An interview given to a magazine in 2021 on the publication of From Shetland, With Love
1. What was your first job after leaving full-time education?
From the age of 18 to 21, I worked for NatWest bank in Tamworth as a bank clerk. It was a job my parents encouraged me to go after as I had no true direction career wise. I came from a very traditional family so a career wasn’t something that was encouraged, to be fair. I enjoyed my time at the bank, but they started to set quotas of ‘ask every third person about life insurance or mortgage advise’ and I didn’t enjoy that aspect. I met lots of lovely people and probably draw on the descriptions of many observed features for my own characters. I use this particular bank role in my book ‘New Beginnings At Rose Cottage’.
2. Who was your first crush - real life or famous?
George Michael – from 1982 until his untimely death in 2016
3. What was your first piece of creative writing outside of school/college/uni?
I studied a GCSE English Language course back in 2003, purely for enjoyment. I’d been writing in secret at home for years prior to this, but this was the first time I ever allowed anyone to read what I had written. I could hardly refuse she was the tutor! Anyway, she awarded me an ‘A’ grade for that piece so that was a nice boost to my confidence. After I secured an ‘A*’ grade in the final exam, I joined a local writers’ group and so began my journey towards publication with sharing me writing.
4. Do you have a favourite tipple, alcoholic or otherwise?
I am a tea monster by day. I sometimes make two mugs at a time as it saves my legs dashing back and forth between my writing room and the kitchen. At night, I like a cheeky gin & tonic or a glass of vino.
5. Are you a cat or dog person?
I’m both. I’ve had cats for 25 years since moving from my parents’ home, and ten years ago I got my first dog, a miniature poodle called Teddy. He’s my official writing buddy, though he does very little other than sleep, but he drags me away from my desk for regular exercise.
6. What is your favourite TV show or series from the past twelve months?
I’m currently enjoying a ten-part series ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ which is focusing upon Monica Lewinsky’s affair with Bill Clinton. I read her ‘very honest’ autobiography a while back and it was fascinating to see how the jigsaw pieces of politics and human nature mesh together and nearly brought down the president.
7. Do you have a favourite holiday destination or special memorable holiday?
As a child, I used to wonder what the islands at the top of the weather map were called. On realising it was ‘Shetland’ it became a bucket list destination for me. In April 2019, I eventually booked a holiday and disappeared for a fabulous time. After a day, I knew that I’d be setting a book there. It seems to be a popular location for the murder genre but not women’s contemporary fiction, but I wasn’t fazed. On the train home from Edinburgh, I opened my laptop and began to write and that manuscript became my book ‘FROM SHETLAND WITH LOVE’. This book has become a four-book series with ‘FROM SHETLAND WITH LOVE AT CHRISTMAS’ being published in September 2021 and two more titles to be published in 2022. Personally, I think they should be read in order, but readers tell me they’ve understand perfectly well out of order.
8. Do you like to read in the same genre as you write?
I read every day, it is a habit from my childhood. When working on a draft one, I tend to read books published a few years ago or the classics. I find it comforting to not have anything of the genre in which I write, in case a detail, name or plot event lingers in my brain and finds its way into my work. Once I’m at the editing stage, I’ll happily read current fiction as there’s no fear I know my books own story by that point. I tend to switch authors and genre after each reading book, so I don’t get stuck in a reading rut. I also do reading challenges to broaden my range of reading and introduce authors I’ve never read before.
9. How do you deal with negative reviews. Ignore; try to see their POV; get upset?
I tell myself everyone has the right to an honest opinion of my work. No one has ever written the perfect book, painted the perfect picture or sculpted the perfect statue which we all adore and love. If Shakespeare, Monet and Rodin can’t do that then why am I expecting little old me to be liked and enjoyed by every reader. I also think that the one star reviews make the five and four star reviews look real!
10. Cast your mind back to when you were thirteen and complete the following sentence:
When I grow up I want to be ... an author! I secretly wanted to be an author all my life, but would never have said it aloud as it sounds so pretentious. My family had very traditional views on the roles of females and ‘dreams’ such as mine weren’t encouraged.
