Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born in London, UK in 1954, now a great-grandmother & living in Bucks, UK.
I’ve published 14 books to date but 3 of those were single short stories which were eBooks only as they were too short for paperbacks, those 3 stories have been combined to make book 14 which is called Trio.
I also have 2 Tarot books for beginners, a novella (Witch Spelling), 2 novels (Serial Stalker & Restless Spectres), a book of 20 short murder stories, a book of 3 reincarnation shorts, a children’s dragon book & 2 poetry books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent novel is Serial Stalker & it was inspired by a dream, I woke up with the memory of a dream murder which I’ve made murder number 5 (the 1st chapter).
As in most dreams, part of it was illogical, it just couldn’t happen with a knife (as I saw it in the dream) so I had to change that to a shooting but as soon as I could get to my PC after waking, I trotted out the first 1000+ words of the story in record time.
As a pantser, I never know where a story will take me as it unfolds but as the beginning was so clear to me, it just went where it wanted to go from there.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say unusual but sometimes I think of little snippets or ideas for the story I’m working on & put them in the manuscript below the part I’m writing, then see if they fit into the story later.
I’ll use them if I can, sometimes it could just be a word, a phrase or a paragraph, some need altering to fit, some just seem as though they were always meant to be there.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve written in several genres so I don’t really know if any in particular have influenced me more than any others. I think all authors may possibly be influenced by everything they’ve ever read, or seen, or heard.
My favourite books of all time though have to be The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings.
I love anything witchy too.
What are you working on now?
My WIP is non-fiction & is coming along nicely but will still take a while.
I’m hoping to have it completed & published before Christmas as it would be good for people to buy as presents (suitable for birthdays as well, not just Christmas).
I’m keeping that a little hush-hush for now, I don’t want too much competition before I’ve even published it. 🙂
There are others out there but I don’t think there are any exactly like mine. I hope not anyway.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try promoting on my blog, Twitter, Facebook, occasional AMS ads (Amazon) & anywhere else that looks like it mifght help.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
When I first started to publish, I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
Since then, I’ve discovered so much that has helped me through hanging about in author’s forums.
My books are now much improved from my initial submissions, a lot have had new covers & I’ve reworked the formatting etc.
My best advice would be… learn as much as you can about every aspect of writing & publishing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write more books.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading a vampire story (Blood & Holy Water) which I’m enjoying.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After my WIP, I’m toying with the idea of a book 2 for Witch Spelling but that’s not a definite plan.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That’s a difficult question as I usually only read a book once & I have several in my cloud reader library waiting for me.
I’d want something witchy, magical, epic fantasy, deliciously murderous or paranormal.
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