special guest: Shirley Wells

I’m thrilled to introduce a special guest today – someone I’ve known for very a long time in the writing world (I think possibly before I became an M&B author, so we're talking at least 10 years), and whose books I really, really enjoy. Shirley Wells writes fantastic mysteries and I can never second-guess them. Her Jill and Max books are excellent, and she also has a new detective, Dylan Scott. I really enjoyed his first adventure, Presumed Dead; and I can hardly wait to read the second, Dead Silent, which is out right now.

Anyway – without further ado, let me hand you over to Shirley.

Thank you, Kate, for inviting me to your lovely blog. It’s especially wonderful to be here because I know I have something in common in everyone who visits: we all love your books. I’m not sure I have a favourite Kate Hardy book but A Christmas Knight is well up there. I cried all the way through that one.

I write mysteries and Kate writes romances but we’re both agreed on one thing. We have the best job in the world.

What do I love most about being a writer?

1/. There’s nothing better than having an editor praise your book to the hilt and offer you a contract and, better still, money for it. I love that feeling.

2/. Seeing the book’s cover for the first time. I’ve been lucky with mine and have only hated one. (I didn’t actually cry when I saw it, but I was very tight-lipped for several days.)

3/. Waking up in the morning and knowing that as I don’t have a proper job, it’s perfectly okay to enjoy an extra cup of coffee before getting to the desk.

4/. Being able to stare out of the window and claim I’m working.

5/. Basking in great reviews that lovely readers post on Goodreads and Amazon.

6/. Having a legitimate reason to need a shiny Mac, an iPad and iPhone, and to spend hours in stationery stores choosing pretty pens and notebooks.

Now, let me tell you what I don’t like about being a writer:

1/. Knowing the book has to be between 80-100,000 words and getting stuck at around 50,000 words.

2/. Getting an email from my lovely editor saying “The first lot of edits should be with you soon…” What?!? You mean it’s not perfect as it is?

3/. Writing a synopsis. I’ve never yet mastered the art of writing a synopsis that makes any kind of sense or that would entice anyone to read the book.

4/. Reading about writers who’ve knocked out 5,000 words before I’ve even put the coffee on. (Yes, I’m talking about you, Kate!)

5/. Realising that the amazingly cute puppy I introduced in chapter three has no valid reason for being in the book and must be sent to the delete folder.

6/. Promotion. Being a shy, retiring type, as a lot of writers are, I find it extremely difficult to tell the world I have a book out. Every time I mention it, I hear my mother saying “Stop showing off, Shirley!” So I won’t say a word about it.

Thank you so much for having me, Kate.

Having had several hundred short stories, ten serials and ten novels published, Shirley Wells is finally getting the hang of this writing lark. She’s lived in Orkney, Cyprus and the Cotswolds, and now lives in Lancashire where the Pennines, with their abundance of great places to hide bodies, provide the inspiration for her popular mystery novels. She shares her home with her husband, two dogs, two cats and any other stray animals that fancy being pampered. You can connect with Shirley via her website, Twitter or Facebook.

Her latest Dylan Scott mystery, DEAD SILENT, is available from Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all good e-book retailers.