It is with great pleasure that I welcome Pauline Morgan onto the website today. Pauline is the author of The Ballynoon Friendship Circle and resides in her native Northern Ireland.
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Pauline.
Pauline: I’m originally from County Armagh, in Northern Ireland. My first memory of writing has to be at the age of five, writing a story complete with drawings about my grandparent’s budgie. From then, I developed into writing short stories and a spot of poetry. Over the years, I developed other interests, such as the love of the outdoors, being around horses, and not forgetting the family pets of cats and dogs.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Pauline: I would say I’ve got an effortless style of writing. As a reader of books, my pet hate is struggling with words I cannot pronounce or understand. It takes the fun out of reading. However, there is one particular genre I like, and that is women’s commercial fiction. I will read a thriller at someone’s recommendation.
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?
Pauline: I would sometimes start with a title and progress onto a detailed synopsis. Plus, I have used in the past a ten-point planner to get the story started.
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Pauline.
Pauline: I’m originally from County Armagh, in Northern Ireland. My first memory of writing has to be at the age of five, writing a story complete with drawings about my grandparent’s budgie. From then, I developed into writing short stories and a spot of poetry. Over the years, I developed other interests, such as the love of the outdoors, being around horses, and not forgetting the family pets of cats and dogs.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Pauline: I would say I’ve got an effortless style of writing. As a reader of books, my pet hate is struggling with words I cannot pronounce or understand. It takes the fun out of reading. However, there is one particular genre I like, and that is women’s commercial fiction. I will read a thriller at someone’s recommendation.
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?
Pauline: I would sometimes start with a title and progress onto a detailed synopsis. Plus, I have used in the past a ten-point planner to get the story started.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Pauline: My debut novel in women's fiction, The Ballynoon Friendship Circle is a cosy and charming story about new beginnings, second chances and learning to lay the ghosts of your past to rest. I have also now signed a two-book deal with the same publishers.
Alex: How much research do you do, and what does it usually entail?
Pauline: For research, I joined an over-fifties friendship group to watch and listen to their stories. In addition, I was taking part in their day trips to the seaside, all part of soaking up the experience — lots of notetaking and researching specific topics relevant to the storyline via the internet.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Pauline: Sometimes, I pinch individual character traits from family and friends or include someone from the television.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Pauline: That is a hard choice to make as they were all brilliant. However, to pick one, it would have to be The Island by Victoria Hislop. A very moving emotional story of love and a sense of history threaded through the storyline.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Pauline: I was fortunate my publisher organised a six-day blog tour of bloggers and reviewers. Also, I socialise on various networks with fellow writing groups.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Pauline: Besides writing, I can be found in the garden. There is always plenty to do, and I get to enjoy it in the excellent weather. To unwind, I enlist the help of Netflix or the telly in general. I like to bake bread, too.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Pauline: Maeve Binchy, I am in awe of her books. She writes in a warm, sympathetic style, with humour coming through the storylines.
Alex: Thank you for sharing your writing journey with us, Pauline and best of luck with the book.
Pauline. Thank you Alex.
Pauline: My debut novel in women's fiction, The Ballynoon Friendship Circle is a cosy and charming story about new beginnings, second chances and learning to lay the ghosts of your past to rest. I have also now signed a two-book deal with the same publishers.
Alex: How much research do you do, and what does it usually entail?
Pauline: For research, I joined an over-fifties friendship group to watch and listen to their stories. In addition, I was taking part in their day trips to the seaside, all part of soaking up the experience — lots of notetaking and researching specific topics relevant to the storyline via the internet.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Pauline: Sometimes, I pinch individual character traits from family and friends or include someone from the television.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Pauline: That is a hard choice to make as they were all brilliant. However, to pick one, it would have to be The Island by Victoria Hislop. A very moving emotional story of love and a sense of history threaded through the storyline.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Pauline: I was fortunate my publisher organised a six-day blog tour of bloggers and reviewers. Also, I socialise on various networks with fellow writing groups.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Pauline: Besides writing, I can be found in the garden. There is always plenty to do, and I get to enjoy it in the excellent weather. To unwind, I enlist the help of Netflix or the telly in general. I like to bake bread, too.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Pauline: Maeve Binchy, I am in awe of her books. She writes in a warm, sympathetic style, with humour coming through the storylines.
Alex: Thank you for sharing your writing journey with us, Pauline and best of luck with the book.
Pauline. Thank you Alex.
