Meet the Author: Sharon Booth

Halloween is days away and I have been catching up on spooky or witch related books. I am excited to introduce Sharon Booth, author of the wonderful Witches of Castle Clair series to my blog to talk about her books, writing and other things.

Author Sharon Booth

• You have written two books from the Witches of Castle Clair series, what gave you the inspiration for this trilogy?

Probably the town of Castle Clair itself – or Knaresborough as the rest of the world know it! In North Yorkshire, not far from Harrogate, it’s one of the prettiest places I’ve ever visited, but there’s also something really different and special about it. Maybe it’s the legend of prophetess, Old Mother Shipton; or the petrifying well that turns everyday objects to stone; or the ruins of the magnificent castle, complete with ravens; or the River Nidd; or the shrine set into the cliffside … or maybe it’s all these factors combined, along with the atmosphere in the town itself, the cobbled streets, the delightful charms of Ye Oldest Chemist Shoppe in England. Every time I visit Knaresborough my imagination goes into overdrive! Plus, I’m a huge fan of Bewitched so put those two things together and there you have it.

• It follows three sisters who are also witches. Who is your favourite sister?

Oh no, what a cruel question! I absolutely love them all, and my favourite is probably the one I’m featuring at the time. They’re all very different, after all. Right now, I’m beginning to learn more about the middle sister, Celeste, as she’s the star of the third and final book which I’m currently plotting. Ask me again at the end of the series!

• I have a bookcase full of books I will keep forever and regularly reread them. Do you reread books or do you only read them one?

I have so many books that were childhood favourites, particularly pony books and Enid Blyton books. I’ve been known to reread those many times. They’re like chicken soup when I’m feeling low or unwell. I’ve also reread the Adrian Mole books by Sue Townsend more times than I care to remember. I don’t reread many books these days, as I have so many new ones to get through, but I have plenty that I’ll never part with.

• Do you have a favourite spooky book for Halloween?

Anything by Phil Rickman! I thought that Curfew was especially creepy, and I have a soft spot for The Chalice, which was the first Phil Rickman book I ever read. Unlike just about every Phil Rickman fan I know, it’s his standalone books that I love. I’ve only read one Merrily Watkins novel, although I own them all. When I have time, I will start making my way through the rest.

• What are you currently reading?

I’ve just finished Christmas at Wynter House by Emily Harvale, which is a lovely, cosy Christmas romance. So, for a complete change of pace I’m going to read some Golden Age crime — maybe Whose Body? by Dorothy L Sayers, or Agatha Christie’s Hallowe’en Party.

• If you could perform one spell, what would it be?

A Never-Get-Fat spell! Too shallow?

• What is your favourite book?

Jane Eyre

• Who is your favourite author?

Aarrgghh! I’ll say Enid Blyton because she was the one who gave me my love of reading and made me want to write stories of my own

• Is your writing influenced by the books you have read?

Probably, in the sense of learning from other writers, seeing what works and what doesn’t, and why. It’s all a learning experience, isn’t it? I used to worry that I’d copy the voice or tone of an author whose book I was enjoying, but I never worry about that now, as I’ve realised I have my own voice and I can’t help but use it!

• Where is your favourite place to read or write?

Writing, in my own little office. Reading, downstairs on a reclining armchair, with a cup of tea to hand.

• When did you begin writing and how did being published come about?

I’ve written stories for as long as I can remember but took it up seriously in 2011. I suppose being published came about thanks to the Romantic Novelists’ Association and my Write Romantics’ friends, who took me seriously and made me think that, actually, maybe it would be okay if other people read my stories.

• If you have a genre you write, how did you begin writing in this style?

It just came naturally. I always thought I’d write sagas or historical fiction, but somehow my stories were always contemporary with lots of humour. I’m quite happy with that. If I put a smile on someone’s face, I’ve done my job.

Links

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sharonbooth.writer

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Sharon_Booth1

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sharonboothwriter

Amazon page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sharon-Booth/e/B00PP5S1X8

Website: www.sharonboothwriter.com

Biography

Sharon Booth is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and writes uplifting women’s fiction — “love, laughter, and happy ever after”. Although a happy ending for her main characters is guaranteed, she makes them work for it!

