Be Inspired

Thanks to Suzy for passing on the Be Inspired award. Suzy has a story in a new eBook “Growing up in the 70s”.

I was really chuffed to receive this and before I pass the award on, I have to answer Suzy's questions. I am bringing out a third collection of short stories on Kindle in July, “A Portrait of Louisa & Other Stories” so my answers will be about that.

What gave you the idea for your book?

Real life with a lot of tweaking.

How long did it take to write overall?

There are fourteen stories in the book and I’ve no idea how long it took to write them. Sometimes I can write a story in a day. Sometimes it takes two weeks. Overall, the book will have taken months to write.

What kept you going when you were half way through?

Wanting to know what happens. I rarely know how a story will end when I start it.

Are any of your characters based on real people, even though you have to say they aren’t?

Yes. The grandfather in Happy Endings was based on my grandad, Pop. My mum’s in the book too – more than once. Other than that, my lips are sealed.

Did you ever wonder if you’d have the work published?

As soon as I start to write anything, I wonder that. The stories in this book have all been published in various magazines.

When you’ve had one book published, do you feel under pressure with the next one?

I do feel I should get on with another collection of short stories. I have several under construction as it were. The next one will probably be a collection of twist endings and I also want to put together some of my ghost stories, but we’ll see.

Would you write in a different genre next time, or do you always stick with what you know?

I've flirted with most genres over the years - I tend to go where the mood takes me.

Do you prefer writing a novel, or short stories?

At the moment I’m in a novel frame of mind, but it really depends on my mood. I just hope I can stay in this frame of mind until I finish it.

Do you use everyday happenings in your writing?

Yes – they’re the foundations on which I build the stories.

If your book was to be on t.v. who would play the lead male and female roles?

What a lovely question – I’ll answer for the first story, “A Portrait of Louisa”. (Oh I wish!)

Louisa – Brenda Blethyn

Mr Quinn – David Troughton

Jan – Sarah Smart

Now I tag 5 inspirational people with 10 questions about their books/anthologies/stories. Your mission should you choose to accept it, is to answer the questions below, then tag 5 more writers with 10 more questions.

These are my five:

Suzanne Jones

Lydia Jones

Judy Jarvie

Rena George

Liz Grace Davis 

And these are my questions for you:

1. What is the name of your book?

2. Where did the idea for your book come from?

3. In what genre would you classify your book?

4. If you had to pick actors to play your characters in a movie, who would you choose?

5. Give us a one-sentence synopsis of your book.

6. Do you prefer writing novels or short stories?

7. How long did it take you to write your book?

8. Did you ever wonder if you’d have the work published?

9. Which authors inspire you?

10. Tell us anything that might pique our interest in your book.