It gives me great pleasure to welcome Shelley Wilson onto the website today. Shelley is the author of numerous motivational self-help titles as well as young adult fantasy fiction.
Alex: Welcome to the website, Shelley. Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?
Shelley: Hello, Alex. Thank you for inviting me to join you for a chat. I’m a multi-genre author of adult self-help and YA fiction. I was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but moved to the West Midlands when I was a young girl. Although I’m incredibly proud of my northern roots I unfortunately adopted the Brummie accent!
My writing journey began around the same time as the big move to the Midlands. At eight years of age it was hard to be taken away from the extended family (who all still live in Yorkshire), and forge a new beginning. Writing was as much an escape as reading.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Shelley: My non-fiction can be described as conversational. One of the comments I receive all the time about my self-help books is ‘it feels like she’s in the room chatting with you’ and for that I’m eternally grateful. Storytelling is all about engagement for me, and that’s so important in self-help and personal development. If I read a book that preaches to me it won’t last long on my shelf!
My YA fiction is also fairly easy to read. I’m not a fan of convoluted sentences when one word would suffice. When I read YA (which is a genre I adore), I want the author to get to the point with as much action and tension (and gore!) as they can muster and then I’m sold.
Throughout both the genres I write for, my themes always centre on female empowerment, inner strength, and confidence. I was born in the 70s so grew up in the ‘kids should be seen and not heard’ generation. Finding my voice has been a life-long mission. I’ve survived an abusive marriage, which left me broken and disconnected. It took years to build my confidence again. I see my daughter and her friends struggle with that inner strength and self-belief and so I write about these themes in a hope that my words resonate and inspire.
Alex: Welcome to the website, Shelley. Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?
Shelley: Hello, Alex. Thank you for inviting me to join you for a chat. I’m a multi-genre author of adult self-help and YA fiction. I was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but moved to the West Midlands when I was a young girl. Although I’m incredibly proud of my northern roots I unfortunately adopted the Brummie accent!
My writing journey began around the same time as the big move to the Midlands. At eight years of age it was hard to be taken away from the extended family (who all still live in Yorkshire), and forge a new beginning. Writing was as much an escape as reading.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Shelley: My non-fiction can be described as conversational. One of the comments I receive all the time about my self-help books is ‘it feels like she’s in the room chatting with you’ and for that I’m eternally grateful. Storytelling is all about engagement for me, and that’s so important in self-help and personal development. If I read a book that preaches to me it won’t last long on my shelf!
My YA fiction is also fairly easy to read. I’m not a fan of convoluted sentences when one word would suffice. When I read YA (which is a genre I adore), I want the author to get to the point with as much action and tension (and gore!) as they can muster and then I’m sold.
Throughout both the genres I write for, my themes always centre on female empowerment, inner strength, and confidence. I was born in the 70s so grew up in the ‘kids should be seen and not heard’ generation. Finding my voice has been a life-long mission. I’ve survived an abusive marriage, which left me broken and disconnected. It took years to build my confidence again. I see my daughter and her friends struggle with that inner strength and self-belief and so I write about these themes in a hope that my words resonate and inspire.
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?
Shelley: Oh, I’m a full-on neurotic planner. Creating the outline of a book is my favourite thing to do. I love it so much that I also work as a book coach which allows me to work on other people’s outlines – I kid you not!
For years I filled notebooks with ideas and starting chapters but always burned out or lost interest, until I learned how to plot. It changed everything for me and I went from half a first draft to publishing two books a year.
There is, however, always some wriggle room in my outline for when the characters decide to do their own thing!
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Shelley: I recently submitted my sixteenth book to my publisher which is a YA novel called Blood Born. It features my favourite supernatural characters – vampires! For years I vowed never to write a vampire novel as I didn’t think I could do them justice, but the main character in Blood Born had a pretty loud voice. Before this particular book will see the light of day, I have another two books due for release by my publisher. The first is Self-Help for the Helpless, a non-fiction personal development book aimed at women who are discovering the self-help genre for the first time. This title is out on 2nd December 2021. The next is a YA novel, The Last Princess, which is set in 866 AD and is my first attempt at writing historical fiction. I adored writing this book as I’m fascinated by Viking history – I just hope my YA audience love it as much I do!
Shelley: Oh, I’m a full-on neurotic planner. Creating the outline of a book is my favourite thing to do. I love it so much that I also work as a book coach which allows me to work on other people’s outlines – I kid you not!
For years I filled notebooks with ideas and starting chapters but always burned out or lost interest, until I learned how to plot. It changed everything for me and I went from half a first draft to publishing two books a year.
There is, however, always some wriggle room in my outline for when the characters decide to do their own thing!
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Shelley: I recently submitted my sixteenth book to my publisher which is a YA novel called Blood Born. It features my favourite supernatural characters – vampires! For years I vowed never to write a vampire novel as I didn’t think I could do them justice, but the main character in Blood Born had a pretty loud voice. Before this particular book will see the light of day, I have another two books due for release by my publisher. The first is Self-Help for the Helpless, a non-fiction personal development book aimed at women who are discovering the self-help genre for the first time. This title is out on 2nd December 2021. The next is a YA novel, The Last Princess, which is set in 866 AD and is my first attempt at writing historical fiction. I adored writing this book as I’m fascinated by Viking history – I just hope my YA audience love it as much I do!
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Shelley: I’m fairly sure there would have been a Peter and Jane book in the mix, but the first book that had an impact on me was The Folk of the Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. My love of fantasy fiction started with this book and continued as I discovered C S Lewis, Jill Murphy, and Roald Dahl.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Shelley: The amount of research depends on how much ‘reality’ I include in my YA novels. When writing my Guardian Series I could create new realms and let loose (although I still had to include research on weaponry). My Viking novel needed a lot of research so I got the costumes, names, settings, and timeline right. I even booked a trip to Northumberland so I could stand in the spot where my main character stands.
My non-fiction also requires an element of research, even though the majority of my self-help books are based on my many years of training and working in the holistic health and alternative therapy arena.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Shelley: Yes I do. We can’t help but be influenced by our surroundings, and that includes the people who come into our lives. Most of the ‘bad guys’ are a mash up of school or workplace bullies.
Shelley: I’m fairly sure there would have been a Peter and Jane book in the mix, but the first book that had an impact on me was The Folk of the Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. My love of fantasy fiction started with this book and continued as I discovered C S Lewis, Jill Murphy, and Roald Dahl.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Shelley: The amount of research depends on how much ‘reality’ I include in my YA novels. When writing my Guardian Series I could create new realms and let loose (although I still had to include research on weaponry). My Viking novel needed a lot of research so I got the costumes, names, settings, and timeline right. I even booked a trip to Northumberland so I could stand in the spot where my main character stands.
My non-fiction also requires an element of research, even though the majority of my self-help books are based on my many years of training and working in the holistic health and alternative therapy arena.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Shelley: Yes I do. We can’t help but be influenced by our surroundings, and that includes the people who come into our lives. Most of the ‘bad guys’ are a mash up of school or workplace bullies.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Shelley: I’ve become a firm fan of Adrienne Young and was totally smitten by her book, Sky in the Deep (I reviewed it on my blog if you want to find out more). I went on to read everything she’s written and even put my name on her subscriber list so I get notified when a new book is on its way.
I also love Leigh Bardugo’s YA series of which they have released a Netflix show (Shadow and Bone).
Alex: How do you market your books?
Shelley: I’m slightly obsessed with social media and enjoy engaging on most platforms. I know you’re only supposed to concentrate on one platform (where your ideal reader hangs out), but I’m a typical Gemini and love to flit from platform to platform.
Twitter is where I connect with fellow writers as well as readers, and where I’ve met all the amazing book bloggers who work tirelessly (in their own time) to support authors and publishers.
My Facebook author page is a fun space where I share all kinds of things. Being multi-genre can be tricky sometimes as I love sharing vampire memes, but need to make sure I’m also including something for my non-fiction audience.
My publisher (BHC Press) are amazing at getting my books in all sorts of promotions and sales. I recently had the honour of being interviewed about my upcoming non-fiction release on the U.S. Book Show which was a fabulous opportunity.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Shelley: I love travelling and bought myself a VW camper last year so I could get out more. I’m a single mum of three, but my children are grown-up and no longer want to camp out in a muddy field with their old mum (can’t think why!), so I decided to go out on my own and explore the UK solo.
I’m also a big history and castle/historical building fan, and a member of English Heritage, so I take myself off in my camper and explore the incredible sites we have here in the UK.
Unwinding for me usually includes a campfire, mug of tea, a good book (or my notebook) and a lakeside pitch – bliss.
Shelley: I’ve become a firm fan of Adrienne Young and was totally smitten by her book, Sky in the Deep (I reviewed it on my blog if you want to find out more). I went on to read everything she’s written and even put my name on her subscriber list so I get notified when a new book is on its way.
I also love Leigh Bardugo’s YA series of which they have released a Netflix show (Shadow and Bone).
Alex: How do you market your books?
Shelley: I’m slightly obsessed with social media and enjoy engaging on most platforms. I know you’re only supposed to concentrate on one platform (where your ideal reader hangs out), but I’m a typical Gemini and love to flit from platform to platform.
Twitter is where I connect with fellow writers as well as readers, and where I’ve met all the amazing book bloggers who work tirelessly (in their own time) to support authors and publishers.
My Facebook author page is a fun space where I share all kinds of things. Being multi-genre can be tricky sometimes as I love sharing vampire memes, but need to make sure I’m also including something for my non-fiction audience.
My publisher (BHC Press) are amazing at getting my books in all sorts of promotions and sales. I recently had the honour of being interviewed about my upcoming non-fiction release on the U.S. Book Show which was a fabulous opportunity.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Shelley: I love travelling and bought myself a VW camper last year so I could get out more. I’m a single mum of three, but my children are grown-up and no longer want to camp out in a muddy field with their old mum (can’t think why!), so I decided to go out on my own and explore the UK solo.
I’m also a big history and castle/historical building fan, and a member of English Heritage, so I take myself off in my camper and explore the incredible sites we have here in the UK.
Unwinding for me usually includes a campfire, mug of tea, a good book (or my notebook) and a lakeside pitch – bliss.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Shelley: There are so many to choose from. As I mentioned earlier, I love the work of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo. I also admire Namina Forna, Tomi Adeyeme, and Maggie Stiefvator.
I’m honoured to be connected to so many incredible authors thanks to Twitter, and I admire them all for their hard work, dedication, support, and humour. Writers such as Terry Tyler, Dylan J. Morgan, Alison Williams, Barb Taub, Sasha Black, oh my goodness, the list is endless!
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing your writing journey, Shelley. It's a truly inspirational one. And I wish you all the luck in the world with your next books.
Shelley: Thank you Alex for inviting me over.
Shelley: There are so many to choose from. As I mentioned earlier, I love the work of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo. I also admire Namina Forna, Tomi Adeyeme, and Maggie Stiefvator.
I’m honoured to be connected to so many incredible authors thanks to Twitter, and I admire them all for their hard work, dedication, support, and humour. Writers such as Terry Tyler, Dylan J. Morgan, Alison Williams, Barb Taub, Sasha Black, oh my goodness, the list is endless!
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing your writing journey, Shelley. It's a truly inspirational one. And I wish you all the luck in the world with your next books.
Shelley: Thank you Alex for inviting me over.
