Interview with Anna Farsham

 Welcome to my blog interview.

I am pleased to introduce the beautiful

Anna Faversham

Hello  (name). Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’ve lived most of my life in Kent, England, although I spent some time in New Zealand and Zambia.

New Zealand is memorable not only for the outstanding scenery but also for the exceptional people I met there who taught me so much about hospitality and self-sufficiency. This came in handy for when I moved to Africa and found that if I didn’t grow the food myself, there wasn’t much to eat.

Life in Africa has made me appreciate so much here in England and I take nothing for granted any more. I also find I can exist very cheaply!

What brought you to the world of writing?

As a child, I always enjoyed writing school essays, and at one point I asked my scary teacher if I could start a class magazine. So writing for others began when I was quite young.

Then when I was in Africa, I started writing a few bed-time stories for my children.

Back home in England, the priorities of family, mortgage and job took over so nothing much happened for some years until the stories going on in my head erupted onto the screen.

What is your first book and what do you think of it now?

The first book I wrote was the second book I published – One Dark Night. I still love the story and the characters have become almost real and they are alive and kicking in a sequel.

I often base characters on interesting or quirky people I have met or even just observed. It’s as if they are the coat hangers and then I dress them up in clothes. Sounds terrible, doesn’t it?

What type of books do you write and do they fulfil your reader’s needs?

Oh what an interesting question! I have not thought of my books as fulfilling my reader's needs. I shall remember that in future. Thank you. The first book I published was ‘Hide in Time’, a time travel romance with a spot of mystery thrown in. I’d only ever read one time travel book before and that was dear old H.G. Wells’s ‘The Time Machine’. This probably accounts for why reviewers say it is ‘unusual…but worth it’ and some have been kind enough to say it is wonderful to have a break from the usual formulaic books.

The second book and its forthcoming sequel are classified as historical romance/romantic suspense/action and adventure – all of those genres are covered. I grew up by the sea and once visited some smugglers’ caves and my muse went into overdrive. I was only a teenager but my head was full of possibilities of what used to happen in those caves. Years later my husband told me of his distant ancestor, a notorious smuggler. For some time we treated it as family folklore, probably unlikely to be true, but one day I came across a book which mentioned this ancestor and it’s all true. And worse!

Do they fulfil my reader’s needs? I hope so. I try always to have a theme running through the books that might be something the reader finds useful or interesting to toss around and take away with them.

Hide in Time’s theme is: ‘They say it’s not the things you’ve done that you regret most but the things you’ve left undone.’ It came about when my eldest brother died young and I regretted not being able to help him through some difficult times.

One Dark Night’s theme is: ‘We owe so much to those who hurt us’ which is a quotation by Dorothy Kerin. Difficult, eh? But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was true in my own life and so I hope that others will find that much good can come out of hard times.

Under a Dark Star’s theme is: ‘All that it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.’ It’s a paraphrase of a quotation sometimes attributed to Edmund Burke who was a Member of Parliament in the eighteenth century.

Would you like to feature a book, if so which one?  Tell us about it?

I’d like to feature ‘Under a Dark Star’ which will be released late summer 2016.

It is a sequel to the story of Lucy’s struggles to make a good life for herself and the book starts with her comfortably off with interesting projects to manage and a much loved husband and baby. Readers probably know from their own experience that comfortable times of happiness rarely last long before something or somebody interrupts the peace.

Soon she finds herself on a long and difficult journey to the diamond isle, ‘The Isle of Wight’, off the south coast of England. The reason? Her husband and his friend are going to tackle the wreckers who lure ships onto the rocks in order to plunder their cargo.

Much of the story is told from her husband Daniel’s point of view as he goes under cover pretending to be keen to join in. What he discovers leads to his almost certain death.

Once again, this is not a formulaic romance. It is designed for those who want something different. Action and adventure, mystery and suspense – it suits both men and women who enjoy strong characters and historical action incorporating facts.

I haven’t mentioned this anywhere before, so Catherine’s blog has a scoop ;o). Four of the supporting characters’ names are those of people who worked at Bletchley Park in the Second World War cracking codes in enemy communications. They helped win the war but never became famous like other heroes because they were sworn to secrecy. This is my way of thanking them and ensuring their names are not forgotten. If you read the book you might like to see if you can spot them.

How long does it take you to write your first draft?

I don’t write full time so I try to ring-fence 15 hours a week, sometimes I can’t manage even that. Under a Dark Star has taken me about eighteen months to come up with a first draft. 

Do you plot or not, if so why?

I plot the opening and I know roughly what the ending will be then the characters take me on a roller coaster ride with me frantically recording their adventures. Then I steer them towards their fate at the end.

