Blog Tour - Guest post by Carol Wyer

Guest post: Why Did I Change Genre

It always seems strange when a writer changes genre. So many people have asked me, ‘Why did you stop writing comedy and begin writing psychological thrillers?’

The answer is complicated, yet isn’t. Look to most famous comedians or funny men: Tony Hancock, Kenneth Williams, Sid James, John Cleese, Spike Milligan (okay, I’m showing my age) Robin Williams, or Stephen Fry to see a pattern. Many people who are renowned for being funny, conceal a different persona – a darker side, if you like. Many of the aforementioned comedians were depressed – some to the point of suicide – others to requiring therapy.

I have been writing humorous stories since I was in my early twenties. I began writing for children – funny stories with themes of friendship and emphasising the importance of moral values. I started writing light-hearted books for adults in 2010 and have been delighted to do so. The response to my books has been overwhelming and I get a genuine buzz out of making people happy and laugh, so much so, I started doing stand up. Can you see where I’m going with this?

Yes, like many of those who are funny, I have a dark side that first emerged when I wrote a series of short stories entitled Love Hurts. Some tales were amusing, all had a twist, and one was shocking. The reaction to that first story was surprising. People loved it and said I should write more ‘sinister stuff’. That gave me the confidence to explore that possibility. I wasn’t short of ideas. Thrillers have always been my go to choice of book, and I adore them.

Human frailty and psychology are subjects that have always fascinated me. I took a module in psychology at university, probably more as therapy for my own distressed mind at the time, but enjoyed it hugely.

Last year was a dark year for me. I became very ill indeed; the pain so excruciating that at the point where I actually considered taking a one-way flight to Switzerland; my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer and after a gruelling few months, passed away, and life became the bleakest it had been for a long while.

I have often found that with any trauma comes a mental lucidity, and in writing Little Girl Lost, I became absorbed and infatuated almost, with Alice, the girl who is traumatised in her childhood and whose life is changed by that one horrible incident. I wrote all of Alice’s chapters before I was able to begin the rest of the book. I found it immensely cathartic, and having released all the tension and energy into her character, I launched into the actual story and kept writing to keep the demons away. It worked. I emerged from my dark place and with the satisfaction that I can write thrillers that twist and turn and grip.

I don’t need to return to the dark days of 2016 to write the rest of the series. I love the characters I have created and want to continue following them on their journeys. DI Robyn Carter has much to learn and many of her own demons to face, and I want to be there when she does.

I believe we all wear a mask. I have been wearing a smiling, happy face for decades and now you have witnessed it slipping. Writing thrillers will help me put my mask back in place.

LITTLE GIRL LOST by Carol Wyer 

(Detective Robyn Carter crime thriller series Book 1) 

Out on January 19th:
UK: http://amzn.to/2eMFrTu US:http://amzn.to/2e69S7l 

A perfect family hiding disturbing secrets. A killer who wants the truth to be told. 

A teacher is found dead, close to the school where he works.

A millionaire is murdered at a local reservoir.

For Detective Robyn Carter, there’s no obvious link between the victims. Apart from one thing. The bodies both have the same grisly trophy beside them - a bloodstained toy rabbit.

As Robyn starts to delve into the lives of the two dead men, her investigations lead her to Abigail, perfect wife and mother to beautiful little Izzy. What was Abigail’s connection to the victims? And why is she receiving threatening messages from an anonymous number?

But as Robyn starts to inch closer to finding the killer, Izzy is abducted.

Unless Robyn gets to the twisted individual in time, a little girl will die …

Gripping, fast paced and nailbitingly tense, this serial killer thriller will chill you to the bone. Discover Carol Wyer’s new series – at a special launch price.