Today we welcome P.J. Roscoe as we travel to North Wales to uncover how Shrewsbury castle, Ann Boleyn, night terrors, Micheal Fassbender, and a dog and three cats come together as part of Roscoe’s imagination and writer’s life. Make sure your footing is secure, let’s get acquainted ….
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am known as P.J. Roscoe in the writing world and Paula Roscoe in everything else! I live in North Wales and I am wife to my husband of 26 years, walker to my dog, Sid and butler to my three cats. We have a daughter with autism and dyspraxia who left home nine months ago to live in supported living and we are adjusting accordingly which ranges from night terrors to mad drinking games, from tip-toeing into her old room to touch her stuff left behind, to mad drinking games – well, you get the idea!! (Parents with children left home will get it!)
In which genre do you write?
I write in three genres. My main subject is supernatural/historical fiction because ghosts and I have been aquainted for the majority of my life.
I write historical fiction because I’m adopted, so I don’t have any history, so I delve into everyone else’s.
Children’s book, I write faerie books with morals for young kiddies to teach them how to live in this world and nature, or else!
How many published books do you have?
I’ve just launched my fifth novel, I have three children’s books out and we’re working on the fourth in the Adventures of Faerie Folk series. I am finishing my first non-fiction book titled, Thirteen Haunting’s, which is my first step into my biography as a medium who is called into various ‘haunted’ locations to help spirit.
I am also nearing completion of my sixth novel, moving into the supernatural/fantasy genre.
If you could have a fantasy tea or coffee date with an author or famous person from the past or present, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Gosh, so many!! I’m going to be cheeky and answer this in two parts.
Past – Ann Boleyn – second wife of Henry Tudor – I’d ask her what the hell was she thinking? Surely, she could see what a monster he was? I’d talk to her about how women love a ‘bad boy’ which Henry obviously was, and i ask her about his looks, was he letting himself go by the time he wed her? I’d ask her about her own dreams? Her own wishes and if she could change anything, would she? I mean, she must be proud of her daughter, Elizabeth. Then I’d chat about all the places she ‘supposedly haunts’ and ask her why? Then I’d order more cake, more prosecco, ( cause it’s become an afternoon tea!) and I’d try on some of her dresses!
Present – Micheal Fassbender – Gorgeous! Obviously, but I tried to contact him via his agent because he is perfect for a character in Echoes if ever it became a film. I’d discuss the character, James, and what he could bring to the role. I’d fight him for the last chocolate éclair and remind him he doesn’t need it because he has to look, ‘fit’, for the role! I’d ask him about all his other characters and discuss the film, ‘Frank’, which is absolutely brilliant and a definite favourite. Perhaps he could re- enact scenes from Jayne Eire to me while I ‘swoon’!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve done or experienced to help create a scene or plot or to help you remember something if writing a memoir?
I research pretty thoroughly when writing so I can be sure that if my readers visited the places within the books, they couldn’t complain that it isn’t possible. I want them to have the full immersion experience!
So, if a scene requires some extensive research then that is what I’ll do for my fans.
Echoes – I had to work out how fast it would take a woman to run down some pretty uneven steps at Shrewsbury castle – so yes, I ran up and down those suckers till I could barely breathe!
Where Rivers Meet – I had to act out a scene with my husband to see if it was viable that the character could lose her footing in a certain part of the mountain – for the record, yes it is!
As we have to keep it PG, lets just say, the love scenes in my books are thoroughly researched too!!
When I research, I interview anyone who has the knowledge i need to be sure I get it right. Doctors, hypnotherapists, police, archaeologists.
You are about to speak publicly to a group and read from your latest book. What song do you listen to before speaking? Or, what do you do to prepare yourself?
I get nervous before talking to groups, and I do a fair share of them. I give a talk based on my historical novel, Diary of Margery Blake. A fictional novel, set in Victorian England seen through the eyes of a young, reluctant bride. Women had no power, no voice, no rights and I use this book to show how life is not so different for women in this century. What has actually changed for women since we won the vote? How far have we really come?
I pace, a lot! And sweat, bad stomach from nerves and I do breathing exercises to try and calm my nerves whilst clinging to various crystals.
Song wise, I’ll listen to something soft, perhaps sing along to an All About Eve song, I like to sing, it also opens the throat chakra and lets me speak my truth.
