Today it's my pleasure to introduce to you author Sue Shepherd whose debut novel
Doesn't Everyone Have A Secret? was published last Friday.
Born in Harrow, forty-something years ago, Sue went on to spent several years living in Hertfordshire before selling up and taking a leap of faith across The Solent. She now resides on the picturesque Isle of Wight with her husband and two sons. Her passions in life are: her family, writing, the sea-side and all the beautiful purple things her sons have bought her over the years. Happiest when hunched over her laptop with a cup of tea on the go, Sue loves to create stories with plenty of heart and laughs, but, she makes sure to include a bit of grit and sex too.
Ask Sue to plan too far in advance and you'll give her the heebie-jeebies and she'd prefer you not to mention Christmas until at least November!
Describing herself as having Champagne tastes and a Cava bank account, Sue hopes you enjoy her debut novel.
Why it’s more fun to write about naughtiness by Sue Shepherd
My debut novel, ‘Doesn’t Everyone Have A Secret?’ is out on 20th March. It’s essentially a story about three people; Steph, Mike and Penny.
These three characters are very different individuals. Steph is a slightly harassed wife and mum who feels she’s not fully appreciated; as a result she’s considering an affair with her children’s rather sexy head teacher. Mike is a vicar who’s being blackmailed, although things aren’t all they seem. And Penny; poor, sweet Penny, is battling OCD whilst attempting to deal with the backlash from a terrible childhood.
As the title of the book suggests, they all find themselves in a situation where they have secrets to keep from those closest to them.
I enjoyed writing their separate stories whilst gradually entwining their lives to form the bigger picture. But which bits were the most entertaining to write? I think, like many writers, I’d have to say, I gleaned the most fun from the cheeky bits. Those conversations that make the reader say, ‘No, no, no – you mustn’t,’ and the actions which cause them to gasp in disbelief. Making decisions for your characters which you just know will lead them into more trouble is great fun. My vicar is so much more than just his job, the book really only touches on his time in church, he is, first and foremost, a man. I found it interesting to write from a male perspective and his storyline required some intriguing research. I also enjoyed slowly delving into Penny’s life and I found it a hugely emotional writing experience to reveal her past but, ultimately, I have to say that if it’s fun we’re talking about then I had ‘it’ most when I wrote as Steph. As Steph ventured into the world of secret affairs I was able to be really naughty and, you guessed it, I loved it!
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Ce7inR
Website: www.sueshepherdwrites.co.uk
Twitter: @thatsueshepherd
Can you tell us a little bit about your debut novel Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?
‘Doesn’t Everyone Have A Secret?’ is essentially a story about three people; Steph, Mike and Penny, who all, sadly, find themselves in a situation where they have a secret to keep from those closest to them. Beginning the book unknown to each other, the characters’ stories gradually entwine. As well as these three, there are additional characters who are, in fact, angels. Throughout the story, these angels attempt to guide the main characters through their daily lives, not always with success. It’s a bold book and some of the subjects covered are hard hitting but ultimately there is a lot of love in it, albeit hidden behind secrets.
