About Gaynor Torrance:
Gaynor Torrance is a British writer who was brought up in a valley in South Wales. Her love of books started at a very young age when she would regularly save up all of her pocket money to buy books from the local W H Smith store. She even attributes her love of books to being the main reason why she has hardly had any problems with tooth decay, as unlike many children she never used to buy sweets.
The first books she recalls reading were about Paddington Bear. Later she progressed to Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven and Famous Five, which was where she got her first taste of mystery and adventure. Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys followed, and by that stage she was hooked.
Gaynor studied Psychology at both the University of Warwick and Swansea University, and it is her interest in how the human mind works which has led her to write crime thrillers.
As well as writing, Gaynor is a keen musician who has taught people of all ages to play the piano. In her spare time she enjoys travelling and has visited countries as diverse as Iceland, Jordan, Russia and Egypt, to name but a few. Having moved house five times in a two year period she has finally settled in the Rhymney valley where she lives with her husband, son, and their cat.
What inspires you to write?
I love mysteries, and I’m intrigued by human behaviour. I often look at strangers and find myself wondering about their lives. Sometimes I’ll overhear a snippet of a conversation, or notice the way people interact with those around them and I find my imagination spiralling out of control.
Tell us about your writing process.
When I write I come up with a basic premise for a story. I research ideas to determine whether or not they are workable. I also like to set my stories in places I’m familiar with so that I can weave some historic facts into the mix as I find it makes it more real for me.
I am not particularly rigid in my planning process. I have an outline of how the story will unfold. I have chapter outlines, and character profiles, but I will sometimes change the order of the chapters if I feel it makes the story flow better.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I always listen to my characters and I am sometimes surprised when they develop in ways I hadn’t expected. It probably sounds strange, but I actually laugh and cry with them as I’m writing their scenes. Throughout the writing process it’s as though I’m each and every one of my characters. Sometimes they do something and I suddenly realise that I’d never seen it coming.
What advice would you give other writers?
Never give up.
Refine your ideas.
Be original.
Think outside the box.
Be your harshest critic.
Believe in your characters.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
As an unknown author it’s difficult to get a publisher to take you seriously. Self-publishing was an easy process and it allowed me to stay in control.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think many more people will take the self-publishing route as it’s quicker, offers higher royalties and empowers you as a writer. I can’t really see any downside to it.
What do you use?: Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: Crime, thriller, mystery
What formats are your books in?: eBook
Website(s)
Link To Gaynor Torrance Page On Amazon
