Interview With Author Shirley Goodrum
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wish I could say a million, but in truth I've published one, and started at least 10. I'm a retired bookkeeper turned book writer and after a working life of accounting deadlines, I've banned them in my writing world.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I found a newspaper cutting in my late parents' deed box. Yellowed with age, it's a photo of me wining a trip to Rio in a bra competition and it inspired me to sign up for a creative writing course and publish my debut novel, Baggage in a B Cup. The characters drove the process, refused to stick to my detailed outlined plot and introducing me to characters who sprung entirely from my imagination. Magic!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like writing in a quiet space, but that's a luxury in a three generation household. My husband says when he sees my head nodding – not as in going to sleep – he knows I'm lining up words and conjuring up fiction. It's his cue to make me a cup of tea or coffee, and prepare himself to be ignored and unfed while I disappear into the story as it works way onto my computer screen.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
All the books I've read have influenced me. Rupert the Bear, Noddy, Grimms Fairytales, Little Women, Heidi, Anne of Green Gables, Rebecca, What Katy Did, Nancy Drew, Angelique, Jeffrey Archer, Maeve Binchy, Marian Keyes, Jodi Picoult, Ken Follett, Alexander McCall Smith, William Smith, my list is endless and encompasses all genres.
What are you working on now?
A Breast of Baggage, the sequel to Baggage in a B Cup, which is proving to be as difficult to keep on course as my first book. Suddenly the hairdresser from the debut has appeared and I can't tell him to go away, I'll have to continue writing and find out why he's here. I'm also having fun writing a monthly short story which is prompt and word specific and hope to turn this into a book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I'm useless, with a capital U at marketing. I have a FB and Goodreads author page and an email list of readers who I enjoy writing to.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
read, write, read, write, repeat, repeat, repeat.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
After sending sample chapters of Baggage in a B Cup to Curtis Brown and David Higham and being asked for the rest of the manuscript which they didn't take it, a successful indie author friend told me to challenge myself, step into the digital world and become an indie too.
What are you reading now?
Just finished Cleopatra and Frankenstein, by Coco Mellors. Dare not open another book as I'm in the process of packing and moving house, but whatever the next book is I'm sure to enjoy it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Re doing the cover of my existing book to marry up with my current wip, writing a short story of 1800 words for the prompt "Could it?" before 4th October, compiling a family cookery book and growing my reader list.
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?
Three or four???? Never, I need a library. However, I would be encouraged to get started with the Kindle that my husband gave me as a birthday present 5 years ago. Now that would surprise him!
Author Websites and Profiles
Shirley Goodrum Amazon Profile
Shirley Goodrum’s Social Media Links
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