1. What was your first job after leaving full-time education?
From the age of 18 to 21, I worked for NatWest bank in Tamworth as a bank clerk. It was a job my parents encouraged me to go after as I had no true direction career wise. I came from a very traditional family so a career wasn’t something that was encouraged, to be fair. I enjoyed my time at the bank, but they started to set quotas of ‘ask every third person about life insurance or mortgage advise’ and I didn’t enjoy that aspect. I met lots of lovely people and probably draw on the descriptions of many observed features for my own characters. I use this particular bank role in my book ‘New Beginnings At Rose Cottage’.
2. Who was your first crush - real life or famous?
George Michael – from 1982 until his untimely death in 2016
3. What was your first piece of creative writing outside of school/college/uni?
I studied a GCSE English Language course back in 2003, purely for enjoyment. I’d been writing in secret at home for years prior to this, but this was the first time I ever allowed anyone to read what I had written. I could hardly refuse she was the tutor! Anyway, she awarded me an ‘A’ grade for that piece so that was a nice boost to my confidence. After I secured an ‘A*’ grade in the final exam, I joined a local writers’ group and so began my journey towards publication with sharing me writing.
4. Do you have a favourite tipple, alcoholic or otherwise?
I am a tea monster by day. I sometimes make two mugs at a time as it saves my legs dashing back and forth between my writing room and the kitchen. At night, I like a cheeky gin & tonic or a glass of vino.
5. Are you a cat or dog person?
I’m both. I’ve had cats for 25 years since moving from my parents’ home, and ten years ago I got my first dog, a miniature poodle called Teddy. He’s my official writing buddy, though he does very little other than sleep, but he drags me away from my desk for regular exercise.
6. What is your favourite TV show or series from the past twelve months?
I’m currently enjoying a ten-part series ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ which is focusing upon Monica Lewinsky’s affair with Bill Clinton. I read her ‘very honest’ autobiography a while back and it was fascinating to see how the jigsaw pieces of politics and human nature mesh together and nearly brought down the president.
7. Do you have a favourite holiday destination or special memorable holiday?
As a child, I used to wonder what the islands at the top of the weather map were called. On realising it was ‘Shetland’ it became a bucket list destination for me. In April 2019, I eventually booked a holiday and disappeared for a fabulous time. After a day, I knew that I’d be setting a book there. It seems to be a popular location for the murder genre but not women’s contemporary fiction, but I wasn’t fazed. On the train home from Edinburgh, I opened my laptop and began to write and that manuscript became my book ‘FROM SHETLAND WITH LOVE’. This book has become a four-book series with ‘FROM SHETLAND WITH LOVE AT CHRISTMAS’ being published in September 2021 and two more titles to be published in 2022. Personally, I think they should be read in order, but readers tell me they’ve understand perfectly well out of order.
8. Do you like to read in the same genre as you write?
I read every day, it is a habit from my childhood. When working on a draft one, I tend to read books published a few years ago or the classics. I find it comforting to not have anything of the genre in which I write, in case a detail, name or plot event lingers in my brain and finds its way into my work. Once I’m at the editing stage, I’ll happily read current fiction as there’s no fear I know my books own story by that point. I tend to switch authors and genre after each reading book, so I don’t get stuck in a reading rut. I also do reading challenges to broaden my range of reading and introduce authors I’ve never read before.
9. How do you deal with negative reviews. Ignore; try to see their POV; get upset?
I tell myself everyone has the right to an honest opinion of my work. No one has ever written the perfect book, painted the perfect picture or sculpted the perfect statue which we all adore and love. If Shakespeare, Monet and Rodin can’t do that then why am I expecting little old me to be liked and enjoyed by every reader. I also think that the one star reviews make the five and four star reviews look real!
10. Cast your mind back to when you were thirteen and complete the following sentence:
When I grow up I want to be ... an author! I secretly wanted to be an author all my life, but would never have said it aloud as it sounds so pretentious. My family had very traditional views on the roles of females and ‘dreams’ such as mine weren’t encouraged.
An Interview from 2017 on publication of my debut novel: A Christmas Wish
- Where did you get the inspiration for the character of Flora? Sometimes in life you have to face your fears and discover the truth in order to move forward and find happiness. Flora was abandoned as a new-born on a doorstep, she believes her beginnings have tainted the first three decades of her life. A Christmas Wish follows Flora’s journey as she tries to discover the truth about her biological mother in order to create a future for herself. During her quest, Flora meets numerous characters who offer help and guidance, some more than others. I know my family history and ancestral roots so, have often wondered how other people cope when you don’t have the facts or truly understand their beginnings. I’ve watched many tv programmes about fostering, adoption and foundlings who have openly shared their stories and feelings. I am always amazed by their courage to face adversity and enjoy the life they have, whilst seeking the truth. I’m not sure I would have coped with such looming questions surrounding my beginnings.
