D E Fox

I do still love these stories even now I have reached 50 but I cannot say they influenced my writing of my first book especially as Second Hand Rose is a Horror Mystery.

I would add being exposed to these wonderful stories at an early age would have helped develop my imagination for storytelling and even though it has taken some time to get started.

I have always loved to dance and even now I still do a couple of fitness dance classes every week. The only influence I would say is I believe being physically active does have a positive effect on mental health which then has a knock on with my writing.

Its probably more relevant to the writing of the book I am currently working on which is a completely different genre to Second Hand Rose. I don’t want to give too much away at this stage but my new story has certain similarities to the humour I have added to the story.

My writing was inspired when dealing with the grief of the passing of my beloved dog Jake rather than COVID related. I introduced Jake into the story as one of the main characters and writing about him helped with my mental health at that time and I know that anyone reading my book will get to know the real Jake a little and his quirky personality.

Abigail Hirst a reporter in a big city dragged back to her beloved hometown of Friendship through sad circumstances at the loss of her Grandmother Rose. Rose’s beloved Antique Store Abigail grew up with all her childhood was now hers and the opportunity to take over and start a new chapter in her life with her faithful companion Jake a feisty Terrier. All seems perfect in the idyllic setting in a town with little crime, prosperous economy, impeccably clean and friendly generous people. Meeting up with all her old friends and maybe a blossoming romance from an old flame. Abigail a naturally curious person cannot get a nagging doubt out of her head that all is not well, can everything really be this perfect. What’s with the wardrobe in the store that has never sold and cannot be accessed, a strange lack of young children in a town full of young, healthy seemingly happy couples and an avoidance in talking about any part of the town’s history. Can Abigail get the bottom of the town’s secret past, a past if unearthed could jeopardise every living being in town, a past so unspeakable and hideous that has been kept hidden for years. The past that is somehow connected to her own past and the Store ‘Second Hand Rose’

Dogs definitively with the Jake connection. Cinema was also as the reason I wrote this genre is I went to watch a horror movie with my partner and was particularly disappointed as it was supposed to be scary and it wasn’t. I told my partner I could write a lot scarier and hopefully my creation is not a disappointment for the readers.

I think if you have a passion for any subject it makes it easier to write about. I did want to portray some pretty gruesome scenes to provide an idea of how evil the bad character is in my book. I have to admit I did need my partners help on my first murder scene as he is a passionate horror reader so I thought if I could disgust him it should have the desired effect on future readers. I did have to re write this scene a few times before he decided it was worthy of the character I had created.

I cant say too much about how Jakes character evolves in the book. (It is nice to be in control of a dog in an horror story as it tends not to work out too well for them typically). I do know that every bit of his personality is in there and the tears and laughter I went through over the few months of writing did turn out to be great therapy. I do at every opportunity like to talk about this as it may in turn help out others in future that may go through similar circumstances.

It is not easy as I am trying find the right balance of promoting Second Hand Rose and writing the new book. I don’t have a deadline for the new book so there is no pressure on finishing so I maybe write a chapter over a 1-2 week period and then most of my efforts are doing this type of promotional work along with book talks at local libraries (which I have found very rewarding) and then the unlimited potential of social media. Very busy but enjoyable at the same time. I do joke with work colleagues that I need to employ a P.A. just wish I could afford one.

The book was never meant to be published just a story done for the reasons stated and just as an xmas surprise for my mum. To get it published is crazy and to see that first draft copy in the post was surreal but amazing. Even now I still have to pinch myself when someone calls me an author. The journey will never stop for me as I enjoy writing and have the confidence now that I can write a good story. I will also never stop promoting Second Hand Rose so this has become part of my everyday life and long may the journey continue.

My partner did a lot of the initial editing and reading so he supported all the way from the start and never doubted I could do this. Friends and family have been amazing and gave me the confidence to pursue this further with a publisher.

After it was suggested to give publishers a try I then started looking at options of suitable companies that were talking my size and genre of book first and then the ones that were even taking submissions. There wasn’t a big list left just 2 so I tried Blossom first bearing in mind my only goal at this stage was to get an honest independent and professional response to the story. Their response was so positive and they showed an interest in the story as a possible series so offered me one of their contracts. You cannot imagine how this made me feel and it didn’t take me long to decide. In terms of advice I would say take time into exploring the best publisher to suit your book first as it can be a minefield of options rather than just sending it out to everyone. I started with around 100 and ended with 2.

I love Anne Rice and Interview with a Vampire in particular.

The next one without saying too much is the complete opposite in genre but this story I did actually start writing a few years ago and have picked it back up from the confidence of the experience I have had from Second Hand Rose.

I do intend to continue Second Hand Rose as I have many ideas to continue this on as per the publishers suggestions.

I would and have recommended your site as I have found All Authors a positive experience. I haven’t much to compare as I am still fairly new to promoting and what other opportunities are out there.

The banners in particular you produce are a great looking tool to forward around my social media circles.