Meet Suspense Author Lynda Stacey

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

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

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

What three words would you use to describe your novel?

Family, intrigue, murder.

How long did it take you to write?

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

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

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

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

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

What was your favourite chapter to write?

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

Describe a typical publication day.

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

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

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

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

What does your family think of your writing?

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

Any advice for budding authors?

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

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

Finally... believe in yourself.

What next for Lynda Stacey?

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

KEEPER OF SECRETS

Should some secrets stay buried?

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

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

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

Buying Links:

Kindle: https://smarturl.it/7v75yy

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2pLIiXC

iBooks: https://apple.co/2pNhUNb

Google Books: https://bit.ly/2PfHWDb

Nook: https://bit.ly/2N9N5dj

Audible: https://adbl.co/2PhM1a6

A Little About Lynda

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

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

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

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

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @Lyndastacey

Facebook: Lynda Stacey Author

Website: www.Lyndastacey.co.uk

Book Marketing for Dummies

As many of you will know, two week's ago saw the publication of my Christmas short story collection, Silent Night. It's been exciting seeing my third collection hitting the Amazon shelves but books don't sell themselves... oh no.

You can read about my launch here.

I knew that if I wanted to make Silent Night visible to readers, I would need to take action. That means using the M word. Yes, you know the one... marketing. As anyone who has tried to publicise their book knows, without it, you might as well just print the pages out and read them to yourself. Particularly if a) the book is self-published b) it's a collection of short stories c) your book baby is coming out in the two months before Christmas along with everyone else's!

I am by no means an expert in marketing (hence the title of the post) and it's difficult to know what things work without publishing a control book on the same day and doing no marketing, but I will try to help a little.

Below, are some suggestions for those starting out, based on what I've done and learnt so far.

1. Say "Pretty please" to book reviewers

A few weeks before publication day, I put out a request on the fabulous Book connectors Facebook group (if you don't belong to it, you're missing out) asking whether any lovely, kind book reviewers would be willing to take a look at Silent Night. It was a nail-biting wait after I'd clicked 'post' as I know that I'd left it very later to ask and most of the reviewers have a toppling pile of novels waiting to be read from traditionally published authors. Imagine then my delight when several reviewers said they'd be happy to have a read. Who knows, maybe they thought my thirteen short stories would be a quick and easy read after a 90,000 word manuscript. Whatever it was, I was very happy.

Of course the risk is that the reviewer might not like your book (that's the price you have to pay for requesting an honest review) but I'm delighted to say that the first reviewer, Rachel Gilbey from 'Rachel's Random Reads', really enjoyed my collection, commenting that Silent Night is 'a great showcase to Wendy Clarke's writing talents'. How lovely! You can read the rest of  Rachel's review here.

I've also had a review from across the pond. This time from Kathryn at Book Ink Reviews.
She said, 'Within a few pages, you become attached to each of her characters'. You can read the rest of her review here.

I'm looking forward to reading what the other book bloggers have to say when the reviews come in. Next time I won't leave it so close to publication date to ask (I'm aware that Christmas publications have a short shelf life).

2. Don't be afraid to ask to guest on someone's blog

Again on the Book Connectors Facebook group, I asked if anyone would like to interview me on their blog or have me write a guest post for them, linked to something in my story collection. Having hosted over fifty guests myself on Wendy's Writing Now, I didn't feel bad asking and it was lovely how many people were happy to oblige (especially authors and bloggers who have been guests on my own blog). What a lovely supportive bunch writers are.

Here's where I've been so far - many thanks to all of them. Why not pop over and have a read. I love the variety of questions I've been asked.

Brook Cottage Books  (interview)
Clare Flynn                  (interview)
Lynda Stacey               (guest post - Christmas through the eyes of different characters)
Angela Petch                (interview) 
Books and Wine Gums   (interview)

...and last but not least, a huge thank you to Jessie Cahalin from the amazing Books in My Handbag blog. Considering Jessie and I have never met either in real life or on social media before, she has given up an inordinate amount of time to voluntarily promote my book. 

First there was the picture of my collection in her handbag gallery linking to my Amazon page and then a short interview and extract from my book which can be read here. She has also tirelessly tweeted and promoted on Facebook and twitter, going above and beyond what I'd expect and I can't thank her enough.

Here's a picture of Silent Night in my handbag.

I have more guest posts lined up in the next weeks.

3. Learn how to do it properly

A bit late I know but a few days before publication, I went up to London to take part in the Neetsmarketing Social Media for Writers course, run by the fabulous Anita Chapman. Anita has got masses of great advice on her Neetsmarketing blog and you can read the guest post she wrote for me here. I'm pretty good with social media but there's always something new to learn. After attending this course, I came back determined to do numbers 4 and 5 below.

4. Set up a Facebook Author Page 

I've only ever had a Facebook profile page, as I joined Facebook after I started writing and the only 'friends' I had were other writers. However, with a new collection to publicise, I knew I was stepping on thin ice using my personal profile for marketing so decided to bite the bullet and set up an author page so I could put up an Amazon link every now and again without being thrown into Facebook gaol. What I've since learn, though, is that unless you pay to 'boost' your post, very few of the people who 'like' your page actually get to see your post. Grrrr.