What do you miss about being a kid?
The agility! I could move like a whippet, climb like a cat and run as fast as…Well, actually, I was terrible at running, but I could if I wanted to! Now, it hurts to get up off the couch, I look at trees and feel terror just contemplating stepping up to the first branch that is a few feet off the ground and running? Well, my breasts have rather a lot to say about such a notion!
What’s the last movie you watched and why did you choose to watch it?
I watched, The Magnificent Seven, the 2018 version. I love it! I love Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, heck, I love all of them. It’s a great story of men saving themselves and others. It’s about sacrifice, honour, togetherness and tough men caring about other people. Good versus evil. Definitely recommend it. I have seen it four times now. If I like a film, I can watch it again and again.
Do you believe things happen for a reason? Do you have an example from your own life to share why you believe this?
Yes, I believe things happen for a reason. I believe we meet the right people at the right time and have the conversations we’re meant to have at the right time. I have had too many experiences happen to me where I didn’t listen to my gut and it went wrong, but allow the natural unfolding of something, listening to my gut and it’s been amazing how synchronicity happened to get me where I needed to be.
Our son died just before he was born. His name is Jac. He had a rare genetic condition which meant his chances of survival were slim, he should never have survived past 10/12 weeks if that, but somehow he survived to 36 weeks. His strength to live, gave me the courage to keep going when I wanted to give up. His death began my journey into writing. My first novel, Echoes was written and it went on to win awards. That was meant to happen, regardless of how traumatic it was at the time, I am grateful for it now 22 years later, I am still going.
If you could ask your pet three questions, what would they be?
Eric, (black cat) Do you have to sit on my face every morning just to wake me up? Tabitha (tabby cat) Do you have to join Eric by sitting on my head to wake me up in the morning? Morganna (black & white cat) Do you have to join Eric and Tabitha by sitting on my chest in the morning to wake me up?!
Tell us about your most recent book.
Where Rivers Meet, A paranormal romance set in North Wales amidst the 19th century copper mines of Beddgelert, where injury, starvation and even death, are stark reminders of the time.
Abigail, a grief stricken young artist, returns to the Welsh village of her childhood to start a new life, but she finds an old suitcase from her past that pushes her beliefs to the limit.
Cain is in love with Abigail and will do anything to be with her. He has never questioned the dark tunnel that takes him forward in time as it brings them together.
Thank you Paula for joining us on MTA! It was interesting to learn more about you and great fun too! –Camilla
‘Where Rivers Meet’
Abigail Lloyd, is a talented, grief-stricken young artist, who returns to the Welsh village where she had spent many happy years with her beloved Nan. A home she had always felt loved and safe. A place she hoped she could begin her life again and find her own destiny; but on her return, she finds secrets that were long forgotten, locked away in an old suitcase. Secrets from her childhood that will push her beliefs to the limit.
Cain is in love with a woman he knows he can never possess. He has watched her grow into a beautiful young woman, but in his harsh world, she would never survive. He has never questioned the dark tunnel that allows him glimpses of another time, because it led him to her. It was their destiny to meet.
Set amongst the Welsh mountains and the ruthless reality of the 19th century copper mines where life is in the hands of the elements and injury, starvation, and death are stark reminders of the time.
‘Where Rivers Meet’ is a supernatural romance
Where we can find the book:
Available at Amazon, B&N, Waterstones, Crimson Cloak Publishing, and local book shops.
US Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Q4FTUC
UK Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Aip6CK
Connect with P.J. Roscoe:
https://viewauthor.at/PJRoscoebooks
www.pjroscoe.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/storyladyauthor/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter – derwenna1
Instagram – derwenna45
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRGCNBK4Kqq8DbkGxtFRuQA
If it feels right and you have the time (and you enjoy the interview) please like or comment or share it. The nature of the online world … the more eyes that see it the more it will spread and benefit the author and the website! Thank you!
And if it feels the thing to do and you are inspired to do so, I would be deeply grateful if you’d like to “Buy Me a Coffee” … Camilla – Host of Meeting the Authors …
Thank you for having me Camilla, really enjoyed answering these questions. Have a sparkly day x
You’re so very welcome Paula! It was wonderful to have you on MTA!! All the best to YOU! 🙂 🙂