Sharon grew up in the East Yorkshire town of Hessle, where her enduring love for all things Yorkshire was born. She now lives in Kingston-upon-Hull with her husband and their much-loved German Shepherd dog.

Since giving up her admin job at a medical practice, she spends a lot of time assuring her family of five children, assorted in-laws and hordes of grandchildren – not to mention a sceptical mother and a contrary hairdresser – that writing full-time IS a “proper” job and she HASN’T taken early retirement.

She has a love/hate relationship with chocolate, adores Doctor Who and Cary Grant movies, and admits to being shamefully prone to all-consuming crushes on fictional heroes.

You can sign up to Sharon’s newsletter at smarturl.it/sharonsnewsletter

Thank you, Sharon for visiting the blog. I now have even more books added on my TBR pile and I look forward to reading Celeste’s story in the future.

Happy Halloween and reading!

Love

 

 

Meet the Author: KT King

Autumn is here which is an ideal time to curl up under the duvet and read a good book.  My TBR pile is on the edge of falling over but one of the books I am eager to read is Little Eden.  I have the pleasure to introduce its author, KT King to my blog today to discuss this novel, her favourite reads and her experience of writing with ME/CFS.

Little Eden by KT King

Little Eden by KT King

Book Blurb

2012. Little Eden, London, England.

In the heart of the city lies the beautiful sanctuary of Little Eden. In the time of King Alfred, this sacred site was surrounded by stone walls and within their protection has grown a tranquil town of historic buildings, parks and gardens, and tree-lined streets.

But, Little Eden and the last 1,000 years of community, compassion and refuge are under threat. Human greed, selfishness and disregard are about to turn everything Little Eden stands for to dust.

Robert Bartlett-Hart must make a choice.

With the help of his friends – plus plenty of tea and cake – Robert learns that there is more at stake than just Little Eden. Something lies at the heart of the Abbey; something that stands between the future of mankind and Armageddon.

Robert sets out on a journey of self-discovery, through past lives, other dimensions, and even through Heaven itself, but where do his loyalties lie?

Will Little Eden survive to usher in a new age or will humanity perish with it?

https://linktr.ee/ktkingbooks

The paperback will be available shortly.

Welcome to From Under the Duvet, KT King. Please tell us a bit about yourself.

KT King

KT:  I love afternoon tea, investigating all things spiritual and work as a complimentary therapist (when my health allows). I try to help others as much as I can. Making a contribution to someone else’s happiness or healing is the only thing that keeps me going! I also love crafting, up-cycling and a bit of shabby chic! I sell some of my handmade jewellery in my Little Eden Etsy shop where all the gifts inspired by Little Eden. I meditate daily and I eat way too much chocolate! I can’t read a lot these days but I chill out by watching TV adaptations of cosy crime novels.

I hope to help raise awareness for ME/CFS through my writing. I have suffered with this little known but chronic illness for over 25 years. My heroine, Sophie Lawrence, represents all of us with this illness. I hope that she inspires others as well as helping raise awareness for the millions of us worldwide who are currently ignored by the medical profession and society. There are so many people now suffering with this debilitating illness that it has been suggested that it is becoming a humanitarian crisis. If you would like to learn more about ME/CFS just click here: https://www.meaction.net/

What is your favourite book?

KT:  This is always a hard question to answer as I think we all have a few books which we turn to over and over for comfort or enlightenment. One book I have read many times is Maurice by E.M Forster, I remember reading it aged seventeen in one sitting.

Who is your favourite author?

KT: Again, a tricky question to pin down to one author but I would have to say Jane Austen, as I always dip into her books when I am feeling down.

Is your writing influenced by the books you have read?

I studied English and French at University and am influenced by French authors such as Andre Gide but also by English Gothic writers such Edgar Allen Poe and Shirley Jackson. I like to mix up my genres so you’ll notice a splash of all sorts in my writing. I’m very influenced by TV and Film as well. I see my scenes in pictures before I write them down. I love the cinematography of Hitchcock, Baz Lurhmann and Tim Burton for example, and I weave music into my novels just as they do in the movies!

