- Barbara Copperthwaite
‘With a degree in psychology, it was inevitable that at some point I would move over to the da
Crime authors spill their guts about writing…
This week: WENDY CLARKE
I just write – no notes, no Post-its, no sketches of story arcs… just my computer and my fingers.
Tell us about yourself…
I used to be a teacher but now I’m a writer of psychological thrillers. The first two, ‘What She Saw’ and ‘We Were Sisters’ were published by Bookouture in 2019. Two more thrillers will be published this year.
Before I wrote novels, I was better known as a magazine writer, having had over three hundred short stories and serials published in women’s magazines. I could have continued writing short women’s fiction but with a degree in psychology, it was inevitable that at some point I would move over to the darker side!
I am a complete pantster when I write and have an aversion to planning. Even with a synopsis, I usually find my characters taking over and writing the plot for me.
I live with my husband and step-dog in Sussex and when not writing am singing or following my passion for dance (my husband and I know over fifteen different styles).
How do you pick character names? Do any have special meaning to you?
I absolutely hate picking names for characters. When I do, it’s as if the name pool has shrunk to just a handful. When I was writing for the magazines, I swear I used the name Alex at least ten times. The biggest problem is trying not to use the names of people you know – but the older you are the harder that gets!
How do you go about plotting your book?
As mentioned earlier, I am a pantster rather than a planner by nature which makes life difficult when my publisher requires a synopsis before offering a contract! I use an App called Mind Map on…TO READ THE INTERVIEW IN FULL CLICK HERE