Book: Paying With Fish
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Viv Cockram but I write under my maiden name of Viv Booth. I live on the North Norfolk Coast with my husband, two opinionated West Highland Whites and a deaf cat. We have five children and twelve grandchildren.
I have had a varied career as a Shop Assistant, Buyer, Business Analyst and College Lecturer.
My love of writing started as a child and has continued throughout my life but I only released Paying with Fish in February this year. Since then I have written my second book which is with my publisher and I am currently awaiting the final proofs.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Paying With Fish’ book?
The main challenge I faced was maintaining focus, life tends to get in the way and changes your direction constantly.
Running concurrently to the focus challenge is belief. Belief in myself, that I can actually achieve what I started, that it is good enough and that other people will want to read it.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I love books that are slightly ridiculous in the way that they use language so I absolutely love all Georgette Heyer novels, plus she always portrays strong women. My favourite book of all time which I would love to emulate but have absolutely no chance of achieving is ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ by Harper Lee.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
As I live on the North Norfolk Coast my favourite place to visit is the sea, it is definitely my happy place and things always seem to shift into focus and right themselves when I am there.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
Indeed as I write memoirs I firstly have to get to a point where I find the key to unlock the filing cabinet in my mind , once this is achieved memories come tumbling out in no order whatsoever. I do not start at the beginning of the book and write to the end, I write what ever pops up first. I then start to place the pieces of the book into a sensible order.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Paying With Fish’ book?
Longer than I expected. I started in 2014 but then I lost focus and life events took over as they often tend to do. I completed the book during in lockdown in the COVID pandemic.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Paying With Fish’ book to buy?
Paperback is available online at Amazon, Austin Macauley, iMusic, Waterstones, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Flipkart, Booktopia, and at many more online booksellers
E-book is available through Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, Scribd
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Paying with Fish’?
The book cover for me was easy, it is a combination of real images of two of my favourite places in France, the beach and the secret garden of the house we lived in.
The title of the book is what I said when paying at the vets, I was over confident with the use of my new language. Instead of saying I was paying with cash I confused the word ‘cash’ with the verb for ‘to fish’ and so the title of the book was born.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I try very hard to write in the way that I speak. I am originally from the north of England and therefore have a specific way of speaking which I try to transfer into my writing. I am a great believer in focusing on the positive and have a very direct and descriptive style which hopefully engages the reader.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
As I write memoirs and therefore about real people and events, albeit from my perception and view of the world I change the names of the characters involved. However, if you know, then you will know.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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