AUTHOR PROFILE
CAROL WYER
The bestselling author tells Margaret James about writing in two entirely different genres: rollercoaster police prodecurals and warm, relatable comic fiction
As
is the case with many successful writers, bestselling novelist Carol Wyer was originally inspired by a teacher who recognised her talent and encouraged her throughout her schooldays.
‘My earliest experience of writing something meaningful came when a stern-faced English teacher, who rarely praised anyone, read out a humorous story I’d written,’ Carol says. ‘The class laughed and applauded me, the teacher sowed the seeds of ambition, and English became my favourite subject.
‘After finishing a degree in English and French, I taught in Casablanca. While I lived there, I wrote several children’s stories that painted a picture of life in Morocco. But, when I returned to the UK, I set them aside, considering them not good enough for publication.
‘A few years later, I collaborated with an artist friend to produce children’s stories that taught French to the younger generation through a series of illustrated books with titles such as Noir and Blanc, the Two Naughty Cats and Larry the Loir. We were both excited when a big-name publisher showed interest. But then, tragedy struck, and my friend passed away. I didn’t want to work on the books without her, so I shelved them.