First off, tell us a little about yourself…
Well, first, and most importantly, I am a Hufflepuff. I feel like, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, that’s all you need to know. I’m a biology teacher who lives in the Cairngorms, but I’m originally from Cumbernauld, just outside of Glasgow. At University I studied Marine Biology and though I did get a job working for a whale charity, I was paid in food and accommodation, so that didn’t last very long. I have a dog, called Ranger, who is a year old. He only has three legs but he doesn’t seem to notice. He’s crazy. My favourite thing to do is take him for adventures in the woods, then come home and have a nap with him.
Tell us about your latest book…
My first book, The Stone of Destiny, came out in October 2019. It’s a young adult fantasy adventure, set in a country based on Scotland. There are loads of mythical Scottish creatures. My main character, Ailsa, has to find The Stone of Destiny to save the kingdom, with the help of a prince and a selkie. But something is stalking her through the woods. Ailsa has to find the stone, before it finds her.
I’m almost finished the sequel to The Stone of Destiny, called The Cauldron of Life. It’s the second book in The Four Treasures Series and it will be out in October 2020.
What was your nickname at school? (If you had one)
I was often called Gretchen because I looked like a character in the cartoon Recess. Just like Gretchen Grundler, I had glasses, freckles and very big, buck teeth. She was actually pretty cool though. She was smart and pretty good at yo-yoing. Since then I’ve had braces and I don’t need glasses anymore. I still have the freckles though.
Were you good at writing at school?
Absolutely not. English was my worst subject in school, even though I loved reading. I’m not very good at writing critical essays. I improved by reading a lot in my chosen genre and watching Youtube videos on story-plotting.
What was your favourite book as a child?
I was really into Jacqueline Wilson as a child. The first proper book I ever chose for myself was Double Act; about twins who had very different personalities. I think my favourite of hers was The Lottie Project, which was about a girl who does a school project on the Victorians. I started getting into Harry Potter when the third book came out and would reread them over and over.
What was it that inspired you to become a writer?
I’d always loved telling stories but I wasn’t very good at writing. I had been feeling quite down and was looking for a hobby, so I decided to try to improve that skill. Since I read lots of young adult books I thought I’d have a go at writing one myself. I never expected it to be read, let alone published. I wanted to write something based on Scottish mythology, since there were a lot of stories about English, Greek and Norse myths.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Never finishing books. If you never finish, you’ll never get published. You might have to go back and edit your work, but at least if it’s finished, people can read it. I’ve also heard a lot of people say they want to write a book but they don’t read much. I don’t think you can write well without reading. Read books in your chosen genre and read a lot!
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
You’re not bad at English and writing, you just need to practice. Also, writing is not a good way to get rich quick!
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
I think when the Harry Potter books were coming out and we saw all these people camping out at midnight around book shops and heard everyone talking about what would happen, it was pretty powerful. Suddenly, we were part of this group and reading was cool. I feel very privileged to have grown up at that time, being the same age as the characters.
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
I’d have got into playing Dungeons and Dragons earlier. It’s really sociable and helps with character design.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
My publisher, Cranachan Publishing, has a few authors that they work with and I’m friends with all of them. We call ourselves Clan Cranachan and we support each other at book launches and online. The people I speak to most are Barbara Henderson, Lindsay Littleson, Ross Sayers, Joseph Lamb, Annemarie Allan, Joan Haig and Laura Guthrie (though they’re all good eggs). If you haven’t read their books yet, you should!
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
Writing is my creative outlet, so I would need to find something else to fill that. I used to love drawing so maybe I would have tried to improve that skill?
Has a book ever made you cry? What was it?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The ending had me sobbing.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Social media. It can be really inspiring and a good way to connect with other writers, but it can also be a time vacuum. I usually limit it to my phone so when I’m on my computer writing, I don’t sit and scroll. Another one is napping. I have an anxiety disorder which means I’m constantly sleepy. I could literally sleep for twenty hours a day if I was allowed so I’ve got to make myself stay awake and write.
Have you ever gotten reader’s block?
I have it right now actually. I haven’t been able to finish a book since the beginning of the year. I think it’s because I’m on a deadline for writing, so I’m constantly thinking about that. I’m currently reading Woven by Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez and I think I’ll finish that one.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
No, but maybe that’s because of the way I write? If I get to a scene and I’m stuck on what to write, I just skip it and come back later. I don’t tend to get stuck because I plot my books out in advance, chapter by chapter, so I know where it’s heading.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I kind of am. My “real” name is Caroline Wheeler but I’m getting married soon and I’m taking my fiance’s name, which is Logan. Since Logan is a Scottish surname I pinched it early!
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
I spent quite a bit of money to join The Society of Authors. It’s like a writer’s union and they help with reading contracts and negotiating terms. It was good to know my contract was fair.
What did you do with your first paycheck?
I put it in a bank account labelled “Disneyworld”. My plan is to put all my book money towards a Florida trip. I don’t make very much, certainly not enough to live on, but I might make enough for a Disney trip in 2022.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Aside from the one I’m writing now, which will be published soon, I have one other that’s half finished. It’s a fairy-tale retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses but it’s set in Ancient Egypt. I also have one I’m plotting currently, which is a Space Western.
What does literary success look like to you?
Having a fandom. I’d love to see fan-art and cosplaying based on my books.
Do you Google yourself?
No, but my students have! Quite a few of them follow me on Instagram (where I mostly post pictures of my dog).
And most importantly… What is your favourite biscuit?
Ooh, this one sparked a debate in my house! It is a very important question. I think I’m going to go for a coconut round with chocolate. Perfect with a cup of tea.
Massive thanks to Caroline for sharing a small part of her life with us. If you’d like to know more…
Website: carolinelogan.co.uk | Twitter: @bearpuffbooks
More about ‘The Stone of Destiny’
Published by Cranachan | Buy from: Amazon | Waterstones
*If you would like to do your own q&a to feature on the blog then send me an email…
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