Interview with Betty Woodcock

Are all your books based on the supernatural?

No. My next novel Deception Unlimited is a switch of genre to suspense/mystery.....not a ghost in sight. None of the characters are exactly as they seem, even the dog!!!!!!!

Do you have a favourite book? If so, which one and why?

This is difficult to answer. I'm more of a favourite author person. I became hooked on Georgette Heyer's historical romances in my teens. I found the aristocrats' formal manners and glamorous life fascinating especially the time they spent on meaningless trivialities. I still read them from time to time, to relax. Another long-term favourite is Dick Francis and on my ever-changing list is Kate Atkinson, Stuart Macbride, Wendy Cartmell, Phil Rickman....

What made you want to write?

I've always been a reader of anything and everything...when I realised that after the final page the stories continued in my head I decided to have a go myself. As my schoolgirl ambition was to illustrate books my first attempt at storytelling combined the two, comic-strip style.

When did you start writing?

When I was nearing retirement I began writing as a hobby for my own amusement. I became a member of a Writing Group and was surprised that my work was considered good enough to submit to publishers and it has snowballed from there.

Did you have to do some research into performing exorcisms for Shifting Shadows?

Yes. I knew next to nothing about the subject and wanted to be as realistic as possible.

Has it been difficult writing any of your books? if so, can you explain why?

I hope I'm not tempting fate, but I've never had any difficulty writing. I know the beginning and the end of the story and the characters kind of take over and tumble in and out of situations and problems to reach the finishing line....with a little guidance, of course!



What do your family think about having a writer in the family?

A mix of shock and pride of Mum being on Amazon....especially when my first novel The Pram was a runaway success, reaching #1 in thrillers and stayed in the top 100 downloads of various categories for several weeks.

Taking Shifting Shadows for example. How long did it take you to write it?

Shifting Shadows, my first full length novel, was written ten years ago and took two years to write. Obviously, a few minor points needed updating to drag it into the present day. In all, the final polish from resurrection to the published version has taken me a total of eighteen months.

Your books seem to show lots of conflict between families. Was this deliberate?

Yes. My characters are people; people have families and giving them dysfunctional ones allows scope for comedy, pathos and problems! I hasten to add that that isn't a reflection of my own family or those of my friends.

Do you write for adults or for teenagers? Do you know who reads your books?

I primarily write for adults, although I have considered the young adult audience. Who reads my books? I have no idea! I've had more downloads in the U.S. than the U.K. and a few in Europe.

What do you enjoy the most about writing?

I like creating  characters and giving them a life with difficult situations to overcome. The only downside is that writing is a solitary and time-consuming occupation.

Where do you get your ideas?

Observation. Snippets of overheard conversation which generate "What if?" or maybe a news report or chance memory...my mind is always full of ideas waiting to meld together, to mix and match and create a story.

Deception Unlimited is Betty's next novel which will be reviewed in August 2013. Watch this space.................................................................



 
 
 
Betty Woodcock. 2013.
 
COPYRIGHT 2013. Permission must be obtained from the author to reproduce any part of this interview.
 

Comments

  1. Carol Naylor20 January 2013 at 08:05

    I feel really honoured to feature on your blog.

    Betty Woodcock, writer. January 2013.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carol Naylor21 January 2013 at 09:56

      I enjoyed it. Thanks very much for your time. Keep writing.

      Delete

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