Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a 45 year old mother of three. I have actually written two books but I look at the first one as a practice one! It was a children’s book and about 10,000 words. I figured that if I had the discipline to sit down and write that whilst working, I could manage a longer one when I gave up my job.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It is called Rosie’s Choice. The inspiration for it came from my own experience as a working mother and how hard it was to juggle both things. I had been working with older people so Winnie was inspired by some wonderful older ladies that I had met and worked with.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I just sit and it all comes pouring out of me. When it comes to editing, that is more painful and harder for me. I have a lot of bad habits!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was growing up I loved to read anything by Stephen King or James Herbert. I loved The Rats and Carrie. In my twenties (pre kids) I loved reading things like Steinbeck and Daphne Du Maurier. We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver was a stand out book for me when I read it many years ago and I’ve read it a few times since. Recently I’ve read The Binding by B.R Collins which took my breath away and I loved The Ballroom by Anna Hope.
What are you working on now?
I have an idea for a book and have started on it but I don’t know if I will be able to finish it. I’m setting up my own business at the moment and there is not a lot of time in the day.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m hoping that it will be Awesome Gang! This is all new to me, I’m just starting out and trying things for the first time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Listen to that voice in your head that is telling you to write. If you have a great idea, get it down on paper!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Just keep chipping away. Even if you only manage an hour a day, you are making progress.
What are you reading now?
This Boy by Alan Johnson. My mum recommended it to me and I can’t put it down. It’s not normally something I would read but it was in the pile by my bed so I picked it up one day. I’m not half way through yet but I’m hooked.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m hoping that I will get some good reviews for Rosie’s Choice. That would make me happy!
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?
I think that I would take the Games of Thrones series. They are weighty tomes and would help the time pass quickly. I might need to bring We Need to Talk About Kevin so that I could read it one last time!
Author Websites and Profiles
Carole Reed Amazon Profile