Interview with The Writer - Tracy Traynor

Interview with the Writer

It is my great pleasure to introduce several writers to you in a course of twelve fellow-writers who have agreed to be interviewed by me.

The aim is, to have a short introduction to a writer’s life, the honest Q and A which might interest readers in their books.

Today it will be: Tracy Traynor

Introduction:

My name is Tracy Traynor

Please, first tell us about yourself as a writer and a person:

Well I’m getting on a bit J I will be 56 this month (Sep 17). I started writing my first book when I was 30, it took me 20 years to believe in myself enough to self-publish. I am dyslexic and left school with very low-grade CSE’s, my first job when I left school was washing up dishes in a restaurant.

What was your last book and what genre was it listed under?

YA Fantasy. Book 2 in the ‘Born to Be’ series, called Idi and the Talisman of Talia.

How do you determine what genre your story is listed under?

My books are classically fantasy and easy to put in that genre.

What made you decide to become a writer and who (or what) inspired you?

I became a writer by accident. Not being academic meant my writing was rubbish to begin with. However, this story fell into my head and wouldn’t go away and so I picked up a pen and started writing…

Are you self-publishing or going the traditional way?

I’m a happy Indi-author

Who would you name as your literary inspiration?

Enid Blyton – C S Lewis - Tolkien

Are you reading the same genre as you are writing under?

I love reading fantasy but I read a good mix of different genres

Is writing your main income or do you have a different day job?

Oh I wish!!! Nope, unfortunately I still work fulltime and write at weekends.

How do you fit writing into your everyday life?

My dedicating weekends and holidays to my writing.

How do you deal with ‘writer’s block’?

I’ve never had it, I have more trouble keeping ideas out, lol.

What do you find easy about writing and what do you find the hardest?

Falling in love with my characters and building them is my joy, editing is my sorrow.

Who are your favourite writers and which books are your favourite ones?

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by far my favourite book of all time, and the Hobbit.

Do you think advertising on social media as a self-published writer is effective?

Yes. Depending on genre you must target your market really well. FB good, Amazon not so.

If you have received any, how do you deal with negative reviews?

Very badly I’m afraid. Some comments devastate me. I try to take them on board but sometimes I feel like giving up, especially as they criticise my grammar which I can’t help and do pay a fortune to get professional editing done so it is hard to take.

If you would have to spend an entire evening with a group of people, who would you like to spend it with?

My family. I have four grown up sons and most happy when we all get together for a meal.

What are your activities besides writing?

Not much time left for anything else, I do go to the pictures now and again which I love.

Do you have a passion?

Writing.

How would your friends describe your character?

Golly gosh! Caring and loving, and honest with my opinions.

Do you think writers (as other celebrities in public life) have a responsibility to comment on subjects like war, religion and human/animal rights?

Everyone has a right to make a comment, freedom of speech is fastly leaving us. However, caution and care should probably be used.

What is your favourite colour?

Purple

What/who would you take with you to live on a remote island?

Andrew (my husband)

What are you writing on at the moment and can you tell us about future projects?

Book 3 of the Born to Be series – Idi & the Sirocco Witch is in editing stage and should be available to buy in Nov 17. After that I am going to be writing a Christian book about the life of a woman I met in Mombasa. After that book 4 in the series – Katrina & the Unicorn.

Thank you very much for answering the questions. For all your future projects I wish you much success and pleasure in your work.

#interviewwiththewriter #author #newbooks