Samantha Towle

Samantha Towle is the first author to feature in a series of interviews with folk from Night Publishing. Night Publishing (http://www.nightpublishing.com) is a UK-based publishing company with currently almost 100 writers on its roster, the man at the helm being Tim Roux.

I feel honoured that many of the NP authors have agreed to do an interview with me so I can present them to you on my blog. Here’s the talented lady who sets the ball rolling: Samantha Towle.

Personal:

1. Where do you live (town, country)? Were you born and bred there?

I live in Brough, East Yorkshire.  I was born in the very famous Hull, which is only about ten miles from where I live now.

2. What kind of food do you like? Are you a good cook? How important is food to you?

Ooh I love Italian food, pasta is sooo yummy! But my main love and biggest weakness is ice-cream. I’m ok at cooking, I’m no Nigella but the hubby and kids don’t complain! Food is VERY important to me; I can literally eat my body weight in food in one sitting. I think the word you’re looking for is… greedy!

3. Do you do any sports? How often? What does exercise mean to you? Any other hobbies?

Nope, I’m not a sporty person at all. I have a Wii Fit which I occasionally blow the cobwebs off and pretend to use. God gave me legs so I could drive a car

My hobbies are reading (surprise, surprise!) and I love watching movies. Currently, I have little time for anything else, every hour in my day is accounted for!

4.  Do you have kids/grandkids? If so, please tell us a little about them?

I have two children. Riley is nearly three and Isabella is one. They are very active children and keep me busy, hence the need for lots of food to keep my energy up. I’m actually considering leasing them both out as a weight loss program!

5. Do you like travelling? Where do you go then?

I love going on holiday and sunbathing – does that count?! We recently went to Lanzarote which was a really nice place. By far the most beautiful place I have ever been is the Maldives, the hubby and I went for our honeymoon (pre-kids) and it was absolutely, breathtakingly spectacular.

6. Do you have another job apart from writing? For how many hours? How do you feel about the ‘other’ job?

I do have a day job and I think the sad face says it all! I work for my local Council in the Purchasing Department. Since having the children I now only work part-time, two and a half days a week, thankfully.

7.  How do your family/friends react to you being a writer? Have their opinions changed since you became a published author? Which remark from your surroundings has stuck most with you?

Mostly they were surprised. I never really told them about my writing, the only people who knew were my hubby, mum and best friend. But, no, I wouldn’t say their opinions have changed about me. I think they’re quite proud of my achievement and have shown a real interest in my book. Hmm, I can’t think of a remark tbh.

8. Would you call yourself a social human being? Do you have time for going out and spending time away from the writing desk?

I am social, but I also really need my own space otherwise I don’t function properly. I like to be locked away with my own thoughts, or reading good book and listening to music, but it’s pretty hard to achieve with two toddlers running around!

9. Which character trait do you like best about yourself and why? Which trait would you rather do without?

I like that I’m strong and won’t take nonsense from people; I’ll always stand my ground no matter who it is. I don’t like that my mouth has a tendency to run away with itself, oh and I’m freakishly clumsy, to the point of annoying. I burn myself on average once a week whilst cooking!

On writing:

1. Can you describe the place where you write + the view?

I write sitting on my sofa, laptop on knee, views not so great as it’s my neighbour’s house.

2. Is there something you always need to have near you when you work (beverage, cigarette, mascot, music, quote, etc)?

Music and coffee, oh and biscuits. I can’t write a single word without listening to music, it’s what inspires me.  Most of my ideas and threads come from song lyrics.

3. What genre(s) do you write in? How did that develop?

Romance/Fantasy. I also have some Chicklit books in the pipeline at the moment. Basically, I write what I like to read, aside from Crime. I love to read it, but could never see myself writing in that genre.

4. When was your first book released and how did that make you feel?

My first book ‘The Bringer’ was released on the 4^th May and I was absolutely over the moon, I literally couldn’t sit still, and then panic set in when I realised that people where actually going to read my book!

5. Can you tell us some background information on the book? (How did you get the idea, how long did it take you to write and edit it, is it part of a sequel, how does the published book make you feel now?)   

It was November 2009, I was four months pregnant with my daughter, my son was napping so I was having a bit of me time, and was reading one of the True Blood novels.  I came to a part in the book which reminded me of a book I had read at school, and around that time all that was playing on the radio was ‘Don’t Cry’.  I then had the urge to want to listen to it, but I didn’t have a copy, so I Google’d it and ended up watching the video. Whilst watching my mind started drifting, as it often does, and I started thinking about love and the overwhelming feelings it can create, both good and bad in us.  Then I thought ‘what it would be like if people didn’t feel love at all?’ which then somehow morphed into, ‘what would be like to have no feelings, period’ and bam! Lucyna popped into my head.  An ethereal being with no feelings, who without warning, suddenly develops them.  And so the story began! Even though I came up with the idea of The Bringer in November 2009, I didn’t start writing it properly until after my daughter was a few months old.  So, it was June 2010 that I officially started, then I had a break of a month whilst we moved house, and it was finished by Dec 2010. I’ve been toying with the idea of a sequel to it, and I do have the story in mind, but I’m half way through my second book ‘A Single Bite’ so I’m going to finish that first and then decide after that.

6. What are your writing habits? (every day, number of words, etc.?)

As and when the mood takes. I carry a notebook around with me incase inspiration strikes and I’m not near a PC.

7. Who’s been your biggest inspiration and why? Since when?

I have two, both from different genres. Firstly, Thomas Harris – the day I read ‘Red Dragon’ it blew me away. Literally. That book was on my mind for days after I read it. The quality of his writing and imagination is outstanding. Secondly, Charlaine  Harris. Her writing knows no bounds; she can make you fall in love with the bad guy.

If I can write as good as they do, and achieve a tiny piece of the success they have, then I’ll die a very happy lady.

8. What does Night Publishing mean to you?

NP is part of my life now. Tim made my dream come true. I know how sappy that sounds but it’s true. And the friends I have made there are the most awesomeist (is that a word?!) bunch of folks, and I feel truly lucky to know them and be a part of the Night family. And I’m also hoping one of them, one day will hit the big time and I can ride on their coat tails! My money’s on Drew Cross or Jo Ellis

9. Where do you see yourself in 5-years’ time?

Ooh in a mansion with man servants (I got that idea from the lovely Mrs Chisnall!)  Seriously, if I’m still writing, whether that be for a big publishing house or for Night then I’ll be happy. And hopefully I’ll still look the same as I do now in 5 years’ time! Here’s hoping…

10. Final fun question. If you had to choose: are you a Houdini or an Edison? This is for the official NP tally.   

Houdini without a doubt.

Link to Sam’s blog: http://samanthatowle.blogspot.com/

‘The Bringer’ is now available to buy from Amazon:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004ZGDDJ0

THANK YOU SO MUCH SAMANTHA