How on earth is 2024 nearly half over and I’ve only managed to invite two authors over for drinks at my cosy book nook? Where has all the time gone … ?
But hopefully it’s been worth the wait because today I have a very special guest. She’s a reader, reviewer, blogger, blog tour host, book festival host and now author … the wonderful Donna Morfett!
Donna was born and raised in a small town in Bedfordshire, and has loved reading for as long as she was able to understand the words written on the page. The love has remained, and she now also uses reading as a way to help cope with mental health.
As with many people across the world, the pandemic left her with lots of time for twiddling thumbs. But rather than do that, she decided instead not only to complete a degree in Forensic Science, but also to try and write a book.
That book, although OK story-wise, needs a lot of work and is yet to see the light of day. She likes the story and hopes to go back to it one day.
Donna then took part in NaNoWriMo, in November 2021, and wrote her first full length novel. In November 2023, her short story Cassie came joint second in a competition. And now she’s just had her first novel published (but more on that in a bit …)!
Hi Donna and thank you for coming. What can I get you to drink?
I’m glad I didn’t have to answer the ‘where has all the time gone’ question because I have no clue! Lol. Hmm, I think as it’s a special occasion I’ll have a gin and lemonade or a nice fruity cider please.
Coming right up. First question. You’ve read – let’s be frank – a mahoosive number of books, as well as chatting to loads and loads of other authors about their books. Can you point to a particular moment in your reading, blogging and interviewing life when you thought ‘I could do that’?
In short, no. Lol. I did however notice at some point then when I finished reading, my head carried on the story. It was very odd. I thought maybe it was time to start writing my own story so I could stop the book I’m currently reading carrying on and driving myself crazy. Thankfully thus far its worked.
The other inspiration really was reading the Bliss books by Tony Forder. I struggle to be serious, well ever, and Tony made me realise you could insert belly laughs along with very serious topics. I’m not sure he realises that, but he’s inspired me for some time.
Once you had made the decision to start writing, was finishing your book easier or harder than you thought it was going to be?
Oh, God, much much harder. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve questioned my life choices! The writing bit I enjoyed…mostly. The editing, I did not!! At all!!!
I know that until recently, you had a job in retail that you absolutely hated. But looking back, do you credit it with giving you any inspiration for your writing (even if it was a character that you particularly despised)?
Ha ha ha, oh you noticed that. Not yet, but there were a lot of characters there that I can include in a book. I think because i started writing this book during lockdown I’d forgotten all the regulars (nutters)! My colleagues have been included though.
And what about your degree in forensic science (congratulations on getting it, by the way)! How helpful has that been to your writing?
Thank you. It meant I didn’t have to do much research but weirdly, it was a hindrance. I knew too well how not to get caught, so I had to go back and put in a clue so they had something to catch the perpetrator!
Where do you live, and what’s the best thing about it?
I live in a small town called Dunstable. I suppose the best thing about it is the history. Henry VIII stayed here during his reign. Our main church was built in 1120 or so. It has some areas that are very pretty.
Let’s get on to your first book – I’ll say it again – your first book, The Disappearance of Peter Markham, because I’m sure you’re longing to talk about it. And I have to start with – and I hope this isn’t too big a spoiler for anyone who hasn’t read the book – what poor old Peter has done to him. There really seemed to be some anger coming off those pages! Were you thinking of anyone you knew when you wrote those scenes? (If so, I’m not going to ask what he did to deserve it, but I really hope I never get on the wrong side of you!)
Eeeek. It still doesn’t feel real.
Ha ha ha ha, well I’m not saying I hold a grudge or anything, and you know, I can totally let stuff go, but… yes it absolutely is based on a real person. Its only because he seems to avoid any kind of repercussions for his actions, so I gave him some. If I say it was fun does that make me sound a bit psycho??
Had you always intended to write a police procedural, or did that develop as the book progressed?
No, I can’t say I did. All I wanted to do was kill Peter. But I realised fairly quickly that wasn’t enough to fill a book, so figured a police investigation in between would fill it out.
How did you gain inspiration for the characters in your book? Are any of them based, however loosely, on people you know or have met?
I always knew who the killer would be and a lot of the story is quite personal to her. I asked her permission to use it and made sure all the details are correct. She said it was a form of catharsis for her too. Cora has elements of me in her. Dave, the IT guy in the police team, is an author friend that should recognise himself. There are a couple of others that are loosely based on friends and colleagues.
