A careers adviser at school once told Lynsey writing wasn't a "good option" and for a few years, she believed her. She tried a little bit of everything, including make-up artistry, teaching and doing admin for a chocolate fountain company. The free chocolate was brilliant. When Lynsey left her job a couple of years ago, she started writing full-time while she looked for another one. As soon as she started working on her story, Lynsey fell in love and decided to finally pursue her dream. She hasn't looked back since.
1. Why did you want to become a writer?
I wanted to become a writer because I just absolutely love stories. I grew up reading Enid Blyton books and Harry Potter to name a few, and really wanted to create my own stories for people to enjoy.
2. What's the toughest part of the writing process for you?
The editing process can be quite tough because you’ve got to get your draft from where it’s at to where it needs to be. There’s always the point where you think ‘oh God, I’m not doing this right!’ It’s good to see it progressing from rough draft to finished product though!
3. What's the most enjoyable part of writing?
Has to be getting to know your characters inside out; they become almost like friends to you. I love giving them quirks, likes and dislikes and finding out who they really are so I can reflect that on the page.
4. Out of all the amazing books out there, which book do you wish you had written and why?
SO MANY answers to this question haha! If I had to pick one, I’d say My Single Friend by Jane Costello. I absolutely love it; the plot’s fantastic, the characters are compelling and it’s one of those books you just want to read again and again.
5. If you could only save one of your characters from fictional calamity, which would you pick and why?
What a great question! I’d probably pick Ava from Just the Way You Are; she has enough trouble in the book without adding any more!
6. If you could spend the day with your favourite literary character (not from your books), who would you spend it with and what would you do?
I’d spend the day with Tess from I Remember You by Harriet Evans. We’d have a walk round Langford, have lunch in the pub and visit the water meadows.
7. What can we expect next from you?
I’m currently working on book 2 in the Luna Bay series, The Sunflower Cottage Breakfast Club. It’s out in June and features brand new characters plus some you may already know…
8. Is there any particular writing advice you wish you'd been given at the start of your writing career? If so, what is it? If not, what advice would you give to someone starting out?
Never give up is the most important piece of advice I could give to anyone. For so long, I didn’t think I was going to achieve my dream of being published, but by some twist of fate it happened. If you have a dream, never give up on it. It will happen if you work hard enough.
9. Tell us what a typical writing day involves for you.
I start writing in the afternoon and usually go on till night-time. In between playing with my fictional characters, there’s lots of eating, social media surfing and Scott and Bailey marathons.
10. Finally, what are you reading at the moment?
I’m reading Dark Blood by Stuart Macbride. I can’t get enough of the Logan McRae series!
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Secrets never stay buried for long…Lucy Harper has always been good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nana Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world she most wants to avoid…
Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, but the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery!
Lucy only intended to stay for a day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily has not only left her a cottage but also 'The Broken Hearts Book Club', Lucy is intrigued. Her Nana never have mentioned the club and Lucy can't wait to get started, but walking into her first meeting she is more aware than ever that her past is finally catching up with her.
One way or another, Lucy must finally face the past she left behind – or spend the rest of her life on the run…
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