Good afternoon Friends and welcome. Today I’m reposting my interview with Triplicity Publishing author, Louise ‘S.L’ Gape, whose book, Nautical Delights, is doing very well. Here is an update from Louise.
“Unfortunately no books for me since early 2018, due to some personal stuff going, changing jobs and buying a new home. I started back up end of summer and as I finished one book, currently unnamed I’m working with TriPub to try and find something that suits, I was overcome with new ideas for another book. Given we all know how easy it is to lose sight of our WIPs (or maybe that’s just me, and I’m the only one with several half written books at home) I felt it prudent to park book 6 and revisit editing. With that said I’m coming to the end of writing Life’a Lessons (book 7) and hope to have both released this summer. Then I’m sure living alone will bring ample time to get back on it.”
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Good morning Everyone and welcome. Today author Louise Gape has stopped by to chat with us. Her new book, ‘Too Soon’ is getting very positive reviews. I invite you to stop in and meet this amazing woman and get to know her.
“Live life to the full. We only get one chance at it!”
Louise Gape
What is ‘Too Soon’ about?
‘Too soon’ is about Brooke a detective from Oxford, England who is currently off work from her job as a detective following a shooting. Her life is pretty much in turmoil with the exception of her boss/girlfriend; until Maria shatters her life and tells her she’s leaving her for their best friend and insisting Brooke leaves their home.
Brooke’s best friends Kate and Jo are there to back her and get her through everything and suggest getting away for a while. Alas, Brooke ends up in A holiday park in Anglesey.
Enter Chloe, driven, dynamic, spunky and finds it impossibly hard to not poke fun of the uptight Brooke at every opportunity. Brooke’s life slowly starts to unfold, revelations of the relationship becoming clear and each weekend spent with her new friend Chloe when she comes to spend time at her holiday home.
Their bond grows, but the uncertainty of all against them lingers as to whether it’s meant to be or whether it’s simply ‘Too Soon.’
It’s obvious by your book cover that you love the beach, tell us more why you chose it.
Creating my front cover is almost as exciting as writing for me. I have a tendency to envisage my cover prior to choosing the title. I knew I wanted it to be very surf orientated as that was the drive I got whilst writing Too Soon. I love the beach, the sounds of the ocean, and the surf. I love that release and escape that it brings, as with writing. It’s completely my happy place, which is unfortunately the downside of living in the U.K. But I guess it makes me appreciate it all the more when I go on vacation.
Did you do any types of writing while you were in school? Have you received any awards or recognition for your work?
No I didn’t. I was very sports focussed in school. I love Shakespeare but I never did anything like this. In fact, I only started writing less than two years ago, by way of release and it resulted in this. Which is completely surreal and strange to me, but I’m loving it no less.
Is there anyone or anything in your life who encouraged you to write? What did they do?
I guess not. I did my first book as a way of avoiding having to face change that was going on in my professional life. It began as a story I’d write on the numerous occasions I was living in hotels and away from home, and ended up being 100k words. This in turn resulted in being offered a few publishing deals. After that I realised I loved it and … yeah, I guess I’m engrossed in it. The escapism of it is what captivates me. I love that.
Does your writing include aspects about you?
Yes, I think any writer subliminally includes elements of your life but it does frustrate me when people say “oh that’s such and such a person” I feel the need to redo it. (This could be my friends thinking they’re funny though haha) But that’s my perfectionism I guess. I actively try to refrain, although my first book The Life of Riley, was very much about my life experience as a holiday rep. Which is a big thing in Europe and not so much in the US, but I spent 7 years doing the job and lived in Spain, Greece, Egypt, Lapland, Dom Rep and Bahamas so there was a lot of infusion from those experiences; not that it was about me per se.
Have you ever had a fantasy come true?
Well I guess it depends in what the reference of fantasy is? If you mean a fantasy dream something I wished would happen then yes, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have many. If, however, you are referring to more of a ‘romantic’ fantasy then no not really. I guess there are times when I’ve wanted something to happen and it has but I’m a complete romantic so I’d probably never see it as a fantasy happening as I’d probably never deem it as being impacting enough.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Can you elaborate on what has worked for you to generate creativity?
Can you elaborate on what has worked for you to generate creativity? I guess I hope they like my books. It’s difficult for me as I’m very self-critical and nothing is good enough, throw into the mix the fact I’m new to this, don’t do this full time as a career and have never had any steer or direction, I can only go off what the readers think. And as I said I hope they like it and I hope I can sustain that enjoyment for them. In terms of creativity, I’m not so sure things really do just come to me and I run with it. That can sometimes be difficult as at present I’m in the middle of writing three different, and very different novels, and dependant on what mood I’m when I sit down to write I’ll go to that book. It can sometimes get very confusing. I’m a complete home girl I’ve been and done the partying and I enjoy curling up with a glass of red, my candles and my laptop and that fires the creativity.
Where is the last place you traveled? Can you tell us more about your adventure?
