Should authors stick with writing in one genre or should they be exploring writing in multiple genres. Join me, Wendy H. Jones as I interview Sharon CasssanoLochman who gives us hints and tips as to how we can widen our creative offering.
Should authors stick with writing in one genre or should they be exploring writing in multiple genres. Join me, Wendy H. Jones as I interview Sharon CasssanoLochman who gives us hints and tips as to how we can widen our creative offering.
Hi, and welcome to the writing and Marketing Show brought to you by author Wendy H. Jones. This show does exactly what it says on the tin. It's jam packed with interviews, advice, and tips and news to help you with the business of writing. It's all wrapped up in one lively podcast, so it's time to get on with the show. And welcome to Episode 42 of the writing and Marketing Show with author entrepreneur Wendy H. Jones, Episode 42. Already my goodness isn't time flying another 10 episodes and I will have done a year. And it doesn't seem like two minutes since I started the first episode. But there's a lot happened since I started the first episode, not least of which is that we've all been out of lockdown in lockdown, I locked down. I'm in tier three at the moment, which means that I'm not allowed to go anywhere. But you know what, I'm an author, I'm a writer, and I can still do it at home, I can still do this podcast at home, I can do it wherever I am in the world. And that's the beauty of being an author. You're not tied to one specific place. And it doesn't matter if you're stuck at home. And I'm making the most of it all and I hope you are as well. This week I'm going to be interviewing at the fabulous SC Skillman and we're going to be talking about writing the paranormal. Before I introduce her I would just like to say it's an absolute pleasure bringing you the show and I do so willingly every week. However it does take time out of my writing life. And if you would like to support this time, you can do so by supporting me at patereon.com/wendyhjon s That's patereon.com/wendyhjon s And you can do so for just $ a month which is the price f a tea or coffee per month nd I would be very grateful t would show me that you ppreciate the show and you wan ed to continue and I know times are hard but if you can affor it, then I would be very gra eful. So what have Sheila she l ves in work shirt and writes sychological paranormal, my tery fiction and nonfiction. She s a member of the Society of au hors and the Association of Chri tian writers. her new book par normal workshop is published by amberley. Publishing on the 15th of November, she explores the ich supernatural heritage of t is county at the heart of Engl nd, as befits the county of Sh kespeare and the many ghosts and spirits he conjured up in his w rks. Sheila investigates the tory surrounding such places a guys, cliffhouse Kenilwor h castle, Warwick castle, he Royal Shakespeare, thea re and Stonleigh Abbey, as wel as the towns of Rugby Leamingt n Spa and Nuneaten. She be an her publishing journey with a duology of novels, Mystical ircles and A Passionate S irit which are both se in the same mysterious English anor house in the heart of England. The beautiful Cotswolds Hills, their Gothic going on paranormal events and gho tly tales are never far away. S e has said the books in con emporary times not far from her present home. She has also publ shed a nonfiction book perilou path a writer's journey. T is is an encouraging mot vational how to book with short chapters packed full of tips nd friendly reminders about w iting fiction and about the writer's life. She gives nugget and insights about famous a thors their lives and work and shows how we can also rec ive help from artists and psych logists and from the Bible in unexpected ways. Her new upcomin Gothic fiction series star ing teen rebel and musical gen us Dylan Rafferty, is set in Lo don and Stratford upon Avon, she has completed director's cut an is currently working on standin ovation. She is also worki g on a proposal for a new non fiction book about mysteries an folklores. In one lecture, she as a post twice weekly on her log, WWE WWDC Skillman calm, a d has been blogging for 10 ears about such subjects as his ory, creative writing, spiritua ity, books, films and trav l. She is also a public speake and gives authors talks and creative writing workshops to g oups so a multi talented lady heila, and without further ad, let's get on with the show and hear what Sheila has to say abo t writing paranormal fiction. A d I have SC Skillman her on the show with me today. Now I know you're SC Skillman, but hat's difficult to say all the time. So do you mind if I call ou Sheila for the purpose? Fi e? Yes. Thank you. That's great. So are you sitting comfortab y you're nice and warm. U here.
SC Skillman:Oh, yes, I have a cup of tea. .
Wendy Jones:I'm glad I haven't done You know driven you to alcohol this early in the day it's not a good look if the person you're interviewing is drunk you know I shouldn't say that I'm giving everybody the impression that you're an alcoholic and you're not moving on from my ability to actually undertake an interview and ask the right questions we'll move on to the questions. So start with the basics what is considered paranormal because we're talking about writing the paranormal today. So what is considered part normal?
SC Skillman:Well, I would say it's, I would define paranormal as a strange events for which there is no scientific explanation. And then in the ordinary, normal, everyday world, the world we call reality. paranormal is all about that moment of encounter with the unexplained, another dimension, something you have experienced with your senses, which seems to have no scientific explanation.
Wendy Jones:Wow, that is brilliant. That is the best explanation of paranormal I have ever had. Because it really does. Just bring it down to the basics, and that's what we need, really. So I'm going to move on that part of what we just talked about. I'd like to deal with the elephant in the room. I know you're a Christian, and some might say that Christians writing about the paranormal is a little bit odd. How do you reconcile them?
SC Skillman:Well, I personally, I don't feel you have to reconcile them. I think they are indissolubly linked with one another. In fact, the Christian faith and the paranormal have a symbiotic relationship. And I'll explain further a little later. But in fact, I would argue who better to write about the paranormal than a Christian. But just to backtrack, my first interest in writing my new book was the history of various places which I love in worship, and what I call spiritual resonance, which is the emotional atmosphere arising from a building and the sense of presence of all the people who lived out their lives here. So I sent a proposal for this book to history publisher amberley, and they wanted it to fit into their paranormal series. So I've always loved ghost stories, and the places I described all have such stories attached to them, which I could easily research. So I said yes, and sign the contract. But back to your question. Yes, I'm a Christian. The Christian faith is, of course, a supernatural faith, and it rests upon several supernatural events. Without them Christianity would fall we would never have heard of Jesus. I am of course talking about the virgin birth, which is known as the incarnation, the chats figuration which is when Jesus his disciples saw him on the mountain, surrounded by intense light, the resurrection when he rose from the dead three days after being crucified, and the ascension when the disciples saw him being carried up into heaven. And of course, Pentecost, when all the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, and everyone saw towns of fire appear above them, and they all spoke in different languages which were understood by the many nationalities present. So these are the major supernatural events of the Christian faith, which we all subscribe to in order to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Also, of course, scripture reports several events we would today called paranormal or supernatural. Is Elijah whisked up to heaven in a fiery chariot says Lazarus raised from the dead fire springing up on an altar soaked with water, numerous Angel encounters throughout both the Old and the New Testament. So on, Christians take the supernatural seriously, and they are advised to be wary of having anything to do with the demonic and I understand that. However, I think it's a mistake to identify all paranormal events according to the the, the definition I've just given you, as and to conflate those with the demonic. My main focus is upon spontaneous experiences which are reported by people in an everyday situation, rather than people who are actively seeking to contact spirits. And I based my book upon a theme of Shakespeare's ghosts and spirits, so it has a slightly different emphasis in my favourites of Shakespeare spirits, Puck and Ariel, who are the servants of Oberon very King and prosper the magician. So any paranormal experiences are a part of life and I don't believe we as Christians do ourselves or our Christian witness any favours by avoiding or ignoring an area of life on by not listening with respect to people who give accounts of strange experiences, which is what I do. And by the way, A few of the stories in my book are from Christians. In fact, I end the book with one of the most interesting ones, which did involve prayer. And if I feel something is demonic, I have not included it in my book.
Wendy Jones:Right? That's brilliant. I mean, I think you've, you've outlined that very clearly, and succinctly. So thank you. And I know you write both fiction and nonfiction. If I may, I would like to start with fiction. What is the foundation of paranormal fiction.
