The Next Big Thing

Helen Sedgwick kindly tagged me to take part in The Next Big Thing, which appears to work like a champagne fountain of information about the latest book each taggee has written. Answering the questions has been a most pleasant exercise; good practice in knowing what to say in interviews!

Q: What is the working title of your next book?

A: OUT LATE WITH FRIENDS AND REGRETS

Q: Where did the idea for the book come from?

A: It surprised me to read that numerous people discover their true sexual orientation late, often as late as in their thirties. I thought that if I combined this with the problems of social isolation and a personality suppressed and undermined by an abuser, my protagonist would have an interesting road to travel.

Q: What genre does your book fall under?

A: General (women’s) fiction. Probably.

Q: What actors would you choose to play the part of the characters in your book?

A: Ever since seeing her in the brilliantly surreal ‘Green Wing’, I’ve earmarked Tamsin Greig to play Fin; she has the gawky watchfulness required, underpinned by an inner strength, humour and intelligence waiting for opportunity to awake them. Ellie should be played by Josette Simon, whom I saw in my head as I wrote the character – gorgeous voice, too. I’ve just noticed that she’s in fact a bit older than Ellie, but could easily pass for forty-minus.

Q: What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

A: Fiona survives an abusive marriage only to discover that she’s gay; and despite being hopelessly ill-equipped to cope is determined to embrace her new identity and rebuild her battered confidence.

Q: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

A: I’m trying small indie publishers first.

Q: How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

A: Sections and scenes randomly over about four years; another 6 months once I decided to write to a target wpw.

Q: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

A: I honestly don’t know.

Q: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

A: The conviction that there are few things more precious than a second chance.

Q: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

A: Readings from it have been extremely well received by surprisingly mixed audiences; there’s a lot of curiosity out there! The book dispels a few myths and signposts some bridges; but mainly it seeks to entertain and to engage the reader’s sympathy with the main character’s struggles.