Hello Lovelies!
Remember that awesome set of character spotlights from Enchantments last week? Well this week, let’s meet the author behind that urban fantasy fun!
Claire Plaisted lives in Rotorua, New Zealand with her family. Rotorua is one of the main tourist stops for a cultural Maori experience with lots of things to do, be it walking, cycling, museums, spa days etc.
Claire is an Multi Genre Indie Author, with side lines in genealogy where she researches and formats family history books for clients. Claire also developed a business to help Indie Authors self-publish, assisting over thirty clients so far
Claire has published twenty-six books. Two are short stories, six are part of a series which is called ‘Garrett Investigation Bureau.’ She has one adult fantasy, one children’s mythical story. Along with six contemporary romance novellas under her pen name ‘Beth Bayley.’ Claire has a children’s book series called Girlie Adventures. The first three are now available. ‘Girlie and the War of the Wasps,’ ‘Girlie and the Quest for Pedi’s Family and ‘Girlie’s Circus Adventure. They are adventure story for children from four years upwards. Each one sold gives 40% to a charity. The first book is, in essence about healthy eating and the book will help raise funds for ‘Chasing a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes.’
Enjoy your lives and read a book.
Claire
Hello, Claire! Welcome to An Angell’s Life! How are you?
Thank you for the opportunity for this interview. The sun is shining and I’m in a good place at present, though rather busy with my work and several clients I am working with.
What is the current book you are promoting?
I am starting to promote ‘Enchantments – The Beginning’ it is a short story introducing readers to the characters in a new series. The book is YA Fantasy and tells the story of eight young adults who are trained to fight against the Shadow Master and his Dark Realm. If they fail the human world will die and the Shadow Master will rise and rule supreme.
Ha, ha, I was RIGHT! The Shadow Master is just a perfectly villainous name! If you could have your book made into a movie, who would you want to direct it?
I would love to have Sir Peter Jackson to direct my fantasy movie along with Weta Workshop to do all the fantasy details. It would be amazing.
Jackson does do fantasy so very well! What is your next project?
I have several projects on the go right now. I have an Anthology – Ghostly Writes Anthology 2017 to publish at ‘All Hallows Eve’ This involves about 20 – 30 authors with short stories. There may be two books this year. This Anthology is free to contribute to and the ebook will be free as well. On to my own writing. I have two books to publish by December. Book six of Garrett Investigation Bureau called Ancient Relics and book four of my childrens series which raises money for charities. This one is called Girlie and the Ninja Ladybugs. It is about bullying, changing and team work. All the books are set in a Cottage Garden with insects and small animals from around the world.
Whew, how busy! Best of luck with all of that. I know the pressure of a fast-paced publishing model! But it is so fun. What is one place you would like to visit and why?
Canada. I would then tell my dad all about it. It is a place he wanted to see and never did and now he’s too old to travel. We also have family there and I have a few friends I’d love to meet.
Canada is beautiful, especially in the fall. What one person from history would you like to meet and why?
My grandfather. He died four months before my birth. He looked like a loving and charming man who was ruled by his wife. Granddad was a Minister and spoke at least four languages including: Russian, Welsh, Latin and Hebrew. He also became a Minister in North Dakota in the 1930’s and at that time the Native Indians weren’t allowed to do baptisms, marriage or funerals. Grandfather was a great friend with the local chief ‘Yellow Horse’ – I think his name was, and had the honor of taking his funeral prior to returning to England with his young family.
Wow, you come from a family of travelers. How do you write your books?
I suppose many would say ‘by the seat of her pants’. I literally fell into writing by accident when researching a family history book for a client. At that time, I opened a word document and a novel was born (still not published) It was good to read (apparently) though my writing was all over the place with third and first person etc. It has since been a huge learning curve. Anyway, the how I write is when the muse insists. I go with the flow. I never know what I will write or where the story is taking me. My main issue is the muses keep disappearing for months on end so I have over sixty draft manuscripts on my computer.
When I need information to confirm a time, a place, a description, an historical fact etc then I will go and research via google, historical websites I am a member of, ask friends or those I know who are interested in a topic I am covering. I have started to acknowledge the websites (learning curve) and I always put in names of those who have helped if they have agreed.
This is how I write and it still blows me away that I have published twenty-six times. The older ones are now going under re-work and editing to correct where I’ve improved my writing.
What is one great lesson you have learned as a writer?
It is never ending and you always miss something. It doesn’t matter if you are a Trad published or Indie (Classic) published author. There will also always be someone who sees issues, these are mainly to do with the variety of English Language used today.
What is your favorite word?
Bugger
Such a great word! Lol, well thank you for joining us today Claire! Want to learn more about all the awesome bookish goodness Claire is rocking? Visit her website. Want to keep up with all the bookish fun Claire shares? Follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, instagram, or tumblr. Read samples of her writing at Wattpad or grab her books on Amazon.
Until next time,
Keep Reading!