Macclesfield author Paula Smith found lockdown the perfect dynamic to spark the fulfilment of a lifetime’s ambition: to write a novel.
Paula’s book, Alice, Shaken and Definitely Stirred! was published by The Conrad Press on the fifth of January 2021.
As Paula explains, ‘When the first lockdown came, after many years of what seemed to me like driving along a busy road in many different lanes at the same time, my life suddenly changed dramatically and slowed down almost to a standstill, just as it did for millions of other people. For the first time in many years, I actually found myself with too much time on my hands, so I decided to try to make the best of a bad situation: I set out to write a novel.’
Paula continues, ‘I had always imagined my story as a film but not having a clue how to write a film script, I set about writing it as a novel hoping that one day a film producer might read it and think what a great film it could be - naïve I know, but we all have our hopes and dreams. Having this ambition gave me the drive to start my novel.’
As Paula explains, ‘When the first lockdown came, after many years of what seemed to me like driving along a busy road in many different lanes at the same time, my life suddenly changed dramatically and slowed down almost to a standstill, just as it did for millions of other people. For the first time in many years, I actually found myself with too much time on my hands, so I decided to try to make the best of a bad situation: I set out to write a novel.’
Paula continues, ‘I had always imagined my story as a film but not having a clue how to write a film script, I set about writing it as a novel hoping that one day a film producer might read it and think what a great film it could be - naïve I know, but we all have our hopes and dreams. Having this ambition gave me the drive to start my novel.’
Paula found writing all-consuming. She calls it ‘a tonic’. As she says, ‘I wrote for hours each day, the more I developed my characters, the more keen I became to tell each of their stories. Authors are often asked what was their initial inspiration, mine was that I had a very straightforward story to tell.
I knew the trials and tribulations some of my friends had faced at the end of their long-term relationships but ultimately, like my character Alice, they became stronger, more confident and independent people. It may have been a longer journey for some than others but ultimately it was a journey that had a positive outcome.
This feel-good romantic comedy takes you on Alice's journey, interweaving her relationships with real-life characters and dreams involving her favourite romantic screen idols. Lamenting the loss of her long-term partner and having been made redundant, Alice makes a New Year's resolution to get on with life, and definitely without a man. But things don't quite go to plan. As her Aunt Betty says, 'Men, dear, are like buses, there are none on the horizon then three come along at once.'
About the author:
Paula Smith is a primary school teacher, living in Macclesfield, Cheshire. She is the proud mum of four sons. Her favourite pastimes are walking, afternoon cream teas and gin tasting, not necessarily in that order.
For more information, or to get in touch with Paula, please visit her website:
Alice Shaken and Definitely Stirred! by Paula Smith (RRP £9.99) is published by The Conrad Press and can be ordered from all good bookshops or at paulatheauthor.net where there is a direct link to purchase the book.
All Conrad Press books are also available to buy from The Conrad Press website:
Pictured - Paula Smith and sons.
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