Once people started to read my book I got asked a lot of questions:

Q. Where do you do your writing?

A. I can only write when I am at home. To begin with I did try writing in the shop during quiet times (Winter), but having to stop to serve customers (not that I'm complaining about having customers – we wouldn't have a shop without them) was too distracting. I have a PC set up in the bedroom (I prefer the old fashioned set up of a PC) which is ideal as whenever I get stuck for a word or want to think through a plot I can stare out the window at the sea which always helps.

Q. When do you find the time to write?

A. I like to get myself organised in the mornings so all the jobs that need doing are done and the I've prepared everything I need for the evening meal otherwise I can't concentrate on writing. Then I'll work away until about midday which is when I stop and take the dog out for an hours walk. I find walking the dog very helpful as it gives me time to think. I used rush into the house and write down all the ideas that had come to me when I was walking before I forgot them but now I take a little Dictaphone with me and record my ideas whilst I'm going along. Although living on top of an island sometimes it's too windy to record anything. I find it easier in the Winter to do this as the only other people I see are dog walkers like me and I think the local ones are used to the nutty woman who walks her border collie happily talking away to herself. Luckily they don't come close enough to overhear the murder, death, kill ideas that I am recording. In the Summer I have to keep switching the Dictaphone off as I get embarrassed chattering away in front of tourists who more often than not approach asking for directions.

After lunch I go back and do a couple more hours before it's time to feed the dog and take him out again. Then it's time to get the meal ready for when Neil gets home from the shop. When I was nearing the end of 'An Accidental Serial Killer' I would also work in the evenings and when we were editing it (before we got a professional on board to do it), my daughter and I would video call in the evenings to go through the manuscript. 

Q. How do you stay focused?

A. I have to admit that I am very easily distracted. As I mentioned I try to get all the jobs done before I start writing so that I'm not thinking about them while I work. I know a lot of authors listen to music as they write but I can't do that as I find it too distracting. The main problem I have is with the two dogs who live next door. Don't get me wrong they are lovely dogs but unfortunately they are often left alone and the slightest thing can set them off barking and howling – the postman, someone walking past the house, a slight breeze and once they start it takes an age before they settle down again. It's even worse when the neighbours look after their daughter's dog too. This one barks continuously – if there's a world championship for dog barking she'd win hands down and of course the other two feel it is their duty to accompany her as much as they can. Try as I might to ignore them every so often they get inside my head and I can't switch off. Then I have no choice but to take a break and do something else until I've forgotten about them again.

Q. Are your characters based on real people? 

A. To one extent or another most of my characters are a mixture of people I know well or that I am acquainted with. As I've already mentioned most of the male characters contain a little bit of Neil, especially Mason and I think there is a little bit of me in Kath.

Q. Is Edith based on someone you know?

A. We are fortunate enough to have rather a large extended family and Edith is a combination of a number of people I know very well. A lot of her characteristics are from these people and some of the things she says are what they have actually said – but I'm not giving away any more than that!

Q. How do you do your research?

A. I rely a lot on the internet as I'm sure most people do these days and to be honest every answer you are looking for is on the internet somewhere. Anybody who looks at my internet history is probably in for quite a shock. Some of what I write about is from personal experience. For example, a close family member was a heroin addict and my memories of how they behaved are incorporated into Ricky's character.

Q. Where do your ideas come from?

A. Neil and I have gone through a lot in our lives, both good and bad, and this has given me a wealth of material. Experiences I've had with people and places, books I've read, films I've watched all play their part. The storyline and the characters develop with the writing. I have some ideas that I love but I just can't make them work and then I will wake up in the middle of the night with a solution.