A Conversation in the Library with Carol Warham

Today  in the Library we have ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Carol Warham, who has dropped in to say hello and to share some insights into her life as an author.

Many thanks for having me along, Pam.

You are very welcome, Carol, please introduce yourself: 

I’m a Manchester girl, born and bred, who moved to Yorkshire over thirty years ago and now you’d have to drag me kicking and screaming to leave here. We live in a lovely village on the edge of the Pennines, close to Holmfirth (Last of the Summer Wine). I’ve always loved writing, and as with so many writers, it’s something I did as a small child. This year I published my first novel. This came after a few years of publishing some short stories, poems and travel articles. My husband and I have two daughters and two grandchildren who live close by and keep us very busy.

Did you read much as a child? Are you an avid reader now? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?

I was brought up in a family of avid readers. My mother, sister and I would often swap around the books we were currently reading. I’m still an avid reader but time isn’t always on my side. I belong to the village book group, and this has opened up my horizons to all sorts of genre, many which I would never have read if left to myself.

Are you self-published or traditionally published?

Resolutions is an ebook, published by the independent publisher Tirgearr in Ireland.

Which genre do you write in and why?

Resolutions, my debut novel is a romance/relationship story.  I will admit it wasn’t a genre I usually read when I started writing it, so why did I write in this genre? To be honest it was the idea that came to me and it could only have been a romance. I started reading in the genre pretty quickly then!

Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

The biggest influence on my writing has been the wonderful author Paula Martin. She’s been my beta-reader, my editor and my greatest advisor. I doubt that I could have managed without her.

Has your country of origin/culture influenced your writing?

It did eventually! I originally wanted to place the story in America. Once I accepted the advice that it wouldn’t work and re-located the plot to England and Yorkshire, it had an huge influence both on the story and the characters.

What part of the writing process do you find most difficult? How do you overcome it?

I find editing difficult. I know some writers love the process but just now it’s a bit of a deep learning curve for me.

Do you have a favourite time of day to write?

I just need peace and quiet, so any time during the day will do. However I’ve not much good in an evening, I’m definitely a lark.

What is the best thing about being an author? And the flipside – what is the worst?

Besides seeing your work in print, the most wonderful thing about being an author is the community you join. I have made wonderful friends, some of whom I’ve now met ‘in the flesh’. This community are so generous with their advice, friendship and support. I think the worst thing for me , and I know it’s for others, is self- doubt and lack of confidence in my writing.

Is social media an essential chore or something you enjoy? Which forum do you prefer?

I’ve only come to social media in the last few years and now I’m hooked. It’s mainly facebook I use to connect with my friends and other writers. I try to use twitter but I’ve not really got to grips with it at all. I’ve ‘looked’ at Instagram and pinterest, but that’s as far as I’ve got with them.  That’s probably for the best as I’m distracted by facebook enough as it is!

If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?

I keep very busy with volunteering in the village and belong to several groups, for example the local naturalist (walking) group. If I wasn’t writing I would be reading a lot, lot more.

It’s the last day and the earth is facing oblivion – what book would you read?

I’d probably try to rush through whichever book I was reading so that I could get to the end!

Please tell us about your latest published work. 

A few days before the New Year, Carly Mitchell returns home to the small town on the Yorkshire moors. Her intention for the short visit is to make her apologies and offer an explanation for her action. A year earlier, she fled, leaving her bridegroom and friends bewildered.

She’s met with mixed reactions, ranging from curiosity to open hostility. However, when an emergency arises, Carly agrees to change her plans and stay a little longer. Falling in love with the new local doctor, Ben Thornton, was not part of her original plan either. Especially when it appears his past is shrouded in mystery.

Complications and tensions increase during the town’s New Year celebrations and she begins to doubt whether she has done the right thing by coming home.

Can she find the resolution she needs to overcome the challenges facing her, or will she run away again?

Buy Link for Resolutions: Amazon

If you would like to know more about Carol and her work, please follow the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/carolwarhamauthor/

https://carolwarham.blogspot.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/carol_warham

http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Warham_Carol/resolutions.htm