Huge, warm welcome to the lovely Lorraine Gregory whose debut middle grade novel Mold and The Poison Plot has just hit the book shelves.
Tell us about you in 25 words or less.
Bookish, mildly bonkers writer with too much imagination and not enough confidence. Blessed with fabulous family, friends and fluffy cats.
What makes you happy?
My home, my family, my cats, my friends, snuggling, writing, chocolate, holidays, sunshine, reading, films, hot tubs, massages, duvets…
Where is your favourite place to write?
I know lots of authors have amazing writing sheds and the like but I don’t have one of those and to be fair I’ve always been more in favour or comfort and warmth so my sofa in the front room is my favourite place to write! We have a reclining sofa which is amazing because I have long term back issues which make it hard to be comfortable on normal chairs. I’m normally in my pajamas and I generally have a duvet over me and if there isn’t a cat on my lap then I put my computer there and start writing. Sometimes I’ll have background music or t.v – sometimes I’ll need silence. It’s like a little writing nest and I love it.
What’s on your TBR pile at the moment?
Too many things! I’m reading Perijee and me at the moment by Ross Montgomery and Spaghetti Hoop Boy by Lara Williamson, Night Spinner by Abi Elphinstone and a Girl Called Owl by Amy Wilson are waiting in the wings!
What’s your worst habit? Oh so many to choose from! I procrastinate too much, moan too much, sink into self doubt too easily and am possibly the laziest person I know!
Tell us about Mold (from your debut novel, Mold and the Poison Plot)? Mold jumped fully formed into my head one day and his marvellous, distinctive voice was the driving force behind this book. He’s street wise, tough and brave but with huge vulnerability and enormous loyalty. Abandoned in the bin as a baby and feeling like a freak his life isn’t always easy but there’s no self pity in him just heart and courage.
What are your top tips for budding writers? Love what you do. Find a writing tribe to support you and help you stay sane. Be prepared to revise and edit more times than you can possibly imagine and more patient than you ever thought possible!
Can you give us a glimpse / hint at your current WIP? (I can bribe you with cake & biscuits!) I’m currently working on a few different projects but right at the minute my main protagonist is a pickpocket!
Did we forget anything? The thing that has surprised me the most about writing is how many themes filter through to your work unconsciously! I’ll be interested to see if readers pick up on the ones in Mold and the Poison Plot and how they feel about them. I really can’t wait to see what children think of the world I created and the adventures inside!
Just for fun
Tea or coffee? Neither!
Paper books or e-books? Paper 100000 %
Cake or chocolate? Chocolate cake?
Write or type? TYPE!
Poetry or prose? Prose.
Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin? I think I’m a Huffleclaw!
Hot or cold? Hot definitely!
Read My Book Corner’s review of Mold and The Poison Plot
Leave a Reply