Among questions that novelists are asked, one of the most
popular is 'How do you create your characters?' Followed, of course, by 'Are
they based on people you know?' The answer the latter question is a definite
and very loud NO. If you think you recognise characters in a book you read, it
is sheer coincidence.
What we do when creating the characters is think of the type
of person we need and build around that.
Cleo Marjoribanks almost created herself. I wanted to write
books set mainly in one of my favourite English locations - the New Forest in
Hampshire. My heroine wanted to be a lovable character and not too young.
Someone with experience of life, a sense of humour and a quick tongue. I
decided that she was down-to-earth and generous. I am an Essex girl whose
parents were East Enders. What better place to look for Cleo? So far as her
name and style of dress is concerned, blame her.
How did she end up living in the New Forest? Won the
lottery, quit her boring job and found a house in the New Forest - in a
fictional village.
To find out how she then became involved in village life and
helps to solve crimes you will have to read the Cleo Marjoribanks Murder
Mysteries. They are available on Kindle and the first two are also available in
Paperback. Depending upon demand, the rest may become paperbacks.
The books are also available on Kobo.
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