Q and Answers

Written in response to Welcome to the Sunday Q and A with Rory

What do you find yourself splurging on the most?

My children, and grandchildren, I don’t tend to spend money on myself, unless it is a necessary thing, like buying new boots, or having my hair cut. Yesterday I went to a writer’s conference in Derby University. I wouldn’t have gone because the tickets cost sixty pounds. I was given this one, because someone double booked. I loved being part of the day, and next year I will treat myself. The same goes for pro-writing aid. It would help with my writing but it is fifty pounds, and I am nearly on minimum wage.

What is your top writing tip?

Make sure you keep a copy of your work in another space, just in case your computer dies. I lost a whole manuscript, so now I will save it elsewhere.

Are you a regular recycler, and if so, what are five of your top recycling tips?

I recycle what I can, but probably could do a lot more. I buy my books second hand, from my local Tesco. The profits go to charity. Every year I sort out my clothes, and whatever I don’t use will go to Cancer Research, or Heart Foundation. I am a little bit of a hoarder, and don’t throw things away if I think there will be a use for them. Although, really, it is probably not a good idea to do that.

Are you someone that wants to be or needs to be heard and seen, or are you content to be found behind the scenes?

I am content to be found behind the scenes, I never like the spotlight on me.

How approachable do you think you are in real life and away from the keyboard, and do others feel the same way about you?

I am more confident behind the keyboard, I struggle with talking to people in real life. Sometimes I think they don’t want to hear what I have to say. I am either too quiet, or talk nonsense for ages.

Do you sit more on the fence or the edge of the knife?

On the fence, but occasionally, if something really annoys me, I will be on the edge of the knife.

What do you remember the most about your grandparents?

I don’t, my parents were older when I was born. My dad was fifty and my mum thirty-eight. I have pictures and their memories. My mum’s dad wore a cloth cap, was short, loved going to the bookmakers and rolling his own cigarettes. My nan was in service, had eleven children (some died as babies) My mum was the second youngest child, and probably got away with more. My dad, said he never really remembered his own father, and was brought up by his mum. She was an amazing lady, who took in washing to look after her children. They used to sit in the pub (snug) and I get the impression they were close.

I would have loved to have known them.

How important to you is validation from your readers to your written content – do you need acknowledgement from others to create?

I would love to say I write for myself, but of course we need validation.