Today I’m joining the blog tour for 101. I’m sharing my Q&A with the author with thanks to Zoe O’Farrell for inviting me on the tour and to Tracy Martin-Summers for answering my questions!

Have you always wanted to write?

I have always been interested in telling stories and used to make up cute little adventures for my own children’s amusement. They used to adore these tales so much that I promised myself that one day I would write a children’s book and indeed I did.  I wrote two in fact! The Talent Show and Wonderworld, which were published by Austin McCauley. This was my first taste in what it felt like to see my words wrapped up in a beautiful illustrated cover and delivered to readers. It felt amazing but then I began to wonder if I could write for an adult audience. A real grown up audience. Wow I had really set myself a challenge now, so I thought  let’s see what I can come up with. I had set the bar and then before I knew it I had swapped genres and embarked on my police procedural thriller series, which set me on this path. I followed it with my new release 101, a standalone thriller, which I’m super proud of.

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

For the most part I have always worked in an office environment, which served me well whilst raising a family. However, as with a lot of clerical jobs it soon becomes automated and I found myself daydreaming about plots and potential stories that I could regale. I don’t think any of my jobs contributed to my writing process as such, but the role I do now as a part-time reception supervisor enables me to observe people. People watching is great for character building and I find myself merging all sorts of traits.

What was your inspiration for 101?

I wanted to write something completely different from my police procedural series. I wanted something unique but I also wanted something a little crazy and off the scale. The story grew from a seedling of an idea and then totally took on a life of its own. Some days I wasn’t sure where I was going with it but my characters definitely knew where they were heading and led me on one hell of a journey. Inspiration – I think this came from my real interest in mental health merged with paranormal. Both fascinating and I guess I wondered what would happen if I combined the two.

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

Character building is one of my favorite parts of constructing a story. I love creating them and giving them a soul. I do get very attached to them and find myself getting very invested.  I guess they are formed from many different personalities I’ve met over the years, people watching and a mixture of good and bad traits of past and present.  Some obviously exaggerated for dramatisation! When I finish a book I often grieve for them. When you’ve spent every day in their company for a year or more it’s often hard to let go.

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

I would put myself in the pantser camp, definitely. I do have to do a lot of research, especially along the medical lines but I never do spreadsheets to bring my story together. My stories always grow organically and I often wake in the night with a plot twist. Burning the midnight oil as they say. I think I arrive at my destination by chance sometimes! 

As my stories take place in fictitious environments/towns I often draw maps on what the town looks like, street names etc so I have a visual view, which is consistent.  I am often surrounded by little maps and post-it-notes. I guess I’m a little chaotic. My characters are often on a bus oddly enough. I’ve only just realised that. Lol. 

How did you research 101? Did you enjoy it?

Google is my best friend when it comes to research. I love that it’s at my fingertips when I need it. I can be impatient when I want quick answers. When you’re in the middle of a scene and the ink is flowing as well as your adrenaline there is no time to spare. Stopping and starting when I am in the zone is detrimental to me. When I’m in a heightened state there is no time to call a friend or do a fifty fifty. I want that answer now and I mean now. Lol  Did I enjoy it? Yes, very much. It’s amazing what you come across. It also keeps the old cogs turning and improves the memory. 

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

Oh I have many!  I always used to steer towards authors like Virginia Andrews, Jojo Moyes and Dorothy Koomson which I adore but more recently I find myself reading books by unknown or lesser known authors just starting out like myself. There are so many great writers out there to choose from, waiting to be discovered.  I generally only read when I’m on the beach because every spare second I get I’m writing, so I like to choose wisely.  

I wouldn’t say I’m influenced by them but my genre nowadays is definitely a good psychological thriller. I just love the suspense.

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

Oh la la – Let me think! This question always stumps me!

For fun I think Alan Carr, Gino D’ Acampo to do the cooking and The Beatles for entertainment

What an eclectic mix! Not well am I?.  lol

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

Dracula – speaks for itself lol

Who would play the main character/s in a film version of 101?

Surannne Jones and Ryan Gosling

What do you like to do in your spare time?

For the most part I write, as it’s a zone I love to be in but if I’m not doing that I love spending time with my family, going out to dinner, cinema and regular trips abroad. I just love the beach, good wine and fantastic food.

What is next for you?

Well I’ve already started thinking about my next book. I plan to start this when I am in Spain next month, as it’s my favorite place to write. I have an idea bouncing around in my crazy mind which I think could work.  So let’s see if I can bring this to life!

Favourites:

Book? Too wide a selection to pick just one as I have read hundreds 

Film?  All depends what mood I’m in but favorite feel good film is Greece

Band/Singer? George Michael

TV show? Don’t have a fav but love a good drama, a chat show or goggle box

Colour?  Green mostly – but changes with the season

Place?  Costa Blanca

Biscuit? Jammy Dodger but has to be the one with the cream in the middle

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101 is available from Amazon.

You can follow the rest of the blog tour here: