Thursday 24 July 2014

Debut Author Spotlight: Joan Fleming

I am so delighted to welcome my friend and writing colleague, Scottish author Joan Fleming, to my blog today. Joan’s first novel, What the Future Holds, was released by Tirgearr Publishing a few weeks ago and it is already receiving lots of great reviews. I'm not surprised, since the writing, the setting of the Isle of Mull and the enjoyable story are all so appealing. Joan has kindly answered some questions I put to her, but first a little about the story.

A warm welcome to the blog, Joan – hope you’re managing to keep cool in this unaccustomed heat!


What the Future Holds

Anticipating a relaxing holiday in her idyllic holiday cottage on the Scottish island of Mull, 29 year-old Amy Wilson realises her plans will be ruined by a letter she finds when she arrives. It contains a proposal to build a holiday complex directly in front of her cottage.

The application is in the name of a member of the McFarlane family who are distant relatives of Amy. In their youth, Amy and Sandy McFarlane spent holidays on the island together as part of a larger group of young people.

Whilst she has no wish to enter into a conflict with Sandy, Amy nonetheless determines to fight the plan. This sets in motion a chain of events which changes her entire life, not only in Mull, but also in Glasgow where she works as an accountant and lives with her partner, Matt.

She is about to lose control of the steady pattern of her life, and has no idea what will replace it, what the future holds...

What the Future Holds is available in all e-formats through Tirgearr Publishing and on Amazon Kindle in the UK and US and all other countries.

Firstly, Rosemary, thank you so much for inviting me onto your blog.

It’s a pleasure, Joan!

I know you had a good career as a language teacher, Joan. Please tell us a little about how you became a writer.

Like many writers, I have always scribbled. When the time came to start work again after the early years staying home with my children, I had a decision to make. The education service was crying out for women to return to teaching in certain subjects, one being modern languages.

Around the same time I entered a serial story competition in The People’s Friend. I didn’t win, but I was asked to attend an interview with an editor in the Central Hotel in Glasgow, which I did. She suggested I make a few alterations – and they would publish the story.

My plan was to take the teaching job, and write in my free time! But the free time never materialized. I still scribbled, purely for my own enjoyment. But The People's Friend did publish a short story when I eventually began writing in earnest.

You also write short stories and articles, and now novels. Do you have a preference – and why?

Once I’m started on a novel, I like to carry on, but I sometimes break off, to do one of the exercises set by my writing group, Erskine Writers. If it’s a short story or an article, I get carried away by that. Then it can take me a while to relax into the novel again.

So the answer is: I like them all, but with the encouragement of publication, I’m on a novel roll at the moment.

And a very good roll it is!

Your debut novel is largely set on the lovely Isle of Mull which you describe beautifully. What made you set your story here?

I know and love the island. My father-in-law came from Mull, and we visited regularly as a family. I have a fascination for all the Scottish islands, but Mull is the one I know best.

I love islands!

Did you have to do much extra research for What the Future Holds?

Not really. My main challenge was the names of my characters. The story and the characters are entirely fictitious, and I didn’t want the names of any real people mentioned in the book. A friend who lives on Iona even lent me a book of Mull names!

I did look at maps to judge distances etc. Even so, my lovely editor at Tirgearr Publishing picked up a couple of factual mistakes for me.

What is the most difficult part about starting a new book?

Sitting in front of my computer screen and typing in the title. By that time, I’ve made the decision to write this one, rather than one of the others swirling around in my mind.

Sounds like a good way of doing it!

Do you have a favourite writing place?

It’s very traditional: in my tiny study. I prefer a desktop computer and a QWERTY keyboard and mouse. The small window faces east, but my view of the West Highland Way is on the west side, so I’m not distracted.

How do you promote your book and does it work?

I’m on Facebook and Twitter, I have a blog and a website, but these are all part of a learning curve for me at the moment. It’s hard to say if it works, as it’s only three weeks since my book was published.

Do you find time for other interests?

I enjoy walking, travelling, listening to all kinds of music. I also have a keen interest in the life and work of Robert Burns. And, of course, reading – but that’s the other side of the writing coin.

What are your current writing plans?

I’m in that decision-making period of where I go from here. It will be a novel – but which one? I’ve still to type the title.

Any tips for new writers?

Someone once said that the world takes you at your own evaluation of yourself. If you write, you’re a writer. Believe in yourself.

That’s great advice! Thanks for the interesting answers, Joan, and wishing you lots of success.

I was born and educated in Edinburgh. After graduating in Modern Languages at the University of Edinburgh, I became a teacher of French and German, mainly in schools in the West of Scotland. Since leaving teaching, I now have more time to devote to writing.

I’d been writing for pleasure for many years, and decided to join Erskine Writers, a supportive group which has members at all stages of their writing development – from published novelists to complete beginners. This group is affiliated to the Scottish Association of Writers. I am a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) and also of the Society of Authors.