SC Skillman:Now, to my mind, a paranormal fiction story starts with place, a setting and its atmosphere, which speaks to you personally. And I call it a spiritual resonance. And often and also may start with an image of a place that appeals to them, and which arouses strong feelings in them. But I think I've also made just as easily start with a highly charged tense situation between a pair of group of people with a travel history, because often the paranormal overlaps with the psychological, which is what I find so fascinating. And I think it also has to look for the universal element, do not date and that have a direct relationship with parents preoccupations and concerns that say something about human nature and the human condition that's relevant today. Now, I'm aware that this doesn't sound like you know, paranormal, romance, young adult paranormal romance, it's not really what I'm thinking of. So in case people are thinking, this doesn't sound like Stephenie Meyer Twilight, or whatever. Having said that, I have read some very good young adult paranormal novel. Yeah. But this is this is my take on it were the sorts of books I like books, which builds up an eerie atmosphere. And because I can later on in this interview, I can give you many examples of classic novelists absolutely love who indeed to do that. Because I think it's, yeah, the ability to build up atmosphere is absolutely key.
Wendy Jones:Right? Yeah. Like that. Again, you're, you're getting right to the heart of the matter. And that's fantastic. So, I mean, I want to check that a bit further. Yeah. What makes a good part of normal fiction book? And what authors do you yourself read?
SC Skillman:Right. Okay. Lots of wonderful questions. My interest is in I like novels that make use of paranormal elements in order to build up this atmosphere this eerie, unsettling, otherworldly. Well, the many classic novelists who write in this genre who created this atmosphere. It may include Maxim Charlotte Bronte, with Jane Eyre, Emily Bronte, with Wuthering Heights, Wilkie Collins with the Woman in White. Definitely d'amore with Rebecca, and Oscar Wilde with the portrait of Dorian Grey. And as I said, I have read some young adult paranormal books, which I think are very good. And one of them was called impossible by Nancy whirling, which and that that involved that was fairy fairy law, and involved a beautiful, but malevolent fairy man who had laid an intergenerational curse on a family, the young heroine had to fulfil three impossible tasks, which were all taken from the folk song Scarborough Fair. In order to break the curse that I loved that book. I read it as part of a young children, children's books reading club that I belong to do. Yeah. Another book I've read in, which makes use of paranormal and supernatural ideas is Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children. Yeah, by Ransom Riggs. And that, you know that I loved that. And then Barbara bearskin is an as an adult novelist, who writes, who relies heavily on themes of the supernatural. One of hers I read was midnight is a lonely place. That's amazing. I love that book. But apart from that, my two top favourites are Susan how much and Phil Rickman Susan, how much is famed for the her starbridge series which explores the history of the Church of England 20th century with turbulent characters and their lives. But above all, I love her st. Bennett's trilogy. And these the this trilogy centres upon a healing ministry in the London church, which is presided over by a charismatic priest called Nicholas Darrow. And in common with his father, he is in possession of psychic gifts which he uses in the healing ministry, and how she explores the spiritual dangers here. So I absolutely love those books and and the other writer Phil Rickman is a crime writer with a quarter of what he describes as a cautious interest in the paranormal. And he has written a series of novels based around Merrily Watkins women priest and diocesan deliverance consultant for the Diocese of Hereford. She is just a wonderful character. And his books are all set on the Welsh border. And he describes them as crime novels with smudgy hints of something. You've learned Hebrew blends crime, psychology folks law, English legends, ancient monuments and landscape mysteries and the paranormal. So that is a wonderful combination for me. Well, there's the novels of Iris Murdoch. I loved her novels, and she does include some very curious elements and one of them is some curiously knowing children. And sometimes a powerful and almost demonic male enchanter imposes HIS WILL on other characters. And I used to write those I read those books years ago, but I only recently realised I think I was inspired by that idea for my novel mystical circles. Yeah, in my second novel, there was a character who I think was influenced by Iris Murdoch novel The bell, but it's all in the unconscious, you know, even aware of it. And, of course, Joanne Harris, she's another one who you recently interviewed for this podcast. And she also makes use of magical and ghostly elements in her novels.
