It gives me great pleasure to welcome Helen Pryke onto the website today. Helen writes suspense novels and emotional women's fiction set in Italy that deals with the difficult subject of abuse. She also writes middle grade fiction under the pen name, Julia E. Clements.
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Helen.
Helen: I'm British, but I've been living in the north of Italy for more than 30 years. I'm married to my second husband, and we live in the countryside with my two sons and our rescue cat, Pan.
I grew up in the UK, in a small seaside town on the south coast not far from Portsmouth. I miss the British weather (where I live in Italy it's hot and humid in the summer and damp and cold in the winter!), and I really miss British food such as fish and chips and Cheddar cheese!
I first started writing when I was about ten - I have a cutting from a school magazine with a short story I wrote. I got my passion for reading from my mum, and I would make up stories based on whatever book I was reading.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Helen.
Helen: I'm British, but I've been living in the north of Italy for more than 30 years. I'm married to my second husband, and we live in the countryside with my two sons and our rescue cat, Pan.
I grew up in the UK, in a small seaside town on the south coast not far from Portsmouth. I miss the British weather (where I live in Italy it's hot and humid in the summer and damp and cold in the winter!), and I really miss British food such as fish and chips and Cheddar cheese!
I first started writing when I was about ten - I have a cutting from a school magazine with a short story I wrote. I got my passion for reading from my mum, and I would make up stories based on whatever book I was reading.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Helen: The first book I published, Walls of Silence, was written after getting out of a psychologically abusive marriage that lasted 23 years. I poured all the emotions I was feeling at the time into my main character, Maria, and found it quite cathartic. I've noticed that domestic abuse has been a theme in most of my books since then, but the women I write about end up being stronger and more resilient after their traumas, much like myself. I also explore the culture differences between the Italians and British, and add little snippets of things I have experienced during the years I've been here.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Helen: Definitely the latter! I find that the characters take over, and the story often ends up completely different from my original idea - and better. For example, in The Healer's Secret, Jennifer's great-grandmother was supposed to have a brief mention at the beginning. Instead, she insisted her story be told, and it ended up being a major part of the book! Now I start out with a rough frame and let the characters decide what happens.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Helen: The Healer's Betrayal is the fourth book in my Healer series. Set in Tuscany, each story is about a different healer from the Innocenti family, and the books span the centuries from the 1300s to present day. This story about Morgana Innocenti takes place in the early 1600s, in the time of superstition and witch hunts, and has a hint of magical realism. Dragonflies feature throughout the series, and I've become fascinated by them. Readers often send me photos or memes of dragonflies, which I love.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Helen: Definitely the latter! I find that the characters take over, and the story often ends up completely different from my original idea - and better. For example, in The Healer's Secret, Jennifer's great-grandmother was supposed to have a brief mention at the beginning. Instead, she insisted her story be told, and it ended up being a major part of the book! Now I start out with a rough frame and let the characters decide what happens.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Helen: The Healer's Betrayal is the fourth book in my Healer series. Set in Tuscany, each story is about a different healer from the Innocenti family, and the books span the centuries from the 1300s to present day. This story about Morgana Innocenti takes place in the early 1600s, in the time of superstition and witch hunts, and has a hint of magical realism. Dragonflies feature throughout the series, and I've become fascinated by them. Readers often send me photos or memes of dragonflies, which I love.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Helen: I started reading at an early age, I can't remember which book I read first! I loved The Famous Five and The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, and the Narnia books by CS Lewis. I was also crazy about horses, and had lots of horsey books.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Helen: I usually do a lot of research for my Healer books as they're historical fiction, and can spend hours looking up the smallest details. I try to make them as accurate as possible, but sometimes errors slip in and unfortunately this upsets some readers. I mainly use Google and Wikipedia, and often buy books on the subject I'm researching. My library of herbal remedies and books on witchcraft is growing by the week!
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Helen: Before the pandemic, I spent a lot of time in hospital waiting rooms for one reason or another, and came across many interesting people. A few of these 'may' have ended up in a book or two! I think every book has a character with some of me in them, and I use traits of people I know. One elderly gentleman, a taxi driver and an artist, told us that he used to give away his drawings to passengers - this became part of a scene in The Healer's Secret that is very popular with readers!
Helen: I started reading at an early age, I can't remember which book I read first! I loved The Famous Five and The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, and the Narnia books by CS Lewis. I was also crazy about horses, and had lots of horsey books.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Helen: I usually do a lot of research for my Healer books as they're historical fiction, and can spend hours looking up the smallest details. I try to make them as accurate as possible, but sometimes errors slip in and unfortunately this upsets some readers. I mainly use Google and Wikipedia, and often buy books on the subject I'm researching. My library of herbal remedies and books on witchcraft is growing by the week!
