I am a Yorkshire lass, but have lived in
several different locations over the years; Suffolk, Surrey and Holland.
Years ago I gained a BA (Hons) degree from
the Open University, today I spend my time writing fiction. I have four books
published, plus a 20 minute short festive story. I am busy working on book 5
which is scheduled to be published in 2014.
My passion is to write about events that
happen in life and change everything for those involved as well as those caught
up in the maelstrom. I want my characters to sit at your side, steal your
attention and sweep you up in their story. Stories that will bring tears to
your eyes, have you laughing out loud and sometimes, what they share with you,
will stay in your hearts for a very long
time.
Can you tell us what prompted you to
first start writing? What was the first thing you wrote?
I have been writing all my life. As a
young girl, in a little note book, I wrote poems. I also wrote a song when I
was eleven and it was sung at one of my school's parent days. I have no idea
what it was about and I've never written one since! Later I went on to write
short stories, I have about fifteen of these tucked away in the archives of my
laptop.
Can you summarise your latest work in
just a few words?
Storm Clouds Gathering is emotional,
heart-rending and uplifting.
What was the inspiration for this book?
I wanted to write about life in the
1960's, Storm Clouds Gathering is set in 1965. The sixties was a time for high
expectations and opportunities. For women changes were coming to their lives,
but not always fast enough, especially for my characters!
Did you do any research for the book?
Yes, I have set the book around a mill
town in Yorkshire. I needed to understand the working condition of the woolen
mills and the lifestyle of the people who worked there. I had help from several
quarters including a gentleman I met on the internet who had once worked in
Fishers mill in Idle, Bradford around the period of my book. He was a great
source of information. And we still keep in touch.
What are you working on next? Do you
have a WIP?
I am working on my next book, book 5. I
have a working title, but I feel this is not going to be the published title.
This story is about addiction, not alcohol or drugs, there are other additions
that can destroy lives. This story takes the reader on a journey where deception
and lies are so believable to the point that even the liar can't see the
difference between reality and lies. Once again I have set this story in the
sixties, 1967.
What has been the best part of the
writing process…and the worst?
I have to admit, writing, for me, is
very up and down! The best part is when my characters become so real they take
you on their journey. The worst is when you cannot write one word that will
progress the story and panic sets it!
Tell us about your travels.
Over the years we've done a little
travelling, some of the places we have been to are; Singapore, Japan, South
Korea and New England. We have also visited many European towns and cities and
we lived in Holland for a number of years.
Do you plot your novels or allow them
to develop as you write?
When I start a novel, I always know the
beginning and the end along with the main characters. The rest develops as I
start the journey and more often than not it changes track several times before
we arrive at our destination.
Have you taken any creative writing
courses and would you recommend them?
I used to be a writer in the oil
industry, writing magazines, press releases, press articles etc. I attended
writing coursed back then. I think working in PR for companies is pretty
creative in way or another!!
Do you have any advice for new writers?
I don't think I am a person who is
qualified to offer advice, though I would say just go for it. Enjoy writing and
make sure it gives you pleasure. If you take your writing to a publishing
level, always have your worked checked by a professional editor.
Julie it's been fun and once again
thanks for having me, I have a sun lounger with your name in it, so please come
and sit round my pool when you have time.
All Pauline's books are available in
Kindle and paperback
Pauline's links
'Storm Clouds Gathering'
Storm clouds are gathering, silently and slowly, too far away to worry about. Or so it seems. But ignoring what is brewing will have dire consequences for the people caught up in the maelstrom.
Shirley Burton is too busy cheating on her husband, having a laugh and looking for fun to alleviate the boredom of her childless marriage. Kathleen Mitchell is too wrapped up in running around after her beautiful family to worry about her health. Anne Simpson has two things on her mind: her forthcoming marriage to Paul Betham, who seems to want to control her, and her career, which she does not want to give up.
Can Shirley really expect to deceive her husband and get away with it? Can Kathleen hold it all together, and is Anne able to have the best of everything?
Storm Clouds Gathering is a story of human emotion, passion and heart-rendering grief. Set against the backdrop of the mid-sixties, these three families will be tested to the limit as betrayal, loss and love threaten to change their lives forever.
Shirley Burton is too busy cheating on her husband, having a laugh and looking for fun to alleviate the boredom of her childless marriage. Kathleen Mitchell is too wrapped up in running around after her beautiful family to worry about her health. Anne Simpson has two things on her mind: her forthcoming marriage to Paul Betham, who seems to want to control her, and her career, which she does not want to give up.
Can Shirley really expect to deceive her husband and get away with it? Can Kathleen hold it all together, and is Anne able to have the best of everything?
Storm Clouds Gathering is a story of human emotion, passion and heart-rendering grief. Set against the backdrop of the mid-sixties, these three families will be tested to the limit as betrayal, loss and love threaten to change their lives forever.
My review
This is the first book of Pauline Barclay’s
that I have read and it won’t be the last. ‘Storm Clouds Gathering’ tells the
story of three families during the sixties in the North of England. Coming from Yorkshire myself the setting immediately appealed to me and Pauline’s evocation of
the era is spot-on. I particularly enjoyed
the way in which the three stories intertwined and Pauline Barclay is adept at
sweeping the reader up as the story carries you along.I became quite engrossed in the highs and lows
that the different characters shared running the whole gamut of emotions –
always the sign of a good writer. This is a book that will stay in your mind
long after you have finished the last page.
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