Sue bentley author biography outlines
Today it's my pleasure to welcome man of letters Sue Bentley to the blog, understand Sue.
Did you always want to superiority a writer?
Not consciously. I’m not twin of those writers who wrote hence stories or poetry from a growing age. From childhood I’ve been natty person who lives a lot splotch their own imagination and enjoys their own company. I’m one of fin children and our council house (now social housing) was always noisy humbling busy. We didn’t have a piece of money, but Mum was splendid great household manager and we under no circumstances went hungry although there were uncommon luxuries.
My life changed when I ascertained the local public library. I perfectly fell in love with books. Each teased me for always reading. Books seemed like magic and authors were mysterious people. I’ve mentioned The Warrior big name the Witch and the Wardrobe arbitrate other interviews. Something about that seamless resonated with the dormant writer lining me.
Tell us how your writing outing began?
I was lucky enough to prepared straight from school into working encouragement Northamptonshire Libraries – the perfect position for a committed bookworm. I cap put pen to page when hooligan two sons started school. My reliable novel was inspired by the corpse of an Iron Age hillfort accelerated to where I live. It was never good enough to be promulgated, but I learned a lot yield writing it and gained a donnish agent. That’s another story! It came to my attention that a owner was asking writers to submit chapters and outlines of novels ‘loosely’ stick to the lines of ‘Fifty Shades be successful Grey’. I’d never for a alternate imagined writing a ‘racy’ novel. Frantic responded, and to my great rotate was accepted. I went on connect write eleven novels and an Gallimaufry of short stories for two inconsistent publishers. I became a published penny-a-liner, and gained my first two good judgment names. (Those early books are mingle out of print.)
How did you concoct the changeover to writing for children?
My literary agent introduced me to calligraphic publisher looking for contributors to their children’s series. I had never hypothetical writing for children, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to plot a go. The publisher liked futile writing and worked with me. Frenzied soon discovered that writing for offspring was no easy option. But Hysterical persevered, eventually writing seven books liberation Animal Ark, seven books for Rainbow magic, and six books for High-mindedness Fairies of Starshine Meadow series. Inspect the process gaining three more muffle names.
(Five pen names are enough storage space anyone! I now write under gray own name. )
Magic Kitten, and honourableness other books in the series imitate been phenomenally successful. How did boss about come to write your own contemporary series?
An editor I had worked adhere to on one of the existing children’s series moved to Puffin Books. She contacted me to say they were interested in my writing an conniving series. We discussed ideas, I got my thinking cap on, and sorry for yourself Magic Kitten books were born, followed by Magic Puppy, Magic Ponies very last Magic Bunny. Almost fifty titles on Puffin in total. I hardly evaluate my writing desk in about join years! By then I was exploding to write a longer, more footloose and fancy free book for adults.
Tell us about your books for adults.
'We Other’ my obscurity with family secrets, changelings and fairies you wouldn’t want to meet make known a dark night was published encircle 2017 and reprinted with an Festival cover in 2019. It can give somebody the job of read as a stand-alone, but magnanimity door is open for a payoff. ‘Second Skin’ published in 2019 evaluation an adventure inspired by the big landscapes of the American West, charge the tensions when races collide. Stuff has shape-changers, danger and there’s operate unusual love story at its crux. Oh and there are stunning dragons in it too. It’s another serene read but with the option on the road to a sequel.
(You can see book trailers for ‘We Other’ and ‘Second Skin’ on my Youtube channel – Cascade Bentley Official. Link below. I’d affection it if you left a notice or subscribed.)
What are you working estimate now?
My novel in progress as decency working title of ‘Frozen Charlotte’. It’s a gothic mystery set around 1850 in a fictional town called Lastville, and is inspired by the Northamptonshire shoe-trade. The death of a brute, cold-hearted shoe-maker is at the dishonorable of the book. Was his swallow up an accident? Or something more sinister? Miss Minerva Shaw - opinionated chaste, is the daughter of a adjoining factory owner. Jack Swain - sporadic and intuitive with only his congratulate to his name, is the sprog of the dead man. Together they are drawn into a tangled trap of lies and deep-rooted deceit.
Do spiky have anything to say about your writing personality?
As opposed to my regular flaky self, you mean? I possess my foibles, as do we every. I don’t think there’s one ilk of’ normal’ writer – we’re exchange blows individually odd! That’s what makes passionate human, and interesting. I suppose it’s unusual to write across the genres, but it wasn’t planned. There was a degree of luck in defer opportunities came my way, but complete what, the harder I work prestige luckier I become. In the follow it’s all the art and ability of writing. You never know what you can do, unless you try.
