Friday, May 27, 2011

Lanzarote Living: Pauline Barclay

How did it get to be Friday? Can someone please tell me? Well, however that happened, it's a long weekend here in the UK (yes, another one. Yes, we like holidays). And today, I've got the lovely Pauline Barclay here to talk about her fabulous writing locale in the Canary Islands. It would be fair to say I'm just a little jealous. Pauline has also just released a new novel, Sometimes it Happens. So... take it away, Pauline. And send me some of that sun!

Pauline says:

Having read The Hating Game, which I enjoyed very much, I’ll never watch TV dating games again without thinking of Mattie Johns. What a character Talli, I know you are busy on your next book, so a special thank you for taking time out to invite me to your Blog. Though I’ve already guessed the reason for this and that is you want me to package up our sunshine and send it to you. No worries, here it comes…!

I’m Pauline Barclay and I live in the Canary Isles on the beautiful volcanic island of Lanzarote. The sun shines most of the time, though like much of the world, our weather pattern has been strange this year. Having said this, I live in shorts, t-shirt and sandals, so you can guess it isn’t cold!



Talli asked if I would show you a little of where we live; we being my husband, Clive and our two adorable rescue doggies. This is the view from our villa and this is the view from my office. Though I confess to sitting andstaring out at the ocean far too often, my laptop open on the table, when I am supposed to be writing! And this is a view of the beach, which is just five minutes stroll down the road.


In between sneaking a stroll to the beach or a peek at the view, I manage to get some work done. This month my third book, Sometimes It Happens… was published on Kindle. I am an Indie publisher and for this book I did things differently. Firstly, I had an amazing mentor who is also a brilliant author, who saw me through the entire manuscript, checking for continuity, believability, repetition and so much more. Then to add the final sparkle, I had the cover designed by a Graphics design company. I just love the cover, it says so much about the story.

Sometimes It Happensis about secrets, deception, lies, love and laughter. Winning the lottery was just the beginning. Nothing prepared Doreen Wilkinson for her holiday at Villas Bonitas and nothing prepared Villas Bonitas for Doreen Wilkinson. This is a holiday that will never be forgotten for many people. Sometimes It Happens… Will make the reader laugh out loud, I certainly did writing it!

My other two novels, Magnolia House and Satchfield Hall are available in both paperback and Kindle editions. In between marketing and all my other commitment, I am busy with my fourth novel!

Despite the different stories of my three books, one thing I can say about all my novels, and that is, you will need a tissue!

Pauline blogs here, her website and sample chapters are here, and she's also on Twitter and Facebook!

So, are you as jealous of her as I am?

64 comments:

  1. Yes. Yes I am!

    It's a beautiful place you live in Pauline, and the book sounds like a fun summer read :)

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  2. I really don't know how Pauline can get any writing done with views like that and the books sound great. Like Sarah says, the perfect summer reads.

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  3. I am so, so, SO jealous. I can just see myself sipping wine and enjoying the sunshine ... don't suppose I'd get any writing done though.

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  4. Thanks for sharing yourself, Pauline. And yes, I am way jealous of your living arrangements. Looks beautiful... Good luck with everything!

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  5. oh, I so want sunshine. Just one drop would mean the world to me.
    I'm coming to visit you, Pauline, and it is all Talli's fault! Your books sound good.

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  6. Hello Sarah, it is a fabby place to live and of course it gave me lots of inspiration for my book. It is a summer read and it will mkae you laugh. My editor calls it Giggle!

    Hello Ros, the views inspire me as does the weather. The book will transport you to sunnier climes...promise! x

    Hi Naina, nice to meet you. Thanks for calling by.

    Hello Shirley, the view, the wine, yep but someone had to do it! Laugh! x

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  7. Hi Salarsen thanks for your good wishes and for calling by. Have a fab day!

    Hi Jan, I've pulled up a recliner at the side of the pool, bubbly chilling so come on down...LOL! The book was fun to write and I hope readers will think so too. It will make people laugh! x

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  8. I prefer mountains, but I could handle a beach view for a while!

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  9. Surely it must be hard not just to relax and enjoy it all. Self-discipline is everything . . . ;-)

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  10. Hi Pauline, nice to meet you. Best wishes trying to balance writing with playing. Have a great weekend all!

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  11. I could live with that view...

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  12. Please adopt me, Pauline - I don't eat or drink much (apart from chocolate and wine)and I am very very quiet.

    Thank you!

    Take care
    x

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  13. I'd love to be there right now.

    I've got Pauline's book on my Kindle and can't wait to read it.

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  14. Hi Karen,it's tough living in the sun, but someone must do it...laugh! Hope you find the book a giggle of a read. Have a great weekend!

    Hi Alex, we are also surrounded by black volcanic mountiains...truly gorgeous!

    Hello Jabblog, I guess when you have this everyday, you take it for granted, though we remind ourselves we are lucky!

