Full Circle has been described as a book 50 years in the making. What was it like returning to a manuscript you first started when you were around 20 years old?
It was surreal, to say the least, when I looked at the aged typed papers that held my first 10 Chapters, together with my annotations and crossings out. I had grown so much since then. My outlook on life had changed (I was 67 by this time) but I knew that now I had the time, I wanted to complete what I started all those years ago. It brought back so many memories…..
How did it feel when you discovered that your mother had kept your original manuscript all those years?
I put my hands together and said ‘thank you Mum’ that’s why the dedication to both my parents is in the book. No matter what I did through my life, they always believed in me, and encouraged me.
When you revisited the story decades later, did your vision for the book change from what you originally imagined?
Yes, it did. As I said before, I had lived a life, learnt so much, studied, and raised a family, plus the fact I had researched all my ancestors, and this gave rise to all the paces that I talk of.
What inspired you to begin writing Full Circle in the first place?
I always liked reading, and so did all the girls I worked with. We would read a book, and then talk about what we liked about it, it was great fun. One book though, written by an American Author – Anya Seton, called ‘Devil Water’, was my inspiration. She wrote books of English History, which were always my favourites. I have read all her novels.
Researching your family tree played a role in shaping the book. What surprising discoveries did you make during that process?
I discovered that they were from all over England. I went back as far as the late 1700’s. Just a few examples, the ancestors on my Maternal Grandmother’s side, came from Launceston. My maternal Grandfather’s Mother came from Norwich.
How did the historical locations in England influence the story and its characters?
Yes, definitely. I have always had a love of the west country, and the books of Thomas Hardy. I watched many series, and films to listen just how the dialect from those areas were spoken. I also learned that the English language did not abbreviate any words, this didn’t happen till the mid-1800’s. They used words that would seem very comical to us today. It was another language entirely. The English language has evolved in so many ways. For the Characters, well there are many members of my family within them. Mrs. Cottle for instance is my maternal Grandmother, even her name.
You spent most of your life working and studying at the University of East London rather than in journalism or publishing. How did that background influence your journey as a writer?
I can’t say that it did, but I learned so many methods of research, and how and what to cite, so in that respect it helped me a lot, especially in regards to copyright, as Cambridge University holds all the copyrights to the Bible, the Common Book of Prayer, and some of Shakespeare. It was a slow process, but I got there.
What challenges did you face while researching the historical period featured in the book?
I cannot say I faced challenges, but it was very time-consuming, in that I wished things to be historically correct, and I hope that I have been able to achieve that. I researched the Stagecoach, and its routes to Exeter, and found that one of the main stops was Mere in Wiltshire, and that that was one of the predominant sites for growing flax during those years. Where possible I tried to use actual locations and shops in those areas, as well as Churches. I couldn’t physically go there, so I had to rely on what I could find through research on the Internet, and books from that time.
After such a long break from the manuscript, how did you reconnect with the story and find your writing rhythm again?
I was retired by them, and as much time as I liked, and I was really looking forward to putting my thought down on paper once more.
The novel is said to include many twists and turns. Without giving too much away, what kind of journey can readers expect?
Let us say, that one path does not lead you to where you expect to go. It has many twists and turns, as do the Characters, because their lives also change so much within the books pages. One person told me it was like going through a maze, you never knew what was coming next.
How did your life experiences over the past five decades influence the final version of Full Circle?
As I said before, life never runs smoothly, and there where you think you are settled, another task is set you, and you must respond to the best of your ability. This is true of my story.
What was the most rewarding part of finally completing and publishing the book?
For me, that I had actually written it. I must tell you though, I did not know the ending till the last chapter, where I left it open for a second book, which I am near to finishing. I never planned anything, the ideas and scenes would come to me as I was writing. Sometimes I would write wholes scenes beforehand while they were still fresh in my mind, and fit them in when I came to them.
How was your experience working with Austin Macauley Publishers to bring Full Circle to readers?
As I had no experience to put it against, I couldn’t truly say. My book came out at the start of the Pandemic, so that I couldn’t do any of the promoting that other Authors do. Let us say I was very green then. Since then, they remaindered my book last February, so I had to self-publish, which I did in May, with the Great help of my Friend Mary L Schmidt. She re-edited my book, made me a new cover, and guided me through the process of putting it out there again. I would recommend her services to anyone. She is amazing.
Now that Full Circle has been published, do you see yourself writing more books in the future?
I started the second book- which follows on from the first – about three years ago, but, due to illness, and other family matters, it got shelved. Hopefully I can finish it before the end of the year
Would you recommend AllAuthor to fellow authors, and if so, what services or tools on the platform have you found most useful in growing your business?
Yes, your platform has helped me get my book out there, both the first and the second version, especially your regular tweets on ‘X’. I have used all the tools as well, particularly the seasonal ones. Thank you so much for continuing to promote ‘Full Circle’
