The Blossoming of Truth by Susan Gray - #Q&A #authorinterview #blogtour

I am thrilled to bits to have author, Susan Gray here on the blog today to answer some questions about how she writes and what inspires her. Her latest book release, Blossoming of Truth was published earlier this year.

But first, here is a little bit about the book.

The Blurb

A tragic accident…   A bitter betrayal…   A baffling mystery.

When an attractive young woman seeks refuge in his home during a blizzard, Tom Smallwood is convinced they have met before. As their friendship develops, her persistent denial of their previous connection threatens to shake the bedrock of Tom’s ‘life code’.

A tragic accident robs Tom of his beloved brother, leaving him devastated.

His world implodes further when he is arrested…

HIS ONLY CRIME WAS TO FALL IN LOVE.

Can Tom’s strong pillars of truth and integrity hold fast and enable him to win the heart of the woman he adores?

ISBN:  978 1916572720

Publisher:  UK Book Publishing

Formats: e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  365 (paperback)

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Q  What inspired you to begin writing?

A I think I always wanted to write. As a child, I made up stories in my head on long car journeys. I grew up in northeast England, and the house I lived in was built in the style of a Spanish hacienda. It was a magical place, with a large garden, summerhouse and stream. I felt there was a story behind this setting, but it was sixty years before I put pen to paper. When the global pandemic struck, I decided to write my debut novel based fictitiously around my childhood home. Once started, I haven’t stopped – I’m currently editing my seventh book. It has been a’ late onset career’, but I am enjoying it!

Q  Do you write using pen and paper or on a computer?

A  I begin with an A5 notebook and pen and write scenes – some I use, others I discard. Then I use A4 paper and a pen and start to join the dots. I get a ‘feel’ for a suitable chapter length - usually five doubled sided sheets which I staple together...these form my longhand chapters. Then it’s typed up onto the computer. After that it’s edit, edit, edit and edit!

Q  Who are your favourite writers - and are you influenced by them?

A  As a child it was Enid Blyton, and I loved the book ‘Heidi ‘by a Swiss author Johanna Spyri. As a teenager I was hooked on Agatha Christie books. In later years I’ve been a fan of Josephine Cox, Lucinda Riley, Nicholas Sparks, Victoria Hislop and more recently Jojo Moyes and Lorna Cook. I love Twentieth Century Historical Fiction, mystery and romance – so yes, they have influenced me.

Q  How do you do your research? Did you enjoy it?

A  Mostly internet, sometimes Travel Guides, often my local cemetery. I use old photographs particularly those from the area where I live and set my books - I write in the 1920’s era. Sometimes I draw on memories of places I have visited and conversations with elderly relatives. I do a little research before a novel, but try not to do too much initially, as it affects my ‘flow’. After that I do it as I go.

Q Do you enjoy editing?

A I regard editing as literary housework. I iron it - to wrinkle out the creases so it flows smoothly; I dust it - to find the typos and grammar mistakes; I polish it – adding descriptions to make it sparkle. I vacuum it to suck up the fluff (padding). Sometimes I put it through the literary washing machine - to spruce it up (on the wash cycle); tighten it up (on the spin cycle) and occasionally I take the literary scissors, needle and thread – cut bits out and stitch it up again! I’m not a lover of housework!

Susan, I love your likening of editing to house work. Thank you so much for being on the blog today. I have really enjoyed hearing about your approach to writing and research.

About the Author:

 ‘Never too old to follow your dreams’ has become Susan Gray’s mantra since beginning to write novels after celebrating a significant birthday. Susan endeavours to entwine the genres of mystery and romance and sets her novels in the early Twentieth Century. She lives with her husband in northeast England – setting her books in this picturesque area. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. When not writing she loves to spend time reading, puzzling, walking and catching up with friends over a coffee. She enjoys travelling and tries to include many of the places she has visited in her books. Her plots are inspired by ‘life’ and how her characters navigate the waters. She loves to ‘people watch’ and creates her characters based on the many strangers she has observed. She has written six novels. SPANISH HOUSE SECRETS was her debut novel and is now joined by BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH.

(media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)