In the Booth with Ruth – Fran Clark, Author, Songwriter & Singer

What’s your writing background? When did you begin writing and what inspired you? 

Well I think I started writing stories in my head to begin with. Sounds weird but I used to read to my oldest son before bed and eventually started making stories up as I went along. I told him stories about one particular character, a little boy, and took this little boy on a different adventure every night. I wish now that I had written them down. Actually putting pen to paper started not so long ago but about twenty years after an idea for a much longer story formed in my mind. It was inspired by what I learned, through my mother, about life in the Caribbean and coming to live in London in the late 50s. 

How often do you write? And how do you manage to fit in writing among other commitments? 

Well I’m a singer-songwriter, I teach vocals and I’m a wife and mother so that leaves very little time. When I wrote my first novel I very often wrote in the early hours of the morning. I’m a bit of an insomniac so it seemed the ideal opportunity. At the moment I’ve set myself a challenge to write a minimum of 1000 words per day as I try to finish my second novel. It works well and I choose any opportunity during the day or night that is quiet enough and when I’m not too tired. Rare, but it seems to be working out so far. 

In which genre do you most enjoy writing? 

My favoured genre is women’s fiction. 

What draws you to write in that genre? 

I tend to write about relationships, ordinary people overcoming extraordinary situations, issues that might be more suited to women readers than men, love usually features but isn’t the main focus. The genre doesn’t limit me in terms of location or era. It’s quite a broad genre but quite distinctive and with a scope to cross it with another genre quite easily too. 

Can you tell me about your current project(s)?

I’m working on completing my second novel. It’s quite a complex story about really down to earth subjects. I’m about half way through, loving how things are coming together but hoping I’ve got it in me to pull off the intricate plot lines successfully. 

What are your writing plans for the future? 

I’ve got the outline and early chapters of a third novel waiting in the wings. If it feels right I’ll be getting back to it when I’m happy with number two. I’m searching for a literary agent and anticipating the release of my first novel, Holding Paradise, later this year. 

Where can people find out more about you? 

I started a blog recently and you can find it on www.franclark.blogspot.co.uk

• Fran Clark’s interview discussing her début novel ‘Holding Paradise’ can be read here.
• Fran Clark’s music interview can be read here.