Wendy Jones:She does. I mean, there's they're fantastic, fantastic. And examples. So you know, as I want and want to move on to nonfiction, so you've written your latest book is paranormal workshop. Have I Got that? Right? Yes. To give it a title, you know? It's coming. It's coming out in November. Yeah. November the 15th. That's right. Yes. So you write paranormal nonfiction? Where do you start reception reception for your non fiction books?
SC Skillman:Well, in the paranormal works here, I began by visiting several places in one year, and loving them more and discovering new things about them each time. And they are places like, well, there are several National Trust properties as bad as the clinton coton court. And then, of course, it's worth castle and Kenilworth castle. And the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford upon even. And these are iconic places, and they have the most wonderful stories that surrounds them. And they have a rich history. So it's really that it was the history and the emotional, spiritual resonance of the places that first inspired me. So I wrote about them, I wrote about them in blog posts, I have an occasional series called places of inspiration. And a writer friend who was actually in my Christian writers group, she suggested I put them in the book. And she think she suggested that I can find myself to work shifts many other places, as well, I've written about include photos. And so I did that. And I called it spirit of worship. And I read it out to my writing group, who liked it. And then one of the members said she wanted more history. So I went back, I really enriched the history in my chapters. And then after that, I approached some publishers with it. And amberley, who history publisher, they were interested, so they wanted it for their paranormal series. And so I thought, well, I can do that. Because I've always go stores and several of these places do have these kinds of stories attached to them. But the interesting thing is, I've also included a lot of everyday places in this book, the nun eaten and lemington spot and rugby, so they aren't just major castles and major churches and Manor houses. It's some ordinary everyday places as well. So it's a nice, nice sort of range. Yeah. So
Wendy Jones:Basically, you start your research with visiting the places. That's right. Yeah. Which is a brilliant way of doing it. And you know, it's great excuse fora day out quite frankly,
SC Skillman:Oh, fantastic. I loved it. And then my son, my son takes all the photographs, and he is good, good camera, and he's a good photographer. So take him around in my research. He takes photographs, but in addition to that, of course, there is getting stories from people. And I've got a nice little audio recorder and I have recorded a number of people telling their stories, and I love doing that. So I'd like to do more of that really, but that's injured. When I come back and I transcribe them I transcribe what's what's what's said on my recording, and then I Give it some shake, and obviously edit it for the book.
Wendy Jones:It sounds fantastic way to live your life. I like it. I need to do like this. It's not quite so easy at the moment because we're not allowed to see anybody.
SC Skillman:Well this is it
Wendy Jones:just a two metre distance.
SC Skillman:That's right.
Wendy Jones:It sounds a bit tricky, isn't it? I tell you. It's a good job you got all this done before Covid.
SC Skillman:That's right. Yeah. So.
Wendy Jones:So tell us about your own fiction books.
SC Skillman:Right. My fiction books, mystical circles is the first one, a psychological thriller, set in the heart of England, which is the Cotswolds, and in it freelance journalists, Juliet discovers her sister Zoe has been captivated by the charismatic leader of a cult in the mysterious old manor house. And she sets off to rescue her sister from the arms of a man whom she considers disastrous, and to investigate the cult as well. And she'd become the drawn in herself with some disturbing and potentially deadly consequences. That's the first book and then the second book really is a gothic paranormal thriller. It's called a passionate spirit. And we find ourselves in the same mysterious manor house Three years later, Zoey, very much in love with her new husband believes all her dreams have come true living and working in this idyllic Cotswolds property, but instead she finds that she must share her life with a disturbing ghostly child.
Wendy Jones:Very good book. So I have to say I might add, I bought them both. And as you know, it took me forever to read them.To start reading them. I mean, not to read the book. But why did I leave them so long? I don't know why. Because they're excellent books. I've got them on my bookshelf.
SC Skillman:Well, thank you, I'm really glad.
Wendy Jones:There are some books you give away to secondhand shops. But these are my keep books, because
SC Skillman:That is a great compliment
Wendy Jones:I want them back, they only go to certain people that I know will return them in pristine condition. And I know you've already said a bit about your new book that's coming out. But can you tell us a little bit more about it? And I'm going to expand that because you've written a book for writers? Can you tell us a little bit about that as well?