Where is your favourite place to write?

KT: I have a therapy room where my desk is actually my treatment couch, I love it in there as it’s so peaceful, tranquil and calming. Sometimes I write in our ‘fancy shed’ if the weather is warm. My dream place to write would be by a lake somewhere in Canada or Scandinavia.

When did you begin writing?

KT: I used to play at being Enid Blyton when I was six years old and invent stories for my friends to act out and I loved Anne of Green Gables and Little Women – wanting to be Anne or Jo. I wrote the sixth form play but then all my writing after that was essays, newsletters or course manuals. Due to the CFS I didn’t have the energy to do anything outside my part-time work as a healer/psychic.

When I had a massive relapse of the CFS aged forty, I was in bed for two years and began to write Little Eden in my head. It took me four years to type it up as I had long periods of not being able to function. But, I feel I’ve been writing in my head my whole life long!

Katie: Jo and Anne are tow of my childhood heroines and both encouraged me to dream about being an author.

How did you become published?

KT: I finally self-published in November 2018 taking a leap of faith that my writing was good enough to be out there in the ocean of books but also because I didn’t want the ‘what if’ following me around for the next forty years. Due to the CFS a publishing deal would not really work for me as I can’t meet deadlines and my writing days are short and erratic. Self-publishing offers the challenge of how to promote my books because I don’t have the energy or the time for major marketing. It is thanks to wonderful, generous bloggers like Katie that you are reading about me and Little Eden right now.

If you write a particular genre, how did you begin writing in this style?

KT: Little Eden can’t be pinned down to one genre because I’m too curious to stick to one style. I like to have fun and mix it up! I guess you could say Little Eden is part supernatural thriller, part cosy crime, part women’s fiction with some mind, body, spirit, someone once said it was like Jane Austen meets Gothic thriller and I like that because one of my favourite books is Northanger Abbey which is a satirical Gothic romance!

Social Media links for KT King:

Blog: http://bit.ly/KTKingBlog

Website: http://bit.ly/KTKingWebsite

Instagram:  http://bit.ly/KTKingInstagram

Facebook: http://bit.ly/KTKingFacebook

Twitter:  http://bit.ly/KTKingTwitter

Etsy: http://bit.ly/KTKingShop

Thanks KT King for joining us today. It is always nice to meet fellow duvet dwellers and discover new books too. Good luck with the novel and your future writing.

Happy reading.

Love

 

 

 

Meet the Author of Hamartia : Raquel Rich

Ever since I was a child and watched the haunting 1977 film Audrey Rose* as a child I have been fascinated by reincarnation. When a blurb hints at the topic it is instantly placed on my TBR pile so when Hamartia came to my attention I needed to know more. I am pleased and excited announce its author, Raquel Rich is here today to discuss her book, writing and other things.

First, let me introduce the book:

Hamartia Book Cover

Title: Hamartia

Author: Raquel Rich

Genre: Sci-Fi, fantasy

Publisher: Words Matter Publishing

Release date: 15th August 2018

BOOK BLURB:

Grace’s nine-year-old son, Jordan, is dying. First, the Metagenesis disease will tear his soul from his body, and then it will kill him. Desperate for a cure, Grace agrees to take part in an illegal clinical trial cloning souls. Supported by her best friend Kay, the two embark on the ultimate “Vegas Vacation” to the past in search of the right soul to clone, racing against time to save Jordan’s life. But someone is trying to stop them and when they discover why, Grace must make a choice: let her son die or kill her husband. If she kills her husband she triggers widespread Metagenesis, sealing the fate of the human race with a new plague. Humanity is counting on Grace choosing to let her son die.

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hamartia-Raquel-Rich-ebook/dp/B07GJXT4SG/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Meet the Author: Raquel Rich

Welcome Raquel to my blog.

What is your favourite book and who is your favourite author?

I choose books based on what’s popular and am embarrassed to admit that I don’t pay attention to the author. Funny enough, most of my favourite books don’t fall within the genre I write. Book of Negros. Shawshank Redemption. A Thousand Splendid Suns. She’s Come Undone. Cane and Able. Hunger Games. A Million Little Pieces.

Is your writing influenced by the books you have read?

Not “influenced” but “improved”. When reading, I pay close attention to the choices the author makes such as how they weave in backstory and the way they introduce characters and settings. Reading is not only for pleasure, but it’s also part of my job.

Where is your favourite place to read or write?

My reading habits literally change like the weather since my favourite places to read are poolside and at the beach. I plough through books like nobody’s business all summer long, reading more books in Canada’s short summer months than I do the other nine. As for writing, that’s a different story. Every single morning, rain sleet or shine, I write. The location varies from my warm living room to the poolside based on weather, but the habit of sipping a coffee with my laptop in the early mornings remain the same year round.

When did you begin writing and how did being published come about?

As a kid, I loved to write. But when I was twelve, my love of writing came to screeching halt when Lisa, a fictional character in one of my stories, killed herself. The story sparked concern among the authorities who believed it was a cry for help. Unfortunately, the ordeal which ensued killed my love of writing until my mid-thirties. Hamartia was the first thing I had written since my stubborn childhood sabbatical. It took four years to complete and another two to publish. After countless rejections, I entered a writing contest and won (against 200 entries). The grand prize was a traditional publishing deal and the rest is history!

If you have a genre you write, how did you begin writing in this style?

Though the core of Hamartia’s plot came from the idea of reincarnation, specifically, how fears and phobias are the results of how people lived and died in their past lives, writing sci-fi was a choice I made out of laziness. I didn’t have the patience to research diseases and thought it would be easier to invent one. Now I find myself in a pickle as I write the sequel, having weaved a thick web in book one, I’ve come to realize it would’ve been easier to perform open heart surgery than to invent a cure for the disease I made up.

Links:

Raquel’s website: https://www.raquelrich.com/hamartia

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41397476-hamartia

 

Author Biography

Raquel Rich

Raquel Rich is the author of the award-winning novel, Hamartia. She loves to travel, suntan, walk her dog, and is obsessed with all things Beauty & the Beast. She despises cold weather, balloons, and writing about herself in the third person but noticed all the real authors do that. Born and raised in Canada to Brazilian parents, she lives in the Toronto area with her family. Married to the guy she’s been with since she was fifteen (her baby daddy), her superpowers include being a mom to their two awesome grown-ass boys and one fur baby.

Thank you Raquel for popping over to chat and good luck with your writing.

I am currently reading Hamartia so watch this space for the review.

Happy reading !

Love

*Audrey Rose is now on Netflix. It is based on a hefty tome of a book which is worth reading if you are interested in reincarnation and I still love the film despite its age.

Meet The Author: Emma Miles

From under the duvet today, I am excited to speak Emma Miles as part of her blog tour for her new novel The Raven Coven, the second book of the Fire Walker series.

The Raven Coven by Emma Miles

The Raven Coven Book Cover

Title: The Raven Coven

Author: Emma Miles

Publisher: Independent publishing

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Release Date: 5th May 2019

Blurb

Kesta had left her heart across the sea. They were at peace, her people saved from slavery, and yet… her soul was uneasy.

Chem lies in chaos, its people suffering as a result of the death of the ruling sorcerers. Refugees flee the cursed Borrows, begging for help from those they had made their enemy. A Queen unknowingly makes a dark, deadly pact, and new powers rise to fill the seats left empty by the Dunham necromancers.

Purchase Links:

US – https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Coven-Fire-Walker-Book-ebook/dp/B07Q4K623S

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raven-Coven-Fire-Walker-Book-ebook/dp/B07Q4K623S

Meet the Author: Emma Miles

Welcome Emma,

• What is your favourite book?

It’s always hard to pick one. Of my favourites The Lord of the Rings is the one I have re-read the most. Amongst my other favourites are Robin Hobb’s Farseer books, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books, particularly ones that contain the characters Sam Vimes and Granny Weatherwax. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Bradly and Stephen King’s The Stand and Insomnia.

• Who is your favourite author?

My favourites are those listed above. All of them are fantastic at character creation and world building. If I had to pick one, I’d have to say Tolkien for the same reason as question one.

• Where is your favourite place to read or write?

In my back garden when it’s sunny. I love to be outside if I can.

