Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired property manager and have written two historical novels, Voyage to Venning Road and A Divided Heritage. I was born and brought up in Yorkshire and lived in Zurich and London before finally settling in East Hampshire. Once retired I resurrected my love of writing and have written numerous short stories for my writing group, two, of which have been published. Another retirement hobby is family history research and my first novel, Voyage to Venning Road, was based on a true story I turned up concerning my great-uncle who lived and worked in Malaya.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Divided Heritage. It is in a sense a sequel to my first novel as it takes some of the fictional characters introduced into that book and continues with their lives. The main hero of A Divided Heritage was a child in the first book. This second book addresses the issues of racial prejudice and homophobia as they presented in the 1920s and 30s and also illuminates the sheer barbarity of war, at the same time as being a heart-rending love story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, but I do make copious shorthand notes when carrying out my research and also do a rough hand-written draft before typing up each section, editing as I go. I am meticulous about attention to detail, which is especially important when writing about a different era.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Bronte sisters, Patricia Highsmith, Dinah Jeffries, Noel Barber, amongst many others.
What are you working on now?
I am taking a break from writing novels – I will wait until a story starts writing itself in my head. Meanwhile, I am promoting my last novel and writing short stories.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Local media, Facebook, websites such as Awesome Gang.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Follow your dreams and write the stories you feel you must write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stick to your guns and write what you want to write.
What are you reading now?
Farewell to France by Noel Barber.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More short stories – I write one each month for my group – and maybe another novel, which will also be set in a an earlier period, as I love doing the historical research.
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?
Tanamera by Noel Barber, The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jeffries, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.