </span>Yes! Not only have I thought about and started novel three, I've finished it and it's with my editor (though the hard part will soon start when I get the first lot of edits back in a few days). I have also started novel four.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... and that's it for another year. Next week, Tracy and I will be meeting to set out 2020 goals and I'll be posting you very soon. In the meantime, I wish you all a very Happy New Year.</span>Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-31887742363529833052019-12-18T07:29:00.000+00:002019-12-18T07:29:19.690+00:00A Perfect Life Unravelled - interview with Emma Curtis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZs6E72Ycdg/XfjxmOcG9QI/AAAAAAAAEUk/GB5Ju8Zu8g8BDuxqADJ9dBe8c6M8kP3xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Emma%2BCurtis%2BProfile%2BPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZs6E72Ycdg/XfjxmOcG9QI/AAAAAAAAEUk/GB5Ju8Zu8g8BDuxqADJ9dBe8c6M8kP3xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Emma%2BCurtis%2BProfile%2BPic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am delighted to welcome Emma Curtis to my blog this week as part of my psychological thriller author series. I've so enjoyed discovering more about my fellow thriller writers and, however well I know the author, I always find out something new. I had the pleasure of meeting Emma for the first time this year and I'm delighted that she agreed to be interviewed as part of the series.</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You’ve written several
psychological thrillers. Have you always written in this genre?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
I started out, I wanted to write romance, because I loved romantic novels; in
fact I rarely read anything that didn't have an element at least of romance in
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried very hard; submitted several
efforts to agents but got nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
book that secured me representation, was a quirky story about a woman's
childhood imaginary friend coming back to haunt her after she was involved in
an accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, it proved
very difficult to follow that up!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like
many authors, getting published after the massive success of Gone Girl changed
the landscape, and I was steered towards psychological suspense by my then
editor. I had never heard the term before and was ambivalent at first. However,
since<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my first love, romance, had never
worked for me as a writer, I was relieved to find that I had a talent for this
particular genre. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you remember
where you were and what you were doing when the idea for your latest novel came
to you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wish I did, but I had several
germs of ideas milling round my brain and I kept switching between them, trying
to work out not which I liked best, but which had the legs for a novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What sparked the idea was an
incident at St Thomas's hospital about three weeks before I gave birth to my
son there in 1989.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A child was
stolen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was found quite by chance
about three weeks later, but what struck me was that back then the woman who
took her might just as easily have got away with it. Then I thought, what would life be like for
the kidnapper, the parents and that child sixteen years later.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you a plotter
or a pantster and how long does it take you to write your thrillers?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I
was never a planner; I don't think many writers are naturally. However, I've
had several false starts and two novels written and rewritten that have been
rejected by my editor, so now, both for my sanity and my publishers, I write a
detailed proposal and get that agreed before I begin. I wish I didn't have to,
because it means coming up with a fully realised plot rather than letting it
develop organically, but psychological suspense has to be so tautly written, so
twisty and pacey, that the chances of getting it right without planning are
slim to none.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could you describe
your typical writing day?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My best writing day includes an
empty house and uninviting weather!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
like to start at 6.30am and work through till lunch, go for a long walk to mull
over what I've done, then make any fixes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to finish a chapter a day, whether it's to my satisfaction or
not, so my first draft is far from perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I get from that is the momentum and pace uninterrupted writing brings
to the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m sure my
readers would love to hear about your road to publication. Was it long and
winding or did you take a short cut?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve had loads of rejections!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several unpublished and
unpublishable novels knocking around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was banging my head against a brick wall until I discovered short story
competitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote and entered as
many as I could – I had a spreadsheet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hit rate of first, second, shortlisted and longlisted placements was
about twenty-five percent, and this gave me something to mention in my cover
letter to literary agents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
time I won a competition I was so euphoric I emailed my entire workplace!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nowadays aspiring authors are up against
graduates of MA courses, journalists and people connected in some way to
publishing – you only have to look at authors’ bios to see how many arrive via
these routes. Short story competitions gave me those credentials.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With my previous novels I would
send out to, at the most, six agents and after getting six rejections I’d be
too demoralised to send out more. With my debut I avoided that scenario by
submitting to around thirty within a space of three weeks so that all my
submissions would be out before the rejections started tumbling into my inbox.