Cancun. One of my favourite places for a vacation. I’ve been every year for the last 5 years. I have a fairly stressful job so I’m very much about downloading as many books on my kindle as possible and laying in the pool with my margaritas and reading. Equally I tend to get a lot of inspiration overseas, so I managed to write 75% of Worlds Apart which is the book after Fight to the Top which will be out next month. I love travelling whether it be a beach holiday or even just a visit to Anglesey.
Do you follow any sports teams? If so can you tell us a bit about your interest in them?
If so can you tell us a bit about your interest in them? I love Miami dolphins. People often assume I’m in to football because I’m from the UK and London. But personally, not my thing. My favourite thing is to go to Florida for Super Bowl and hit up a sports bar and watch Super Bowl with some wings and wine. I love how embroiled everyone gets in it. I have spent a lot of time in Florida both work and pleasure and despite them never doing as well as I’d want (aside from this year) I still root for them.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love to travel and I do that frequently. I go to Jamaica in April and am super excited. Outside of that my favourite things are photography and cooking. I love just driving off and finding awesome things to photograph but I’m not a fan of greenery so the UK is wasted on me. However, getting up at 6/7am on a Saturday morning putting the radio on and cooking/prepping some Indian or Mexican food is my total happy place.
Have you seen the now syndicated English series Absolutely Fabulous? Who do you relate to the most, Edwina, Patsy, or Saffron?
Yes of course I’m British haha. I’d love to say Saffy the well-mannered bright one; in actuality I’m probably more likened to Eddie the ditsy, uncoordinated drunk (for clarity I’m not a drunk).
What was the last musical performance you attended?
Wicked. I bought it for an ex-girlfriend years ago, and we split up pre, but still went… Erm Slightly awkward.
Can you give us a shout out about your hometown (or it can be the one you reside in now)? What is a fun and interesting attraction to visit there?
I live in a village called Stockton Heath, Cheshire and it’s awesome. My local pub the Lion is very English where we all know each other and has the best sun trap looking out onto a bowls green. The village is very Mediterranean in summer which is difficult to not be coaxed into venturing out. I love it, I love how quaint it is and calls in a lot of people especially over the weekends.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and why?
Negativity. It appears everywhere, relationships, family, religion, money. I mean don’t get me wrong personally I’d get trump out and Obama back in (personal opinions sorry) but if you take negativity and focus on positivity then I genuinely believe the world would be a better place… I’m a romantic novelist though I guess I could be deemed as being unrealistic
Me: Making a gratitude list each day is very helpful in achieving positivity.
What types of service work have you participated in. How was your experience?
I’m ashamed to say I don’t really get involved in too much. I spend a lot of time either at work, writing with my nieces and nephews and my partners 101-year-old gran.
Me: Wow. This is so sweet. You know your loved ones appreciate this.
What is next in the works for you?
My next novel Fight to the Top is out next month. Triplicity Publishing already have Worlds Apart my novel after that and I’m currently in the process of writing some other material which will all be out later in the year.
Here is an excerpt from Too Soon:
“So, you see a poor girl upset, sad and distressed and you make fun of her? This will be an amazing six weeks?” she said smiling a little. She felt at ease already, and was glad of that fact. “Now, please, mystery surf woman, it’s taken me forever and a day to get here, please show me where my room is?” she said seriously.
She watched the woman lift her eyebrow smirking. “The good news is, that’s your palace, princess” She pointed behind her. “In front of you, therefore, you park up here and you’re good to go” she said smiling and walking off. She shouted behind her without even turning around “and FYI, the mystery surfer’s name, is Chloe. In case you were wondering?” she said turning and disappearing off, surfboard in hand. Brooke watched Chloe leave, her long dark hair, wavy from the water.
At last, you have found your home, she thought. She parked her car up and went to unlock the door, deciding not to move a single bag until she had opened and got into the right place. After today’s traumas, she was clearly very pessimistic. Luckily for Brooke, she was good. It was the right place and she was home free. Walking in, Brooke was amazed by the size of it. Regardless of the fact it was sold as a static and not a tourer, which she didn’t understand, she couldn’t help but assume it would be a small room with a bed, settee, fridge and mini oven in. And a toilet and sink in the corner. It wasn’t like that though; it was a small house, a small flat. It had a full kitchen, a full lounge and dining room, a full two bedrooms and a full bathroom. She was completely astounded. It was lovely and so cute. She walked to the end of the lounge and opened the blinds to reveal the patio doors. Opening them out onto her balcony, she took in the most spectacular sea views. Brooke sighed, and for the first time in nearly two weeks she realised it was a sigh of happiness, she couldn’t believe it, this was all completely perfect she thought.
Before you go check out SL Gape’s links:
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Thank you for visiting today. Be sure to stop by next week when I’ll be featuring a guest blog with Bold Strokes Books author Kris Bryant.
Until next time,
Lynn
Lynn Lawler's Creative Artists' Blog 