Do you write in 1^st or 3^rd person, or have you done both?

I’ve only written one short story in first person (I became an ex soldier), everything else has been in third person.

How do you edit your work?  Do you leave your draft alone for a while or edit as you write?

I edit as I go along and then when I have the first draft, I edit again. I leave it for a while then edit again.

What type of people/readers do you market your books to?

I learnt almost in the first week that once it’s on Amazon I had no control over who would buy the book. I was amazed to be selling more in the USA than in the UK. I’m very pleased to say that men seem to enjoy them as much or more than women. I intended them for the twenty-five years and upwards market.

Do you self-publish or have you worked with an Agent/Publisher

I have a good writing friend and we discussed this when we were both writing our first books and we decided that ebooks and self-publishing were the way forward. I wouldn’t want an Agent and a Publisher because I’d have to write to a timetable and it would become a chore.

How do you promote your writing?

 

Mostly through Kindle Countdown Deals. 

Where can we buy your books?

On Amazon as ebooks.

Who are your favourite authors?

Charles Dickens – I love the characters he created. Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, of course. I like some of Lynn Truss’s books and Alexander McCall Smith’s. I could give you a long list, but I’ll stop there!

Links.

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anna-Faversham/e/B00A9T0UIY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1466616499&sr=8-2-fkmr0

 Thank you very much for your interesting interview, Anna.

Taster for my first attempt into psychological thillers

Working title; The girl in the Mist

 

Chapter one

I stare out of the window. The view is as beautiful as Bill said it would be when he wheeled me into the light. The sky is blue, with a strangely shaped cloud hiding the sun. A cloud that looks like the devil.

From here I can see other houses, dotted along the hillside, white, modern, unlike this one which has survived many generations.  The families in these houses go out in the morning. Some take their children with satchels in their hands. Most don’t return till evening.

Maeve and Alasdair don’t leave the vicinity, though. They are retired and live in the next house along. I know because they arrived on our doorstep no sooner than we had unpacked. 

‘We came to welcome you,’ said Maeve. ‘I knew you’d be tired after travelling, so I thought you might like to share our dinner. I always make plenty.’ Short and stout with wavy white hair and soft looking skin like a powdery marshmallow, she held out a casserole dish covered with a red and white checked tea cloth. 

Alasdair, taller. thinner, wispy-haired with a small moustache and glasses, clutched two bottles of wine, one in either hand, white and red.

Bill hesitated. We had planned a quiet night, just the two of us, but then he asked them in. Bill would. He would consider it rude not to.

‘I hope you like wine,’ said Alasdair.  His incredibly perfect teeth looked too big for his mouth and they clicked when he spoke.

‘This is my wife, Sally.’ Bill turned to me. ‘Look, love, I don’t need to cook after all.’

‘Thank you.’ I forced a smile. 

Maeve’s beady eyes took in the wheel chair, the rug covering my legs. ‘Accident,’ I said.

‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ she looked away quickly. 

Bill removed the lid of the casserole. ‘Have you eaten?’ He looked at our guests. ‘Seems like there’s a lot of food here.’

‘I have more at home. I always make a full pot and freeze some, don’t I, Alasdair?’

But neither she nor Alasdair moved. 

‘Then maybe you’d like to join us.’ Bill avoided my eyes which were pleading with him to shut up.

‘Oh, you don’t mind? We don’t want to be a bother. We would never be that, would we, Alasdair?’ Her soft white face lit up.

‘It’s no bother,’ said Bill, setting the casserole dish to one side and taking the bottles from somewhat reluctant hands. I guessed this wasn’t Alasdair's idea at all.

‘Were you badly hurt in the… accident?’ Maeve leant over and patted my shoulder.

‘She doesn’t like to talk about it.’ Bill spoke sternly, disapproving eyes meeting mine.

‘I’ll tell you sometime,’ I said, enjoying Bill’s discomfort.

By the end of the meal I knew all about everyone who lived in each of the houses nearby. ‘There’s the Simpson’s,’ Maeve’s voice was almost a whisper. ‘Fiona and Ian. The big bungalow nearest ours. Two kids. Boys, eleven and twelve. Right little hooligans. Cheeky too. Aren’t they, Alasdair?’

‘I think they’re likeable enough, but yes, maybe a bit cheeky.’

 ‘The parents both work. She’s an estate agent and he’s a solicitor. Her mother lives in the next house along, the little cottage. She watches the kids after school and in the holidays.’ She chewed in silence for a minute. ‘The house below them, Maggie and Donald Pottinger. They’ve been here since they married, twenty-seven years ago. Three teenage kids. The oldest is in university, the second has a child of her own and she doesn’t work. The youngest, a lad, he’s about sixteen. There’s something not quite right about him.’ She tapped the side of her head with her forefinger.  ‘Know what I mean? Then there’s that hippy chap from the cottage nearest the shore. He’s an artist or something. Has a boat. Long hair. Where did you say you came from?’

