An Exclusive Interview With Tina McLachlan Brassington
Tina McLachlan Brassington an indie author of mysteries and non-fiction. She selected the indie path on the advice of a family member who is traditionally published.
“I find it to be more flexible,” she says, “which suits my travelling hobo lifestyle! It can be difficult as you need many strings to your bow (and I’m definitely not the best at some of them!).”
Tina is a collector of experiences. She had many professions before moving abroad with her husband to rebuild a derelict farm, transforming it to an eco-small-holding and farm-to-table restaurant. The couple sold the property during the COVID-19 pandemic and bought a sailing yacht. They spent two years cruising the Mediterranean with their beloved cat, Ava, and now own a new restaurant.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What made you want to tell this story?
Tina: My last release, The Forgotten Lore, is set in Scotland. I wanted to use the atmosphere of the place to add to my story of lost treasures and ghostly presences. I love to try to evoke a feeling of warmth, with found family and colorful descriptions of the settings of each story.
Confessions of an Indie Author: In what way did your book significantly change since the first draft?
Tina: I’m definitely a pantser! I start with a mind map of key events and characters for each story in my battered notebook (no fancy systems for me!) and this one was no different. I try to get down the first daft straight away, with no revisions to distract me. After the first daft, I developed some of the character arcs and changed the trajectory of some of the events to create more suspense. There were many, many revisions!
Confessions of an Indie Author: How long did it take you to write this book?
Tina: Around three months, writing every day.
Confessions of an Indie Author: How long have you been writing and when did you start?
Tina: I’ve always been a writer in various guises: corporate marketing, blogging for our businesses, writing advertising copy or magazine articles. I started writing novels for pleasure around four years ago and, when I’m in the groove, I find it very therapeutic. After some time off for cancer treatment (I’m now in remission), I’m looking forward to getting back into it and finishing my third Connie McKinnon mystery, Greek Shipping.
Confessions of an Indie Author: How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
Tina: Two novels so far, The Case of the Unlucky Gardener and The Forgotten Lore. One recipe book, Conrad’s Aegean Recipes. The first one is probably my favorite and where I started building my characters. The setting is beautiful and lends itself to inviting description and I’ve built a found family who I’m quite fond of! I wrote it hoping to evoke a warmth for readers, as well as a good mystery, of course!
Confessions of an Indie Author: Have any of your scenes came from your life?
Tina: Yes, the settings are based on places I know or have sailed to, with a little artistic license, of course. Being shipwrecked in Turkey during the Meltem winds may feature too! The landscapes, people, food and even a shipwreck (yep!) inspired my first two Connie McKinnon mysteries and a companion recipe book.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Which character is most similar to you and how?
Tina: I guess Connie, my main protagonist, is most like me, into 20 things at once!
Confessions of an Indie Author: What is your schedule like when you’re writing a book?
Tina: I try to write every day and I’m definitely better at getting stuff done early in the day. After lunch? Forget it! When I’m into a writing jag, I aim for around 2,000 words a day, in very rough first draft. I spend no time going back making changes or honing things at this stage. I do get blocked occasionally, but it’s very much a case of just write something to move the story forward. There’s plenty of time to change things later.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Tina: Getting started, but once I’ve done that, I’m quite focused. I hate doing the same thing over and over again, so repeated proofing and editing are quite difficult for me.
Confessions of an Indie Author: How do you develop your plot and characters?
Tina: Once the seed of a character forms in my mind, I make notes about them in my trusty battered notebook. They always have form in my mind, in terms of what they look like and their key traits. For returning characters, I try to add more color to their backgrounds and give them bigger scenes in the story.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Do you see writing as a kind of spiritual or therapeutic practice?
Tina: It’s really therapeutic for me, like reading. I love to be transported to the places I write about and to explore the range of emotions experienced by my characters.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Does writing energize or exhaust you? Or both?
Tina: When I’m in the groove, it’s definitely energizing and really lifts my motivation for getting things done. Although I often have my finger in many pies, I’m definitely a ‘finisher’ and I find completing anything very encouraging and life affirming.
Confessions of an Indie Author: If you encountered a major plot hole in a novel you were writing, how would you address it?
Tina: I keep brief notes of each chapter and how it ties with my roughly planned arc, so I tend to pick up on any discrepancies quite early and can head them off in the right direction. Otherwise, it’s a matter of picking up any issues during edits and rewriting where necessary. Sometimes it can lead to a better scene.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Are there therapeutic benefits to modeling a character after someone you know?
Tina: My friends make occasional appearances, but I’ve never tried writing a baddie based on anyone I know. I’m pretty laid back, so it’s not really my style, but maybe I’ll try it!
Confessions of an Indie Author: Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?
Tina: Yes, I have music on all the time, I find it calming, comforting and inspirational. I’m really into UK indie music, but I enjoy many genres. My Spotify playlist is very long and eclectic!
Confessions of an Indie Author: What are the most important elements of good writing?
Tina: For me, I think clarity is important. I’m not a fan of the turgid. I write for people’s entertainment, so I guess I’m a populist! I hope to draw my reader into my worlds, to help them imagine the scenes I’m writing and escape some of the gloom we’re all under right now.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?
Tina: It’s wonderful to see or hear that people have read and enjoyed your work. It helps a bit with the constant imposter syndrome! A lot of the administrative and marketing side of things can be difficult and time consuming, particularly when you want to spend that time writing.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What are common traps for new authors?
Tina: Not just writing and getting a first draft finished. You don’t need fancy tablets, equipment, offices or laptops and every sentence doesn’t have to be perfect. Perfection is the enemy of done, as they say, and I’m a great believer in this adage. Just go for it and keep going until you’ve got your story down. Then you can fiddle with it as much as you like!
Confessions of an Indie Author: What do the words “literary success” mean to you? How do you picture it?
Tina: To me it means writing and selling enough books to be able to continue writing!
Confessions of an Indie Author: How important are book reviews?
Tina: They can be helpful in terms of highlighting areas for improvement (or giving a boost) and pointing potential readers to your work. But on a wider scale, I think it is a shame that absolutely everything in life has to be rated now.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Tina: Sailing, travelling, watching wildlife. Cooking and eating! Walking my two Yorkshire Terriers, Poppy and Daisy. In my spare time, I enjoy taking on silly roles in TV advertising and doing voice-overs. I’m a qualified interior designer with a passion for period properties.
You can learn more about Tina on Instagram. Her books are available for purchase on Amazon.
Behind every book is an author with a unique story waiting to be told. Authors, your voice deserves a spotlight. This series explores the journeys, inspirations, and challenges behind writing. If you have a passion for words and a story to share, this is your moment to shine. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting your career, I want to hear from you.