Someone said: "You don't choose writing, writing chooses you." That's a bit how Pam Davies felt when she started the first book in her planned historical fiction trilogy.
Former AirNZ employee left paid employment to write her book
Historical fiction and romance set in a small rural North Island town in the World War One era
Made it! At the book launch
PD Dawn, aka Pam Davies, is a vital woman who does what she sets her mind to. After carrying around the growing shape of her novel, Because of Mercy, in her mind for months she knew she had to quit work and start.
The problem was - as she said herself - she didn't know how to write. But being an industrious person she set about learning how to - and after much reading and listening to experts, launched into her book.
When she showed up at BriarsBooks her manuscript had been professionally assessed and she was ready for the next stage.
Entering corrections in the studio at BriarsBooks
It was clear PD Dawn was talented at spinning a yarn: atmosphere, historical authenticity, true-to-life characters, great plot lines and twists, all came naturally, and I'm not sure she actually needed to consult many "experts". She was a natural writer. She also wanted to tell a redemptive story, and she succeeded.
But her grammar was a trial for any editor even after manuscript assessment had made a big difference. So began the process of getting her words in order - 280 pages of them - and sometimes asking her, "What is wrong with this sentence?" Often she couldn't tell me, but she began to "get it" as we went along.
The proofs arrive
Excitement when the proofs arrived and final corrections were made, followed by printing, a book launch and distribution.
Pam is working on another book in the trilogy - she's not sure whether it's a prequel or a sequel. We'll see. In the meantime she has written another book not part of the trilogy series. And her grammar is improving all the time.
Authors want to write books for all sorts of reasons and often get stuck doing it. That's why BriarsBooks is here - to help self-publishing authors get to the finish line.
Author and Briar horsing round in the photo booth after the book launch