‘London.’ Bill answered filling everyone’s glass with the last of the red. ‘I must say, this is amazingly good stew.’

‘And what do you do?’ Maeve drained her glass and stared at the empty bottle.

‘I’m a headmaster of a primary school. We grew tired of the city. I’ll be starting a new job in Inverness next term.’

‘We’ve been here for two years now. Great place to retire to. Isn’t it, Alasdair? But the locals, they are a bit nosey.’ Her eyes fell on me. ‘And what did you do dear, I mean, before…’ She glanced at my legs. 

‘A pole dancer. I fell from the top of the pole. Cracked my spine on the edge of the platform.’ 

Her face grew pink. ‘Oh.’

They didn’t stay long after that. Bill saw them to the door and returned shaking his head. ‘A pole dancer? Why do you do that?’

‘Would you rather I told them the truth? Anyway, she was doing my head in with her personal questions.’

‘They meant well, and the food and wine were good.’

I laughed. ‘You just couldn’t be bothered to cook.’ 

‘You do realise the whole neighbourhood will believe you were a pole dancer by tomorrow?’

‘Who cares? If anyone else asks, I’ll say I was a stripper. I don’t think she was stupid enough to believe me anyway.’

‘It was as good as saying ‘mind your own business.’ Not very neighbourly, Sally.’

I rubbed my head. ‘I want to go to bed, now.’

That was two days ago. I’ve seen Maeve scurrying around her house, throwing occasional glances towards my window, but she has not returned. I’m glad of that. I came here for peace, not to make friends.

Summoning all my courage, I wheel my chair to the door and out into the pale sunshine. I can do this. 

Two boys are flying a remote controlled plane. It buzzes round my house then heads straight towards me turning up at the last minute and crashing into the wall above. They both run in my direction.

‘Sorry Missus,’ stammers the oldest. ‘We just got it. My little brother hasn’t got the hang of it yet.’

I assumed this was Fiona and Ian’s boys. The hooligans. ‘What’s your names?’ I ask as the elder retrieves the plane and inspects it for damage.

‘Stuart,’ says the younger staring at my legs. Without moving his eyes, he continues. ‘He’s called William. Why are you in a wheelchair? Did you fall off a pole?’

‘You don’t ask things like that. It’s rude,’ snapped William, his face growing pink.

I shake my head. ‘I’ll tell you, but it’s a secret.’ I beckon the boys closer and lean forward. ‘Promise you won’t say anything.’

Their eyes are open wide, they both cross their hearts and whisper ‘promise,’ in unison.

‘I’m a secret agent. I uncovered a plot to take over the British government, but I was shot while I was phoning for back up.’

Now the mouths were as round as the eyes. ‘Who…what…?’ begins William. 

I hold up my hand. ‘I’ve said too much already.’

They look at each other. ‘We’ll never tell anyone, honest missus,’ declares Stuart. At that moment, Bill’s car drives up. ‘Is he a secret agent too?’

I shake my head. ‘He’s part of the plot. I’ve got him under surveillance.’ 

‘Thanks for letting us get our plane back,’ says William, grabs his brother’s arm  and they turn and run down the hill towards their own house.

‘What have you been telling them?’ askes Bill. ‘That I’m the bogey-man?’

‘Just that I’m a secret agent and you’re one of the bad guys.’

Bill rolls his eyes. ‘Come on’, he says, ‘I’ve got lunch,’ and he wheels me indoors. 

 

Welcome to my blog interview.

I am pleased to introduce the amazing Jim Webster

Hello Jim. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Well, I’m getting to the stage where calling myself fifty something is stretching the truth a little, I’m married with three daughters, have no real dress sense, or so I am informed. I farm, am a freelance journalist, writer and whatever.

I’ve been a reader of SF and Fantasy since the 1970s and early on discovered the writing of Jack Vance, and he taught me that if they aren’t the same genre, there’s a very broad fuzzy borderline between them.

I’ve written six novels, four fantasy and two SF, and I’m currently publishing a collection of novellas covering the antics of one of the fantasy characters I created.

I live in South Cumbria, England, and frankly why would anybody live anywhere else? Between the hills and the sea, with the best of both.

What bought you to the world of writing?

Frankly, and unromantically, it was the need to eat regular meals. If you’re trying to support a family on a small farm, you have to have as second income. So I drifted into freelance journalism. People kept saying I should write something more ‘permanent’ and when I got a chance I wrote ‘Swords for a Dead Lady’. Once you start writing, stopping is the difficult bit.