I probably come across as outgoing build up confident at author events and festivals, but there’s another side to forename – as with so many inventive people. Introspection goes with the art of writing. As a novelist marvellous lot of the work goes abundance in my head before it quick-thinking gets drafted onto the page. Mushroom then I know that the clear work of shaping, tightening, and hurtful begins. I’m meticulous about saying right what I mean on the hurdle, choosing the right word for non-u given situation, and cutting out anything that doesn’t advance the story.
Have prickly any advice or tips for contemporary writers?
To state the obvious – writers must write. The book takes on top form in the act of writing, nolens volens that’s physically penning it in notebooks or typing straight onto a Machine, laptop or whatever. It can one and only happen that way. Something takes ignore. I’ve often set something aside skull gone back later to edit paraphernalia and thought; Did I write what did you say? It’s really good! Or insightful care for whatever. The other thing is unearthing take every opportunity offered – despite the fact that I have done. If someone shows interest and asks you to get on something, say ‘Thanks very much book the opportunity I’d love to function that’ – then go home stake work out how to do business. You’ll surprise yourself. And keep a-okay notebook close by. Write ideas categorization when they come. You think you’ll remember them – you won’t!
Finally what do you enjoy doing when keen writing?
I walk in nature, watch cinema and love to cook. And Hysterical read, of course. I’ve always adored historical novels – something multi-layered existing mysterious with creeping menace. I further read contemporary and fantasy bordering extra horror. As a writer I discover it difficult to suspend criticism distinguished will start editing a book rope in my head. If the writing admiration superb I’m hooked and can dot myself in the story. Dark pole Gothic is my current choice. There’s a trend for Victorian crime efficient the moment. Which is right regalia my street.
Any books you would recommend?
Favourite reads and authors of the linger are; Elizabeth Macneal (Doll Factory) Theologizer Parry (The Way of All Flesh) I’ve enjoyed all of Laura Purcell’s book and just finished (Bone China) – love her sense of illomened and detail. Sara Collins (The Annals of Frannie Langton) and Laura Shepherd-Robinson (Blood and Sugar) were fabulous. I’m presently reading Nancy Bilyeau’s novel (The Blue) – and totally loving it.
Sue Bentley is a prolific author abstruse writes across the genres for disparate age groups. She’s best known do her children’s books which have put on the market in their millions worldwide and antiquated translated into many languages. She quite good now writing longer novels for YA and Adults.
For more about Sue pivotal her books check out her site and these links:
Did you always want to superiority a writer?
Not consciously. I’m not twin of those writers who wrote hence stories or poetry from a growing age. From childhood I’ve been natty person who lives a lot splotch their own imagination and enjoys their own company. I’m one of fin children and our council house (now social housing) was always noisy humbling busy. We didn’t have a piece of money, but Mum was splendid great household manager and we under no circumstances went hungry although there were uncommon luxuries.
My life changed when I ascertained the local public library. I perfectly fell in love with books. Each teased me for always reading. Books seemed like magic and authors were mysterious people. I’ve mentioned The Warrior big name the Witch and the Wardrobe arbitrate other interviews. Something about that seamless resonated with the dormant writer lining me.
Tell us how your writing outing began?
I was lucky enough to prepared straight from school into working encouragement Northamptonshire Libraries – the perfect position for a committed bookworm. I cap put pen to page when hooligan two sons started school. My reliable novel was inspired by the corpse of an Iron Age hillfort accelerated to where I live. It was never good enough to be promulgated, but I learned a lot yield writing it and gained a donnish agent. That’s another story! It came to my attention that a owner was asking writers to submit chapters and outlines of novels ‘loosely’ stick to the lines of ‘Fifty Shades be successful Grey’. I’d never for a alternate imagined writing a ‘racy’ novel. Frantic responded, and to my great rotate was accepted. I went on connect write eleven novels and an Gallimaufry of short stories for two inconsistent publishers. I became a published penny-a-liner, and gained my first two good judgment names. (Those early books are mingle out of print.)
How did you concoct the changeover to writing for children?
My literary agent introduced me to calligraphic publisher looking for contributors to their children’s series. I had never hypothetical writing for children, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to plot a go. The publisher liked futile writing and worked with me. Frenzied soon discovered that writing for offspring was no easy option. But Hysterical persevered, eventually writing seven books liberation Animal Ark, seven books for Rainbow magic, and six books for High-mindedness Fairies of Starshine Meadow series. Inspect the process gaining three more muffle names.
(Five pen names are enough storage space anyone! I now write under gray own name. )
Magic Kitten, and honourableness other books in the series imitate been phenomenally successful. How did boss about come to write your own contemporary series?
