We were excited to catch up with Lorraine Buxton before the announcement and release of her highly-anticipated debut romance / fiction title - coming early 2022.
Lorraine became a published Poet in 2020 under our imprint Daisa Publishing with her poetry collection of hope & resilience: 'Tapestry of Life'. A true 'tapestry of life' exploring mental health, wellness and loss with the uplifting gifts of life such as nature, friendship and love. It is available to purchase from our online website , Waterstones and other online retailers (or order through your local indie bookshop).
Now, Lorraine has immersed herself creativly into the world of fiction and is looking forward to sharing her debut romance/fiction novel with the world.
"I love to write, I enjoy it, if I write something I like I have achieved something, that is my aim. If I write something that’s someone else reads and loves, that gives me purpose..."
Describe a typical writing day...
LB: I write most days, but there are some days when it’s planned and organised, others when I get an idea and have to write it down. After breakfast, and addressing any FB comments, I sit with pen and paper if I’m writing poetry, the laptop if it’s my books, and start to write. Sometimes I will write for hours, I break for lunch, then carry on. Other days I just write for a couple of hours. I try whenever I have some free time to read through what I’ve written make changes and edit. But there are always words and ideas in my head. I love writing anywhere, so I don’t have a particular place where I write, just as long as I’m comfortable, I’m usually surrounded by notebooks, books, paper and pens.
Where do you get your inspiration?
LB: I take inspiration from the things and people around me. One of my ideas came from something I read in the news. Other ideas have been floating around in my head for years. But generally my inspiration comes from life itself.
Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?
LB: I think the book I am writing at the moment has been the most enjoyable. The story behind it is not an easy one to accept, but it happens in everyday life, so I wanted to include it, but make the characters believable and ‘normal’. For me the characters are almost real, it’s as if I can see them doing the things I write about, as if I were watching a film.
What was the inspiration for the story?
LB: I read a news story about someone who had been quite ill during the COVID 19 pandemic and something happened that gave me the idea for my story. Sometimes it helps to believe something good can come from something bad happening.
Describe the character in three words.
LB: Ana, the character in my book would be described as bewildered, vulnerable and frightened.
Why did you choose your setting for your book?
LB: The main setting for my book is the forever home, designed and built by my two main characters, and the lake it is built beside. I chose this type of location as it is something and somewhere I can relate to. I would love to live in a house with that sort of view from every window. To be so close to nature and peace and quiet. It’s like the peace, quiet, and inspiration I get from our caravan and it’s view.
Do you have a favourite character that you have written? If so who, and what makes them so special?
LB: The character in the book that I am writing now feels special to me. She is happy with the choices she has made in life. She is kind, liked in her community, loves doing things for others, and runs a bookshop (my dream job). I loved writing about her because I wanted her to be a special character that would lend herself to other stories, and I think she will.
Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to be?
LB: It would be a dream come true if writing was my full-time career. It would mean that I could write without feeling guilty. If I saw it as my job, and it provided an income, I would be doing something I love and enjoy. Like the famous saying. Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.
Favourite Quote
LB: I love anything by Mary Anne Radmacher but Winnie the Pooh quotes are great my favourite is...
“How do you spell Love?” asked Piglet
“You don’t spell it, you feel it,” replied Pooh
What does success mean to you? What is the definition of success?
LB: I looked up the word success in the dictionary to see what the correct definition of the word is….. the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. The attainment of fame, wealth, or social status. I suppose that is anyone’s general idea of success. But I believe it is the level of attainment that is different for everyone. I can only explain it like this, I love to write, I enjoy it, if I write something I like I have achieved something, that is my aim. If I write something that’s someone else reads and loves, that gives me purpose, if they are touched, I feel as if I’ve reached a different level of attainment. If people are willing to pay for my words, that is success, if they tell someone else that they have read something of mine and encourage them to read it that is beyond fame, wealth, or social status, that means my words have made a difference to someone. That for me would be success. Does that make sense?
What book is currently on your bedside table?
LB: I have a kindle on my bedside table. I always said I didn’t want one, as I like the feel of a book in my hands. But the kindle is a complete library I can dip into at any time. At the moment I’m reading lots of books based in Scotland by these authors, Hannah Ellis, Shari Low, Erin Green, Jenny Colgan. But Michelle Paver, Isabelle Broom, Heidi Swain, Dani Atkins are among lots of other authors in my kindle.
What's you favourite book/story read as an adult?
LB: Eagle in the Sky. Wilbur Smith
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
LB: Anything that involves being with my family. If alone, reading or listening to music.
If you could invite one person to dinner who would it be and what would you cook?
LB: David Attenborough and it would be a vegan / vegetarian meal I can’t imagine him eating meat???
What’s your favourite spot to visit, what makes it special to you?
LB: A place called Channonry Point in the Black Isles in Scotland. We stay in an amazing little cottage, next to the beach, and it’s the first place in Britain where we saw dolphins up close.
We're looking forward to Lorraine's book being published next year... stay tuned and follow Lorraine on social media here!
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