AS A self-published author Lizzie Guttridge never expected her debut novel to be successful – but now she is writing a sequel.
The Bridgwater based writer’s first creative attempt is called Junction: Time’s Ticking.
This suspense thriller is set in Taunton and involves a car accident at the old camel hump junction near Creech St Michael.
“I’d love to say I thought long and hard about a plot,” said Ms Guttridge.
“I didn’t. If I’m honest, I had a dream (corny I know) but one day, I woke up and thought, ‘Now that’d make a good book’ so I started to write.
“I hadn’t written any fiction since A-Level English twenty years ago but have always been creative and willing to give anything a go.
“The junction that plays a part in my novel used to be the scene of many accidents back in the day. Now it’s been changed into a maze of roundabouts so it no longer exists - good job really, as people will realise once they read the book.”
Ms Guttridge is not yet a full-time author, still working as a manger in Somerset.
She is naturally creative, but hadn’t had a chance to display her talent – until now.
“I haven’t studied creative writing so it was surprising how the words just started to flow once I started typing,” she added.
“Having never written any fiction previously, I made sure I got to know my characters inside and out, building my own relationship with them before writing.
“Every chapter was mapped out and every twist plotted before I opened the laptop. Junction has evolved since the first draft though.
“After proof-reading and editing, what started as a chick-lit/romance novel, became something darker. It became a suspense thriller.”
Now, Ms Guttridge is working on the sequel to her debut novel – Junction: Still Ticking.
“I’m passionate about the Junction trilogy,” she said. “I have many ideas for future novels which I will be writing once it is complete.”
The book, by Ms Guttridge (author name L.A. Evans), can be found on Amazon.
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