Saturday, July 13, 2013

Author Interview with Charlotte Bloomfield!


Author Interview with Charlotte Bloomfield!

Shortly after arriving at Castle Mount School, twelve year old Crystal realises something ghostly is going on. She learns of a ghost of a baron who haunts the castle ruins, which overlooks the school, has managed to escape his ghostly prison in the body of 'Megan'. It is up to Crystal and her new friends, to stop the ghost from carrying out his deadly revenge and to save Megan and the School.


I am honored to introduce the Author of The Ghost Within, Charlotte Bloomfield! Thank you for being here Charlotte...
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BOOK.
I am a mum of two and I live on the Suffolk Coast in the UK. ‘The Ghost Within’ is my first published children’s book, and is a ghostly novel aimed at nine plus year olds. It is set in a spooky boarding school which is under attack by a nine-hundred year old ghost of a baron. The story focuses on the importance of friendship and how working together can really beat the bad guy.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?
I have been writing since I was a child but didn’t start writing children’s books till about eight years ago. This is also when I knew I wanted to be an author.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?
Writing and getting‘The Ghost Within’ published.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
Coping with rejection and accepting criticism.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I am doing the amendments to my next children’s book, ‘Corridor of Doors,’ which will be published July/August this year. I am also writing the sequel to, ‘The Ghost Within.’

WHAT GENRE(S) DO YOU WRITE?
I write ghost stories for adults and children.

DO YOU EVER SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK? IF SO, HOW DO YOU GET PAST IT?
Yes, I do and I find the best way to get past this is to take time away from writing. I find if I force writing it doesn’t happen, it should flow naturally.

WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?
I have received many compliments from those fantastic people who have read my book and the best has to be, ‘you are the best writer ever and we want a sequel!

OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
My family. I have a beautiful five year old daughter and a gorgeous eight month baby boy as well as a very loving and supportive husband.

DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK(S) PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?
I did. I find this is extremely important as mistakes can be missed.

HOW DID YOUR BOOK COVER COME TO FRUITION?
Myself and my husband chose the image from Fotolio but we did alter it quite a bit to be how we wanted it by using the program gimp.

DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?
Yes, very much. It is highly competitive but that still shouldn’t put any writer off, it just means you have to make your story the best it can be and be willing to do a lot of research and more importantly never to give up! There are also many options open to new writers other than mainstream publishing, it does mean though lots of hard work but it is worth it to see your work in print.

DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?
Yes, many times over the years. But for me writing comes naturally and I enjoy it.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER?
Completing a story and that is from beginning to end. I don’t think it matters whether it’s a short story of 1000 words or a full lengthy novel of 100,000 words. And I don’t think you have to have it published to be successful as a writer, you should please yourself before anyone else.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?
Write for you before anyone else
Write what you know
Never give up
Take criticism and expect it!
Deal with rejection and move on
Make first impressions count
Edit, edit and edit some more

ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
The Ghost Within is available to buy off Amazon either as an e-book or in paperback and the sequel will hopefully be out by the end of this year – keep an eye out.


And now for the speed round of questions...

Charlotte's “BLONDE” BASICS:

FAVORITE FOOD? Pork Ribs in barbecue sauce
FAVORITE MOVIE? Practical Magic
FAVORITE BOOK? The Worst Witch Series, by Jill Murphy
FAVORITE SUPERHERO? Super girl
FAVORITE AUTHOR? Jane Austen

A HUGE heartfelt thank you to Charlotte for sharing some insights on herself and her ghost book!


2 comments:

  1. Very nice interview. I added the book to my tbr list :) sounds very interesting!

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