1. Trisha, tell us a little about your journey to becoming an
author.
I think most authors start out as children, writing stories,
poetry, plays – but then there comes a moment when you read a novel and think:
‘I could do better than that!’ And you
do, though of course getting published was just a dream for a very long
time!
My big breakthrough
was being taken on by my wonderful agent, Judith Murdoch, because she showed me
how making small changes to the sort of books I was writing (which were satire)
would enable them to fit into the romantic comedy genre.
Now, many years down
the line (and I can tell you it was frequently a very bumpy journey!) and
sixteen or so published novels later, I've had five consecutive Sunday Times
top ten bestsellers, so I feel very blessed.
2. What are you doing when you’re not writing?
Walking the dog, baking, pottering in the garden and oil
painting.
3. What do you find most challenging about writing?
I write about topics that interest me and which appear to strike
a chord with readers and this isn't always easy. I’m often surprised at reviews that describe
my books as ‘a light frothy read’ because all of them contain the darker
strands that can affect women’s lives, such as miscarriage, divorce, breast
cancer and infertility… For example, at
the start of The Twelve Days of Christmas, the heroine is struggling to come to
terms with feelings of grief and anger about her husband’s accidental death,
while my latest one, Wish Upon a Star, is all about a very ill small
child. But ultimately, I want my readers
to finish my novels feeling happy and warmed right through, so that’s a
challenge.
4.Is there any book you think ‘I wish I wrote that’.
No.
5. Many of your novels are set in the village of Sticklepond. Is
this based on a real place?
Six of my novels are set in West Lancashire, though only four of
them in Sticklepond, which is an entirely made-up village. In fact, I've created a whole new borough stretching from the sea above Southport to the
beacon hills to the east.
I didn't set out to
write a series, so the novels all stand alone, but by now there are quite a lot
of overlapping references to characters, places and events, so people often
want to read them in order. Lancashire is
easy to write about, of course, because I know the people, the old legends and
traditions, so there’s a lot to instantly spark the imagination.
6. You like to write
festive novels. Is Christmas a special
time of year for you?
I do seem to include a
Christmas scene even in those of my novels that are not specifically set around
that time! My own Christmas is always
quiet and laid back because we've forged our own way of doing things over the
years, a mix of old and new traditions.
For instance, we have roast duck on Christmas Day, because we like it
better than turkey, and usually profiteroles for dessert, saving the Christmas
pudding for Boxing Day. We watch lots
of Christmas films, play board games, take the dog for walks and generally
chill out.
7. How would you feel about selling the film rights to one of
your books?
Deliriously happy! I
often amuse myself by casting characters in the various roles – and what a wide
cast of interesting female ones there would be! I think there is always room for a new
feel-good Rom-com, so fingers crossed that one day…
8. Your latest book, Wish Upon a Star, was released last
week. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Cally is a single mum with a life that revolves around her
little girl, Stella, who was born with serious health problems. When Stella’s
condition suddenly worsens, she sells up her London flat and they move to the
village of Sticklepond in West Lancashire to live with her mother, while Cally
tries to raise enough money to take Stella to America for a potentially
life-saving operation.
Cally only realises
quite how tough shouldering everything alone has been when all the villagers -
and especially laid-back and charming baker Jago - rally round to help. All Cally wants for Christmas is a miracle to
save Stella and the story is very much about following your star wherever it
may lead and however tough the going might be, with hope in your heart.
9. Will we continue to
read more about the residents of Sticklepond?
Yes, but not for a couple of books, because I like to leave them
to get on with their lives in peace for a while.
10. What’s next for Trisha?
I’m currently
writing the next book – I always seem to be writing Christmas books in summer,
and summer books in winter - and next spring Avon Harper Collins will be
producing a new edition of one of my long-out-of-print novels, Every Woman for
Herself. It’s set in Yorkshire, where
the Rhymer family, Emily, Charlotte, Anne and Branwell (the result of a
misguided and failed attempt by their father to recreate the Bronte family)
slowly return home, one by one, to the haven of Upvale – only to find that
things are about to change forever.
Every Woman for
Herself was voted by readers one of the three best romantic novels of the last
fifty years, which was a truly wonderful moment, and I’m constantly being asked
where a copy can be found, so I’m delighted it will soon be easily available
again.
And could I just finish by saying that I have the most lovely,
loyal and supportive group of readers any author could wish for, which is why
the dedication at the front of Wish Upon a Star is just for them – truly my
stars to steer by.
