An Interview with Beverly Thompson

Born in the UK, I grew up in a working-class home in Cheshire. I love animals and outdoor spaces. I enjoyed working hard at school, achieving ten O-levels, but couldn’t wait to start work. My first job began a twenty-eight-year career involving two-way radio communications, until a work injury meant I had to try a different role elsewhere.

Writing stories with passion has helped me to overcome some difficult moments in my life.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

In 2000, my life took on a new trajectory, and during a self-healing process I penned several erotic love stories, titled Pure Lust. It was in 2024 that my husband and sci-fi author, Christopher Thompson suggested I adapt my stories for a novel of my own – and here I am! Writer of a spicy romantic crime suspense drama.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Forgetting Lorna Rose was a title that just came into my head. My maiden name was Rose. I’m quite a spiritual person and I believed it appeared for a reason. The book has evolved into a series of books – Avenging Lorna Rose, Searching For Lorna Rose – and I am writing part four just now – The Hunt For Lorna Rose.

Describe your dream book cover.

I knew the cover I wanted for the first book – a meaningful stare from a facial image of the protagonist, half hidden because she is holding a rose to the reader. This cover has received many compliments so far – so I have decided to keep the cover for my other books in this series, using different colours each time.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders

So In Love With You – Texas

Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding

Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself – Jess Glynne

Wasted Time – Eagles

Just The Way You Are – Billy Joel

You’ve Got The Love – Florence And The Machine

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I proofread my husband’s sci-fi books for him. I am also hoping to start my screenwriting book, so that I can carry the stories into a TV drama, later this year.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

The AA, working as a radio controller for the emergency service.

The NHS as a medical secretary in rheumatology.

Receptionist roles for various companies, as a temp agency worker.

Teaching assistant for two agencies, local to home.

A volunteer radio presenter, starting this year, at Radio Leyland.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

My first story carries much pain from chapters of my own life. It was a form of therapy for me, to write these events happening to my character.

I kept horses and dogs for most of my life and had little time to do any serious reading – I was always out at competitions with my daughter or planning to get there.

Where is your favorite place to write?

In my study, at home, surrounded by fabulous oak bookcases – sitting with my husband as he writes his sci-fi stories.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Have the confidence to project your stories much sooner!

Don’t wait – be more proactive and express yourself.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope they enjoy my characters – who interact very well, with twists and turns to the plot. I expect some people won’t find it easy to read the intimate sections, but these get fewer and farther between as the other books progress. Lorna Rose is a person fighting for justice, a voice who cares about others in the face of adversity. She is being hunted, and most people who’ve finished the book have asked me who is now chasing her…and “When is the next book on sale?!”

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.