It paid off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you ever
struggle to find inspiration?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration strikes too often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so many premises for books that excite
me. It's when you get to the nitty
gritty of working out whether there's a book length story in them that things
get tricky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it's the best
premises that let you down, sometimes they're just too far-fetched to be usable
– those are better for short stories.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What do you like
to do when you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I walk, read, do housework,
cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything to keep me away from the
computer for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repetitive Strain
Injury is a real problem, so I have to make sure I give myself a physical break
from writing as well as a mental one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
does your family think of your writing?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My
family has been amazing. Right through the years when I was trying to get
myself an agent and suffering rejection after rejection, they never once
suggested I give up or that I was wasting my time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
my first book came out in 2015, my son was twenty-six, my daughter twenty-four,
which made it easier because they were long past the age when they could be
embarrassed by their parents.The lovely thing having about having adult
children when you're a writer, is that their friends support you too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My
husband has been brilliant. I gave up my job as a school secretary in 2012,
telling him that I just needed one year to give my writing a big push and then
I would go back. Just one little year! Six months after I left my job I was
taken on by Victoria Hobbs at AM Heath and two months after that Transworld
agreed to publish me; so I never did go back. He has supported me and backed me
ever since and I owe him such a lot. I honestly wouldn't be where I am now
without him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What
suggestions do you have to help a writer write better?</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There
are so many things that you need to know, even if you write well. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Less
is more.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cut to the chase. Remember to
love your bad guys as much as your good guys. They have souls too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If
you feel strongly about something, whether it's environmental, political or
personal, your characters may well feel the same way, they may even have a bit
of a rant about the subject from time to time. For God's sake, don't let them!
A reader can spot an author's pet issues a mile off and it's not a good look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Make
sure everything your characters do has an iron-clad motivation. It's all too easy
to make them do something exciting for the sake of it, but an editor will pick
up on that immediately, as will a reader. Lack of sound motivation weakens a
book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Think
about when you are at a drinks party and you get talking to someone. There are
two types of big talkers at parties; those that talk at you, telling you the
story of their marvellous achievements in a way that makes you feel bombarded,
trapped and bored, and there are those who tell you about themselves in a way
that makes you feel included, important to them and interested, so that you
hang on their every word. They may not be telling the greatest tale, they may
not have had the most exciting life experiences, but they are talking to you in
a way that engages you. Whose book would you rather read? Always consider your
reader when you're writing. Your first job is to entertain them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What
next for Emma Curtis?</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well,
I've recently submitted the second draft of my book for 2020 and I'm busy
playing with various premises for the next book. I don't write notes, I work
things out on paper and if I do write something down it's an illegible scribble,
so I rely on my memory to sift for potential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spend a lot of time thinking about the stories and the characters and
seeing what rises to the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once
you're into the rhythm of writing and have several books under your belt there
is so much to juggle. The Night You Left needs attention in terms of publicity,
next year's book needs bringing up to the next level, and I'm waiting for the
light bulb moment for Book 5. I have to admit, I sometimes get confused!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHd-zyvQwRQ/XfjzQDwxfBI/AAAAAAAAEUw/69kcG_sdNBorI44MZyAiyqlYk6TE106GACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/NightYouLeft_9781784164010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1027" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHd-zyvQwRQ/XfjzQDwxfBI/AAAAAAAAEUw/69kcG_sdNBorI44MZyAiyqlYk6TE106GACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/NightYouLeft_9781784164010.jpg" width="205" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can buy The Night You Left <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-You-Left-Emma-Curtis/dp/1784164011" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Emma Curtis
was born in Brighton and brought up in London. Her fascination with the darker
side of domestic life inspired her to write One Little Mistake, her first
psychological suspense. She has since written two more thrillers for
Transworld, When I Find You and The Night You Left. Her fourth, Keep Her Quiet,
will be published in 2020. An
empty-nester living in Richmond with her husband, Emma is a workaholic and a
