Kimberley Chambers

Kimberley Chambers wrote her first book ‘Bille Jo’ seven years ago whilst working as a min-cab driver. ‘Payback’ is her ninth book.

1. Your new book, Payback’ has just been released in paperback, what is the story about?
   It’s about The Butler brothers who are the crime lords of the East End. Their motto is ‘what goes around comes around’. In their world, family counts; so when the truth about Vinny’s cousin’s death comes to light, it rocks the Butlers to the core. One by one, Vinny’s friends and family turn against him. Then the unthinkable happens when his child goes missing. It’s about families, loyalty and how far you’d go to protect those you care about.
2. To the readers of the blog, that may not be familiar with you or your writing, can tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into writing?
   I began writing seven years ago. My first book ‘Billie Jo’ was literally my first ever attempt. I was a mini-cab driver at the time, working nights and was so sick of having no prospects for the future, I just decided one day to sit down and try to write a book. I never dreamed it would turn out to be my vocation in life.
3. What was the first story you ever wrote?
   ‘Billie Jo’!
4. What part of the writing process do you find most difficult?
   Obviously you need to start a book with strong characters and a half decent plot in mind, but my initial ideas do often change. My books tend to write themselves to be honest. As I finish one chapter, the next comes to me automatically, along with different twists and turns to develop the story. I also find it can be a lonely old job at times. I sometimes feel like a hermit.
5. What book made you decide that you wanted to be a writer?
   No particular book. I just wrote to try to better myself and my life.
6. Was there ever a book that you read, that didn’t live up to the hype that surrounded it and left you disappointed?
   I hate to admit this but I rarely read at all any more. Because my own life now revolves around books and writing, I just like to switch off by watching TV or going to the gym.
7. If you weren’t an author, what do you imagine yourself doing?
   I would probably still be mini-cabbing to be honest. I have no qualifications and very few other skills.
8. I always thought the opening lines to “The Lovely Bones” was quite memorable, are there any opening lines to books that stuck out to you?
   I do like a book that starts with a quote that gives an insight into its content. I started ‘Payback’ with a Shakespeare quote about revenge.
9. If you were stranded on a desert island, which three books would you bring with you to pass the time?
   I’d probably take three Enid Blyton books. I was a massive fan as a child. Being stranded on a desert Island, I would probably feel as though I was one of the ‘Famous Five’!
10. What area do you suggest a budding writer should concentrate on to further their abilities?
    My advice would be to write about subjects you’re interested in and know a lot about. I wouldn’t advise creative writing courses. I never went on any. Just better to write from the heart.
11. When sitting down to write, what is the one item you need beside you?
    A dictionary!
12. And finally Kimberley do you have any projects or releases on the horizon which you would like to share with the readers of the website?
    Yes. I intend to write a Butler/Mitchell book one day. The Mitchells were the popular gangland family in my trilogy – The Feud, The Traitor and The Victim.

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