Chissick Chat Blog, part nine, with Maureen Turner
A big hello to Maureen Turner, fellow British author from Gloucestershire, a massive supporter of the Chissick Chat blog, who writes full time. Welcome to my blog. Please can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself and your books?
My name is Maureen Turner and I live in Gloucestershire with my husband and rescued Jack Russell cross dog, Woody. I have one grown daughter and one granddaughter. For twenty five years I was employed at the local village primary school as a teaching assistant. Due to budget cuts the board of governors decided to cut staffing numbers and the axe fell on four teaching assistants. As I was the longest serving member, my position was fairly safe. However at the time I was secretly writing my debut novel and as we had all been asked if anyone wanted to volunteer for redundancy I decided to offer myself up, so to speak. Sadly three other T/A's were added to the tally much against their will. All this happened over five years ago.
I finished my novel 'First Breath' and with the high hopes of being another J.K. Rowling, I trawled the Agents/Publishers with my book. What a wake up call that was. Anyway, to cut a long story short I eventually self published with an American vanity publisher. Boy, did I learn the hard way about self publishing. After that first foray into self publishing I made sure that I published all further novels/short story collections so that I retained control over my books.
I have always been an avid reader myself and in well over fifty years of reading I have covered many genres from Sci fi to Historical and many more in between. My own preference for writing is Fantasy Romance although my short stories are multi genre.
What, or who, inspires you?
Many 'things' inspire me. A memory of a past event, an offhand comment made by someone, even a piece of music can sow the seed for a story. As for 'who' inspires me, well it has to be other authors. I think we've all read a passage from a favourite book and then just sat there spellbound by the magic of those inspirational words. How many times have we gone back and re read a piece that has made us pause mid page?
Do you enjoy reading the same genre as the one you write in?
As I have said, my current reading choice is Fantasy and that is the genre I mainly choose to write in. It is the one genre that allows your imagination to take off and fly. So few boundaries you see.
Has any of your research taken you to an unusual place?
I can't say that my research has taken me to any unusual places. Mostly I research through Google so physically I'm sitting at my laptop but my head could be anywhere.
What are you working on at the moment?
My current WIP started off as one novel but by the time I got to 180,000 words with no ending in sight I decided to make it a two book series. I went back to where I could finish off book one on a bit of a cliffhanger and I am now reading through that first part. Book two is already half written so I am feeling good about that.
What are your future writing plans?
My future writing plans are to carry on writing short stories until I have a dozen or so to publish a fourth collection whilst at the same time finishing my two book novel.
Is there anything you don’t like about writing/being an author?
I love the writing process. When it is going well there is no better occupation. The down side to being an author is the continual 'banging away' trying to build a fanbase/following. The world and his aunt are all trying to write the next best seller. I'm beginning to think there are more authors than readers.
Quick Fire Questions …
Tea or coffee? It has to be tea for me. Coffee is fine but it has to be the real thing and served with cream not milk.
Sweet snack or savoury snack? My preference is always for savoury rather than sweet snacks.
Real book or ebook? Give me a real book every time. E books are okay but they have no scent.
Cinema or DVD? Cinema over a DVD. The popcorn tastes so much better in a cinema.
Cat or dog? It has to be a dog for me. I love all animals (yes even snakes) but Woody is my constant companion as I write.
Weepie or action movie? I like action movies but there's nothing more enjoyable than a good weepie. Who doesn't enjoy a sad ending?
And to Finish, What is your favourite …
Food? My favourite food...Oooh that's a hard one. If I'm pushed I would probably say Crusty fresh bread and real butter.
Drink? Zinfandel Wine has to be the best drink ever.
Movie? My favourite movie? Impossible to choose. If ever - in my wildest dreams - a movie is made of my first novel, it would be that one. I'm still in love with the main character.
Book? 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' by Laini Taylor.
Colour? My favourite colour is green. Such a lush colour although green cars are a no-no for me. Strange that eh?
Saying/Proverb? My favourite saying is, "Wait and see." It usually means I have no idea of the answer.
Song? Hallelujah has to be my favourite song. Gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it.
Pudding/dessert? Good old fashioned Trifle - I'm a Baby Boomer you see.
Thank you, Maureen, not only for taking part but also for supporting all the authors featured on my blog.