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Helen: Before the pandemic, I spent a lot of time in hospital waiting rooms for one reason or another, and came across many interesting people. A few of these 'may' have ended up in a book or two! I think every book has a character with some of me in them, and I use traits of people I know. One elderly gentleman, a taxi driver and an artist, told us that he used to give away his drawings to passengers - this became part of a scene in The Healer's Secret that is very popular with readers!
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Helen: I've read two books recently that were incredible, and made me wish I'd written them. One was 2000 Tunes by Karl Drinkwater. Set in Manchester in the year 2000, it's the story of Sam and Mark, two strangers whose destinies are entwined. "It's like taking a trip back in time, revisiting old friends and old haunts. I've never been to Manchester, but the way the author pulls you into each setting, you feel like you've lived there yourself. The characters are so well written, so well developed, so realistic, that you feel as if you're there with them, living their lives with them." Pink Quill Books
The second book is The Fenian by Mike Kernan. This has a dual timeline, present day and the 1970s, and is a story of second chances and regrets. "A richly woven narrative of a group of kids on the verge of adolescence, with love, teenage angst, loss, and all the trials and tribulations that growing up brings." Pink Quill Books
Alex: How do you market your books?
Helen: I join reader groups on Facebook and try to interact with people, rather than doing 'buy my book' posts. I got so fed up with being in groups that were spammed with continuous self-promo posts that I created my own group, Meet the Authors. I've met lots of wonderful people there, both authors and readers, and we all support each other.
Helen: I've read two books recently that were incredible, and made me wish I'd written them. One was 2000 Tunes by Karl Drinkwater. Set in Manchester in the year 2000, it's the story of Sam and Mark, two strangers whose destinies are entwined. "It's like taking a trip back in time, revisiting old friends and old haunts. I've never been to Manchester, but the way the author pulls you into each setting, you feel like you've lived there yourself. The characters are so well written, so well developed, so realistic, that you feel as if you're there with them, living their lives with them." Pink Quill Books
The second book is The Fenian by Mike Kernan. This has a dual timeline, present day and the 1970s, and is a story of second chances and regrets. "A richly woven narrative of a group of kids on the verge of adolescence, with love, teenage angst, loss, and all the trials and tribulations that growing up brings." Pink Quill Books
Alex: How do you market your books?
Helen: I join reader groups on Facebook and try to interact with people, rather than doing 'buy my book' posts. I got so fed up with being in groups that were spammed with continuous self-promo posts that I created my own group, Meet the Authors. I've met lots of wonderful people there, both authors and readers, and we all support each other.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Helen: I love reading! I remember my mum always had a book in her hand whenever she had a spare moment, and I've picked up the habit as well. I also enjoy drawing and painting, and creating digital artwork, although I'm still learning!
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Helen: All indie authors. They do everything, from writing the book to finding an editor and proofreader, to either designing the cover or paying someone to do it, as well as marketing it after publication. I have books that are self-published, and it's hard work keeping on top of everything - writing the book is the easy part! Among my favourite indie authors are Sarah Northwood, Kristina Beck, Isabella May, and Brian O'Gorman, but there are really too many to mention here. All I can say is give indie authors a chance; I've read a lot of original, entertaining stories that I might not have otherwise found.
Alex: Great to hear it for the indie community. This website can attest to the extraordinary talent that exists out there. Anyway, thank you so much for sharing your writing journey with us, Helen. It's been fascinating.
Helen: It's my pleasure, Alex.
Helen: I love reading! I remember my mum always had a book in her hand whenever she had a spare moment, and I've picked up the habit as well. I also enjoy drawing and painting, and creating digital artwork, although I'm still learning!
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Helen: All indie authors. They do everything, from writing the book to finding an editor and proofreader, to either designing the cover or paying someone to do it, as well as marketing it after publication. I have books that are self-published, and it's hard work keeping on top of everything - writing the book is the easy part! Among my favourite indie authors are Sarah Northwood, Kristina Beck, Isabella May, and Brian O'Gorman, but there are really too many to mention here. All I can say is give indie authors a chance; I've read a lot of original, entertaining stories that I might not have otherwise found.
Alex: Great to hear it for the indie community. This website can attest to the extraordinary talent that exists out there. Anyway, thank you so much for sharing your writing journey with us, Helen. It's been fascinating.
Helen: It's my pleasure, Alex.
