Today I’m joining the blog tour for The Midlife Trials Of Annabeth Hope. I’m 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 Alice May for answering my questions!

Have you always wanted to write?

I have always wanted to write, but for many years I thought it was an unobtainable dream. A teacher at school once told me that I wasn’t creative and should not think about having a creative career. This stayed with me for more than three decades. Then, one day, I decided to give writing a go and haven’t looked back. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. Ten years on and I am a full-time writer and love every minute of it. Now, I say, ‘Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Always, always follow your dreams.’ 

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

I worked for the NHS for twenty years, running a GP practice. This was incredibly useful for writing the GP surgery-based parts of the storyline for The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope. I spent such a lot of time promoting self-care and trying to encourage GP colleagues to make sure they were looking after themselves as well as their patients, that incorporating that as part of the main theme of the novel was natural.

What was your inspiration for The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope?

There were several sources of inspiration. Firstly, as I mentioned before, I wanted to shine a light on the dangers of burnout in medical professionals. When I worked in the NHS there was a rumour that a GP had actually jumped out of a window in the middle of clinic (between patient consultations). He suddenly became desperate to escape, snapped and disappeared. One minute, he was there and the next he was gone. I wondered what might drive a doctor to do that. Hence one of my main characters, Rick, does exactly that. He leaps from the window of his consultation room and runs away. Rick’s story is, of course, entirely fictional.

Other sources of inspiration were years spent juggling a large family in a crumbling cottage in the New Forest, and the fabulous village community that I am lucky enough to have around me.

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

I am a people watcher and will pick traits from those I see when I am out and about. I love working in coffee shops and libraries, where I am surrounded by people all going about their business. It is a fascinating way to work. Accents, phrases, noticeable walks and quirky styles, all go into a big melting pot and eventually a character comes out.

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

I used to be a pantser, but now I have several manuscripts under my belt, I have learned that plotting can help me to avoid writing myself into a corner. It also saves time and means that I can usually produce a workable first draft in about three months. Of course, then comes all the editing, but at least I don’t have to start from scratch because all the story beats are in the wrong place, its more about polishing what is on the page and bringing out the best of it.

How did you research? Did you enjoy it?

I love research. Googling interesting facts and/or taking trips to fascinating locations, is all part of the writing process. The only problem with this research is the fact that I tend to end up going down rabbit holes and then procrastinate.

I am currently working on a World War 2 manuscript that has been a fabulous excuse to go to lots of museums and visit some great locations. Now I have to knuckle down and get writing.

Who are your favourite writers? 

I love books and as a former librarian, I read so widely that I couldn’t pick favourites. I love many different writers for many different reasons, it’s impossible to compare. I think the other thing that makes choosing favourites difficult is that a reader’s response to a book can depend on how they are feeling at the time. Certain stories land better when you are in particular moods.

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

Myself. I hate lifts. I would fall apart if I was stuck in one. I always take the stairs.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to paint in my spare time. It is a fabulous self-care tool and helps me to quiet my mind. Whether it is watercolours, acrylics or simply sketching, I enjoy simply making marks on the page. The other thing I like to do is bake, but that has unfortunate consequences, because I then eat far too many sweet things…

What is next for you?

I am currently working on the second book in the Forest Families Series, so if anyone enjoys Barbara Trenchard in The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope (and so many people have told me that they do) don’t worry. She plays a larger role in the sequel and was so much fun to write.

Favourites:

Colour? Green. That fresh green of new grass that you get in spring.

Place? The seaside. Any seaside will do, but I love the Dorset and Hampshire coastline.

Biscuit? Custard Cream.

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The Mid-life Trials Of Annabeth Hope is available from Amazon.

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