• How would you relax if you were having a duvet day?

I like to go out with my camera and lose myself in nature. My two favourite spots are a field high on a ridge with fabulous view looking out to sea, and a fallen tree in a forest where I can watch the deer wander by.

• When did you begin writing and how did being published come about?

I started writing pretty much as soon as I learned to hold a pen and shape letters, I was composing poetry at seven years old. I just loved creating stories and exploring new worlds in my head. A friend of mine who writes horror I met online, encouraged me to try self publishing years ago, I didn’t have the confidence to try and sell myself to an agent. Self publishing seemed to be the answer for someone as shy as me. I soon found that as a self-published author you have to do a huge amount of selling yourself to get anywhere.

• Have you always written fantasy and what draws you to that genre?

As a child I mostly wrote of animals having adventures and my verbal storytelling tended towards ghost stories as that’s what my younger cousins loved. But my novels have all so far been fantasy, I absolutely love world building and the creative freedom fantasy allows.

• What do you do when you are not writing?

I work full time so with that and the hours I put into my writing I don’t have a lot of free time. Despite that I have a foolishly large amount of hobbies! Wildlife photography, oil painting, sculpting with wood, clay or withies. I grow my own fruit and vegetables and love exploring new places.

• Who was the hardest character to write?

Osun. If you’ve read book one, you’ll know he is one of the main protagonists and part of the story is told through him. There are a lot of things I dislike about him, he is selfish and for many years has allowed himself no empathy for others. He also does some pretty abhorrent things. He has some surprisingly good qualities too, such as loyalty, creativity and intelligence. He started off being hard to write, but as I got to know and understand him he became one of the most complex and brilliant characters I’ve created. I’d love to know people’s impressions of him as they follow his story in The Raven Coven.

• What countries inspired each of the lands that we see Kesta visit?

In terms of the landscape the Fulmer Islands I picture as a more forested north Cornish coast, the people and their society something like the spiritual and environmentally conscious Native Americans.

The Borrows are an island version of the north Cornish coast with its culture similar to that of Vikings.

Elden would most closely resemble medieval Europe with the ecology and landscape being inspired by Italy.

Chem’s landscape was inspired by Norway, but with a volcanic element. Thankfully its society is wholly fictional.

• Tell us about Azrael’s favourite story.

His favourite story is actually a historical book rather than a tale, it’s ‘The Witch Trials of Elden.’ Azra is a sentimental soul and that was the book Kesta read him to keep him company whilst he was scared and traveling over the sea. Azrael loves stories and in book three of the Fire-Walker series you’ll see him come into his own as a fabulous story teller.

• What are you planning next?

I’ve just been working on revising my trilogy, ‘The Wind’s Children’ and plotting my next three books. I’m about to start writing a sequel to Hall of Pillars, set in the Valley of the Fey, then early next year I’ll return to my Fire-Walker series to write the next two instalments… life permitting!

****************************

If you would like to know more about Emma and her books why not visit  the other bloggers on tour for reviews and more.

A book review by Mai’s Musings for the first book in the series The Raven Tower  can be found here 

Other blogs on this tour.

Author Biography

Emma Miles

I presently live in the stunning county of Dorset where I’m a cat slave to Wolfe and Piglitt. I spend as much time as I can outside in nature and love exploring and learning about new cultures and languages. I’ve visited Greece, Serbia, Transylvania, Sicily and Norway as well as making several road trips around our beautiful United Kingdom. I paint, sculpt, dabble in photography and do a little archery but most of all – whenever I get a chance – I write.
My writing started from a very young age when I often found myself being the one taking charge of and entertaining all my younger cousins. They loved to hear my stories and although they mostly called for ghost stories it was fantasy I fell in love with when I read The Lord of the Rings when I was ten. I went on to write stories and short ‘books’ for my friends through school and college; then one evening whilst I was waiting for my aunt and uncle to visit an image came to my mind of a boy sitting beneath a bridge. I didn’t know who he was or why he was there, but from exploring those questions ‘The Wind’s Children’ trilogy blossomed and grew with roots going back into his far history as well as stretching out to his future. The boy’s name was Tobias.
I have since left Tobias’s world of ‘Naris’ to explore the Valley with Feather in the ‘Hall of Pillars’ which is now available through Amazon. I am now presently finding my way through Elden, the beautiful Fulmer islands, the ravaged Borrows and haunted Chem with Kesta Silene; a shamaness of sorts with a big journey ahead of her. I hope you come along to share her story and join her adventure; she needs you and you won’t regret it.

