Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My home town is Wrexham, North Wales, though my partner and I have moved around a lot in the UK before settling in Cardiff twenty years ago. I have written four novels all of them influenced by either my own experiences or those of friends.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Text me from your Grave was inspired by a visit to an old Abbey in a place called Holywell not far from the North Wales coast. A legend surrounding an ancient eighth century well and Saint Winefride made me think about how I could weave the ghost of Saint Winefride into a modern murder mystery/detective story. I thought the best way to do this was to first connect the ancient ghost with a modern one and see how far I could develope the story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have a set pattern for writing, but I make sure I write a few hours every day. When I write depends on what is happening that particular day. If a friend invites me out for coffee and cake or lunch or some other such thing, I rarely refuse! I just grab a few hours every day when I can. Sometimes I write all day (about 6 hours) with plenty of tea or coffee breaks!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Donna Tartts ‘Secret History’ had a long lasting affect on me as indeed Carlos Ruiz Zafron’s ‘Shadow of the Wind’. More recently I have admired ‘Eleanor Oliphant is completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman and ‘The Muse’ by Jessie Burton. Reading these books made me realise that it isn’t so much about how you write but what you write. That said, I like the writing to flow so that there are no awkward ‘bumps’ in the story. I’ve read a lot of crime novels lately and I am experimenting with some ideas to write one of my own.
What are you working on now?
I am in the process of editing my latest novel “The Keeper”. It is probably best put in the category of ‘Crime’ though it would easily fit into the genre of ‘Commercial Fiction’. It might just fit into a psychological thriller. I seem to have a knack of writing novels that appear to have a genre of their own! It is about a young widow wanting to start a new life in a different town with her small daughter. Unfortunately, her helping hand leads her to abducting three young children. From then on it becomes a cat and mouse game with the police.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still trying to find the best way to promote my books. Before the lockdown I had planned on organising a tour of various towns with some fellow writers. Local bookshops organise ‘Book signing events’ which so far I haven’t managed to do, but hopefully when the pandemic is over, I can do that. Websites such as this one is a big step for me, so hopefully it well help. The website A – Z of Welsh Writers is a good stepping stone. I advertised it on FB and sold a few books on the strength of that. But you have to keep plugging away.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I joined a writer’s circle a year ago and have learned a lot from fellow writers. It helps to give you confidence in what you do. It is nice to talk to fellow writers and to bounce ideas off them. Similarly a group of friends decided to start a book club and we have read a huge cross section of books over the last two years. It is interesting to learn what readers like and don’t like. We don’t always agree! Yes we have wine and cheese too, but we are serious about the books!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up on your dreams. Believe in yourself and work hard.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just bought Mick Herron’s ‘Down Cemetery Road’. I haven’t read any of his books before, so tonight I will make a start.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I still have ideas in my head for at least three more books. If one of my ideas for a detective series takes off then maybe I will write more. Meanwhile my local library have got to know me and bought my first three books. When the city library opens properly to the public again, I have been promised a slot for an “author sign in”.
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?
‘A month in the Country’ by J. Carr, a gentle story of an artist’s encounters in post war North Yorkshire; Headhunters by Jo Nesbo, a very involved crime novel to bury myself in and ‘Life of Pi’ by Yann Martel. I’ve seen the film but never read the book. It might uplift me if I’m on a desert island.
Author Websites and Profiles
Pamela Cartlidge Amazon Profile