Author from Bury St Edmunds finishes latest book in just five months
An author found lockdown inspirational when she finished her latest novel – in just five months.
Michelle Kidd, 48, started her new 400-page detective novel, The Fifteen, in February this year, expecting it to take at least a year.
But when the country went into lockdown in March, Michelle not only found she had a more time on her hands, but that writing itself was a welcome relief from the horrors of a global pandemic.
“Like everyone, I watched the news a lot at the start but it became very depressing and also very scary,” said Michelle, who lives in Bury St Edmunds.
“I found that I could do my job in clinical coding for West Suffolk Hospital quite quickly so I wrote for at least a couple of hours a day, and then six hours a day at weekends.
“It was a great way to switch off from the pandemic and get lost in an imaginary world. It certainly speeded things up. I blasted through it.”
The Fifteen, Michelle’s third novel, continues the story of fictional detective, DI Jack MacIntosh. This time he is on the trail of a killer who tattoos his victims with the number 15.
“I wrote my first book, The Phoenix Project more than 10 years ago. It lay around under the bed until I decided to look into self-publishing.
“I really just wanted a book on my book shelf with my name on it. But people enjoyed reading it, so I wrote some more.”
Seven Days, Michelle’s second novel, which took a year to write was published in January this year. The books are available both in Kindle versions and as a paperback, which Amazon prints when it receives an order.
“I have been overwhelmed with the support and positive comments from those that have read them,” said mum-of-one-, Michelle.
“Being an independent author is scary and somewhat difficult without the support, financial or otherwise, of a publishing house. You are also responsible for not only the creation of your book but also the editing, formatting, book covers, advertising and marketing.
“It’s more of a hobby at the moment, but maybe one day, my dream of being a full-time writer, will come true.”
You can find out more at: www.michellekiddauthor.com
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