Readers Place

What was the inspiration for Anyone Who Had a Heart?

I enjoyed writing the story of Marcie in Rock A Bye Baby, so it was a natural progression of her story, and I understand the world that Marcie is living in, so it makes it easy to write Marcie in Anyone Who Had a Heart appears to be developing her own psychic gifts – will her skills become as developed as her grandmother’s? Now that would be telling! You’ll have to wait and see. It may be that she only ever has ‘feelings’ or, in fact, her skills may develop way beyond her grandmother’s abilities.

Is the voice in Marcie’s head, Johnnie? Is she talking to her dead first love, in the same way as her grandmother talks to her late husband?

Who is to say it’s only one voice? It could be a few spirits that come at different times of need, then again it could be the voice of her spirit guide . . .

Dream casting time: who do you picture playing Marcie in a film of your books?

Because she is still quite young, it would have to be a young actress, and the actress I think is amazing is Lacey Turner who plays Stacey Slater in EastEnders.

Which book has made you laugh? Which book has made you cry?

_All Creatures Great and Smal_l made me laugh, and writing my first book, The Gift, made me cry.

Which book would you never have on your bookshelf?

Anything to do with devil worship.

Is there a particular book or author that inspired you to be a writer?

I have loved reading since I was a young girl, so I don’t think I can say that just one author inspired me to want to write. I find I can lose myself in a good book – even more so than films even. This is what I hope I offer readers of my novels – the chance to lose yourself in someone else’s world for a while.

What is your favourite word?

My favourite word is ‘Craig’, as he is the man in my life. After twelve years on my own I never thought I would have another relationship, so it’s all quite magical.

Why do you write?

Because I enjoy telling a story, and, as mentioned before, I think reading is the best escapism. Both reading and coming up with ideas for my own books help me to get to sleep every night. I love the whole world of books and story telling.

Which book are you reading at the moment?

The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot.

What are you working on at the moment?

I have launched Paranormal SOS, which is an emergency service for people being terrorised by phenomena, and this takes me all over the UK with the team I work with. I’m also working on a new Marcie story, Wishing and Hoping, which will be out next year.