The ending is fabulous. At what point did you decide that this was how you wanted the book to finish?
Aww thanks. Well that was bloody annoying. I used to work shifts and was awake every day before 5am, so in the afternoon I tried to nap. As I was laying down trying to sleep I had this brilliant line come into my head, so I had to get up and put it in my phone so I didn’t forget. I never did get my nap. The line remained exactly as I wrote it though, the publishers didn’t edit it.
How are you enjoying that drink? Can I get you another?
Oh yes, very much. Are you trying to get me drunk Mr Johnson? I’m a proper lightweight these days as I hardly drink!
How about some music? Do you have a favourite song?
I find it very difficult to choose just one of anything. I have a few songs that make me sing at full blast: Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams, which I think I know word for word, Town Called Malice by the Jam, and the whole American Idiot Album by Green Day.
Yes! You have taste! … but back to topic. Let’s dream for a minute and imagine that Amazon Prime decide to make a film based on The Disappearance of Peter Markham. Who would you like to see cast in the roles of Peter, Cora, Darcey and Luke?
Now there’s a question! I think most people who know me by now, know I have something called aphantasia which means I don’t have any pictures in my mind as I write. I don’t describe my characters too much either. I also have a holdback, where I don’t watch too many films or TV shows because I’m always reading. I’m usually miles behind on the latest thing, so I’d love to hear who everyone else would suggest.
What would you say is your favourite thing about being a writer?
The community. I’ve loved it since being a reader, but since I’ve made that step into being an author the support has been incredible. Other authors have given me honest but constructive advice, and really helped my confidence as well as my book.
And the least favourite?
Editing. I hate it, hate it hate it hate it! I am waiting to be tested for ADHD, and one of the symptoms is struggling to concentrate on a task I find boring. This is editing for me! I have to force myself to sit at the laptop and do it.
I know that when you’re not writing, or reading, one of the things you love to do is go to book festivals. If you had to recommend one festival to someone to visit for the first time, whether as a reader or an author, which would it be and why?
It has to be Harrogate. Just because its the biggest. Even as an author, meeting fellow authors, making contacts. It can’t be beaten. However I’d love to give a shout out to Bay Tales and Newcastle Noir that are really lovely festivals, smaller and so welcoming. For newbies and Indies, you would feel right at home.
Along similar lines … you’ve interviewed a whole host of other authors for your own blog, Donna’s Interviews, Reviews and Giveaways. But if you could pick just one author to chat to, alive or dead and whether you’d interviewed them before or not, who would it be?
It has to be Stephen King. I know it’s cliche and predictable but he influenced a lot of my teenage reading and started my obsession. He’s had such an amazing life. I think it would be fascinating. I’d love to know why he still sits in front of his computer to write. Why not retire.
And if you could recommend just one book to me to add to my groaning TBR pile, which would it be and why?
Oh jeez!! That is EVIL!! OK, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Its not spoken about much but its a stunning book.
I’m going to ask you this question, because I loved it when you asked the same thing to Jess Kitching … if you were going to murder someone, how would you do it?
Ha! Damn, I knew some of these would come back to bite me. I think when it actually came to it I’d be quite chicken and go for poison or push them off a tall building.
And finally … can you tell us anything about your next book?
So this is another of those, as I was trying to sleep ideas! I got this idea of eight people standing round a body, they’d killed him, and it was one of them. I then tell the story of how they got to that point by the eight, and a tik tok podcast fills in some gaps. What possessed me to have eight characters I have no idea! It’s not a follow on either so I’m keen to get it finished, as I had the idea for the opening chapter of the next Cora Snitton instalment (while I was trying to sleep, again, FFS!) and I’m itching to get started.
And finally finally … if I were to come round to yours for a drink, where would you take me for a night out?
Oh God, Dunstable is a dead town as far as nights out go. However, I have spent many a night in the Sugar Loaf, before going on to Jaks or Cubes, so I’d take you there. It’s also mentioned in the book, so I’d show you one of the real locations and it’s just round the corner from the church that’s mentioned too.
Thanks so much for your great questions Sam and thanks for your encouragement and support.
Thank YOU Donna (and see you in Harrogate)!
Donna’s debut novel, The Disappearance of Peter Markham is out now, published by Rampart Books.
24th May 2024
My Cosy Book Nook 