    Hi Stephen, great to meet you too, have a fabby weekend!

    Hi L. Diana, it is awesome!

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  15. Hi Old Kitty, go on then I will, especially as you love wine...we do too much!

    Hello Debs, I'm so nervous, but I hope you enjoy reading it sitting giggling in your conservatory! x

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  16. That looks heavenly! Even I could be tempted to take a break from my love of rain to find inspiration there!
    Thank you Talli, for introducing Pauline, I shall hop over to Amazon to check out her books.
    Congratulations, Pauline and that cover is fabulous!

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  17. Lovely post, Pauline - and what a gorgeous view! I've only been to Lanzarote once and loved the walk along the front.

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  18. Nice to make your acquaintance, Pauline. The book sounds like fun... and what a place to live in!

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  19. Oh my lord... You're living the dream and that view, well what can one say. Gorgeous! I'm having my honeymoon in Fuerteventura in November and hoping to sail over to Lanzarote might even wave and say hi... Thank you for sharing but more pics I say :)

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  20. Hi Margo, great to meet you too. Glad you like the cover, I love it. Designed by Avalon Graphics in North Carolina...says so much about the book...!

    Hello Rosemary, the next time you come, yell and we'll meet up for a drink or three. :-)

    Hi William, Lanzarote is a great place to live and write. The book should make readers laugh and giggle. A good holiday read! Nice to meet you too. Have a great weekend.

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  21. Hi AngelJane, if you do end up in Puerto del Carmen yell and we can say hello with a celebratory drink to you! You'll see more pics on my Blog of our lovely island.

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  22. i am jealous! what a beautiful place to call home. I didn't know it's going to be a long weekend in the UK, too! here in the US, we'll be celebrating memorial day on monday, so its a three day staycation for most of us.hurray for everyone!

    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  23. I'm sure living out there would be so much better for my bones Pauline! Super to hear about your life and writing.

    x

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  24. What an awesome place to live!

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  25. What an inspiring place to write in. Just beautiful. Congrats and best wishes with your latest, Sometimes It Happens!

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  26. Hi Nutschell, we too have a holiday on Monday, Canary's Day. Have a great time and thanks for stopping by!

    Hello Bluestocking Mum, it most certainly would be. Have a fabby weekend.

    Hi Alexia, it really is a little bit of paradise!

    Hi Joanne, thanks for your wishes, I have everythig crossed, Sometimes It Happens... makes a lot of people laugh out loud!

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  27. So envious. Now I have more books to add to my list to read. Always love Talli's recommendations.

    Long weekend for us as well in the States. Memorial Day. Have a wonderful weekend all.

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  28. The cover is enticing. Where you live is beautiful. And I'm not envious. I'm waaaay beyond that.

    The book sounds great. I love a little humor in stories.

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  29. What a beautiful place! I am jealous. I think I could see myself writing somewhere nice like that.

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  30. How gorgeous.... I can certainly understand why you stare at the view. I would never get any writing done.

    Your book sounds like a fun read!

    Talli,

    I hope you get your sun and have a FANTASTIC WEEKEND.... I know it's wine o'clock in London. Enjoy!

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  31. Could you open a writer spot where we could visit you and enjoy the picturesque view?

    I'm seriously jealous. Like seriously jealous.

    You of course know I'm already going to snag your latest novel. Looks to good to pass up and after seeing where you live it's like the perfect day to spend it out on the beach!

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  32. Yeah, jealous is a good word for it. :) What a beautiful place!

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  33. Yes, when did Friday come along, anyway? Thanks, Talli for sharing this with us. It's good to meet Pauline.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  34. Beautiful photos--sounds like your home is a paradise! Thank you so much for sharing. :) I'll be sure to check out your blog, Pauline.

    ~TRA

    http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

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  35. Oh, I've never been here....yet! ;-)) Looks lovely.

    Happy writing! * clink*

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  36. Well I may not be as jealous as some, given I live in the Australian bush and my view includes lots of green and kangaroos, though as we are heading into winter I wouldn't mind just a wee bit more warmth. Just amazing where someone's random tweet will take you!

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  37. Wow, what a beautiful place to live and write. CONGRATS on your books!

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  38. Yes. I am! Lucky, Pauline. Fabulous interview, too.

    Ellie Garratt

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  39. Hi Nubian Great to meet you and have a fab "long" weekend!

    Hello Helen, yep it is a great place to live if you love lots of sunshine! And the book is a bit of a giggle, sprinkled with copious amounts of sunshine and bubbly!

    Hi Clarissa, thanks for calling by, have a great weekend!

    Hello Michael, the view is a distration, but I have to wear blinkers somedays to get the writing done... laugh!

    Hi Jen, great to see you here too, and looking forward to hearing what you think of Sometimes It Happens... Have a great weekend.

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  40. Hi Bethany, don't be jealous, we have so much sunshine here, but so few shops, so no good being a shopaholic!