If you wish, you can find and 'like' my author page here.

5. Try out a new social media

After going on Anita's course, I decided to try a new social media - Instagram. To be honest, I had absolutely no idea what it was or how to use it. I do now... and it's so simple! Basically, you post pretty pictures (after making them as good as you can by using the different filters) then adding relevant hashtags. That's it. Simples. So far I really love it but how does it work with book marketing? Every now and again, I've put up a picture of something book-related (my book cover, or the bookmarks my husband has made for me)

Then I've added appropriate hashtags and mentioned the link to Amazon that's in my bio (you can't add live links to your photo). It's too early to say whether this is working but it gets your book info in front of a new and diverse audience.

6. Make some good adverts

This is one I made earlier. It's my favourites and I think it deserves a Blue Peter Badge. It's a Twitter banner which I made on my ipad using Canva. I just love this site. The trick is to make several different ones and change them around frequently. I also try not to bombard people with 'buy me' posts but slip them in amongst other things.

7. Don't be scared to mention your book

I took my bookmarks and a sample copy of Silent Night to my choir practice. Many of the ladies are in the age bracket who read the magazines I write for and have bought my other collections. I've had several paperback sales already. These ladies may not be on social media and if I hadn't told them about Silent Night it would have been a market I'd missed. Think about who goes to your pilates/badminton/swimming club - might they like a book like yours?

And that's it... so far. 

The only marketing tip I've left to try is the Amazon Countdown price drop (I've used this promotion for my other collections with varying degrees of success). It will be happening very soon... watch out for it.

So, if you're a dummy at marketing like I was, why not try giving some of these things a go. They might not get you into the best-seller list but at least you'll have fun trying.

If you have any marketing ideas that have worked for you, please feel free to put them in the comments.

Tell Me No Secrets - Guest Post Lynda Stacey

Today, I am delighted to welcome back to my blog, the talented author, Lynda Stacey. Her second novel, Tell Me No Secrets, was published by Choc Lit at the beginning of April and I wanted to find out a little more about her writing life and her new thriller. 

So let's begin.

You’ve met me in the elevator. Can you convince me to buy Tell Me No Secrets before we reach the ground floor?

Tell Me No Secrets is a story of lies and deceit. Nothing is as it seems and you soon realise that the people closest to you are not always those you can trust.  Nothing is as it seems, and in Kate Duggan’s case, the man she loves is the person she really should fear the most.

Tell Me No Secrets is your second novel. Did you find it easier or harder to write than your first?

Ha..ha… that’s a great question. But Tell Me No Secrets was actually the first novel I wrote. It had had a working title of Broken Jigsaw and in 2013 had been shortlisted for the Festival of Romance New Talent Award. It didn’t win, but being shortlisted gave me the confidence to keep going, to do all the re-writes, and the plot changes.

How long did it take you to write?

All in all, it took around two years. As I said earlier, this was the first thing I’d ever written and if I’m perfectly honest it started out as a very different book, the original book was about child smuggling and Kate Duggan was the detective looking into it. However, it quickly became apparent that Kate Duggan as a character stood out and that it should be her story…. and so the re-writes began and the new plot emerged.

When you write a character do you have an image of a real-life person in your head?

Oh absolutely. I could literally go and knock on their doors and fully expect them to answer.

What was the hardest scene to write?

The most difficult scene for me was where Rob attacked her. As a young 20-year-old, I’d personally suffered from domestic abuse, my first husband put me in hospital on more than one occasion and while writing the scene, I distinctly remember holding my breath and having to force myself to take on air.

Can you describe a typical writing day?

Sporadic… this is the only word that fits. I work full time as a Sales Director for a stationery and office supplies company. This means that my hours are long and can be stressful. It therefore depends on my frame of mind in the evenings as to whether I write or not. I tend to get the laptop on my knee and tap away while the hubby is watching television, much to his delight because that means he can slip the footy on while I’m not concentrating.

How much research did you have to do for the novel?

I spent time with a private investigator and with ex-drugs squad police officer and author, Michael Fowler. He gave me a lot of tips on how the vans would be used, what would be in them and what drugs would be bought and sold in this way. I also spent some time in Bedale, Whitby and at Richmond Castle, all of these places are scenes within the book.

Of course at each of these locations I took my research seriously and had ‘fish and chips’ and a boat ride in Whitby, ‘Cream tea’ in Bedale and I tried the local ‘mead’ at Richmond  castle.

All in the name of research… of course!!

Are you a planner or a pantster?

Most definitely a pantster, my characters develop naturally, which means that I haven’t got a clue what they might do next.  I know where I want my novel to begin, where it should end and who should fall in love with who, but other than that, I just work my way through it, scene by scene.

I don’t plan anything, unless it’s a holiday of course and then I have a spread sheet for everything.

What’s next for Lynda Stacey?

