Hello Sheila

Me – My first question is

Which aspect of the writing process do you enjoy the most? And why?

Sheila- I most enjoy working on the second draft. I have the first draft in front of me, printed out, and then I go through and improve the way I express myself, enriching the content, and taking the book to a new level. I love the feeling I get when, reading through, a sense of the whole comes to me, a vision of how this works, of the integrity of the book.

Me – Polishing a story is very satisfying, although it can be difficult.

What distracts you when you are in writing flow? Is there anything you do to counter this?

Sheila - The concept of being “in writing flow” mainly applies to the first draft, I think. I find there is a temptation to judge what you have written, and break away from the writing to research a fact. I try to resist that - I can correct the facts later, the important thing right now is to engage with the narrative on a more instinctive level.

Me – You make a good point here. First drafting is about getting the essence of the story down. What aspect of a story comes to you first? Character, premise, plot, setting, beginning, ending?

Sheila - With fiction, the aspect that comes to me first is the principal character and his/her central dilemma, and the setting naturally flows from that. The setting, and the character’s reason for being there, must be part of the dilemma.

Me – Dilemma’s are vital. I like the idea of the setting flowing from the character’s problems. How and when did your fascination with the paranormal begin?

Sheila - I have always loved ghost stories, from when I was a child. Some of my earliest memories of paranormal tales are associated with TV drama productions. I was captivated by Tales of the Unexpected on television. I also remember seeing a dramatisation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost. Early on I was attracted to books where the central character would find him or herself in a mysterious house, where strange events would take place, events that might have no obvious explanation. Amongst my favourite novels of all time are those which build up a mysterious atmosphere, like Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, and those which incorporate some element of the supernatural, such as Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, or Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre.

Me – I loved Tales of the Unexpected too. Brilliant short stories. How do you decide which story to write next?

Sheila - As I mentioned above, I believe the decision comes when a character, dilemma and setting pops into your mind, and stays with you, and impels you to ask the question ‘What if?’

Me – Yes, those ‘what if’s’ are very compelling. What has been the most satisfying moment in your writing career?

Sheila - I think the most satisfying moments come by serendipity, unexpectedly, and in circumstances where you don’t feel you have fought for them. Of course one of the most satisfying experiences for me was signing my first traditional contract of publication. So much of one’s writing career is taken up by struggling and striving for things to happen, persuading people, selling yourself, trying to make people know you’re there, asking them for Amazon reviews, trying to make agents take notice of you. It’s the unsolicited things that mean the most. I felt very excited and pleased when the local librarian for Warwickshire Libraries wrote to me a few months ago of my latest book Paranormal Warwickshire, “This book is going to be very popular, and we will be ordering a copy for every one of our libraries.” I also found it heartwarming when one of my local bookshops, Kenilworth Books, were so welcoming and encouraging to me, hosting me for the launch of my first novel Mystical Circles and for a book signing event for my second novel A Passionate Spirit; they did everything they possibly could to publicise the event beforehand. Those who support you and encourage you fill your heart with gladness. I try to encourage and uplift other authors as much as possible as I know so well how much it means.

Me – I love how the local librarian wrote to you and how the local bookshop helps to promote your books. What is the strangest observation from the real world that has made it into one of your books?

Sheila - It’s probably an observation made by one of the Christian ministers I interviewed during the course of my research for my two novels. He was a retired clergyman with a wealth of experience. He told me a strange story which inspired me for my most malevolent and supernatural character in A Passionate Spirit. In fact a key scene in the novel, involving that character, is based directly on his own first person account.

Me – Truth can be stranger than fiction and mixed in with fiction makes for a good read. What aspect of your personality have you explored through writing?

Sheila - Probably my curiosity. As an introvert I never feel that I can fully satisfy my curiosity in real life; I have spent so much time longing to ask people things about themselves and fearing that they might consider me too intrusive. So, instead, I study and observe and listen to people, and use my imagination, to answer all those questions in my head; and that habit leads directly to the creation of fiction.

Me – Observing and listening is a great tip for new writers. Of all the stories you have written, which have you learnt the most from?

Sheila - From A Passionate Spirit I finally learned to embrace the act of stepping outside a predetermined structure for how this story is going to work out, and what’s going to happen; I learned not to be afraid of the most outrageous or apparently ridiculous plot twists that might spring into your mind, but to absolutely trust that process, and see where it leads you.

Me – what an important aspect of writing to learn, thank you.

This last question is purely because I’m curious as to how author’s kickstart their brains and fuel their writing. What do you like to eat for breakfast?

Sheila - My favourite is 2 boiled eggs and ryvita spread with butter. I’m not sure what that proves. If I have time, I like scrambled eggs on toast!

Me – I’ve not had a boiled egg for ages. Looks like tomorrow’s breakfast is sorted!

Thank you for your answers, there are some great ideas for authors to think about. 

Please check out the links below for more information on Sheila and her writing

Website - www.scskillman.com

Facebook: scskillmanauthor

Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, LInked In, Twitter: @scskillman

 Amazon Author Page: http://bitly.ws/9SK9

My publisher Amberley Publishing: Paranormal Warwickshire - Amberley Publishing (amberley-books.com)