    Hello Karen, great to meet you too and thanks for stopping by. Have a fab weekend.

    Hi The Red Angel, great to meet you too and hopefully see you over at my Blog sometime. Have a wonderful weekend!

    Hello Talei, clink of glasses back to you, cheers!

    Hi Cheryl, living in the bush and seeing kangaroes, amazing. It too sounds a beautiful place to live. Hope we have a chance to chat again soon.

    Hello Susanne, thanks for the congrats... have a fab weekend!

    Hi Ellie, thanks for your kind words and stopping by.

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  41. A HUHE thanks to Talli for having me on her amazing Blog, it's been great to meet so many fabby people. Thank you. Hugs xx

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  42. I think I just turned a very odd shade of green! Your locale is just stunning!

    I will put your book on my list of books to read :)

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  43. Hi Rebecca, it¡s not too bad! Thanks for adding my book to reading list, I hope you enjoy it. x

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  44. Very jealous - what gorgeous photos! I'd be happy just to vacation somewhere like that, let alone live there!

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  45. I have always wanted to go to Lanzarote as I was fascinated with the architecture of Manrique - unforunately, it's a lot less accessible now. Greatpost

    David

    http://britsintheus23.blogspot.com/

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  46. I am extremely jealous of her location! LOL! I don't have an ereader so I'll have to wait to check out her newest novel. But I'm totally checking out one of her priors in paperback! Great interview!

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  47. Hi Susan Thanks for dropping by, you must try and make Lanzarote one day, it is gorgeous!

    Hello David, it is not that difficult, but I guess that depends where you are living. Hope you will get here one day...drink waiting!

    Hi Jemi, thanks, sending our lovely weather to you...catch it!

    Aww Heather that is kind, I hope you will enjoy the paperbacks and once Sometimes It Happens... is out in paperback, I will yell loud and everyone will know...laugh! x

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  48. Wow Pauline! What a wonderful office you have! Although I would also be staring at the sea an awful lot - but then again that beats staring at the walls from where I work!

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  49. Oh wow. Fabulous! I agree sounds like a great summer read and a great place to live :O)

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  50. Good grief! I don't think I'd get any work done at all if I lived somewhere as nice as that!

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  51. Talli, 3-day weekend in the US too. Memorial Day!

    Pauline, I wonder what it's like to live in a place that's always warm. Good luck with your books.

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  52. The Canary Islands -- how lucky to live & work there! :)

    Have a great weekend everyone!

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  53. I am always in the market for a good read....
    Just got a couple of Amazon purchases in the mail today, in fact.

    I think you may have just given me another one to add to the list.

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  54. Hi Jayne Thanks for stopping by, though I guess I stare more at my lap top than the ocean...laugh!

    Hello Madeleine Sometimes It Happens...will make you feel like you are on that luxury holiday, plenty of bubbly champagne!

    Hi Helen, great to see you here, have a fab weekend! x

    Hello Theresa, thanks for the good wishes, I have everything crossed!

    Hi Notesfromnadir, have a great weekend too!

    Hi Andrew, thanks for calling by, and I hope you will enjoy Sometimes It Happens... thanks for adding it to your list.

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  55. Hi Pauline. I loved the photos - how wonderful to live so close to a beach AND have all that lovely sunshine! Sometimes it Happens is on my TBR list - and I'm so looking forward to reading it - hopfully while relaxing in the garden with some sunshine and a glass of Pimms!

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  56. Yes, very jealous. But thanks Pauline for sending some sunshine and inspiration our way.

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  57. GORGEOUS!!! I love the islands, and when I disappear, you'll know where to start looking. :D Great interview. Thanks, guys! And enjoy your holiday, T.~

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  58. A lovely author and book. I've added this to my TBR!

    P.S. to Pauline: Please adopt me! I dream of one day living next to an ocean. :-)

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  59. Wow- I am inspired by the both of you. I love that Pauline had a mentor that was there every step of the way with her latest novel. I think support is so important. Good support. Honest support. Thanks for sharing!

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  60. Such a beautiful place to live and write. No wonder your book sounds so good, Pauline.

    Thanks for sharing the lovely photos and thanks Talli for bring Pauline to us!

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  61. Hello Janice thanks for adding Sometimes It Happens... to your reading list, I hope the sun will shine and you can drink your pimms whilst reading it. xx

    Hi helencaldwell, hope the sunshine is with you and inspiration flows. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

    Hello LTM, I'll be looking out for you down here...have a fab day!

    Hi Liz, you've made me blush, thank you for your kind words. xx

    Hello The Thumber, thanks for your comments, my mentor was and is brilliant. An historical author on both sides of the Atlantic - Helen Hollick.

    Hi Nas, lovely to meet you too and thanks for calling by and saying, Hi! x

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  62. The books sound great! What a nice place to live and write.

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Coffee and wine for all!