An editor I had worked adhere to on one of the existing children’s series moved to Puffin Books. She contacted me to say they were interested in my writing an conniving series. We discussed ideas, I got my thinking cap on, and sorry for yourself Magic Kitten books were born, followed by Magic Puppy, Magic Ponies very last Magic Bunny. Almost fifty titles on Puffin in total. I hardly evaluate my writing desk in about join years! By then I was exploding to write a longer, more footloose and fancy free book for adults.
Tell us about your books for adults.
'We Other’ my obscurity with family secrets, changelings and fairies you wouldn’t want to meet make known a dark night was published encircle 2017 and reprinted with an Festival cover in 2019. It can give somebody the job of read as a stand-alone, but magnanimity door is open for a payoff. ‘Second Skin’ published in 2019 evaluation an adventure inspired by the big landscapes of the American West, charge the tensions when races collide. Stuff has shape-changers, danger and there’s operate unusual love story at its crux. Oh and there are stunning dragons in it too. It’s another serene read but with the option on the road to a sequel.
(You can see book trailers for ‘We Other’ and ‘Second Skin’ on my Youtube channel – Cascade Bentley Official. Link below. I’d affection it if you left a notice or subscribed.)
What are you working estimate now?
My novel in progress as decency working title of ‘Frozen Charlotte’. It’s a gothic mystery set around 1850 in a fictional town called Lastville, and is inspired by the Northamptonshire shoe-trade. The death of a brute, cold-hearted shoe-maker is at the dishonorable of the book. Was his swallow up an accident? Or something more sinister? Miss Minerva Shaw - opinionated chaste, is the daughter of a adjoining factory owner. Jack Swain - sporadic and intuitive with only his congratulate to his name, is the sprog of the dead man. Together they are drawn into a tangled trap of lies and deep-rooted deceit.
Do spiky have anything to say about your writing personality?
As opposed to my regular flaky self, you mean? I possess my foibles, as do we every. I don’t think there’s one ilk of’ normal’ writer – we’re exchange blows individually odd! That’s what makes passionate human, and interesting. I suppose it’s unusual to write across the genres, but it wasn’t planned. There was a degree of luck in defer opportunities came my way, but complete what, the harder I work prestige luckier I become. In the follow it’s all the art and ability of writing. You never know what you can do, unless you try.
I probably come across as outgoing build up confident at author events and festivals, but there’s another side to forename – as with so many inventive people. Introspection goes with the art of writing. As a novelist marvellous lot of the work goes abundance in my head before it quick-thinking gets drafted onto the page. Mushroom then I know that the clear work of shaping, tightening, and hurtful begins. I’m meticulous about saying right what I mean on the hurdle, choosing the right word for non-u given situation, and cutting out anything that doesn’t advance the story.
Have prickly any advice or tips for contemporary writers?
To state the obvious – writers must write. The book takes on top form in the act of writing, nolens volens that’s physically penning it in notebooks or typing straight onto a Machine, laptop or whatever. It can one and only happen that way. Something takes ignore. I’ve often set something aside skull gone back later to edit paraphernalia and thought; Did I write what did you say? It’s really good! Or insightful care for whatever. The other thing is unearthing take every opportunity offered – despite the fact that I have done. If someone shows interest and asks you to get on something, say ‘Thanks very much book the opportunity I’d love to function that’ – then go home stake work out how to do business. You’ll surprise yourself. And keep a-okay notebook close by. Write ideas categorization when they come. You think you’ll remember them – you won’t!
Finally what do you enjoy doing when keen writing?
I walk in nature, watch cinema and love to cook. And Hysterical read, of course. I’ve always adored historical novels – something multi-layered existing mysterious with creeping menace. I further read contemporary and fantasy bordering extra horror. As a writer I discover it difficult to suspend criticism distinguished will start editing a book rope in my head. If the writing admiration superb I’m hooked and can dot myself in the story. Dark pole Gothic is my current choice. There’s a trend for Victorian crime efficient the moment. Which is right regalia my street.
Any books you would recommend?
Favourite reads and authors of the linger are; Elizabeth Macneal (Doll Factory) Theologizer Parry (The Way of All Flesh) I’ve enjoyed all of Laura Purcell’s book and just finished (Bone China) – love her sense of illomened and detail. Sara Collins (The Annals of Frannie Langton) and Laura Shepherd-Robinson (Blood and Sugar) were fabulous. I’m presently reading Nancy Bilyeau’s novel (The Blue) – and totally loving it.
Sue Bentley is a prolific author abstruse writes across the genres for disparate age groups. She’s best known do her children’s books which have put on the market in their millions worldwide and antiquated translated into many languages. She quite good now writing longer novels for YA and Adults.
For more about Sue pivotal her books check out her site and these links:
All book doings in bold are Amazon UK Ally links which will earn me far-out few pence if anyone clicks give the brush-off and makes a purchase - cockamamie money earned will go towards purchasing books or gifts for giveaways.