Interview with Carolyn Ruffles
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
When I last interviewed you in 2022 you had published three books, now it’s six. Can you update me on your books?
Since 2023, I’ve written my Lightbody Mystery duology, telling the story of the fictional Martha Lightbody, a woman subjected to ‘trial by drowning’ in 1645. Before being thrown in the lake, Martha curses the men responsible. Her body is never found. They are dual timeline books, and Martha’s curse resonates through subsequent centuries to present day, where an atmosphere of suspicion and superstition pervades village life and, for some, lives are in danger.
On May 22nd this year, Featherby finally made it to print. This is a country house drama with lots of intrigue and romance. It is unashamedly a book written for women, dealing with issues such as PTSD and controlling behaviours, but it also has my usual mix of relatable characters, humour and a page-turning narrative.
What inspires you to write?/ How does a story start for you is it the characters, the plot or something else?
For me, writing satisfies that need to be creative. When I wander off into my head, different characters and scenarios appear. I’ve always enjoyed writing and I take great satisfaction in crafting ideas into works of fiction.
All my books have started out in different ways. For example, The Girl in the Scrapbook was born from a torn photograph of my grandmother as a child, whereas Who To Trust came from an observation from my son. Then the characters take hold and demand to be heard. My books always evolve and never end up as I’d planned at the start, but they inevitably reflect my own preoccupations, concerns or interests.
Has your writing process changed over time? How do you think you have grown as a writer since you published your first book?
The writing process hasn’t really changed, although I’m always trying to improve. When I read books by other authors, my writer head is admiring their craft even while my reader self becomes immersed in the story. I think I have become more self-aware as a writer because of this, and now spend a lot more time on the editing process!
What has surprised you the most with your writing?
How much of myself is reflected in my books. For me, writing is a deeply personal thing.
Which part of the whole process do you enjoy most, writing, editing, or something else?
I enjoy all of it, although by the time I’m on round 5 of editing I’m less enthusiastic!
What message do you want people to get from your books if any?
Positivity, kindness and optimism.
What is your next project? What should we be looking out for?
I am thinking of writing a Christmas novella …
What advice would you give other writers?
Keep going. Sometimes your writing will flow and other times it won’t. Just get the words down and the story told, one sentence at a time. Things will rarely, if ever, be perfect, but reflection, seeking constructive feedback from others, and immense amounts of editing will all help you to write a book you can be proud of.
What have you learned about marketing?
Marketing my work has always been uncomfortable for me and I know I should do a lot more of it. I have become more aware of my audience and try to target promotional posts or newsletters accordingly. I am happy, though, to support other authors with their marketing. It’s much easier to ‘big up’ their work than my own, and I have found other authors to be incredibly generous with their time and support in return.
Is there anything you would do differently if you were starting out now?
Make fewer mistakes. I published The Girl in the Scrapbook thinking only a few friends and family would read it. The first edition had a terrible cover and lots of errors. I would also be more prepared to ask for help. In hindsight, I definitely needed it!
Bio
Carolyn Ruffles writes both contemporary and historical fiction, laced with mystery, romance and suspense. She loves reading and writing books which tell a compelling story: books with drama and emotional depth; books with characters who stay with her, long after their tale has ended; books about ordinary people embroiled in extraordinary situations and learning about themselves in the process.
Having retired from teaching, Carolyn has now written six full length novels, beginning with The Girl in the Scrapbook which was published in November, 2018.
Carolyn lives in Norfolk with her husband Mark. When she is not reading or writing, she enjoys visiting interesting places, walking and gardening. She also loves spending time with family and friends, especially if there is a glass of wine involved!
If you wish to find out more about Carolyn, visit her website
By signing up to her readers’ list, you will receive the link to a free short story, Memories Forgotten, about a subject close to her heart.
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