Tag: Sandra Mackness

Jill Barry’s Writing Adventure

She is a talented, multi-genre author who has helped many aspiring writers to realise their dreams.

Recently, I listened to Jill Barry, a local Welsh author, chat with Roy Noble on BBC Radio Wales. Captivated by Jill’s life story, I could not resist inviting this bestselling author to my blog for a chat.    She is a talented, multi-genre author who has helped many aspiring writers to realise their dreams.  As a former Butlin’s Red Coat, hotel receptionist and air hostess, Jill has collected characters and stories. She writes pocket novels for D C Thomson so you have probably seen her name on the newsstands. The House Sitter, published by Headline Accent, is Jill’s first novel in a different genre.

Jessie:  Jill, you have topped many kindle charts with your romance and historical romance novels, but The House Sitter is very different.  Is there any romance in your latest novel?

Jill:  The House Sitter is a psychological suspense but does have a frisson of romance.  I had lots of fun plotting the twists and turns.  The central character is quite nasty, and she surprised and intrigued me.

The House Sitter is a psychological suspense but does have a frisson of romance.

Jessie: Tell me why I should keep your novel in my handbag.

Jill: I am not sure you will be able to keep The House Sitter in your handbag for very long, Jessie.  You will be keen to reach the end.

Jessie:  Choosing novels is one of the greatest pleasures in life.  I always feel as if I am waiting to drop myself into another world. I admit I do feel a little scared of The House Sitter as the title is so evocative. Read the blurb of The House Sitter and give me a glimpse of the novel.

Jill: The year is turning, and in The Sugar House, deep in rural mid-Wales, change is also afoot. When retired couple, Eddie and Suzanne Deacon plan a return to England, they’ve either forgotten an important promise made to a longstanding friend or had no intention of keeping it.

This photograph was taken in the remote mid-Wales village where Jill used to live. The building in the background is the old church and in my mind forms part of the view from the house where Eddie and Suzanne Deacon live and which they have put on the market.

Jessie:  Wow!  The House Sitter is steeped in mystery.  You have me hooked.  Can I trouble you for an extract, please?

Jill: Of course, Jessie.  I am always delighted to introduce my books to new readers with large handbags.

“Do you mean now?” Ruth eyed the slice of mountain range visible through her window, its distant peaks veiled in misty cobwebs.

“The sooner the better, to be honest. We have some important news, though I’m afraid it’ll come as a shock.”

Jessie:  Oh, my goodness, I am on the edge of my seat now.  What have your readers said about The House Sitter?

Jill:  My pleasure!  I have been very pleased with the reviews.

‘Spine-chilling with an undercurrent of mystery and deceit.’

‘An impeccably plotted tense tale, The House Sitter explores what lengths people go to in desperation. Deceitful and dark, it’s a great novel to curl up with on these toe-nipping winter evenings. Just be sure to lock your door…’

‘What Barry does best is to allow the reader to laugh at the ridiculous in her characters as well as to make them care, even perhaps slightly for the unbalanced Ruth, who appears lonely and vulnerable beneath her confident façade.’

Dylan the black cat belongs to Ruth Morgan, the house sitter.

Jessie: How did you feel when you had finished writing your book, and did you miss any of the characters?  

Jill: I was sorry to leave Ray and Bethan’s story unfinished as I found their unspoken attraction for one another intriguing. My book group read the novel and all wanted to learn the result of that pent-up longing! So, a sequel could be on the cards…

Jessie: Did any of your characters misbehave when you were writing the book?

Jill: The plot revolves around house-sitter Ruth’s horrendous behaviour and sometimes I felt surprised when up popped another malicious prank.

Jessie: Who would you like to read your book and why?                                                                   Jill: I’m a great admirer of author Harriet Meg Evans and have been in touch with her via social media. Harriet very kindly asked when my novel was due out and it would be amazing if she decided to read The House Sitter.

Of course, I do expect to tempt my usual readers with something a little different.  I am going to be bold and say most readers love to indulge in mystery and suspense.

Jessie:  You have every right to be bold, and you have certainly tempted me to purchase a copy of this book.  I am so impressed with the way you have explored a new genre.