 

Social Media Links –
https://www.facebook.com/EmmaMilesShadow/

Twitter @EmmaMilesShadow

Giveaway

I am happy to share the chance to win one of three paperback copies of The Raven Coven (Open INT)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494231/?

Thank you Emma Miles for chatting about books, writing and duvet days and Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to this tour.

Good luck and happy reading!

Love

 

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

 

 

 

Festival of Words and increasing TBR

On Sunday, I ventured out of the duvet to the East Riding Festival of Words – thanks to an early Christmas present – and what a day!

I love literary festivals; the bookish atmosphere, listening to the authors’ views about their books and finding out more about them. I planned to go to one event, a talk by Lucinda Riley but the range of authors and topics was too tempting; I saved energy and increased my meds to go to three talks in succession. There was a full day option but common sense kicked in to remind me there are limits to pushing my health.

The House of Fiction: From Pemberley to Brideshead, Great British Houses in literature and life by Phyllis Richardson

House of Fiction by Phyllis Richardson

First, Phyllis Richardson gave a talk on her new book  House of Fiction: From Pemberley to Brideshead, Great British Houses in Literature and Life. Time rapidly whizzed by; it was a topic I could have listened to for hours which is why I have a copy on order. Somehow, I need to find the time to read it between my other books. Houses and location play an important role in fiction. The All Souls Trilogy would not have the same appeal if the Bishop house did not have a personality of its own, Harry Potter needed Hogwarts and Nancherrow created the magic in Rosamunde Pilcher’s Coming Home. These were not discussed but it focused on the well known literary houses of Walpole’s Strawberry Hill, Bronte’s Parsonage, Menabilly and Castle Howard. Apart from Jane Eyre and Rebecca I confess I have not read the authors mentioned but they are on my reading list, I promise.

Next there should be a similar book about the role of libraries in fiction or bookshops.

The Seven Sisters Series

Lucinda Riley Moon Sister: From the Scottish Highlands to the Alhambra

I love the Seven Sisters series; the concept of seven stories based on the star constellation, The Pleiades grabbed me along with the stunning hard back edition. The midnight blue cover decorated with gold stars drew me to the first book without reading the blurb and by the end I was hooked. Interviewed by her son Harry, it was interesting to hear Lucinda Riley talk about her career, writing style and the fictional seven sisters. Each book is a perfect blend of a present day and  historical story as the heritage of the sister is revealed. The Moon Sister is the fifth book and shares Tiggy’s tale. Watch this space for the book review. Even more exciting was having copies of two books signed for my forever shelf.

Emma Burstall and Harriet Evans: Houses by the Sea

The last event was a discussion about the importance of the location by the sea with Harriet Evans, Emma Burstall and Cassandra Parkin as well as writing styles and short readings from their latest novels. I have read Emma Burstall’s Tremarnock series based in Cornwall and a couple of books by Harriet Evans but it was refreshing to hear from an author I had not heard of, Cassandra Parkin. Luckily, The Wildflowers and Underwater Breathing have been added to this week’s library stash.

It was a well organised day and I am grateful for all those involved as I know from experience the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to produce a wonderful event. I can’t wait until next year.

Time to snuggle back under the duvet and read or sleep.

Happy reading

Meet the Author: S L Grigg

I am currently reading Coffee Break Companion, a collection of short stories, poems, and work by S L Grigg. The title says it all – this book is ideal to read on a coffee break or those moments in the day when you can snatch a few moments to read.

 

 

Author Biography

Author S J Grigg

Sharon Grigg, who writes under the pen name S.L Grigg, made it her new year’s resolution to publish her book ‘Coffee Break Companion’ during 2018. After bouncing back from mental health problems following the death of her husband from a brain tumour in 2009, Sharon was struck down with kidney and other health problems, believed to be linked to having the Essure sterilisation device she had implanted back in 2008. In September 2017 she underwent major surgery to have a non-functioning hydronephrotic kidney removed at the same time as a full hysterectomy to remove the essure device.

