Have you always been a writer?
I think I’ve written stories ever since I learned how to write. For me
it went hand in hand with reading. I was a voracious reader and lost myself in
the worlds created by Enid Blyton from a very young age. I also read weekly
comics which featured stories about ponies or ballet schools. I was a proud
member of The Tammy Club when I was
seven and that comic inspired me to write my very first novel – about a ballet
school, funnily enough. I’d never been to a ballet school and didn’t know much
about ballet dancing but that didn’t stop me. It was over a hundred pages long,
fully illustrated and the first novel I ever completed. Thankfully, no copy
remains. All through my childhood and early teens I wrote short stories and
hundreds of Chapter Ones. Unfortunately, I was my own harshest critic and
rarely progressed to Chapter Two!
What prompted you to join the RNA NWS
this year?
This year is my second year of NWS membership. I thought long and hard
before joining last year as I live “oop north” and don’t have unlimited
finances and I don’t drive, so I knew that getting to events would be
difficult, if not downright impossible. However, I thought being part of such a
prestigious organisation could only be beneficial in terms of contacts, advice,
friendly online chat and an end to that feeling of isolation that writing can
bring. I love receiving the quarterly magazine Romance Matters and I lurk on Romna, the online branch of the RNA
and read the most interesting and informative posts! Most of all, I thought the
membership price was well worth it for the critique alone. Such professional
advice and guidance is priceless. Last year’s critique was so helpful to me; it
made all the difference to my novel and so there was no doubt in my mind that I
wanted to rejoin this year. It was through the NWS and Romna that I met two
fellow Yorkshire members and we chat online all the time, meet up for cake,
coffee and lots of writerly chat, and generally support and encourage each
other. Plus, I feel that belonging to the RNA makes me take myself more
seriously as a writer and shows the world that I really am going to do this!
Have you attended any events?
No! And I’m gutted about that. I really, really wanted to attend the
conference this year but we’d just moved house, had booked a holiday for a
couple of weeks before the date and my brother’s wedding is the week after.
Finances and work commitments just didn’t allow for everything. I really hope I
can make the conference next year, although I’m rather nervous about going to
“that there London” for the first time in my life. It seems like a really big
deal to me although I’m sure most people reading this will find that ridiculous
and probably pop off to London like I pop to Sainsbury’s. I can’t imagine ever
having the nerve to attend any of the parties, though. It all seems very
glamorous and sophisticated and not like me at all. I do have friends who have
attended the conference and it seems they met a lot of writers I really admire
and would love to meet. They also said the workshops were very useful and the
goody bags were fab!
What are you planning today with the MS
you submit?
I’ve already submitted this year’s manuscript. It’s the second in a
series of four romantic comedies set on the North Yorkshire coast. The first
one, There Must Be An Angel, was last
year’s submission. This year’s is called A
Kiss from a Rose. I’m chewing my nails and nervously awaiting its return.
I’ll probably read the report, have a good cry, wallow in misery and decide I’m
useless for a day or two and then get back to work on it. Last year’s report
was spot on. It helped me identify the problems that I knew were in the
manuscript but just couldn’t put my finger on. It was extremely positive and
encouraging. I’m hoping this one will be just as useful and not too
soul-destroying!
What are your literary aspirations?
I just want to see my books in print. I want to be able to hand my
mother a copy of my own novel and see her face when she realises that I
actually did it. I want readers to read my novels and enjoy them and wait
eagerly for the next one. Most of all, I just want to keep writing and keep
enjoying it. It’s hard work but it’s fabulous fun, too. I couldn’t give it up now
– not for anything.
You can read more about me and my writing journey on my
blog, The Moongazing Hare : http://sharonbooth.com/
You can also follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharonbooth.writer?ref_type=bookmark
And Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sharon_Booth1
You can also see the people and locations that inspired my
first novel, There Must Be An Angel,
on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sharonbooth1/there-must-be-an-angel/
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