believer in the benefits of chocolate and a good night's sleep. </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">twitter: @emmacurtisbooks <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">instagram: emmacurtisauthor</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787438044751492963.post-91222802496539709102019-12-11T06:47:00.000+00:002019-12-11T06:47:14.604+00:00Someone is Lying - interview with Jenny Blackhurst<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp-8_kb9Yoc/Xe-sJfTRH9I/AAAAAAAAEUA/MMMVyqvO11k1wGjLPTfDGEkqEyNOmrMxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RNIBgtMc_400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp-8_kb9Yoc/Xe-sJfTRH9I/AAAAAAAAEUA/MMMVyqvO11k1wGjLPTfDGEkqEyNOmrMxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RNIBgtMc_400x400.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>How exciting! Another week and another author in my psychological thriller author series. Today, it's the turn of, Jenny Blackhurst whose debut, How I Lost You, became an Amazon No 1 bestseller. I love interviews as you never know what the answers will be and they're always very different and fascinating. This one is no exception!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You’ve written several psychological thrillers. Have
you always written in this genre?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have, but I didn’t imagine I would. I’ve always
enjoyed reading crime and thought one day I would write a detective novel. I
wrote my first psych thriller a bit by accident and my publishers wanted more,
then that became my genre.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you remember where you were and what you were doing
when the idea for your latest novel came to you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It doesn’t really work like that for me – there’s
rarely one single moment of inspiration, more like a slow dripping of small
ideas that form together. It’s usually at the most inconvenient of times too,
like in the shower or when I’m driving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Are you a plotter or a pantster and how long does it
take you to write your thrillers?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m a plotter now – although my first book was
pantsed, I’ve plotted all the others. I really enjoy the plotting phase. First
drafts take me around four months then there’s a couple of months of edits. I
really should write faster now I’m full time but I don’t seem to get any more
done than when I had a day job.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Could you describe your typical writing day?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don’t have one! I considered answering these
questions as the writer I <i>should</i> be, rather than the writer I actually
am – I have a lovely office and I should be in there around 9am, surrounded by
books and inspirational quotes, writing until the sun goes down and my pencils
are stubs. In reality I do a lot of writing in front of the fire in my front
room, or in bed! My kids come home at 3.30, which wouldn’t be an issue if I was
in the office but as I’m not they are far too shouty for me to concentrate so I
usually give up and pretend to do housework.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I’m sure my readers would love to hear about your road
to publication. Was it long and winding or did you take a short cut?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was very lucky in my publication journey. I started
writing my first novel after being made redundant when my son was 4 weeks old –
it was published before he was three. Psychological thrillers were on the rise
and my book was just very well timed. I didn’t have any contacts at all – in
fact my editor asked me who I knew in the world of publishing and my answer was
a very tentative, ‘you?’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you see anything of yourself in any of your
characters?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I wrote How I Lost You I poured a lot of myself
into Susan – not the way she acts or speaks but a lot of her feelings about
motherhood and how terrifying it is and her loss of identity. Some of my sense
of humour went into Cassie, her best friend, who is still one of my favourite
characters to date (maybe because I think she’s hilarious!). I think writers
sprinkle a little of themselves into all of their characters – except the
psychopathic villains of course.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you like to do when you’re not writing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everything! Obviously reading, fiction and
non-fiction, watching TV – especially true crime. I could lose a few days doing
a Wasjig (it’s a jigsaw where you don’t get given the picture) and I like to
learn things – I learned how to do a Rubix cube in under three and a half
minutes, learned how to crochet, magic tricks – then once I’ve conquered the
skill I promptly give up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What does your family think of your writing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They are incredibly proud of me. My kids tell everyone
their mum is an author and if they spot one of my books in a shop they can be
very embarrassing. Same goes for my mum, actually. My mother in law is called
Jenny Blackhurst and has pretended to be me twice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What suggestions do you have to help a writer write
better?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘Write better’ is very subjective – one person’s bad
writing is another person’s favourite book! My advice to new writers would be
to read a lot – it’s the absolute best way to learn how to tell a good story.
Films are also brilliant for learning about structure (especially Disney), even
video games. Inhale any form of storytelling and you can’t help but improve.
Plus I just gave you an excuse to read and watch Disney. You’re welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What next for Jenny Blackhurst?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately that’s top secret classified
information. So classified I’m not entirely sure myself! I have a couple of
things going on and am quite excited to see where they go but until I know more
my lips are sealed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Jenny Blackhurst grew up in Shropshire where she still lives with her
husband, two children, hamster, twelve chickens and dog. Her first book How I
Lost You was published in 2014 and became an Amazon No 1 bestseller. In the
years that have followed Jenny has written four more books, been published all
over the world and sold over half a million copies in the UK alone, winning the
Silver Nielsen Award in 2017.</i></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can buy Someone is Lying <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Someone-Lying-Jenny-Blackhurst-ebook/dp/B07JGYRWJ8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=34WLIJYOZJPLG&keywords=someone+is+lying&qid=1575987805&sprefix=someone%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a></span></span></div>
Wendy's Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.com2