Clubhouse Chat Guest: Lynne Phillips

Welcome to Clubhouse Chat page. Those of you who are not a member won’t be aware that the location of the Clubhouse is shrouded in mystery. The only way to visit the clubhouse is via membership or an invite to the tearoom. Every few days, I’ll be sharing a conversation with all sort of writers and authors at different levels of their writing careers. Over tea and cakes, or maybe a glass of something stronger, I shall be chatting with my guest about their work in progress, or latest book release.

Welcome to the clubhouse tearoom, Lynne. I’m so glad you could make it. Let me order you a drink.

Great to talk to you today Paula. Mine’s a decaf long black, please.

Right, now we have our drinks let’s start by asking you what writing elements do you think are your strongest points, and what would you like to do better?

I think one of my strongest skills is I am a lateral thinker. I try to use those skills to bring a different interpretation to submission calls, so my stories are unique. Sometimes it pays off, other times they’re too obscure.

 I’d like to do psychological horror better. It’s my latest self-imposed challenge.

Tell us a little about your latest writing project. Is it a new idea, or one you have been mulling over for some time?

I am working on an invite-only group project which is certainly taking me out of my comfort zone. I have never written with anyone else before, but I’m confident I have the skills and I’m enjoying the challenge.

How many unfinished projects o you have on your computer?

I have three longer stories on my computer that I keep adding to. They will probably all be novellas. Two are fantasy stories and the other is a family saga set between Scotland and Australia.

Do you plan your story or let the characters lead you?

I am not a natural plotter, although a few of my stories have been completely plotted in my head. I usually let the characters lead me. I write as much as I can with the character and then let the next bit run around in my head until I get a chance to write it down or type it up. I always reread what I have previously written before I write again, editing as I go.

Is there anything about you your readers might be surprised to find out?

Most people know I was a teacher, but they probably don’t know I spent nine years in the army reserve, first as a private soldier and later as an officer. I credit the army with giving me the leadership skills to be a principal of a school because of the man-management training and the need to pay attention to details.

(Wow, Lynne I wasn’t expecting that, though in school these days army skills maybe needed😃)

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

I do something associated with my writing every day. Sometimes that is only jotting down ideas in a notebook or writing a character profile. I seem to think about my writing for most of my waking hours. I get my best ideas when performing mundane tasks like mowing lawns or pulling weeds at the farm. I try to write on my computer for two to three hours, five days a week.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

When I first submitted stories I wrote as Isabella Fox because I submitted to Zombie Pirate Publishing, my son, Sam’s Indie Press and I didn’t want people to think I got preferential treatment, but as I had more and more stories accepted by other presses I  wrote under my own name. I like the name Isabella Fox, so might keep it for when I write erotica. Just kidding.

( Love it 😂)

How do you select the names of your characters? And do you know everything about them before you start writing your story?

Most of my stories have character profiles well before there is a story to support them. I enjoy that aspect of writing. Sometimes I choose names randomly; it’s as simple as looking around my study and selecting a name from a cover. Other times, I have a specific concept so I research the definition or synonyms of words.

(Yep, I do that sometimes when I need a name quickly. Good job I’m moving books around a lot 😂)

What are your hardest scenes to write?

I struggle with hand-to-hand combat or fight scenes. They’re not my thing. I have no trouble with tactics for group scenes

How long does it take on average for you to write a story?

It’s hard to put a time frame on things because I always have several  short or longer stories on the go and then I fit in some drabbles and flash fiction when I see a submission that appeals to me. That combination takes me about two months.

Thank you for sharing a coffee with me, Lynne. Please come back soon. Our driver, Brutus will take you home as soon as you’re ready to leave. 😉

To find out more about Lynne check out this link:

If you want to find out more about Clubhouse Members’ Books don’t forget to check out the Clubhouse Bookshops.