SC Skillman:Oh, yes, that's called perilous path, a writer's journey. Again, this emerged from several blog posts about the art of writing. Yeah, the writer's life. But I put the quite short chapters, I regard them as just friendly, friendly chapters, which I'm a fan of tips, and motivation, and encouragement. And it's like having Jiminy Cricket on your shoulder, encouraging you, I hope. And so those are sort of how to write fiction and various some subjects about creating characters and what to do when your novels, flags in the middle, and how to write a novel in a month. But I'm amazed I wrote that because it's extremely difficult writing a novel in a month. Wow, that also, there's some nuggets and insights about famous authors who inspire me such as j. r. r. Tolkien, J. Jane Austen and George Orwell, as well as unexpected help for writers from people as diverse as Karl yune, Ernest Hemingway, David Hockney, and even St. St. Paul. In the Bible, inspiration from him as well.
Wendy Jones:I've got that book as well, which is excellent. And to be honest, I'm turning into a bit of a, I'm sounding a bit like a bit of an SC Skillman Groupie, yes. They ar very good and well worth getting. So and your new book tell us it's called Paranormal Warwickshire.
SC Skillman:Yes. Now this Paranormal Warwickshire. This workshop is a county steeped in the supernatural as befits the county of Shakespeare, and then any ghosts and spirits that he conjured up in his works. So the towns and villages of marshes, castles, houses, churches, theatres, inns, and many other places, both grad and everyday, have rich and complex stories to tell of paranormal presences. So in this book, I investigate the rich supernatural heritage of this county in places such as guys cliffhouse in work, the Saxon mill pub, just up up the river, the river, Avon Kenilworth castle, we're at Castle, Nash's house in Stratford upon Avon the roar, Shakespeare Theatre, Stoneleigh Abbey, as well as in the towns of Rugby, and Leamington spa. So, I explore the spiritual resonance of each location recounting the tales of paranormal activity associated with it. Examining the possible reasons for this within the history of the place.
Wendy Jones:Sounds fascinating. I have to say I can't wait to read it because I've got a copy already. I'm very fortunate. I've got an advanced reader copy. I've been a bit on a bit of a deadline, so haven't read it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
SC Skillman:Oh, good. Good.
Wendy Jones:My final question, Where can my listeners find out more about you and your books?
SC Skillman:Well, I've I have a website, which is just sc killman.com. Yeah. I'm active.'ve got a Facebook page. I'm on witter, on Pinterest, and inkedIn. And I have an Amazon lso profile and on Goodreads as ell. So yes, I can be found in everal places online.
Wendy Jones:Yeah. Where can we buy your books?
SC Skillman:Yes, you can certainly buy them in all good bookshops and it from Amberley. directly. Yeah, the stores online or course I would like to encourage people, if they're willing to is to order through our local independent bookshop, Warwick Books and Kenilworth ooks, both of whom have the ook on their pre order list.
Wendy Jones:Fantastic. That's a good idea, because very often we shop people online and supporting bookshops is so important.
SC Skillman:Yes, that's right. They're very supportive to have also Yeah. vocalises. Yes.
Wendy Jones:Well, thank you very much for joining us, Sheila. I'm just going to remind my listeners that you write us SC Skillman, so we know what your name actually is, but the books are taking time out of your busy day and joining us.
SC Skillman:Thank you very much Wendy, for having me.
Wendy Jones:You are welcome. It's been an absolute pleasure and all the best with the next book.
SC Skillman:Thank you.
Wendy Jones:That brings us to the end of another show. It was really good to have you on the show with me today. I'm Wendy h Jones. And you can find me at wnedyhjones.com. You can also f nd me on Patreon where you can s pport me for as little as $3 a m nth which is less than the p ice of a tea or coffee. You go t patreon.com forward slash W ndy h Jones. I'm also Wendy J nes on Facebook, Twitter, I stagram and Pinterest. Thank y u for joining me today and I h pe you found it both useful a d interesting. Join me next w ek when I will have another c acking guest for you. Until t en, have a good week. And keep w iting. Keep reading and keep l arning