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Written by JJ Barnes
I am very proud to share my interview with author Carly Thompsett about her novel A Winters Tale: New York. She told me about her experiences with writing, motivation to tell her story, and shares words of advice to motivate and encourage others on their writing journey.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
It came to me suddenly one day, I had plotted ideas in my head and had previously written things down as ideas, characters etc then one year my mum got me a laptop for Christmas and it then just naturally happened and each chapter just grew and grew.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
I wrote it about 9 years ago and I published it in October 2020. It took me probably about a year or so to write it, it then sat in my hard drive for years and years, didn’t even know how or what to do to get it published. I contacted a publisher in Cardiff but they wanted £1,000 just to edit it and I didn’t have the funds to do it. I later took on a uni student through my business as an intern and she offered to do it for £100.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write A Winters Tale: New York?
I love to read so I feel I have a huge imagination. For years I had written film/movie ideas, scripts, ideas of how I wanted to put things together and then writing my book was the natural next step. It did come kind of naturally – it was planned so I could write 5 chapters in one go then go a month not writing anything while I thought I’d the next thing to happen.
What were your biggest challenges with writing A Winters Tale: New York?
Im dyslexic so writing it in general was really hard for me. I couldn’t think of certain words, punctuality was awful etc and my intern had a huge job having to edit it.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
To be honest I started writing it based in the life I wanted. I wanted to live in New York and how I wish I would live, with the friends, the job, the boyfriend and then the more I wrote the more I distanced myself from the character and she started her own persona.
What is the inciting incident of A Winters Tale: New York?
I feel I have a few haha – one is the main character cheats on her boyfriend, she dates a famous person, loses a baby and gets pregnant again.
What is the main conflict of A Winters Tale: New York?
Probably Lucy and Jack! Lucy is the main character and they are long time friends, they go out with each other, they both cheat on each other and then the rest of the book it’s a little tense.
Did you plot A Winters Tale: New York in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
I flew by the seat of my pants haha, I didn’t plan anything! I sold over 5,000 copies on Amazon, I have had so many people ask when the second one is coming out, so I’ll have to re-read it and make notes so I can continue for the next one.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did A Winters Tale: New York need?
It needed a lot of editing, I was lucky enough to find my intern who could do it as if not, it would probably still be sat in my hard drive!
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
You don’t need to stick to anyone else’s plans on how they wrote their book, I was told I have to plan, I have to make family trees and write every bit of information down – I didn’t do that and I still got to the end.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
I have started my next one, which isn’t related to the one I have published. It’s a completely different story, different characters, different country and I have written it the exact same way I did my first.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
100%. People are so shocked that I have written a book, not that I wasn’t capable but it’s one of those things I have found out that so many people want to do but don’t know where to start and I have had so much support and people I know. It’s been an amazing journey which has helped me get confidence to finish my next one.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Personal:
Insta/Twitter – @carlythompsett
Business:
Twitter/Facebook/insta – @anaphasestore
Www.Anaphasestore.com
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