What is your first book and what do you think of it now?

My first book was ‘Swords for a Dead Lady.’ I confess that I’m still proud of it, still think it’s a cracking good tale, and it’s still my baby. I took the hero from that and am continuing his adventures in the novellas.

What type of books do you write and do they fulfil your reader’s needs?

I write Fantasy and SF. I’m not precious, I hope I present the reader with a good story, well told, that enables them to escape for a while. Reading a good Fantasy of SF book should be almost like taking a holiday, without all the faff of packing or dealing with airlines.

Would you like to feature a book, if so which one?  Tell us about it?

I’ll mention the latest, ‘Woman in Love.’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Woman-Love-Port-Naain-Intelligence-ebook/dp/B01H04MHK4

It’s a novella, about 20,000 words and it’s one of a collection. What I did was write, edit and set up for publishing six of them. You can read them in any order, (a bit like the Sherlock Holmes stories.)

They follow the exploits of my favourite hero, Benor, who is living in the city of Port Naain. Each story is self-contained with a mystery or crime to be solved.

In the current one, to quote the blurb, “Asked to look for a missing husband, Benor finds that the female of the species is indeed more deadly than the male.”

How long does it take you to write your first draft?

Depends of how long I’ve got and what else I have to do. I have written 75,000 words in a month. But other books have taken longer because life gets in the way.

Do you plot or not, if so why?

Yes, but on the hoof. I have a basic outline in my head. But the detail, the twists and the turns, I work out as I’m going along. I’ll take a walk and whilst walking I’ll ponder an episode, work out motivations and suchlike. So during writing the plot can twist and turn no end.

Do you write in 1^st or 3^rd person, or have you do both?

Normally 3^rd person. I’ve done stuff in the first person but never a book

How do you edit your work?  Do you leave your draft alone for a while or edit as you write?

I edit as I write. I’ll often start work by reading yesterday’s work and correcting it. I’ll also go back and change bits so they fit with what is now happening.

But when I’ve ‘finished’ I’ll put the book down for three to six months and then come back to it to edit it. Then it goes to my professional editor

What type of people/readers do you market your books to?

Persons of infinite good taste, wit and perspicacity. Anybody found reading one of my books immediately becomes not merely more attractive, but it improves their credit score.

On a more prosaic level, I think that the majority of my readers, or those who get in touch with me, are ladies of mature taste. 

Do you self-publish or have you worked with an Agent/Publisher

Both; I’ve dealt with small publishers and feel that for them the business model is broken. They depend for their survival on one of their authors breaking into the big time, and effectively helping to fund everybody else. But when an author breaks through into the big time, they allow themselves to be lured away to join the stable of one of the bigger companies.

How do you promote your writing? 

Badly. I only remembered I had to promote this book a fortnight before it was launched.

I tend to do blog tours and mention it casually on Facebook.

Where can we buy your books?

The ebooks are available on pretty much every format. The paperbacks are available through bookstores but you’ll have to order. The best way to get the paperbacks is through Amazon, for example https://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Hard-Trade-Jim-Webster/dp/1785382233/

Who are your favourite authors?

Jack Vance undoubtedly. Cordwainer Smith, but of modern writers I’d mention Will Macmillian-Jones, (I love his Banned Underground series,) and M.T.McGuire

What other hobbies do you have?

Military history, wargaming, walking

A short piece from the story.

Tallis said thoughtfully, “Bald as an egg? There used to be a fashion amongst young men about town for shaving your head entirely. About ten years back. Some people got their heads tattooed as well but I thought it had faded away.” He smiled and then declaimed quietly;

“As bald as an egg

Was Philinious Begg

Both his suit and his mistress were brash

Some would not quail

To tell you his tale

But I’m a poet, not a sweeper of trash.”

Benor stood up, “A friend of yours?”

“Briefly.”

Benor was intrigued, “A fellow artist then?”

Tallis shook his head. “Alas no, he was a librettist, a composer of romantic ballads whose words are sung by drunken stevedores to their lady loves. Purveyors of sheet music fawn upon him and compete to shower him with gold.”

Benor nodded, he was beginning to understand the ways of the literary fraternity.

Links.

One of my characters, Tallis Steelyard, keeps a blog.

https://wordpress.com/stats/day/tallissteelyard.wordpress.com

I also have one, but I make a point of not doing author stuff on it J

https://wordpress.com/stats/day/jandbvwebster.wordpress.com

My ‘Land of the three seas’ has a Facebook page where I tend to put stuff

https://www.facebook.com/Land-of-the-Three-Seas-426394067386022/

And of course I’ve got an Amazon author page

http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B009UT450I/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?