Pauline Barclay

Pauline Barclay is the author of ‘Magnolia House’ and her latest book ‘Satchfield Hall’ has just been released.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Anywhere and everywhere! I find inspiration and ideas from sometimes just a word or a phrase, listening to music, reading, watching people, talking to people, out walking the dog. Just being aware of others. Life is so interesting and fascinating.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I have always enjoyed writing, when I was at junior school, I wrote a song and it was sung at one of the school’s parent days. Just before we all started to sing, the teacher announced who had written the song and to my horror she gave the credit to the wrong Pauline! I eventually got over it and since then I’ve left song writing to others. My real passion is writing and during the last fifteen years I have written over sixteen short stories, as well as my two published novels, Magnolia House and Satchfield Hall, I have also written two other full length stories. These still sit in the archives of my computer! Away from my passion of fiction writing, I spent many years as a communications manager. This work entailed writing in-house magazines, press releases for the specialist international press, pages for web sites etc. So much of my life, one way or another, has been very much involved in writing.

What was your road to publication?

I confess to taking the route of a self published author and being one of the authors that are not always seen as a proper author. It is hard work doing everything yourself; writing, proof reading, checking that it is all formatted correctly and looks professional and finally the marketing. It is a challenge, but I have enjoyed every step of the way. Of course it would be fantastic if an agent or publishing house would notice me, especially as my third novel is at the first draft stage. I have received some fantastic reviews and this in itself has made me very proud.

Describe your editing process.

As much as I love getting my story down, I love working on it until it feels right and I don’t mind how many times I have to reread and amend. It’s all part of the writing process.

Describe your typical writing day.

I don’t have a typical day, but I write every day. Some days the words fly and other days I find it difficult to write my name let alone a sentence. But fortunately I don’t have too many of those days. Writing is addictive and very therapeutic. I love it and can’t imagine my life without writing.

What’s the most important thing you have learnt since you became a writer?

How lucky I am that I can sit at home and write and also continue to learn. I am forever being told off about getting my as and has wrong….I wonder if I will ever learn!

Describe your books and writing style.

I tend to base my novels around an event or events that change the path of people’s lives. I work hard to capture the breath of the emotions of those caught up in these events from their sadness to their joy. I would describe my first two books as emotional with a nice warm feeling.

Is there a book by another author that you’d wished you’d written?

No. That’s what makes reading books so interesting because they are written by people with their own style.

Do you have five tips for new writers?

Write to enjoy and enjoy writing

Write with energy and passion

Don’t be afraid to use words that are new to you

Experiment to find your style

Never be put off by others

Pauline’s new book ‘Satchfield Hall’ is available now via Amazon.

To read a sample chapter of ‘Satchfield Hall’ click here.

For more information about Pauline, visit her website http://www.paulinebarclay.co.uk

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by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.