CLP is happy to welcome The Consequences author Colette Freedman today! Read on for Samantha’s interview with her…
- When did you know writing was for you?
Some writers will tell you that they always knew; other s say that they only knew as they got older. But, I can honest say that I knew from a very young age. When I was a child, I went to the library every Saturday and filled up on books for the week. I’d devour ten in a week and be excited to return for more. My early love of reading gave me a love of writing. Not only did I love Judy Blume’s flawed heroines, the ordeals of the Box Car children, the adventures of the sisters in Ballet Shoes and the struggles of All of a Kind of a Family, I wanted to be able to write stories like Blume, Sydney Taylor, Noel Streatfeild and Gertrude Chandler Warner. And I have yet to find a writer who did not start out as a reader.
- How would you describe your books?
My novels are like my plays. Most of my plays have strong female themes and pause to examine some aspect of life which impacts of women’s lives. Difficult subjects excite me, but I like to mix humor in with the pathos.
- Why was The Consequences a book you wanted to write?
It was a natural progression of The Affair as it takes place ten minutes after The Affair ends and continues the triangle between Kathy, Robert and Stephanie. Also, right from the very beginning, within weeks of The Affair being published, I started getting emails and tweets asking what-happened-next!
- What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Length. I love to write, but because I began as a playwright, I tend to write succinctly, which isn’t always a plus when a publisher wants at least eighty thousand words for a novel.
- What are your favorite genres to read?
Like most authors I read right across the genres. I read a lot of young adult, romantic fiction, historical fiction and biographies. However, my rule is if I am writing a romance novel, I will not read romantic fiction. Similarly, if I am writing a young adult novel, I will steer clear of young adult writing. Its not that I would copy them, it is to avoid having their style and cadence in my head as I write.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
That not everything is black and white. It’s easy to point fingers; yet, in affairs every party tends to be somewhat culpable. There are no easy answers.
- How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Social media is instrumental. Before my first book came out, I built a website. I also spend significant time each day on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. Publicizing a book is no longer solely the responsibility of a publishing house. It is also an author’s job to help promote herself and social media is a terrific forum for this. However, far more important for me is that it allows me to connect instantly with my readers, and them with me. When I started writing all those years ago, that sort of instant connection was simply not available. I wrote into a vacuum, not knowing how the book was being received. Now, I know within hours!
- What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Just write. Everyone is a writer, but few people actually take the time to sit down and put down their thoughts. Writing is all about patience and perseverance.
