BGP: Please introduce yourself to the readers.
CP: Hello folks, my name is Claire
Plaisted, I live in Rotorua, New Zealand with my husband, three children and
two cats. We are a funny and positive
family. I was born in England, growing
up in Cheshire in the small but beautiful ancient town of Sandbach. It is no wonder I love history so much. At age 19 I moved to Colwyn Bay in North
Wales and it was during my time here that I travelled to New Zealand for a
holiday by myself and met my future husband.
Romance bloomed, a match made in
heaven, though with no internet in those days…it was very much a long distant relationship,
until I came back here to live.
As mentioned above I love history
and became a family history researcher, gathering data and making books for
other people, including family. One of
those is still my best seller.
During a slow period in 2012,
waiting for information to put in a history book I got bored. Opening a word
document I started to write. It is a
Regency Mystery Romance, and still un-published. Sending the first three chapters to friends,
they came back wanting more. Mind over
the next couple of years I had a lot to learn about the English Language.
BGP: With all the
places you’ve lived, where do you set your stories?
CP: I have my Garrett Series set in New York. No idea why it just worked out that way. My Regency Novel is actually set in the dame
place as the family history book I was researching –
BGP: What language
were you originally writing in?
CP: English is my first and main language, though I can pass off
a small amount of Welsh and Maori. I
have found English in each different English speaking country can be different
though, so it can be tricky with grammar and spelling. There have been many changes since I left
school.
BGP: What first inspired you to become a
writer?
CP: I suppose my inspiration first came from history
research. I have read many books of many
different genres over the years and though I have favourite authors I really
can’t think where my inspiration comes from.
It is like I have a pixie on my shoulder telling me what to write.
BGP:
What do you do to prepare for a story?
CP: I am a prolific writer most of the time. All I tend to do is open a document and let
my fingers do the talking. I do some
research when it is needed, talk to friends and I try and develop the
characters as the story progresses. I
have several series, so note taking has become more of a habit now. I don’t really plot, though I suppose when I
get stuck with something and discuss it with beta readers and or friends, then
that is the most plotting I do.
BGP: What is your
editing process like?
CP: I read a book called “On Writing” by Stephen King. I must admit it is the best thing I ever
did. I follow my editing similar to what
he stated in the book. I write my first
draft from beginning to end, with only minor edits with spelling. I next send it to Beta readers who like the
genre. During the six weeks I ignore the
first draft I will possibly write another story. Once my beta readers get back to me and the
six weeks is up I will go back to my draft and make changes. Will having up to six weeks off I notice the
more obvious errors. Once out to beta
readers again. This will continue until
I am satisfied, after which I’ll publish it.
BGP: Who is/was your biggest support for your
writing career?
CP: Tina and Susan were my very first beta readers. My husband, my daughters who think I can be
scary, my beat reader Sharon and Belinda.
Honestly there are too many to name really.
BGP:
What genre do you write and what lead you there?
CP: I write all genres.
Adult Mystery Detective Romance, Erotic Fantasy, Thrillers, Short
Stories, Children’s Stories, and Sci-Fi.
Not all are published yet.
BGP: Who/what do you
read?
CP: My favourite
children’s stories are by C S Lewis who is quoted as saying “A children’s story
which is only enjoyed by Children is a bad Children’s Story.” I totally agree. Another author is Elizabeth Goudge and “The
Valley of Song.” Fab fairy story for all
ages.
Adult books, I enjoy Clive Cussler, Linda Fairstein, Colin
Forbes, Nora Roberts aka J D Robb to name a few.
BGP: Tell us about your books.
CP: I have eight books self-published at present with another
two to be released by the end of March.
I have my Garrett Investigation Bureau Series which is set
in New York, so far four are published, though I am updating them at the
moment, along with their book covers and synopsis.
I have “Zoe’s Journey,” which was meant to be a one off book
and has suddenly now got a sequel in progress.
Two short stories.
One is “Charlie girl’s first Summer Christmas,” and “The Diary of a
Psychotic Killer.” Though this one is a
bit repetitive it is to show the state of her mental health. She wasn’t a nice person.
“Fred, The Evil Incarnate,”
is my Erotic Fantasy, though I don’t’ know where the idea came from.
At present I am working on publishing book five in the
Garrett series which is called “Mascosta’s Dreamgirl,” and also the first in a
series of children’s books called “Girlie and the War of the Wasps,” adored by the children who have read it so
far as beta readers.
BGP: What is your
self – publishing process like?
CP: If it is my own work, I tend to format as I write. Usually starting it as an eBook and changing
it to a Print version. With a client’s
work I format as I read and format into which ever version they wish. I use a student Graphic Designer to do my
book covers, helping to give them experience to further their career. The books are uploaded to various websites,
proofed and marketed by social media and in the local press/library.
BGP: What do you do
when you aren’t writing?
CP: Formatting and publishing for others. Family History
Research, house work, reading, drawing and of course the most important part
giving my attention to my loving family :D
BGP: So if we were
doing this interview on the phone, this would be the part of what I would call
rapid fire. I’m going ask random questions that have nothing to do with
anything and I want you to give me the first thing pops into your mind.
If you could be a
tree what kind of tree what kind of tree would you be?
Oak
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate
Last concert you went
to?
Jesus Christ Super Star performed by local high schools.
Favorite guilty
pleasure junk food?
Chippies (Crisps) and
Thanks again to Claire and stopping by and talking writing with us.
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