At what age did you read your first book? Were you always an avid reader?
I was a big fan of the Orlando the Marmalade Cat series by Kathleen Hale, which immediately tells you I am a Baby Boomer! Although I enjoy reading, I wouldn't say I am an 'avid' reader. I don't read as often as I should.
At what age did you begin writing?
I started writing poetry at seven but developed a passion for writing at secondary school as I was lucky enough to have an inspiring and encouraging English teacher.
Why did you choose to write under a pen name?
I was nineteen when I brainstormed a pen name. Tessa, after my Springer Spaniel and Barrie – because I was a big Barry Manilow fan! And the reason? I didn't want my mother to know that the slightly risqué pieces appearing in the local paper originated from my keyboard.
What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book(s)?
With Just Say It, I surprised myself with how quickly I managed to write 103,000 words, but I wrote it Pantser-style! My next novel, The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook, was well plotted, and that was the surprise. I'd never planned a story before, but I am now a confirmed plotter.
How do you ensure the perfect blend of humor and fiction in your books?
I can't guarantee to produce the 'perfect blend', but I try my best. Humour is what makes us tick – life would be a very dismal place without it. Life has a nasty habit of kicking us when we are down, and humour helps to lift the spirit.
What inspired you to write your book, Just Say It?
The story had been in my head for twenty years, inspired by the difficult relationship I had with my mother, but I should point out that there is little similarity between myself and my main character, Lisa. It is a work of fiction, after all.
Why did you join the Jersey Writers Social Group in 2018?
Joining a writers group is like joining a support group, and I needed writing support! I was fortunate enough to meet our founding member, the author James Sillwood, at the 2018 Jersey Festival of Words, and I've never looked back. I wouldn't have self-published Just Say It without the support and encouragement of fellow members.
What challenges did you face while self-publishing your books?
More than I knew I was letting myself in for! I was pretty green when I hit the KDP publish button for Just Say It in July 2021 because I sat back and waited for sales to flood in! Ha! I wrote a blog for many years and considered myself social media savvy. However, when you self-publish, only one person will market your book, and that's you, and there is much more to do than write the odd social media post.
How did you come up with the idea for your second novel?
The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook, currently in the final edit stage, came from my short story, An Honest Review, which was listed in the Fiction Factory's 2019 short story competition. I loved the characters so much that I just wanted to keep going and develop them further. It started off as a murder-mystery spoof but has evolved into more of a tragicomedy.
Tell us a little about the first book you published and some of the things you learned.
Just Say It was a self-publishing learning curve, much of which I discovered after publication. Despite being guided by seasoned self-published authors, I had no idea that marketing your self-published book would be such a gruelling and time-consuming process. I didn't have a book launch, virtual or otherwise. Relying on a flurry of social media quotes to spread the word is not enough. Most of my book signings were cancelled because of COVID-19, and you need to put yourself out there and have that face-to-face contact with potential readers.
Do you have any quirky writing habits or rituals?
I do a lot of writing in my pyjamas, and I don't think I am alone there. I generally write all first drafts between dawn and 09.00a.m.
If there was anything you could say to your younger self, what would you say?
Throughout my adult life, I wrote in one capacity or another, but I'd always wanted to write a novel. So, I would tell my younger self not to keep a potential story in my head. Instead, you need to get them onto your hard drive as soon as the inspiration hits. Writing is a process, and so much of it is about revising and rewriting, which can take weeks or months to get right. Also, listen, and take on board, what your beta readers have to say before sending your manuscript anywhere.
Your thoughts on conventional vs self-publishing? What route did you choose and why?
I chose self-publishing because I am no spring chicken. My birth sign is Aries, so impatience is my worst trait. I think I should have tried harder to cultivate patience with Just Say It and not given up after half a dozen rejections, but because I have found the marketing side of self-publishing difficult, I am about to start submitting The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook and see where it leads.
Is there any new habit you have adopted during the lock-down?
I generally write something every day, especially when I have a novel on the go, but during lock-down, I felt I needed to push myself to write, but however awful the news was, I made myself write something, although I admit, writing humour during that time was hard. I've always been an advocate of writing to heal, and throughout my life, I've always turned to pen and paper when times get rough.
How has your experience with AllAuthor been?
Brilliant! Having graphics and GIFS created for you and the tweet scheduling relieves some of the pressure on the marketing jobs we Indie authors have to undertake. So, thank you, AllAuthor.
