When did you know writing was for you?
I have always written for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl I collected stickers, which I used to put in special books and then invent elaborate stories based on the stickers! I can’t say when I knew writing was ‘for me’, but I always knew I was a writer.
How would you describe your book?
Playing Along is a quirky, funny, love story. It’s about harboring a fantasy, but the characters are very real and I hope I made them dimensional and relatable to. If you’ve ever had a band crush – this is the book for you! I wrote the book with the intention of making people smile. Life is hard – we all need stories to lift our spirits.
What was the inspiration for your book?
My sister went to a Keane concert and thought the lead singer had made eye contact with her repeatedly! After the show, her friend insisted that Tom had actually been making eye contact with her! I thought it would be funny and sweet to explore what the story would be if that fantasy was in fact true, and George and Lexi were born soon after! What woman hasn’t been to a concert and ‘imagined’ a few things about a lead singer?!
What was the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Discipline and self-belief. Fitting in the writing while I was also taking a masters degree in psychotherapy was challenging. Believing that my vision would translate and be embraced was sometimes a big leap of faith. I just kept going though, because I loved the characters I was creating and I had a feeling that other people would too.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you as an author?
I am an avid reader, so writing a book that kept other readers gripped and interested and amused was of utmost importance to me. Also, as an author, my aim is to write accessible, popular books that are still written with some depth and lyricism. I don’t believe I need to trade one for the other.
What does your daily schedule look like?
It really depends. I run reflective writing workshops from my home, and I have two kids and a dog! In between work and family. I fit in writing hours when I can. My writing schedule varies, but my characters are not unlike my kids – when they’re not getting enough attention – they let me know!
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
My advice would be to just keep writing and really immerse yourself in the creative process before becoming too fixated on the final product. This is the main ethos of the workshops that I run. Find your own authentic writing voice and don’t try to emulate others. Write everyday, even for short periods of time, and see where your words lead you. Stay curious.
What is your favorite book? Favorite movie?
So hard to pick just one book! When I was a kid I loved reading Judy Blume. I read a passage from her book ‘Superfudge’ for a school competition when I was 11 and I won the trophy, so I would have to say I still love that book! Her characters are extremely likeable and believable. ‘The Bean Trees’ by Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite adult books – she initiated me into the world of wonderful storytelling.
My favorite film of all time is Merchant Ivory’s ‘A Room with a View’ which was made in the 80’s. It is just as compelling as Downton Abbey – romantic, beautifully adapted from the novel by E.M. Forster and so uplifting. After writing Playing Along, I realized I must have unconsciously chosen the name ‘George’ because that was the name of the lead in ‘A Room with a View’!
Who is your favorite literary character?
JD Salinger wrote a short story called ‘For Esme – With Love and Squalor’. Esme is one of my favorite literary characters of all time – a young girl who is feisty, honest and extremely insightful. I could read that story over and over again.
Who is your writing inspiration?
My writing inspiration is my mum, writer, Jackie Collins. Our writing styles are very different but I grew up watching her totally committed to her craft. She taught me the importance of dedication, and by example, she showed me what joy it was to love your work and be impassioned about providing readers with entertaining stories.
What is your must have beauty product?
Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment. I’m not a big make-up wearer, but this is lovely and natural and tastes delicious! Think couture Chapstick!
What advice would you give yourself ten years ago? Any words of wisdom?
Ten years ago my kids were small and I was finding it hard to write. The advice I would give now would be to linger in the moments of my children’s childhood – the ones I rushed by. They are little people for such a short period of time. Creatively, I would have turned down the volume on my inner critic and been more playful and less precious with my approach.
March 27, 2013
