Interview

with

Pamela B Cherry

 Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up in Ireland, born in Dublin and lived on Kenilworth Park till I was eight when we moved to Glenageary. I have only happy memories of growing up, summers in a caravan by a big sand dune by the sea at Brittas Bay, apple pies and ice cream and riding my bike. My Dad was hard working, loved gardening, the countryside, and the seaside. My Mum was at home caring for my two elder sisters and me. A few years after that my family moved to 'the Garden of Ireland' known as Wicklow. I regret to say I was not very fond of being confined in school every day and 'mitched' off when I could. My Mum found out and solved the problem, I was packed off to boarding school north of the country to Dundalk Grammar School. Unlike previous school experience, I absolutely loved my years there. When we moved to Wicklow I was about ten years of age, my sisters had married and so I enjoyed the life of an only child. I spent all of my free time at Bel-Air, a big country hotel where there was an equestrian centre. I used to cycle there every day (about five miles) and work with the horses, clean stables and tack and hope that I would be rewarded with a free ride in the afternoon. Summers were horses, tennis and floating about on my bicycle.

 

When did you first start writing?

I started writing stories when I was about nine. I was the bain of my teacher because she would set the class to write a one or two-page 'composition' and mine always ended up six to ten pages of a story. My grammar and spelling was not the best in those days, so she had a lot of correcting to do! What inspires you to get out of bed each day? Since I retired there seems to be so much to do, the very fact of getting out of bed is inspiring in itself. We should not waste a minute. There are people in this world who are 'driven' and there are people who are very laid back and take each day as it comes. My husband Robert and I are both driven, we have so much to get done each day, and I am inspired to accomplish what I can during the day, even if it is only to tidy the garden and cut the grass, the mundane jobs have to be done, but when I have an idea for my book, I just can't wait to get at the computer to get going on it.

 

When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?

Since I retired, or should I say, since I reached retirement age, I have not got a minute to spare each day. I love gardening, but I don't like a lot of 'work' in the garden, I organize it so that it is easy and enjoyable. I love to play golf which I do with Robert most weeks. We also love to play some tennis and we do a lot of walking. Spending time by the sea is one of our favorite times. Living in France there is a huge opportunity for exploring and even driving to other countries to experience their culture. With all of the aforementioned, there are 'sitting' times when I will read or listen to my latest podcasts or audio book.

 

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

Yes, the teacher gave us a composition to write about a penny. Most of the other kids wrote about a penny, what it looked like and how it was made. My story was about ten times longer and told the story of how the penny was minted, sent to a bank and then handed out to the first person. The story followed the adventures of the penny and the people it was passed to. 

 

What's the story behind your latest book? 

My husband Robert and I went to visit a long time friend in Phoenix Arizona. When we got there we found that she had moved out of her master bedroom and into her guest room, giving us the master bedroom. She was about 81 years old and we were not expecting her to wait on us, so, within a couple of days we were shopping, cooking, washing up etc. She exclaimed that this was wonderful and like having a holiday in her own home. Robert had the idea that this situation would make a good movie. A couple go to stay with an elderly lady, take over her house, her family and friends could get upset that they were getting pushed out of the frame, especially if she was wealthy and they stood to lose some inheritance. The story grew and expanded from there.

 

Describe your desk.

My desk is very tidy, I do have a couple of sticky notes stuck here and there though. I also have a small notebook in which to keep record of information which is easier to find in the book than on the computer. I also have about five pairs of spectacles - it seems that some days my eyes change depending if I have been out in the sunshine or inside.

 

How do you approach cover design?

Covers are difficult. I did some research in a large well-known bookstore. I looked at the cover and then read the description of the book. I was amazed that in the majority of cases, the cover had no connection to what the story was about. I decided to pick a theme and each cover will have a similar appearance. My covers have been home-made by myself and Celeste Hall who is an author in her own right. Celeste makes her own covers and helps people like me.

 

What is your e-reading device of choice? 

Well, I think there is nothing like holding a book in my hands. I am particular about the feel of the book, the font and spacing is also very important. I will always choose a book but for traveling, convenience and for night reading Kindle or iPad is terrific.

 

What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?

Every aspect of communication works well, an author who wants to have their book read, has to be prepared to tell everyone, everywhere, about how great their book is. It's also important to always have some books on hand to gift or to sell when the opportunity arises.

 

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

It is hard to choose because two come to mind. In the order of how they happen but not in the order of value I would have to say that the first joy is the coming together of the story. I don't make notes I have a very loose plan in my head. I wake in the morning, get an idea and then I go and work on it during the day. Occasionally plots and ideas will come to me and I will jot them into the iPad Notes or on a sticky note but I usually work day today and the story comes and evolves. My second feeling of great joy has got to be the wonderful feeling of happiness that flows through me when I get an email, phone call or meet someone who exclaims how much they enjoy reading my books. One lady emailed me with comments as she read through the pages of Déja Vu. This really gave me a kick and made me smile.

 

What do your fans mean to you?

 Fans are wonderful and enormously important! I get such a thrill when someone gets in touch and lets me know how much they enjoy my books.

 

What are you working on next?

I have a plan for the continuing story about Mervyn and Stephanie and of course the flighty, sneaky Brock. But I am just completing a totally different book concerning the afterlife. My sister passed away nine years ago. About six months later I started finding feathers, little white fluffy feathers of a kind that she loved as a young child. I found these feathers in places where they couldn't possibly have blown into. I have written about these experiences. I have also had several unexplained spiritual experiences and one where I was visited by a young man who had just passed away, he wanted me to give his mother and family a message. This was life changing. The book is an easy read and I hope to publish it this year. 

 

Repossession and Déja Vu are fiction but have you included any nonfiction?

I have to admit that there are many personal experiences that I have threaded into both books. I will leave it up to the reader to work out what they are.

 

Do you have any phobias or do you just take life as it comes?

Mostly I try to live each day as it demands but I suppose I do have strong feelings about certain habits. For example, I cannot stand to see ladies dump their handbags on a table where people eat. If you pay attention, you will see that many ladies throw their handbags on the floor, dirty, germ-ridden floors, including public toilets. Arriving at the table at home, at a friends house or in a restaurant the same bag is plonked on the table, sometimes on top of the knives and forks setting!