Sarah
Scholefield initially trained as molecular biologist gaining a BSc (Hons) in
Biology from The University of the West of England. After realising she wasn’t
cut out for life in a laboratory she worked in numerous schools across the West
Country.
She
has always enjoyed making up stories in her head and finally began to write
them down. In 2014 she gained an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa
University. Redferne Lane is her
first novel.
She
lives in Somerset with her husband and children.
Redferne Lane
Ezra had it all when he died. A good job. A nice
house. His loving wife, Grace.
Grace doesn’t even realise she’s struggling to keep
herself together. Until Torin turns up in Redferne Lane. It’s been nearly two
years since Grace has seen Torin. Since Ezra’s funeral. Now Torin is back in
her life, emotions from the past are resurfacing and Grace begins to realise
elements of her life are going wrong. She’s not sure she can take control.
But Grace isn’t the only one with problems in Redferne
Lane. Josie has a husband and young family to contend with. Ada is facing the
difficulties of old age. Jerome thinks he’s found the perfect girl. Eliza just
wants to grow up. And Torin isn’t sure he should have what he wants. They all
begin to turn to Grace for answers. Can Grace look beyond her own difficulties
and help those around her, even while she’s trying to save herself?
Who are your
influences?
The
first writer that really got me into reading was Sebastian Faulks. I read
‘Birdsong’ and was
smitten. At the moment, I particularly enjoy Maggie O’Farrell, David Nichols
and for literary indulgence I always go back to Jane Austen.
When did you begin
writing?
I
started making some primitive scratchings around 2003. I’ve been writing with
intent since 2010.
In 2013/14 I did an MA in Creative Writing, which really helped my writing.
How do you come up
with your stories, characters, character names, POV, etc?
It
all usually starts with daydreaming. Perhaps I’ll see or hear something that
interests me, maybe
something someone says or a picture. Then I’ll go for a wander in my head with
that thing and start building a character or a situation. Characters usually
come first for me and I can hear them in my head. Then I’ll start writing and
play with aspects, like POV and tense and see what feels right. I’ll add some
concrete facts, like personal attributes and setting. Then work out what the
arc of the story is about and whether I can take that further.
Do you work from
an outline?
Yes,
but often it’s vague and always changes!
Tell me about your
favorite scene in your novel.
My
favourite scene in Redferne Lane is
when Torin first comes back to see Grace, it’s quite near
the beginning of the novel. It was one of the first scenes I ever wrote with
Torin and I loved writing
him from the moment he hit the page. In that scene I love the tension between
Torin and Grace,
and all the things that go unsaid.
Can you tell us a
little about your writing philosophy?
I
try to make sure I sit down to write every day. It’s not always possible, so I
try not to give myself
a hard time (unless I know I’m slacking!). If I know I can’t write for a couple
of days I make sure to give my work some mental time, which is often really
beneficial anyway. I don’t reread much of what I’ve written the previous day,
just a paragraph or two to remind myself where I am. Only if I get really stuck
with a plotline or when I’ve finished the first draft do I go back and start
reading and editing.
Have you ever
tried writing in any other genres?
I
love reading YA fiction (although I am certainly not a YA anymore!) and I’ve
been playing with
writing some of my own, we’ll see where that goes in the future.
You
can follow Sarah here:
Her novel ‘Redferne
Lane’ is available from Amazon.
When did you begin
writing?