Haunted by writing

‘As a child, I devoured every book in my path,’ writes subscriber Suzanne Burrows.

‘On my seventh birthday, I wanted to be a writer. At ten, I discovered I loved ghost stories most of all. What started as a fascination with friendly spirits developed as I grew, and vengeful phantoms had an increasing appeal. The unknown was compelling, and I admit, I enjoy a bit of a scare; as long as the fear vanishes when I close the book.

‘When I became a teenager reality hit. I doubted my little page-long tales would be of any interest to anyone else, but I continued to write for myself.

‘Each time I chose a new book, I imagined my name on the cover. The articles in Writing Magazine inspired me. My mind raced; plots blossomed like flowers. I made many attempts. Drafts made it to the 30k threshold but no further.

‘I met my writing tribe, Writers United. We formed an online group after meeting through a national novel competition.

‘I entered a new idea to a local novel competition The Book Challenge run by Pen To Print, part of Barking & Dagenham Library Service. My haunted house horror, The Divided, was shortlisted, and I was thrilled.

‘I completed my book after a few months of mentoring from crime novelist Barbara Nadel and the continued encouragement of my Tribe. The organisers offered to publish the books of each shortlisted writer. My book was good, and I needed to make it better, so I didn’t immediately accept their offer.

‘More drafts followed and then the Womentoring Project accepted my book for a period of mentoring by agent Catherine Cho, who at the time was with Curtis Brown.

‘My book went through two dramatic rewrites, and it transformed into this published version available to purchase today, thanks to Pen To Print. I am immensely proud of The Divided, and the cover is spectacularly creepy.

‘Cursed 150 years apart, Amy and Eliza do not know they are linked, but their souls have been at war for a long time.’

Website: www.suzanneburrows.co.uk