Sharon Thompson, Historical and Crime Fiction Author
Sharon Thompson is an Irish author who has released gritty novels, The Abandoned and The Healer.
The Quiet Truth was released on 9th December.
Let’s place Sharon under the spotlight!
Tell us a little about yourself and your books, including the genre(s) you write in.
I’m an Irish author who writes historical novels, with plenty of criminal elements.
When I’m not plotting gritty manuscripts, I enjoy conjuring light-hearted short stories for magazines like Woman’s Way.
Living in rural Donegal, I love binge-watching movies and TV programmes, walking on the beach with my dog, and making time for coffee or a glass of wine with friends.
I’m an avid tweeter, and run a trending tweet-chat #WritersWise, and can be found online, chatting on messenger or typing out a new idea.
What project are you working on now?
I’ve just signed with Poolbeg Books, Ireland for another novel called The Murdering Wives Club to be published in January 2021.
With publishing two novels in December and January, I’m editing, proof-reading, and thinking constantly about these projects.
I’ve a short story coming in Woman’s Way , which I submitted many months ago, and I am always working on a new idea.
At the minute, my new work in progress is more historical crime fiction and is a part of the Sinful Roses series for my new publisher, Poolbeg Books.
How do you choose the genre(s) you write in?
I don’t know. It has just happens that way. There’s no major reason. It is where I found my voice.
Is there any particular author or book that’s influenced you, either growing up or as an adult?
I love Louise Phillips’ work. She is contemporary crime fiction author, but her dark themes and characters appeal to me.
Liz Nugent is also a dark crime writer I admire.
William Golding merged with Enid Blyton on me during my childhood perhaps, because they intrigue me too.
Is anything in your books based on real life experiences?
Yes and No. Thankfully a lot of the things in my novels are not from my own experiences. Some are. But, I’m not telling which ones.
How do you come up with your titles?
With great difficulty! Titles don’t happen easily for me.
The Abandoned, my debut, was picked by Bloodhound. I liked it.
The Healer, I chose because the novel’s main character is about a healer and it went with the theme of using ‘The’ in the title.
The Quiet Truth literally jumped onto the page as I was submitting it.
The Murdering Wives Club was suggested to me by an early reader and writer friend, and it stuck with me.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I wish I did! I really want to have a shit-hot memory, or be a champion hulla-hooper or something like that. But – alas no.
You’re hosting a literary dinner party, which four authors would you invite (alive or dead)?
Only four? I presume I could have lots of ‘non-author folk’ there too as I like big parties. My husband is a great host and we love a big shin-dig.
But I pick, Stephen Fry (he’s going to be at a lot of dinner parties), Agatha Christie, Bram Stoker, William Golding, and Roald Dahl.
What are five words that describe your writing process?
Worry, wait, worry, wait and wtf-is-this?
Which would you rather do: Never write another story or never read another book?
Never read another story. I HAVE to write.
What is the funniest typo or error you’ve ever written?
I will kick myself when I find an answer for this and I’ve already pressed send without a good example.
How do you come up with names for your characters?
Usually they tell me what they are called as I write them.
I hate changing character’s names if I find I’ve used the first letter a few times. Like Peggy and Polly for eg.
I do find it difficult to pick names. In a past life, I was a teacher. And I don’t want a past-pupil to think I used their name. I try to avoid names of people I know.
Who is the most supportive person in your life when it comes to your writing?
The acknowledgement page in my novels is an epic length for this reason. It’s hard to pick one person.
I have my now online writing group called #Indulgeinwriting and they are a brilliant bunch of people. I’m exceptionally lucky to have so many good supporters in my corner.
If I have to pick one. I pick Victoria. She was our only daughter, who died at nine months old. It is her who lead me to write. Even though she is no longer in our lives – she is the magic which spurs me on.
What is your most favourite word and why?
Magic. Because Victoria brings it to my life everyday.
What is your least favourite word and why?
Moist. Don’t most people hate the word moist?
You can find Sharon Thompson in the following places:
Facebook: Sharon Thompson Facebook
Twitter: Sharon Thompson Twitter