I want to thank Louise Murchie for taking the time for this interview!
BIO:
So you want to know about me?
I’m a busy mum that’s taken to writing the ideas in my head during the Covid-19 pandemic. The first book I wrote, I decided to self-publish.
That was Gone Dutch. I had an astrology friend work out when it was best for me to publish it, and April 23rd 2021 was the best date. Despite it being ready six weeks beforehand, that’s when I published it.
I read as the lockdown has given me back a passion for reading, not that I could do much about anything else when the kids were in bed, the paint or plaster was drying! Not all the ideas in my busy head, make it to a decent stage so I write mostly for myself! I’ll publish when I have a good feeling for what I’ve written.
I have three kids (four if you count the husband being the biggest child), a mad border collie dog, a fluffy black rag-doll cat and a good pair of walking boots. My other hobbies include gardening, card making, sleeping and reading. Add in friends, coffee, cake and being a rugby/dance/taxi mum, it’s a wonder I get anything done!!
When do I find the time to write? When the kids are in school, mainly. Some evenings I write, but on others, I read. Especially helpful when I’m stuck at the rugby club for training! But, I’ve often taken the tablet and charged up Bluetooth keyboard there too; it just depends on what it is I need to do in those magical few hours.
When and how did you
know you wanted to be a writer?
Lockdown 2020 gave me back the time I was spending elsewhere. I've been making up stories since I was a lass; so, quite a while!
Did you have any influencing writers growing up?
I recall reading Mills & Boon books in my teenage years. I'd go home with 10 and swap them out days later; I devoured them!
Are any of your characters based on people in real life?
Some of the FMC's are a wee bit like me. Some aren't. The men are who I would want to be at that time; not all are based on the husband.
Where do you draw
your book inspirations from?
Life! News articles (Trodaiche for example happens at the start of the 2020 Lockdown, or it features it - Dìonadair happens just before)
Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?
I don't "plan" and I don't "wing" it either. I plan the plot, write down some basic character information (height, eye colour, hair colour, a few traits) then the fingers do the talking.
When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?
I create mood-boards or inspiration boards on Pinterest for each book. For the Tango Down Duet I have scenic images of Edinburgh, an old mill, a Maserati, the lead characters.
Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favourite way to sit back and relax?
With my feet up, a glass of wine and in my PJ's! A rare thing in a busy family household with teenagers.
Who are your favourite current authors to read?
Jolie Vines, Catharina Maura, N Dune, Delta James, BJ Alpha, Harley Reid, Elle Thorpe... all Indies and fabulous!
What are your
favourite books by others?
Anything by the above authors. I discovered Jolie Vines during lockdown and it had been years since I had picked up a book. One KU subscription later, I was hooked.
I picked up Hard Nox, realized it was the start of the second series; put it down and picked up the first series. Devoured that, then started the second series again. Now, she's onto her 4th of hot Scotsmen; as a Scotswoman, it was a given I'd love it!
Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?
Yes! In The Gone Dutch Series, Rotterdam plays a huge part as I visited there with the family in 2017, so I had a lot of memories, photo's and a holiday diary to use as reference.
The Black Country (where Ellen and Ruth's story happens more) I live in the area. For the Tango Down Duet I used Edinburgh as I've friends there so I was able to gleam their local knowledge.
Do you write in single or multiple POV?
I wrote Gone Dutch in the third person, but I found it really awkward.
I wrote Predicted in multiple POV (Ellen and Nick) and it flowed SO much better!
I'm tempted to redo Gone Dutch into the two points of view of Shauna and Harek. Not sure about doing that, yet though.
What do you find to be your best research tool?
Pinterest, friends, other bookstagrammers, other authors.
Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?
Yes, Murchie is a pen name but I only have one of them; that's enough!
What genre do you write and why is this your preference?
I tried to find second chance romances during lockdown and couldn't find many. So, I created one I'd want to read.
Okay, I'd edit it differently now, but that's why I write second chance romances.
When I did find a few, they were aimed at 20 something people. I'm not 20. I'm not in my 30's anymore.
Second chances happen a lot; usually after the kids have flown, the divorces have happened as you have nothing in common with the spouse you raised the kids with. Thankfully, I'm not in that situation, but so many of my friends are.
So, unknowingly, my books mostly feature +35 characters. Another author pointed that out and it did stop me in my tracks for about a day. Then, I got on with it, embracing it.
Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait...what led to you being you?
In Gone Dutch, Shauna trains in martial arts; she even goes back to it for a few months as part of the story line. I did that for 17 years.
In Trodaiche, Annie does the same but more MMA (thanks to me watching & listening to Joe Rogan and getting an interest in MMA)
If you are a duo
writing team, how do you share the writing process?
I'm solo all the way, baby! At least, for now 😊
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
Write from the heart! Edit as if you're facing a Dragon from the Den, publish with a wish.
How do you deal and process negative book reviews?
I go and eat a bar of chocolate!
Seriously? I'll go and take the frustration out on something in the garden that needs doing, physically getting the angst out to let my mind process.
But at the end of the day, just because someone waves their opinion in front of me, doesn't mean I have to listen.
One of my favourite saying is this: build a bridge and get the f&^k over it.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
I write in chronological order 90% of the time. I did it arse from elbow with Rebound as that's how it came out and dear Goddess... it was a MESS to edit!
Also, I can't be reading Delta James' BDSM stories while writing sweet with heat. I can't separate them as I need to.
So, Delta's books are very much a: I'll pick my book up on Monday, it's Friday! Where's the wine?!
What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you
focused?
No kids, a soft drink and no distractions! I need a cave!
But, in a house with five people, one cat and an active dog, that's just not going to happen.
What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?
Chocolate... I need a drink by me otherwise I snack on vast amounts of chocolate.
If you could spend a day with another popular author,
whom would you choose? And why?
I'm arranging to meet a few and I've been to a book signing. I am planning on more, I promise!
Really looking forward to meeting Delta James later in 2022.
What is your schedule like when you are writing? Do you have a favourite writing snack or
drink?
I try to stick to two coffee's a day (espresso!) and squash. If I don't stay hydrated, I get snacky.
Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favourite?
No: I need the sound of silence! Or nature.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
Yes! One of my alpha/beta readers' new kitten danced over her keyboard when she visited the loo.
Thankfully, a few CTRL-Z's later, the missing text was back, but goodness, my friend was in a blind panic for a while!
What is your kryptonite as a writer? What totally puts you off your game?
Arguing with folk; the kids, the hubby. Not being allowed to do what I need to and being interrupted.
Have you ever killed off a character that your readers
loved?
Not yet! But... Oh!
How do you celebrate after typing THE END?
We're meant to?! Yikes!
I do; slightly. I'll tell the closest author friends, my best friend, my beta readers. Then, I open the document up to my beta's and sit back to wait for the questions, the edits, the "wtf!" comments and have a wee celebratory drink of squash or coffee! :D
I hope you enjoyed this interview!
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What a great interview!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for visiting my blog :)
DeleteThank you! I really enjoyed this. 💕 Josie
ReplyDeleteLove this!! 💖
ReplyDelete:)
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