Writer is an open book as she tells all in new thriller tale
SHE believes she writes better than she speaks and despite that and stage fright, psychological thriller author Paula Johnston is today giving a talk at her local library as part of Book Week Scotland.
Since self-publishing her debut novel The Lies She Told, Ms Johnston has seen her literary career take off. Fearful of being a one-book wonder, she is now immersed in a new character for her second novel and has been signed by an agency.
Despite her new-found success, stepping out to an audience at Blantyre Library for an event which is aimed at celebrating books and reading however, will still be a daunting prospect for her.
“To be asked to take part in Book Week Scotland in the town where I went to high school is an honour. I’ll be reading a section from The Lies She Told. I love writing, but I hate public speaking,” Ms Johnston said. “I do get bad stage fright, but it is a case of putting on a mask to get through it. I will be very anxious but I doubt that anyone will be able to tell.”
In less than a year, Ms Johnston has published her first novel, became a fulltime author and signed to an agency. She is now working on her second book, which deals with several issues, some of which she has experience of.
Her debut novel was a psychological thriller loosely based on real life experiences of the online dating world, but Ms Johnston says she elaborated somewhat on it for the novel.
However, her second book is more personal and she feels more vulnerable with it.
“I think my writing has changed slightly in the way that I am saying what I want to say rather than what I think people want to read,” Ms Johnston said. “I do feel vulnerable with this book. It is a totally different feeling as I am baring my soul quite a bit. To be able to talk about certain issues in the book means I have had experience of them and that is something I am happy to do. I don’t think mental health issues should be something we are ashamed to speak about.”
While the title remains a secret, her new character is Cassie Torrance, and the book deals with important topics such as mental health, spirituality, emotional abuse in a relationship and women supporting women.
She added: “It follows Cassie, who is struggling with her mental health. She is looking for a lifeline, sees an opportunity and decides to roll with it but doesn’t realise what she is getting herself into. She meets a man who she believes is going to help and dives in head first, but as with the first book there are twists.
“I also suffer with a mental illness and I find myself doing things that Cassie has done, so it is a way of me getting things down on a page and speaking openly about depression and anxiety. It is about explaining how that feels so that a reader really understands that they are not alone in their thoughts. For Cassie it is a case that she is very unaware that she is struggling.
“I was also diagnosed with a stomach condition which left me not knowing how I was going to feel each day when I woke up and that has caused me a lot of extra stress. I worked full-time in managerial roles in retail, and when I took unwell I didn’t know what my purpose was or what I was capable of. I was scared to take risks in new jobs until I knew what I could do, so I wanted to do something I enjoyed and I thought, let’s try writing.”
Since her first novel came out, the past year has been somewhat of a whirlwind.
She added: “The whole thing just doesn’t feel real. I’m not sure it has hit me that I am doing this and I have achieved it, but maybe I am too reserved and feel let’s not celebrate this too soon. I still can’t believe how many people have read the book, reviewed it, and spoken about it. I’ve sold around 10,000 copies which is amazing as I never even thought 10 people would have read it. And it was very surreal when I saw my book in high street book stores – that was the dream.
“I did wonder if people would like a second book. I started writing it, and at that time I was messaged by a publishing house which asked me if I had any further work to show them. I found an agent with Darley Anderson Literary Film and TV Agency and here we are.”
Ms Johnston had written the first few chapters when she got in touch with the agency to see if they were interested.
She added: “I spoke to them and there was no hesitation for me and I just knew it was right. My agent Jade encourages me and keeps me going.
“I always fantasised about my own book being in a library or a book store and now my novel is there among those of authors I have read. To know that you are a part of that it is really special to me.”
From a young age Ms Johnston wanted to be a writer and would often be found with her nose in a book. It’s why she is supporting The Herald’s Christmas Appeal in partnership with the Scottish Book Trust, to help make sure children and families visiting food banks this winter are gifted with a brand new book they may otherwise not receive.
“I read at home all the time and would get lost in a book. I think the appeal is a great thing,” she added.
It is a totally different feeling as I am baring my soul quite a bit