- Do you have a favourite part or scene from A Christmas Wish? Could you tell us why you love it? I have numerous favourite scenes, I hope I don’t ruin the surprises for my readers. It goes without saying that I love the scenes that contain romance – a little flirtation does us good. I love fairy-tale settings where an author can create a perfect evening of magic and romance so the winter picnic is a special setting. Flora’s arrival at The Peacock pub is a particular example because I love the warm atmosphere that welcomes her. I adore people like Annie, the landlady. Annie-types are warm, loving and are not afraid to show they care. They don’t stand on ceremony, have no airs and graces yet focus on the priorities of life – taking others under their wing. They’ll give you their last penny and yet, are nobody’s fool. Flora needs a secure home during her stay, like a freshly feathered nest and she finds it at The Peacock pub. Another favourite scene is quite an emotional one so, even though it makes me cry, I’m glad I included it as it honours people who have left my life.
- What does your average writing day look like? My average writing day is a little strange. Recently, I’ve started to write very early in the morning arriving at my desk at 5am on weekdays. I tend to work for an hour, then hastily switch from my imagination to greet reality and the day-job. At lunchtime, I can sometimes squeeze in a little research or a quick writing session otherwise I have to wait until evening for a second writing session. Weekends are different, I tend to secure one day as a writing day, the other is downtime spent with my husband. The dream would be to be a full-time author and simply write.
- Who are some of your own favorite authors at the moment? I have an eclectic mix of current authors – I tend to switch genres depending on my current writing project. I tend to move away from commercial romances whilst creating my first draft and then drift back once I reach the editing stage. There’s quite a few, for years I love anything by Jill Mansell, Marian Keyes, Jo Thomas and Katie Fforde. In recent years, I have also read Bella Osborne, Helen Phifer, Cally L Taylor, Miranda Dickenson, Rowan Coleman and Julie Cohen. I take delight in Ian Rankin, Stephen King and Bill Bryson when I’m looking for a change. My guilty pleasure that takes me back to my teenage years is Agatha Christie – oh, to be that age again and read all day!
- What message do you want readers to take away from your novel? Simply that despite your past, everyone can have a fresh start and enjoy a new beginning. We all know how it feels to feel different and awkward amongst a crowd, be it friends, family or loved ones. I think it’s human nature to want to fit in with our chosen crowd - have the same qualities or traits as our friends. Likewise, I think it’s an innate response that we wish to protect, support and assist those that we see having a rough time in life. Flora and her best friends, Lisa and Steph have such a bond which has withstood the test of time. Flora wishes to be free of her niggling insecurities to secure a happy future. The past six months have been tough and she’s certain all the bad luck stems from her beginnings. My great-grandmother was called Flora, which I felt was the perfect name for an individual with a delicate situation who needs to grow and potentially blossom.
- Has any other writer in particular influenced the way you write? I remember reading Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes and loving the honesty with which the story is told. I felt the same with Jemima J by Jane Green. As a reader, both books introduced me to an individual I could relate too. I think it’s the honesty and depth of emotion regards their situations that lifts from the page.
- If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be? Work towards your dream. Dreams are like house plants you need to constantly feed, nurture and water the roots then one day quite unexpectedly it blossoms - thanks to your dedicated care and attention.
- Can you tell us a bit about your plans for the future? I am currently editing book two – the underlying theme is beauty and the beast. In life, I’ve met many people who society deem as talented, inspirational and polished beauties but sadly, sometimes their actions, behaviour and hearts can be pretty beastly. Whereas other people can be shunned by society or overlooked for how they appear, act or live and yet have beautiful souls. Book two is a romance entwining elements of each helping to redefine how the protagonist, Esme Peel, the only girl in a house-share with all males, views other people. Esme receives ‘lessons in life’ from the unlikeliest candidate and re-evaluates her own beliefs and values regards those she once loved and loathed.
