I'm a traditionally published author of commercial fiction - AMA

[charduck]

I was reading this thread with interest:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/what_were_reading/4342858-AIBU-to-have-had-a-gut-full-of-psychological-thrillers

And I noticed a few requests for an author to do an AMA!

So here I am!

I write psych suspense, have had three novels published, with my fourth out in a few weeks. My last book was a bestseller both here and in the US.

Happy to answer anything I'm allowed to!

I've enjoyed your books.

We live in the absolute middle of nowhere and my MIL runs, badly a very run down holiday cottage. It receives wifi via my house and we currently have an author hiding for a month writing her book. Absolute peace and not much else.

I've seen posts by an author here before, certainly in what we are reading and promoted as a fellow mumsnetter I can't imagine it's an issue.

Can't believe everyone guessed from your username OP. I have an actual degree in Forensic Psychology and yet found myself googling ''Author Charlie Quakers''. Surprisingly nothing came up.

Thank you! I like the sound of Unfollow Me, I am usually a few years behind when it comes to books so I don’t think I have read many where social media is a big part of the story before.

Another question, I’ve always been intrigued by how authors choose the names for their characters? Do you spend a long time deliberating or are the right names obvious from the start? And do editors ever change names or suggest different names (Eg: for an American audience did you need to use more American names? If so does it feel strange or change your perception of a character if you have to change the name of a character midway through the book?

@stripetop

I've enjoyed your books.

We live in the absolute middle of nowhere and my MIL runs, badly a very run down holiday cottage. It receives wifi via my house and we currently have an author hiding for a month writing her book. Absolute peace and not much else.

I've seen posts by an author here before, certainly in what we are reading and promoted as a fellow mumsnetter I can't imagine it's an issue.

Oh wow, that must be perfect for writing! I would love to do a retreat one day.

@IsAnybodyListening

Can't believe everyone guessed from your username OP. I have an actual degree in Forensic Psychology and yet found myself googling ''Author Charlie Quakers''. Surprisingly nothing came up.

That sounds like a fascinating degree!!!

@MolkosTeenageAngst

Thank you! I like the sound of Unfollow Me, I am usually a few years behind when it comes to books so I don’t think I have read many where social media is a big part of the story before.

Another question, I’ve always been intrigued by how authors choose the names for their characters? Do you spend a long time deliberating or are the right names obvious from the start? And do editors ever change names or suggest different names (Eg: for an American audience did you need to use more American names? If so does it feel strange or change your perception of a character if you have to change the name of a character midway through the book?

Names are so hard. You do spend a long time deliberating yes! I've never had an editor suggest a name change but I think they would if they thought it was important.

It's really hard and confusing if you change a name midway through writing but I have done it - usually because two of the names sounded similar, which can be confusing for readers.

Great thread OP. I would never have guessed that your user name was a clue, much like I never guess plotlines!

Do you have a cleaner?

@AliceAldridge

Great thread OP. I would never have guessed that your user name was a clue, much like I never guess plotlines!

Do you have a cleaner?

LOL. No I don't have a cleaner! I actually quite like cleaning.

Do you think you need any special training to be an author? Writing is a big part of my job and I've always thought I could have a go at writing a book but not sure if I need to go on a course or something first?

@Pennguin

Do you think you need any special training to be an author? Writing is a big part of my job and I've always thought I could have a go at writing a book but not sure if I need to go on a course or something first?

No I don't think you need training, but it can help (and be really enjoyable, and a good way to meet fellow writers). The most important training is reading! Reading as much as you can.

Did you ever consider using a pen name?

I'm writing my debut novel (romance) and plan to publish under a pen name because I don't want my aunts to read my 'bedroom scenes'. 👀

@Curioushorse That is the most hilarious autocorrect I’ve read in a long time

@ElliePhillips

Did you ever consider using a pen name?

I'm writing my debut novel (romance) and plan to publish under a pen name because I don't want my aunts to read my 'bedroom scenes'. 👀

Yes and I haven't ruled it out for future books, if I change genre.

Completely understand not wanting relatives to read certain things! Unless you have a really high profile that would mean guaranteed sales then a publisher won't mind you using a pen name.

How long do you spend on each staff of the process - planning, drafting and polishing?

*stage

I loved the autocorrect too

That is good to know. Many thanks for answering my question!

Can you talk us through a Writing a Book for Dummies type thing please? Do you write a book, send it off to publishers and hope that someone wants it? Or what is the process?

@sybillalle

How long do you spend on each staff of the process - planning, drafting and polishing?

Planning - hard to say, but maybe a fortnight? Drafting - as quick as possible, I prefer to write intensely, so 6-8 weeks Editing - about 100 years (6 months ish)

@shylatte

Can you talk us through a Writing a Book for Dummies type thing please? Do you write a book, send it off to publishers and hope that someone wants it? Or what is the process?

Yep, so you write a book, edit it until you can't bear to look at it anymore and it's as good as you think it can be, then if you want to be trad published, you need to get a literary agent to represent you/it.

To get an agent, you have to send them a covering letter plus your novel, and then (hopefully!) one will sign you, who would send it to publishers on your behalf, and hopefully one - or more! - will offer to buy it.

Ahh so your common theme is parenting and you’re a long time lurker on mumsnet…

What’s the best anecdote or situation you’ve used as inspiration?!

I know you didn’t do this for sales but I’m an avid reader and I’m always looking for new books! I’ve not heard of you but I’ll give the perfect father a go! Good luck to you.

What type of journalism did you work in and what gave you the impetus to write your first book?

Do you believe that ‘everyone has a book in them’?

@Potatolatkes

Ahh so your common theme is parenting and you’re a long time lurker on mumsnet…

What’s the best anecdote or situation you’ve used as inspiration?!

I'm not just saying this but actually I can't think of anything specific I've taken for a book from Mumsnet. I mostly look at the threads on sleep as my daughter doesn't believe in it!!!

Obviously I found the whole Instamums stuff on here fascinating. But I wrote Unfollow Me way before the MOD stuff blew up and everyone thought I'd copied it. Which was quite frustrating. LOL.