I write short stories, children’s stories and articles, some of which have been published. I’ve written several longer pieces, including full-length novels, which I submitted to the New Writers’ Scheme of the RNA. In the light of advice I was given, I revised my manuscripts, and in December 2013, I was offered a contract by Tirgearr Publishing to e-publish one of my shorter novels, What the Future Holds, which appeared at the beginning of July 2014.

You can connect with Joan on her Website; Blog; Facebook and Twitter: @Joan_Fleming

31 comments:

Raven McAllan said...

Great blog post. I love finding out about just how people write...
Congrarulations on a great book and many more to come

anne stenhouse said...

Lovely post, Rosemary and Joan. Islands are such attractive places to set stories maybe because they are enclosed communities. Really looking forward to reading this one, Anne Stenhouse

Joan Fleming said...

Thanks for dropping in, Raven, and for your kind words.

Joan Fleming said...

Anne, I've been surprised at the number of people who've enjoyed the island setting of my book. I hope you enjoy it!

Vikki said...

Great interview and like your closing statement, Joan about being a writer if you write and to believe in ourselves! Really enjoyed your book - hope it's the first of many for you. Good luck with it!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed finding out about you here, Joan. Lovely interview! And I love the way you describe typing the title of your novel as the first, irrevocable step. I can so relate to that. I'm looking forward to reading What the Future Holds, and love the setting. Best of luck with your release!

Unknown said...

Hello Joan, Lovely to meet you again here. It was nice to learn more about you and how you became a writer.
I think Scotland is a beautiful country and the Isle of Mull must be such an inspirational place to write about.

Well done and I wish you lots of sales with
your debut novel, What the future Holds

Joan Fleming said...

Thanks, Vikki. Best of luck with all your writing projects in hand at the moment.

Joan Fleming said...

Hello again, Helena. Thanks for dropping in. It's so interesting to hear how other writers respond to what you say. Hope your own work's going well.

Joan Fleming said...

Hello Cathy. It's good of you to comment. It's always nice to hear others like your country. The Isle of Mull is a beautiful island - it keeps dragging you back. Thank you for your good wishes.

Kemberlee said...

Great interview, Joan, and a lovely story!

Joan Fleming said...

Thanks so much, Kem. And thank you for being a great editor.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

It's lovely to see all the comments and support for Joan - thank you all for coming over!

I enjoy that too, Raven!

Thanks, Anne - I think you're right!

I like that statement too, Vikki!

Hi Helena - thanks for commenting!

Hello Cathy - good to see you here!

Thanks for dropping in, Kem!

Mary Smith said...

Great interview, Rosemary and Joan, which i really enjoyed reading - and I'm sure I'll enjoy reading the book, too!

Joan Fleming said...

Thanks for dropping in, Mary, and for your kind words. I hope you'll enjoy the book.

Elizabeth Delisi said...

Lovely interview, Joan. Your book sounds great!

Joanna said...

This is a lovely post, Rosemary and Joan. Congratulations, Joan, on the publication of What the Future Holds. It sounds fantastic and I loved hearing all about your writing career and how it came about.

I really like the quote about the world taking you at your own evaluation of yourself. That's a perfect piece of advice. Many thanks. xx

Gill Stewart said...

Lovely interview, so looking forward to reading the book!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks for that, Mary!

Good to see you, Elizabeth!

Thanks, Joanna - I love that quote too!

I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Gill!

myraduffy said...

You very much deserve your success, Joan!

Wendy's Writing said...

'Believe in yourself' - what great advice. Really enjoyed reading the interview.

Joan Fleming said...

Thanks for dropping in, Elizabeth, and for your comment.

Joanna, It's good to hear your agree with my advice! Thanks for commenting.

Joan Fleming said...

Thanks, Gill. I hope you enjoy the book.

Myra, it's kind of you to say so. Thanks for your comment.

Joan Fleming said...

Wendy, thank you for your comment. glad you enjoyed the interview.

Joan Fleming said...

Thank you for inviting me onto your blog, Rosemary. I've really enjoyed the experience.

Gwen Kirkwood said...

I am a bit late coming to this but I am so glad to read about the "other side" of you Joan. I have your book waiting for me and now I am even more eager to get into it. I love the cover. Here's wishing you great success in your second career.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks for commenting, Gwen - it's a lovely story!

Jean Bull said...

It was lovely to meet you again at the RNA Conference, Joan.
What an interesting blog post, I shall have to read your story about Mull!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks for dropping in, Jean!

Joan Fleming said...

Gwen, thank you for your lovely comment and your good wishes.

Joan Fleming said...

Jean, yes, it was good to meet up again at the Conference. Thanks for your comment on the blog post.