Be inspired!

The marvellous Patsy Collins has tagged me in this award --->

I have to answer the following questions, and then pass them on to five other people. As I can't resist talking about Cat and The Dreamer, how could I refuse!!

1.  What gave you the idea for your book?

I had several strands that came together. I day-dream, and it seemed a great way to tell the inside story of a character. And around the time I started the book there were several unrelated stories in the press about suicide pacts. I also had a vivid image of Cat. After a while all these parts morphed together.

 

2.  How long did it take to write overall?

I'm a very slow writer. I've got drafts dated 2008, and I submitted in 2011.
 

3.  What kept you going when you were half way through?

I just enjoyed writing this story. I loved the character of Julia, and I wanted to see where she'd end up. It was at the half-way point (a couple of drafts written) that I realised it would probably never be published because of its length - this was just before the explosion of ebooks, epublishers and self-publishing, which has opened up the market for short stories and novellas. That thought meant I was free to write the story, and the ending, that I really wanted to write without worrying about submitting. I eventually submitted to my publisher because I really wanted someone to read my story! 

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

Some of them are conglomerations of several people, but there's always a piece of me in every character - I can't help it! 
 

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

As I said above, I knew it wouldn't be. You cannot begin to imagine my amazement, shock, joy I felt when I received the acceptance.
 

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

Cat and The Dreamer has only been published for four months, so I don't at the moment. Perhaps I should - the rise of self-publishing ebooks has meant people can bring out a new book every few months, and I'd love to keep people interested in me. This question has pressured me!
 

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

I've written crime, paranormal, romance and psychological - but in quite a subtle way. For example, a story I would call crime focuses on the baddie, and there's no comeuppance! 

8.  Do you prefer writing a novel, or short stories?

Short stories and novellas. The longest novel I've written is 58,000 words.
 

9.  Do you use everyday happenings in your writing?

Yes. Always. Even my paranormal stories are firmly placed in the real world.
 

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

Ooh... um... Adam would be Benedict Cumberbatch. Julia is possibly Billie Piper (my original choice would be Natalie Imbruglia in her Neighbours days, but that's probably a little too historical). I don't watch soaps but I think anyone who successfully plays a bitchy soap character could happily become Cat.

And now I need to tag five people. I'm not sure if the idea is to ask new questions, so I'm going to pass on the same questions. I've chosen completely randomly, so apologies if I keep picking on you (my memory is so poor I could select the same person every single time and not realise!). Feel free not to take part, I won't be offended.


Teresa F Morgan at The Wittering Woman
Marta Szemik at Marta Szemik
Kyra Lennon at Write Here, Write Now
Michael Abayomi at Michael Abayomi
J. A. Bennett at J.A. Bennett