Today I am taking part in the blog tour for For My Sins. I am sharing my Q&A with the author with thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on the tour and to SC Cunningham for answering my questions!

Have you always wanted to write?

Yes from an early age, but I didn’t get the confidence to do so until my forties. I’m old, I guess a life of experiences gives you something to write about.

What were your previous jobs? Have they helped you with your writing process?

Absolutely, all experiences help to write with authority. I have worked in crime, music, film, sport, celebrity management, fashion, and child charity.

What was your inspiration for For My Sins?

In my early twenties I crossed paths with a serial rapist, luckily unscathed. As I looked into his eyes, I asked the question why? What makes a person do that? The seed for David Howard was sown.  

How do you construct your characters? Do they have traits of people you know?

They are a mix of the characteristics and behaviours of those I’ve met. This helps give authenticity and ease to the writing. I guess I’ve met some pretty nasty and pretty wonderful folk. 

What does your writing process look like? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a mixture, I prefer pantsing (is that a word?), because if I know the ending, I’m too bored to spend the months writing it. I want to be dragged along for the ride and be as shocked and entertained as the readers are. Although plotting each character, their behaviours, ticks, likes/dislikes, background etc, is important. 

How did you research? Did you enjoy it?

My life has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, so I have plenty of stories to tell, I don’t need to research too much. It’s mainly scientific or technical things that I source details on, like; blood splatter, how long to bleed out, size of wound, weapon choices, etc. I hope my laptop never gets seized in a criminal investigation, because forensics would have a field day!

Who are your favourite writers? Are you influenced by them?

Agatha Christie was my first love, she has a cheeky, twisty, clever mind. Also the Bronte sisters, Enid Blyton, Jane Austen, and PD James.  And big hitters; Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Dan Brown, James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell. Sadly, I don’t get to read enough, am too busy writing.

If you could invite three people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be and why?

Agatha Christie for the twinkle in her discerning eye. A ‘God’, to see if we can help the planet and its inhabitants. Putin, to ask why?

Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with and why?

A bully. I can’t stand them. Smoke would be coming out of my ears!

Who would play the main character/s in a film version of For My Sins ?

Oh, I can’t answer that one. Sometimes my books get into film development, when this one does, I’d hate to not have picked the cast and hurt anyone’s feelings. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What is spare time? I have three jobs, crime, writing, and being a grandma. In my youth I used to travel a lot, but I prefer cosy home now. 

What is next for you?

Am writing the next book, Already Dead, where David and his team join The Fallen Angel Series and causes more trouble. Love it.

Favourites:

Book? – Currently; the Jack Reacher Series.

Film?  – This month; Luther.

Band/Singer? – Way too many, so much talent out there, past and now.

TV show? – Currently; Happy Valley, Vera, Endeavour, Bosch, Line of Duty.

Colour? – Turquoise blue, with coral a close second.

Place? – Home or the beach, although the Maldives is nice.

Biscuit? – Biscoff and chocolate digestive.

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For My Sins is available from Amazon.

You can follow the rest of the blog tour here: