April

Hello all,

Lots of tickets are now live on our website and keep checking the Foxlowe website as very shortly our evening events will be live and ready to book 🥰

We've been busy working on our programme and the website has lots of author talks, panels and workshops ready to book 🥳

Author Interview with Sheena Billett.

Sheena has long been fascinated by the everyday and the knowledge that everyone has a story, no matter how unremarkable they might seem. The theme that connects all of her writing is that of journeying through life. This might be a literal journey, as in From Manchester To The Arctic, or an emotional journey where characters are sometimes pushed out of their comfort zones through having to deal with a crisis or unforeseen event. Sometimes the journey results in growth and exciting new horizons, but in other cases, there are those who refuse to take any steps along the journey, and consequently remain stunted, often damaging the people around them as a result.

Sheena lives with her wife in Nottinghamshire.

Can you walk us through your typical writing day? Do you have any rituals or habits that help you stay productive?

I generally only write in the mornings. Somehow my writer's brain doesn't function in the afternoons. I do outline my books, but as I write more an get into them, new ideas take shape so the finished thing is often very different from the original plan. If I feel moment's of doubt or writer's block, I just write anyway. I'll give myself permission to write rubbish as long as I'm writing. But often, when I read back over what I've written it's not as bad as I thought. I know the book is finished when I feel I can't add anything of any value to it.

What inspires the main idea or premise of your books?

Real people and real life events that either I or other people have experienced are my inspiration. I'm always interested in how people react to unexpected and challenging situations. I'm also interested in what makes some people experience similar events but for some the challenge makes them better people and for others it makes them bitter and angry leading to darker thoughts and actions. Even though they might deal with some darker issues, I always want my books to have some humour in them, and an underlying feel-good vibe.

How do you develop your characters? Do they evolve organically as the story progresses, or do you plan them in detail beforehand?

My characters start off as people I've known or encountered and they develop organically as the story goes along into individuals in their own right. I always try to see them as real people in my mind.

What was the hardest part of writing your latest book?

The hardest part of writing Eagle Court was keeping going. I was constantly worried readers wouldn't like it as much as The Woman Who Wrote in Green Ink but it was a story that I wanted to tell, so I just kept going anyway.

What was your path to becoming a published author?

Was it as you envisioned, or were there surprises along the way?

I came to writing in my sixties after a ten year career as a fiction editor. I think my editing training and experience gave me the grounding and confidence to start writing myself. I always intended to self-publish and am glad I made that decision, even though it's hard work, at least I'm in control (I'm a bit of a control freak!). From what I know about the traditional publishing route it is also hard work and the production process is very slow. When I've written a book I want it out there for people to read. there are so many brilliant tools for self-publishers out there these days.

Sheena thank you for your time and before we wrap up, is there anything you'd like to share with your readers about your work or upcoming projects?

Readers can follow me on Facebook at sheenaiswriting and can visit my shop at sheenaiswriting.com I'm currently writing my 5th book, another psychological thriller which is set in a hairdressing salon. Lots of scope for interesting characters! It will be called Cutting it Fine.

Sheena has also been working with Audio Factory and has an upcoming audiobook version of The Woman Who Wrote In Green Ink. Check it out ....