Just two months after setting her goal Sharon launched the collection of dark, short stories and poetry on Amazon. Many of the stories were written during Sharon’s battle with mental health.

41-year-old mother of two, Sharon says “For me publishing was never about, money or fame. I just wanted to be able to hold a copy of my book and say, ‘I wrote this’ and now I can.”

Meet S L Grigg

I am pleased to say Sharon has joined me today for a natter and a coffee today to discuss her book, writing among other things.

Welcome to Duvet Dwellers Books.

What is your favourite book?

Oh, so many to choose from, I’m sure it changes all the time depending on what is my favourite of the things I have read recently. I don’t think I could choose just one all-time favourite. In that respect I kind of envy those who have a clear favourite like Harry Potter fans, or something. I have a few favourite series, like the OtherWorld Series by Kelley Armstrong and The Hollows series by Kim Harrison. I guess my current favourite book would be Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty, loved it and the show, and the soundtrack! Can’t wait for Season two of the show!

Who is your favourite author?

As above really, so many in addition to those mentioned I also love James Patterson, Adam Baker, Dean Koontz and many more

What is your favourite drink to have next to you while you write?

Whilst I am writing I will usually have water or tea (white, two sweeteners, must be the colour of He-Man to be right, don’t leave the teabag in too long, I don’t like it mashed!)

Is your writing influenced by the books you have read?

I guess it is a little, I like to write quite dark, thriller type stories with a hint of fantasy or sci-fi and I do read a lot of books with those types of themes. You would be hard pushed to catch me writing or reading and enjoying romance/chick-lit or historical, even the classics, I’m not a fan of overly elaborate writing, long flowery words and excessively heavy description put me off, so I wouldn’t write that way either.

Where is your favourite place to read or write?

Curled up on the sofa, with the family around, we might not be talking as we will often all be buried in our own reading, writing or laptops, but it’s nice to just be together 😊

When did you begin writing and how did being published come about?

I started writing as a child, at 11 I wrote my first full story (which features in Coffee Break Companion) and I also wrote a collection of illustrated stories based on the Puffalumps back then. Being published cam about as it had always been my dream to be able to hold an actual book and say ‘I wrote this’ so I set it as my New Year Resolution for 2018 (I don’t’ normally do resolutions) and within 2 months I had made it happen!

If you have a genre you write, how did you begin writing in this style?

As above, I write in a few and I think they are influenced by what I enjoy reading myself. I think if I would enjoy reading it, I can write it, and that’s generally what I do, write things I would enjoy reading.

Has being chronically ill influenced your writing and changed its direction?

When I was suffering with my mental health writing was like therapy for me, I blogged like crazy at that time and wrote a huge amount about my personal experiences and understanding of Borderline Personality Disorder, it helped a lot in my recovery. I needed to understand my condition to overcome it. Many of my other health problems I’ve not written about much, but I think I will probably write more eventually. I have put much of my BPD writing together so I could publish that as a book if I can get round to tidying it up and finishing it off!

Book and contact  details

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B4F4261

https://www.facebook.com/SLGRIGG76/

http://www.slgrigg76.wordpress.com

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Sharon, for joining me today. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.

 

For more information about topics talked about today

BPD – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd/#.Wr4o5KjwbIU

EDS-Hypermobility – https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/what-is-eds/information-on-eds/hypermobile-eds-and-hypermobility-spectrum-disorders/

Essure – https://essureproblems.co.uk/

Hydronephrosis – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Hydronephrosis/

 

 

Meet the Author: Rebecca McDowall

We are pleased to have author Rebecca McDowall visit our blog to talk about reading, writing and her debut novel, Regan: Snatcher of Souls.

Rebecca McDowall is a 24-year-old author from England. Currently living in the historic city of Abingdon with her partner and newborn son. She is in the process of completing the final year of her degree in BA Publishing Media at Oxford Brookes University whilst working on the sequel to her debut novel Regan: Snatcher of Souls. Rebecca suffers from multiple chronic illness and runs an award-winning blog detailing her battles with these conditions where she tries to bring laughter to gloomy days.