I already have a contract with Choc Lit for Twisted Secrets, my 3^rd Novel. And I’m currently writing a sequel for ‘House of Secrets’, which has a working title of ‘House of Christmas Secrets’. I wasn’t planning a sequel, but I keep getting asked for one, so I decided to give it a go.

Thank you so much for visiting again, Lynda and I wish you lots of success with Tell Me No Secrets.

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

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

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

She lives in a small rural hamlet near Doncaster, with her husband, Haydn, to whom she’s been happily married for over 20 years.

Here's how you can get in touch with Lynda:

Link to ChocLit

Link to Amazon:

HOUSE OF SECRETS

TELL ME NO SECRETS

Facebook

Twitter

@Lyndastacey

Website

www.Lyndastacey.co.uk

Writing a Debut Novel - Guest Post Lynda Stacey

What a treat to have another lovely guest on my blog. This week it's Lynda Stacey's turn. Lynda is a member of the RNA and her debut novel, 'House of Secrets' has recently been published by Choc Lit. I thought it would be nice to catch up with her to ask a few questions about this exciting time in her writing career.

What were you like at school? Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes. I can't really ever remember not making up stories. I wrote as a child, and even asked my parents for a Lilliput Typewriter when I was 14. I made a big announcement that I was going to be an author and had every intention of doing just that. It only took me another 30 years, to actually get on with it.

Do you have a special time of day when you like to write?

I really like to write in a morning. I love to get up before the rest of the house (which means my husband) and I like to write while my mind is fresh and without influence of the rest of the day. I do however, due to working full time, end up writing in the evenings more often than not.

Did being in the RNA New Writers’ Scheme help you on your road to publication?

Most definitely, I'd advise everyone who ever decided that they'd like to write romance to join the RNA (Romantic Novelist Association) they have the best support system that I've ever known. The moment you join, you feel as though you've suddenly inherited around 250 siblings, all of whom want to cheer you on when things are going well and kick you up the backside when you need it. I'd honestly say that if I hadn't joined the NWS, I'd probably still be dreaming of becoming an author, and not doing anything about it. Also, the annual critique service is invaluable. It gives you the mind-set to write and submit… oh… and to wait for the response.

What about that Choc Lit and Wholestory Audiobooks Search for a Star competition? Can you tell my readers about the moment you heard you’d won?

I was at work when the email dropped in. It's a good job that my office is private, because I didn't know whether to scream, cry or laugh. Every single emotion went through me and I immediately rang my husband, who'd literally just left the office for the day. He was the first person that I had to tell and the day after, he took me shopping and bought me a half carat diamond ring, by way of celebration.

Your novel, House of Secrets, is set in a country house hotel. Is it based on a real hotel?

Yes. Wrea Head Hall is a real hotel, with real owners, staff and the most amazing rooms where you can stay. I'd happily and without reservation advise everyone to go and stay there. The food is amazing and because the hotel only has 22 rooms, you feel as though you've gone to your own country house for the weekend. The staff are fantastic and can't do enough for you.

Give us an insight into your main character. What do they do that will make the reader want to go on the journey with them?

Madeleine is a young single mother. She’s been widowed just prior to the birth of her daughter and has struggled to give Poppy the best start in life, and I honestly feel that a lot of women would relate to her. 

Did you meticulously plan your novel or are you a panster?

I'm very much a panster. I know where I want to begin and I know where I need things to end. But other than that, the characters come to life and they do the talking for me.

How much research did you have to do for it?

I had to do a lot of research into WW2, into rationing and how the young men were called up. I also looked into the men who didn't get called up, the men who worked in the mines, bringing us fuel. I also looked into how women lived in 1942. Emily Ennis was the daughter of a rich man and even though she was living in 1942, her life was protected by hierarchy. She didn't do what most women of that era did and I purposely wrote her as being a little more Victorian, because of all this.

What was the hardest part of writing it?

Rejection. You know it's coming from most avenues, but nothing prepares you for the first one. It's awful, you hate your writing, you hate all the hours you've devoted to it and of course, you're never going to write again. The writing process is like being on a giant rollercoaster without a track. One minute you’re up, the next you’re down.

It takes some doing, but… like all authors, I pick myself up and I start again.

Any advice for someone starting to write their first novel?

Keep writing and don't stop. Write every day and join the Romantic Novelist Association, they really are the best..!! x

Lynda, is a wife, step-mother and grandmother, she grew up in the mining village of Bentley, Doncaster, in South Yorkshire.

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

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

She lives in a small rural hamlet near Doncaster, with her husband, Haydn, whom she’s been happily married to for over 20 years.

Link to Choc Lit
http://www.choc-lit.com/dd-product/house-of-secrets/

Link to Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Secrets-Choc-Lynda-Stacey-ebook/dp/B01H9961XY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466448741&sr=8-1&keywords=Lynda+stacey
or
http://hyperurl.co/rys35u

Facebook
www.facebook.com/lyndastaceyauthor

Twitter
@Lyndastacey

Website
www.Lyndastacey.co.uk