A Conversation with Christine Mary Flemming,
Author of "The Lifewatcher"
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| Featured Author Christine Mary Flemming "The Lifewatcher" |
Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
The town it is set in, Reading, in the UK, was always known as a ‘working man’s town and had a rich industrial history. I first of all wanted to show what it was like to live in a fast changing environment in the early 1900’s and I also wanted to explore how these changes and problems of poor health and limited prospects affected the lives of people I did this by focusing on one particular family. The story spans the two world wars and how that affected this small area and the characters is explored too.
Where do you get your ideas?
I was living the town the story is set in, in fact I was living in the actual street, and as the area dated back to the 1800’s I decided to research into the history and lives of the people who had lived there. I usually start with one character in mind and work out from there, luckily, in this case, I was able to combine my interest in history with the mindset of the main character I had constructed, Frances Clarke, who I saw as a ‘lifewatcher’ rather than someone who engaged fully with life, but as the story enfolds, it’s clear why this is happened.
Do you ever experience writer’s block and how do you overcome it?
Not really, mainly because I write almost every day and I have other obligations, such as my dog and family, so time is a premium. If I do sit down and struggle, I tell myself to right anything at all about the story or character, after a while some it starts to make sense and you can delete the bad stuff. I always think the starting is the hardest, I hate that part!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers on the writing and publishing process?
This is a difficult one. I’ve been told time and again to have your target audience in mind from the start, and I think this is good advice, as there are lots of niche markets you can get into. Unfortunately I don’t take my own advice, I write what stirs me, which may not be the best marketing ploy but that’s just how I work. I think aspiring writers have to decide which way to go on this, I would say that my way isn’t the easiest option.
How do you market your work? Have you found some avenues to be more successful than others?
The first thing you have to do is make sure not only is the book the best you can possibly do but also that it looks right and is properly edited. This is a must, and by far the most successful marketing tool. Not only will your readers appreciate the work that’s gone into the book, but you will look as if you mean business, that you’re a professional. Finally you will also have the confidence to put it out there and hustle. Even if you have to hold it back a few months to refine your work, it will pay off in the end.
Book clubs are a good way of getting the word out and if you don’t know any, start up your own!
I also use social media, although I don’t tweet, which can be a powerful tool; honestly, I don’t think I could think of something terribly interesting about my day to put on there!
If your book was made into a movie, who do you picture playing each part?
Well, there are a lot of characters in the book, so I’ll just mention the main character, Frances Clarke. I would choose Scarlett Johansen as she would capture the ‘other worldly,’ aloof character of Frances very well I think.
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Synopsis:
Set against the backdrop of the social and political changes of the first half of the 20th century and two world wars, we follow the tragic lives of the working class Clarke family and in particular, the eldest daughter Frances, a lonely, unusual girl, who lives a better life inside her head and feels more connection with the spirits of her twin sisters, Josephine and Ruby than those around her. Lost love and death leave Frances bound to keep a terrible secret and she retreats even further from real life, leaving her with only the ghosts of her family for company but the world moves on without her and eventually she is forced to engage with it once more and it is as unpredictable and alarming as when she was a child, especially when she is forced to reconnect with those who have hurt her and those she has hurt.
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About the Author:
Christine lives in London and in her free time walks Bertie, her little dog, who is a big fan of the outdoors, reads, cooks, spends time with her family and visits museums, theatres and galleries and is a member of ‘The Culture Seekers.’ She is also a big movie fan.
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FOR MORE INFO:
Website: www.christinemaryflemming.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Mary-Flemming/211913755538136?ref=hl
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=262508432&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
