It’s my great pleasure to welcome fellow Bloodhound author, Alison Irving to my blog today. Love the title of her new book and really excited to hear more about it. I’ve already added this to my kindle!
Many thanks to Jo for inviting me onto her blog to talk about my new book Her Best Friend’s Husband, which was published by Bloodhound Books on August 6th.
When I wrote my first book, Casual Cruelties, I was working as a physio in a local hospice. I was 53 and always had secret aspirations to write a novel. After speaking at length to a patient who was with us for end of life care, I realised there was no time like the present to give it a go.
It took about five months to write Laura’s story, about a menopausal woman in an unravelling marriage. I sent it to my sister for an honest opinion, knowing no one would be as truthful as a sibling. She liked it and I naively submitted it to half a dozen publishers for consideration. It was rejected by two and I was offered a contract by Bloodhound.
Writing Claire’s story, which became Her Best Friend’s Husband, was a totally different experience. Whereas with Casual Cruelties I had no expectations or pressure, writing another book was fraught with stress. I second guessed myself constantly, worried it would never be as good as the first, hated the first draft, disliked the second, was moderately pleased with the third. By the time my brilliant editor Clare Law had worked her magic, I was finally happy with the finished story.
It turns out there’s a name for it. ‘The second novel syndrome’ or ‘the difficult second book.’
Apparently it’s not unusual for writers to struggle with it, which is in itself a relief to know. A quick google reassured me I was not alone and many published authors find themselves in the same boat I did.
The complexity of the Claire’s story also played a part. Whereas Laura was a sympathetic character who is trying to find the courage to leave a toxic relationship, Claire is up to no good with her friend’s husband. The reasons are complicated and rooted in her teenage years, but on the whole, she is a good person doing a not-so-good thing. I wanted the reader to empathise with her, but not necessarily agree with her actions. During the course of the book I explored how bullying when young can impact someone as an adult, and lead to decisions which may not be completely rational.
In my books I like to uncover what happens behind closed doors and how the image someone presents to the world is rarely the whole picture. With Casual Cruelties, I explored what unfolded behind the physical doors of Laura’s home, where James was a tyrant. In Her Best Friend’s Husband, I delved into what was going on behind the doors of Claire’s mind.
Finally, I enjoy writing about the freedom menopause offers. For too long it’s been considered a taboo subject, but now it’s openly discussed – the good and no so good bits – and midlife women are being viewed in a different light. It’s a time of life to be embraced, not dreaded and as half the worlds’ population will experience it, maybe it’s time for more middle-aged protagonists.
About the Book:
On paper, Claire has it all. A long and happy marriage, two lovely daughters and a big house in the country. But she’s hiding a secret…
Struggling with issues from her school days, Claire’s life begins to unravel as she seeks comfort in the arms of her best friend’s husband.
When she learns of a school reunion, she sees her opportunity to put things right.
But even the best-laid plans can go awry and not everyone is willing to forgive and forget…
About the Author:
I was born in Northern Ireland and studied physiotherapy at the University of Ulster, where I met my husband in first year. The next fifteen years were spent in England, then Scotland following his job. Eventually we moved home to a small village outside Belfast, where we live with our children and a very spoiled cat Hamish. I worked as a physio in a local hospice until I took early retirement this September, and love to explore the fantastic Northern Irish coastline, which features in my books.
Instagram –
https://www.instagram.com/alison.irving.writer/
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