I believed enough in this book to know that I wanted to get it out there for people to read, and then get on with writing the next one.

Karen Ankers – 7 March 2018

The Back Flap

The Crossing Place is a dark-edged love story. Laura is frustrated with her mundane life, her boring job, and marriage to a man she no longer loves. But she does not expect things to change so dramatically and so suddenly. An accidental encounter with a homeless stranger leaves her shaken and confused, before a series of unsettling dreams disturbs her further and leaves her questioning her own sanity.

When Laura meets Paul Jayston, a handsome, charismatic past-life counsellor, she is very sceptical about his beliefs. When he suggests that her dreams might be memories of a past life, she insists there must be a rational explanation. One particularly difficult dream has her turning to Paul for help and advice, but when she is confronted by revelations about his past, Laura has to make a choice. Should she allow herself to be guided by the alternative world-view of a man with strange ideas and a questionable past, or should she try and deal alone with the unsettling things she keeps seeing?

When danger comes from an unexpected source, both Laura and Paul find themselves having to confront not only very real threats in the present, but also doubts and fears from the past.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Crossing Place is a dark-edged love story, set in Chester.  A desperate decision made by a young homeless couple has far-reaching consequences.  Years later, a series of disturbing dreams disrupts Laura’s life and makes her question her world-view.  The man who seems able to help her is plausible and charming, but revelations about his past overshadow her willingness to trust him.  When danger comes from an unexpected source, Laura has to deal not only with very real threats in the present, but also with doubts and fears from the past.

When did you start writing the book?

I actually started writing it about twelve years ago, but then put it away, always meaning to get back to it, but life got in the way and it ran the risk of being permanently shelved.  I started writing something else, but my heart wasn’t in it.  Then a friend suggested I pick this one up again.  I had another look at it, put in some new characters, and it started to take shape.

How long did it take you to write it?

All in all, about two years.

Where did you get the idea from?

It was originally inspired by Brian Weiss’ book, Only Love Is Real, and by a barefoot young homeless man I saw in Chester some years ago.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The hardest part of any book is always about three-quarters of the way through, and that was the difficult part of this one.  Once you can see the end, you have to be very disciplined not to rush towards it.

What came easily?

Some of the characters were easier to work with than others.  Sadie was a joy.  I loved writing her story.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I tend to borrow from real world people, but then put all the bits together in different ways, so all the characters have elements of people I have known.  And with the barefoot man, it was a question of “What if..”.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Alan Garner, definitely.  I remember reading The Moon Of Gomrath when I was about twelve, and life was never the same again.  Suddenly the world had all these possibilities – I realized that what I saw around me need not be all there was to see.  And DH Lawrence made me fall in love with the music of beautifully crafted words.

Do you have a target reader?

Not really.  I suppose I write for those with a sense of curiosity.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I tend to split my writing into two distinct types.  Free-writing, when I will sit down with a notebook and just see what happens, and re-writing, when I will work on a structured project.  I am a poet and playwright, as well as a novelist, so a lot of my free-writing is poetry.  I use writing poems as a warm-up exercise.  I find I write best in the afternoon, but it’s not always easy to find time to write at the same time every day.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I try.  The Crossing Place had several outlines, but then the characters had other ideas….

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I edit as I go, then I go over it again when I’ve finished.  Every day I will go through and correct what I’ve written the previous day, before I move on.  Having begun my writing career as a poet, I need every word to be right and will often change a sentence because I don’t like its rhythm.  I enjoy editing, love paring down a project until its true shape is revealed.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No.  I like to write in silence.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes.  Some requested to see the whole manuscript, which was encouraging, but no-one picked it up.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Time was a factor.  The traditional route takes so long.  I believed enough in this book to know that I wanted to get it out there for people to read, and then get on with writing the next one.  I considered self-publishing, but then I came across Brian Tedesco at Stepping Stones Publishing.  When he said he was interested in publishing The Crossing Place, I spent some time asking him an exhaustive list of questions! Eventually, he seemed to be the right man to work with.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

No, my publisher did the cover.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Just winging it! 

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Believe in yourself and your work and be sure that the publishing path you choose is the one that is right for you.  Ask lots of questions and don’t proceed until you’re happy with the answers.

About You

Where did you grow up?

In Chester.

Where do you live now?

I have lived in Anglesey, North Wales, for the past twenty years.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am an author, poet and playwright.  Really, I just enjoy playing with words!  I have three sons, who have now grown up and left me in peace to write.  One of my sons is an actor and is already deciding which part he would like to play if the book is ever made into a film!  I act with a local repertory company and regularly read at local spoken word events.  I live with my partner, my dog, and seven cats.

End of Interview:

For more from Karen visit her website and like her page on Facebook.

To get your copy of The Crossing Place visit Amazon US or Amazon UK.