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 back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.