I often spotlight books and authors, but they’re aways either children or adults, but Carol Thomas, from my local writing network Chindi, has published in both. So I thought we’d chat a bit about how she flips between genres.

Which came first, writing romance or writing for children?

Writing romance, and since gaining my publishing contract with Ruby fiction for my novel, The Purrfect Pet Sitter, it has been my main focus. However, I am a mum of four, I have two grandchildren, and I worked as a playgroup leader and primary school teacher for over fifteen years. Children are a very big part of my life and have a way of sneaking into my novels.

I often record the fabulous comments made by my own children. I love their inquisitive minds and how they look at the world. When the opportunity arises, I thread their words into my books. For me, this adds authenticity to the voices of the children I am portraying. In The Purrfect Pet Sitter, and its sequel Maybe Baby, the supporting cast of children (and pets) inspire some of my favourite comedic moments.

Regarding Finding a Friend, my first children’s book, the idea came to me in such a way that I couldn’t resist writing it. After reading a bedtime story to my then five-year-old son, I was looking at a photograph of him with our much-loved chocolate Labrador who had passed away at the grand old age of sixteen. The two of them shared a close bond, and I thought how lovely it would have been if they had grown up together. The first verse sprung to mind, and I said it aloud to my son. I kept going, hurriedly noting it down soon after.

Once I had the verses written, I worked on it, deploying my knowledge of developing early literacy skills to ensure the language was rhythmic, rhyming and repetitive. I wanted the text to inspire children to join in, anticipate and repeat words and phrases. It was a joy to write.

I have subsequently written two other children’s books that are awaiting illustrations. It is hard to balance the time, with the demands of writing and promoting my romance novels too, but I hope to get them out later this year.

What advice would you give to writers who are planning to write across genres?

If I could go back, I would put my children’s book out under a pen name and have separate social media pages in readiness for it. I didn’t, under the advice of my then publisher who quite rightly stated that as it is the adults who purchase children’s books, it would be them (the followers I had already gained from romance writing) who would be my target audience. However, in reality, this means that my children’s book doesn’t often get the attention it deserves.

I write romance, it is in no way explicit, but still, it is hard to balance posting about Chris Hemsworth inspiring my male lead in Maybe Baby, with posting about my cute picture book about a puppy! So watch this space, when my other books come out, I will endeavour to rectify this.

So since I’m getting into holiday mode, tell us about your latest romantic comedy novel:

Maybe Baby is the sequel to The Purrfect Pet Sitter (Lisa Blake book #1). While each book can be read as a standalone story, Maybe Baby revisits the characters from The Purrfect Pet Sitter as they move into the next phase of their lives. It is the book of what happens after the happy ever after.

And here’s the blurb:

Just when you thought you had it all worked out …

Best friends Lisa and Felicity think – maybe, just maybe – they finally have everything sorted out in their lives.

Lisa is in a happy relationship with her old flame, and busy mum Felicity has managed to reignite the passion with her husband, Pete, after a romantic getaway.

But when Lisa walks in on a half-naked woman in her boyfriend’s flat and Felicity is left reeling from a shocking discovery, it becomes clear that life is nothing but full of surprises!

Amazon Links:

Romance: Maybe Baby

Kids: Finding a Friend

About the author:

An active member of the Chindi Authors, Carol Thomas lives on the south coast of England with her husband, four children and lively Labrador. She has a passion for reading, writing and people watching and can often be found loitering in local cafes working on her next book.

Website and Social Media Links:

Home

http://facebook.com/carolthomasauthor

https://www.instagram.com/carol_thomas2/

Blog:

http://carol-thomas.co.uk/blog