Since beginning a comprehensive writing course with The Writers Bureau in 2001, my articles and short stories have been published in a variety of magazines. These include Heritage, Scottish Field, The Lady and People’s Friend. In 2005 a couple of my short stories were included in two quite different anthologies. The first story was in an International Anthology, published in June, while the second appeared in Café Ole – Too Hot To Handle, which was launched in Glasgow during August. My debut novel, The Trojan Project, a thriller, was published at the end of May 2008 by Austin & Macauley www.austinmacauley.com . Further details of my novel can be found on my website, www.eileenthornton.co.uk .I also review books for newbooks a bi-monthly magazine informing the public of new books on the shelves.

I am a member of the Society of Authors, the Society of Women Writer’s and Journalists, the Women Writers Network, The Edinburgh Writer’s Club, The Borders Writer’s Forum and The Melrose Literary Society, as well as being an Associate Member of NAWG (National Association of Writers Groups). 

Here is her interview:

How would you describe yourself? Who is Eileen Thornton?

I am a very ordinary person. Never been the sort to make people turn their heads in the street. I have always been the ‘also ran’. However, I do have a mind of my own and once I get an idea in my mind, I have to go for it. The word ‘stubborn’ springs to mind. I am passionate about animals and support various animal charities. I enjoy meeting up with friends for a drink and a chat.

What sort of books did you enjoy as a child and what do you like to read now?

I liked all the Enid Blyton Books – Famous Five, Secret Seven, Mallory Towers – I thought they were great. Now I enjoy reading thrillers, something, which is going to hold me. On the other hand, I like the odd romance, but by that I don’t mean – the see it, want it, grab it stories. I prefer something a little more subtle.

What were your dreams or ambitions as a child? How do these compare with where you are now?

When I left school, I wanted to be a nurse. However, I was only fifteen and to enter as a cadet nurse you had to sixteen. I took on a job in an office, planning to stay there for one year. However, I settled into the office routine and I never did go into nursing. I have to say being a writer never entered my head back then.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Has your career progressed the way you thought it would be?

I wasn’t born to be a writer. At school I was useless at essays. I could always write everything I wanted to say in about six lines. I think the teacher despaired of me. The same applied with letter writing. It was only in 2001 that I decided that I might like to give writing a shot and embarked on a correspondence course with The Writer’s Bureau. Four months into the course, my very first article was published in The Lady magazine. Now my debut novel, The Trojan Project, a thriller, has been published and so far I have had some good feedback. So I sometimes wonder where I might have been today, if I had decided to start writing earlier in my life??

Are there any particular authors who've been influential to your work?

No. I don’t think there are. As I said, I am stubborn. I tend to do things my way. Set a trend, so to speak. Not always wise, but what the heck – I just go for it!

What is the greatest challenge of being an author?

Dreaming up the next story!! Whether it is a short story for a magazine or a novel, the first glimmer of an idea has to come from somewhere.

How can writers avoid scams and pitfalls on the path to publication?

I’m not sure how to answer this one. I can’t say I have succumbed to any scams or pitfalls. If I didn’t think something sounded right, or I could afford to do it, then I didn’t apply in the first place.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

I can only tell them to keep going. My novel, The Trojan Project was rejected numerous times and I could quite easily have given up the idea of being a novelist and stuck to short story writing. But I didn't. I kept on sending out the manuscript and then, one sunny morning in September 2007 I received a contract from Austin & Macauley together with a modest advance, so my persistence paid off in the end. (Stubborn does it in the end)

Do you ever get writer's block? And, if so, how do you overcome it?

Yes, I do get writer’s block sometimes. Like I said, dreaming up a story is hard enough, but once I start writing I tend to make up my stories as I go along. This also applied to my novel. So, as you can imagine, there is always a point when I wonder where I am going next. When this happens, I usually play a game or two of Patience or FreeCell on the computer. This helps to take my mind away from what I am doing for a few minutes, and then when I go back to my work, I find I have an idea. Mind you, the odd glass or two of wine works even better!!

Do you see the internet as a good tool for upcoming writers? How should they be using it, if it is?

I think the internet can be excellent for writers. So much information is there at your fingertips. Writers of non-fiction in particular, can do so much research for their books or features without having to move from their chair. Even if the information isn’t available on the internet, they can learn where to find it without traipsing from one library to another.

Has writing changed who you are or how you see the world? Are there themes that matter most to you?

Yes I do think that writing has changed me. I have found a voice! I’m not a nonentity any more. Thousands of people actually want to sit down and read something I have written. Now that can’t be bad.

Do you have a writing schedule?

I tend to write most days, but I don’t get up at the crack of dawn the way some writers do. If I am not going out, then I sit at the computer whenever I can. The problem is meals, cleaning and washing and ironing can get in the way.

What's the best thing about writing? What's the worst?

I think I answered the best thing about writing, two questions up. The worst is the rejection slips, because they do still come in.

What have you found to be the most lucrative means of marketing yourself? The least?

I really haven’t got this one sorted yet, though I am trying really hard. Getting yourself known is very difficult. Since my novel was published at the end of May, I have approached several newspapers, radio and TV. Only the local papers have shown any interest and they gave me a great spread. Regional/National newspapers, local radio and TV haven’t even bothered to reply.

What do you have coming out that we should look for? What sort of things do you plan, or hope to write in the future?

I did start another novel. It was going to be something light and frothy, quite different from The Trojan Project. However, I’m not sure about that anymore. I think I will start again and go for crime. I seem to be better able to write about criminals and the like. Meanwhile, I am still writing short stories for magazines, so you will see my name appearing there.

Thank you Eileen Thornton!

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