 

What is your favourite book?

 

Sabriel by Garth Nix is my favourite book and is one that I find myself coming back to multiple times throughout a year.

 

Who is your favourite author?

 

J. K. Rowling! Her Harry Potter series taught me to fall in love with reading at a time when I was quite successfully pretending I was unable to read, due to undiagnosed severe Dyslexia. I admire the way she writes and treasure her books. I’m quite the Potter fan, and follow her other works with passion.

 

Who is your favourite Harry Potter character?

 

Luna without a doubt is my favourite character, though I think my love and appreciation for her character has grown as I’ve aged. The innocence that I perceived in her when I was child, and I adored, I now see as a willingness to believe in the possible, whether proven or not, or doubted by many. It’s an attitude that I admire.

 

Which house would you be in?

 

I would see myself being put in Ravenclaw.

 

Is your writing influenced by the books you have read?

 

Most defiantly; I would say George. R. R. Martin has had the greatest influence over my writing style. I hadn’t previously considered switching character viewpoints chapter to chapter until I started reading A song of Ice And Fire, this was a game changer for me. If I had not of come across these books I think my work would have been significantly weaker.

 

Where is your favourite place to read or write?

 

Cafes. The majority of Regan: Snatcher of Souls was written in my local hometown pub. They serve fantastic Camomile tea there, and I drunk my weight in it. I’ve started working on book two and have recently found a niche independent coffee shop that I can relax and write for hours in.

 

When did you begin writing and how did being published come about?

 

I have written on and off for most of my life. In the early years it was lyrics and short stories. However, in 2011 I was in my final year of sixth form, for my English literature coursework I wrote what later became the final chapter of Regan. These pages never really left my mind and over the years I tweaked, edited and expanded until two years ago I started sending the finished manuscript out to agents out to publishers. It was a long road of rejections on both sides. For some publishers and agents they loved the novel but as I was a debut author they didn’t want to take the risk, in other cases the contracts offered didn’t suit me. Eventually I accepted an offer from Vanguard Press.

 

If you have a genre you write, how did you begin writing in this style?

 

I write Young Adult Fantasy Fiction. This has been a natural style for me as this predominantly what I read. I very much believe that because I consume so much fiction in this area that my writing style has been heavily influenced.

 

Has being chronically ill influenced your writing and changed its direction?

 

I have several illnesses – Dystonia, EDS Type 3, POTs, Autonomic Dysfunction, Non Epileptic Seizures, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Endometriosis. I have had to learn to be strong over the years as my life has been turned upside down more times than I can count. For this reason, it was important to me that I created a strong female main character that was capable of saving herself.

 

Regan is definitely strong. What inspired you to write a protagonist with such a dark secret and past?

 

I have always been chronically ill and this is something that for a long time, and to an extent still does, feel like a dark secret. It is an aspect of my life that I feel needs glazing over. As my taste in books has always heavily leaned towards the fantasy side I think it was natural for me to take this feeling and deal with it, exaggerating its extent and applying it to a strong protagonist.

 

From the start of your book, the imagery is so vivid and dark, was it hard to visualise and create Regan’s world?

 

I have file after file on my laptop of different elements of her world. When writing it I found myself world building outside of what was needed for this book and staying into the territories of books two and three. What I found hard was choosing what elements to weave in and where about to do so. In Regan you’re not introduced to the Higher Ups until the very end of the book and that was a decision I wrestled with but it works best for the storyline.

 

Thank you Rebecca for joining us and can not wait for book two.

 

Regan: Snatcher of Souls is available now

Happy Reading x

Regan Snatcher of Souls

 

When Cassie falls head over heels in love with Daniel, she knows it will lead to disaster one day. Although she loves him with all her being, there is one problem…her being is not of the Earth, but of somewhere far more sinister. You see Cassie, otherwise known as Regan, is quite literally the Devil’s daughter and that could spell the end for not only Daniel, but the whole human race.

 

Available at:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/regan/r-mcdowall/9781784653019