Jill:  It is wonderful of you to say so, Jessie. Maybe The House Sitter could inspire authors who long to write outside their usual genre into challenging themselves by writing something different.

Jessie: Writing stories seems to be in your heart and soul.  I imagine your notebook is a trusty companion.  Please, do tell me the last sentence in your notebook.

Jill: Tabitha disguises herself as a boy, deeming it safer than remaining in female guise.

Jessie: You certainly have an eye for a great story.  Once again, I am hooked.  I don’t know where you get all your ideas from.  You must be constantly writing.  What is the greatest challenge for you as an author?

Jill: For me, it’s concentration. Yes, even though I enjoy writing! There are so many distractions and social media, whilst valuable, is a hard taskmaster. I know many other authors feel the same.

Jessie: What is the best advice that you have received as a writer? 

Jill: The best advice I’ve ever received as a writer came from my former tutor, Menna Elfyn. Her wise words were: ‘No piece of writing is ever wasted’.

Jessie:  This really helps me as a fledgling author. I will save those deleted scenes use for a rainy writing day.  Perfect!   Before you go please tell us one secret about yourself that may surprise us.                                                       

Jill: Long before I thought of writing outside the romance genre, I volunteered as a role player for trainee police officers. So, I’ve experienced being handcuffed, have been locked in a cell, also sampled a cup of police canteen tea!

About Jill Barry:

Jobs like hotel receptionist and cabin crew provide magic moments and help inspire my writing. Since settling back in Wales, I’ve joined writers’ groups, gained my MA degree, also tutored and mentored. I hope to continue entertaining my readers and to walk, read and bake, plus keep up with my wonderful friends.

Contact Details

Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/JillBarryBooks/
Twitter:        @barry_jill
Website:        www.jillbarry.com
Link to            The House Sitter

 

Please all my guests’ posts at Mail from the Creative Community and my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.

A copy of my novel is available here.

Writing Party

Cheers to the Romantic Novelists’ Association! Congratulations on 60 years.

Laptop, notebooks, sandwiches, party banners and sparkling wine crammed into my rucksack, I set off on my writing adventure in a department store. Rather than shopping for the latest bargains in store, I shopped for story ideas at a writing retreat in the community room of John Lewis Department Store. The writing retreat was organised by my local writing group.  Party fever to celebrate sixty years of the Romantic Novelists’ Association was scheduled for the middle of the day.

I was serious about writing.

I collected my writing fuel at the coffee shop before venturing through the store’s security.  When we walked through the corridors behind the store, I convinced myself we were about to board a plane.  On reflection, I am pleased we did not meet any pilots because the factory girls are easily distracted.  However, Pearl could have performed a stunning rendition of ‘Fly Me To The Moon’.

In a room aptly named the Discovery Room, we all braced ourselves for take-off into our own writing worlds. I panicked I would not be able to find any words. Nudged by the sight of authors working, I managed to get my imagination to take flight. I also deleted a character who had stowed away in one of the chapters.   Once aboard the writing retreat, I had to delve into my imagination and was not tempted to chat.

The final chapter of ‘Loving You’ awaited my attention.  Following edits, I realised my characters were not happy with their destinations.  They needed to find out more the secrets haunting them.  Armed with a huge notebook, I knew I had hidden the clues in there somewhere.

The writing party and words are in full flow for Jan Baynham.

There is a time to write and a time to relax. Before lunch, we celebrated sixty years of the wonderful Romantic Novelists’ Association. We marked the occasion with the party fever and shared sixty words from our romance novels.  It was great fun guessing who had written the extracts. On Valentine’s Day, I will share the photos and celebratory parcels of words from the writing group.

Guess who wrote the extract?

Since the writing retreat, I crafted more chapters of ‘Loving You’.  Jim and Pearl have offered gentle guidance and Doreen, one of the lively factory women, has gatecrashed a party.  The writing retreat kick started my final chapters, and the support of the other writers helped to build my enthusiasm.

More serious writers at work.

Many thanks to my lovely writerly friends from the South and West  Wales Chapter. I enjoyed attending the writing party and am now fizzing with words and ideas.  Without membership of the New Writers’ Scheme, I would not have enjoyed this wonderful opportunity.

Do you enjoy writing retreats, or do you prefer to write in a room of your own?