How long have you been writing for? How much of that time have you spent writing fiction?<\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019ve been writing for most of my adult life, with fiction being my first love and occupying around 75% of my writing output. Many of my short stories have won competitions and\/or appeared in magazines.<\/p>

What’s the average word count for the books you write and how long does it take you to write your average book?<\/strong><\/p>

Word count varies depending on the subject matter. \u2018Shadows of the Past\u2019 is 130 000 words +, as befits a saga. The other books are very much shorter.<\/p>

How much do you research for a book before you start writing?<\/strong><\/p>

A great deal. \u2018Shadows of the Past\u2019. particularly the section dealing with WW2 and the German occupation, required extensive research. Much of this I did in France, visiting\/revisiting locations, interviewing local people and making use of museum archives. \u2018Workhouse Orphan\u2019 took me to Ripon Workhouse Museum, Beamish Museum and the National Coal Mining Museum for England.<\/p>

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?<\/strong><\/p>

Knowing when to stop.<\/p>

Which of your books was the most difficult to write and why?<\/strong><\/p>

\u2018Workhouse Orphan\u2019 because of the family connection and emotions stirred. I wrote much of it with tears in my eyes.<\/p>

Would you publish with a traditional publisher if they contacted you? Why?<\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019d certainly consider it to widen my experience and, potentially, my readership.<\/p>

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?<\/strong><\/p>

Nothing major but quite a few fragments that I\u2019d like to build on one day.<\/p>

Writing can be a lonely job. Do you take any special steps to ensure you remain part of the world?<\/strong><\/p>

I belong to Ripon Writers\u2019 Group, York Writers, Promoting Yorkshire Authors and go to as many literary events as possible. Since 2006 I\u2019ve attended the Writers\u2019 Summer School (Swanwick) every year.<\/p>

Do you read your reviews? How do you deal with bad ones?<\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019m always very grateful for reviews, even the less favourable ones, because they can add verisimilitude to the others. Reviews show that readers have really engaged with the book.<\/p>

Do you plot your stories in great detail before starting to write, or fly by the seat of your pants?<\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019m more of a pantster than a plotter and love it when my characters take on a life of their own.<\/p>

Of all the characters in your stories, which is your favourite?<\/strong><\/p>

Jean-Claude in \u2018Shadows of the Past\u2019, because he\u2019s based on someone who was very dear to me.<\/p>

What advice would you give to a new author?<\/strong><\/p>

Stick at it. Successful writers are those who\u2019ve never given up.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t