Eileen Thornton

Eileen Thornton is our featured writer this week. Since allaboutlove has published two of her short stories and her first novel, The Trojan Project, a thriller, has just been published we asked her a bit about herself.

Your first novel has just been published. Tell us about it.

The story begins in the Cheviot Hills in North Northumberland. A young mother in a remote farmhouse is concerned, when her husband Pete, doesn’t come home that evening. While looking down the lane for his truck, she witnesses a bright green light in the sky, followed by a cloud. The next morning, when Pete still hasn’t come home, she goes out to find him and makes a terrifying discovery. Reporting this to the local police station in Wooler, she finds it difficult to make them believe her until a quick-witted young constable sees something to make him think otherwise. Thus begins a race to stay alive.

What gave you the idea? Why a thriller?

I had already written a rather tender sweet love story, with a part tailor-made for Hugh Grant, which, sadly, is still unpublished. It was for this reason that I decided to write something with more grit – a story where people’s lives were at stake.

When did you start writing?

I started writing in February 2001 when I began a correspondence course with the Writers Bureau. In June of that year my first feature was published in The Lady magazine. I have never looked back.

Do you find it easy to move between short stories and novels? What special skills does each require of you?

I didn’t find it too difficult. Short stories require you to concentrate on getting all the action into a set number of words, whereas a novel gives you chance to pad out your story. Having said that, at school, I was useless at essays. I could say everything in about two paragraphs, much to the annoyance of my English teacher. I must have picked up something somewhere.

Your stories show a great interest in people – their emotional responses and how people relate. How do you think this developed in you?

Truthfully, I have absolutely no idea.

Do you have any other projects on the go? What are you writing at present?

I have started another novel, called Divorcees.com. I say that rather laughingly as I have just written about two pages. I seem to have got bogged down with the production of The Trojan Project and trying to keep up with writing short stories for magazines. However I will go back to it.

Do you find writing lonely?

Yes and no. Normally I quite enjoy sitting here tapping away and then checking and replying to emails, as they come in from my friends. But on the other hand, there are times when I want to get out of the house and stay out until it is too late to start writing anything. At these times even the ironing looks attractive! You would understand that more if you knew how much I hate ironing. I am allergic to it, and need an antidote in the shape of a glass of something.

Are you a disciplined writer? Do you have set times and a place to write?

I have a desk with a laptop in our spare room. Though I hasten to add that I also have a cordless keyboard installed. The amount of time I spend writing, I couldn’t possibly use it as it came, so to speak. Most days my time is my own, however if my husband and I are going out somewhere in the morning, then I’ll begin writing when we get back.

Do you have any quirks or unusual habits that help you to write?

Not unless you count playing Solitaire or FreeCell every time I am stuck for inspiration. It helps me to clear the mind. So does the odd glass of Wine or Gin! But best not dwell on that.

http://www.eileenthornton.co.uk

Read The Awakening  and No Greater Love by Eileen Thornton