“Friend” author Jackie Morrison’s first Pocket Novel, “The Sweetest Thing” is available now!
What made you decide to write a Pocket Novel?
I initially wrote a short story published in “The People’s Friend” early in 2024, where Bianca turned up at Chocolatier Nord in the highlands of Scotland having given up chocolate for Lent! I was particularly pleased with that storyline!
I had travelled to the most northerly coast of Scotland (and Orkney) on holiday and was keen to include these locations in a story.
The short story was very well received. I loved the characters, and the setting so much, I decided to write more about Bianca’s life both in Scotland, and Italy (which I’ve also travelled to, and love!)
The target of almost 40,000 words was very tempting, as I believed it might be achievable for me.
Submitting the outline and early chapters was a helpful start. I scrutinised the storyline before committing to the whole pocket novel – this ensured I didn’t run out of steam!
Just as I had started, I took a chance by entering a major national competition with Penguin books, who were looking for a new romance writer and was astounded when I was longlisted.
The editorial team at “The People’s Friend” could not have been kinder about this news, as it meant holding off with the Pocket Novel in the meantime. This was a little frustrating.
My initial disappointment at not going into the final stage with Penguin didn’t last long, as I was so excited to send the finished Pocket Novel to Tracey at “The People’s Friend”! Thankfully, she was just as excited to receive it.
How long have you been writing fiction?
My first short story for “The People’s Friend” was accepted late 2023 but I’ve been writing for a much longer!
My first short story was published as a teenager in a magazine called “My Guy” and then I had another young adult story published in “Shout” magazine – another D.C.Thomson publication!
There was a gap in my creative life as I encouraged both our children in their endeavours – both are now fine adults working in the creative arts in Scotland and London and I couldn’t be prouder.
As I had more time for myself at this stage of my life, I completed a couple of free Open University courses and committed to my writing craft.
One of my poems about Clydesdale horses won tickets to the opening of the Kelpies in Falkirk, which was a magical evening. Another was shortlisted in a national anthology called Canopy.
I then returned to my first love – short stories!
I initially wrote these stories to entertain my mum as I was caring for her at the time, and we’d have a good chuckle at some of the storylines I came up with. I still think of my mum every time I complete a story, and I ask, “Would Mum like this?”
Without a doubt, writing short stories for “The People’s Friend” prepared me for writing the Pocket Novel.
I’m very proud to write feel-good, uplifting fiction as I feel many of us benefit from that in our lives.
What sort of books do you enjoy reading?
I’ve read across all genres as you can learn so much. It sounds obvious, but the character motivations in crime/thriller stories are crucial, eg Harry Bosch (written by Michael Connelly), or Jackson Lamb (from “Slow Horses” by Mick Herron). That sense of connection keeps the readers (or viewers) invested.
Mainly, I enjoy novels that centre on relationships and communities at a point of change.One of my recent favourite reads was Jenny Godffrey’s “The List of Suspicious Things” as I recognised so much of that 1970s community from my own teenage years – the days when you could go out exploring all day without your parents worrying about you!
What are your future writing plans?
I’ll carry on writing so long as the ideas find me! Tip: You have to be open to noticing them!
I’ve submitted a few short stories this year already, and I’m in the completion stages of another Pocket Novel!
I love committing my ideas to paper with the hope that one day, someone will read them.
For a long time, I didn’t believe I had the skills to complete longer-form fiction. Writing and being published with “The People’s Friend” has done wonders for my writing confidence.
The editorial team is so supportive, and I’ve found the best group of writer friends through the weekly “The People’s Friend” Writing Hour at 11am, Tuesdays on X (Twitter) – and I’ve even met up in real life with a few!
To be honest, I think writing must be my coping mechanism for life – I write when I’m sad, I write when I’m happy, and everything in between!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a published author?
Write, write, write and write some more, then learn to self-edit! And don’t forget to read, read and read some more, especially in the genre or market you hope to be published in.
My guess is, someone contemplating wanting to be published, has already tried their hand at different writing and feels somewhat confident of the quality of their work, so I won’t add any writing tips here (“The People’s Friend” website pages are full of great advice).
Anthologies can be a first stepping stone to being published. They were for me.
Sometimes a critique can be useful and a few organisations offer that: The Romantic Novelists Association (the Pocket Novel I’m currently writing went through their New Writers Scheme), and the Crime Writers Association (who offer critiques via the Debut Dagger Awards).
Once you feel you’ve gone as far as you can with advice and feedback, the rest is down to identifying and matching your writing style (and story content) to its intended market.
“The People’s Friend” is a wonderfully supportive place to try – but ensure you’ve read the magazine thoroughly and understand what the readers enjoy.
Don’t be downhearted if you get a rejection – it’s part of a writer’s life. I’ve had them too! Don’t let it stop you. My first story to “The People’s Friend” was rejected – but I’d sent in two, and the other was accepted! Use any advice and feedback to work towards publication in the same way as any other goal.
Celebrate every single step.
I’ll certainly be celebrating my first Pocket Novel as a wonderful achievement with thanks to “The People’s Friend” to making that possible.
Tracey Steel Having worked on a number of magazines over the years, I have found my perfect place on the “Friend” as I’m obsessed with reading and never go anywhere without a book! I read all of our stories with a mug of tea close by and usually a bit of strong cheese too!
