Did you always want to be a writer?
Yes, pretty much – once I got onto a horse for the first time and was cured of my show-jumping ambitions. I sort of always felt I was going to be a writer. I was one of those people who was always talking about the book I was going to write – probably sounding quite deluded and driving everyone around me nuts. But I believed it would happen 'one day'. Finally, I realised that 'one day' was never going to come unless I got on with it. So I started writing a book and kept writing it until I got to the end.
When did you start writing?
I've been writing almost for as long as I can remember – short stories, dreadful poetry, the beginnings of novels that never got finished. I had my first writing success at 20, when I had a short story published in the Sunday Independent. I was brought to the newspaper's offices to have my photo taken and have a chat with the editor about my writing. It was thrilling to be taken seriously as a writer by someone like that.
What writers have influenced you?
It's hard to talk about influences because I've written in very different styles and genres over the years, from literary short stories to attempts at Mills & Boon romance. Once I turned to writing romantic comedy, I felt I'd really found my voice, and Jilly Cooper was probably the biggest influence on me in terms of the way I write now. She was the kind of writer I wanted to be – either her or Joan Wilder from Romancing the Stone. They both made the life of an author seem really fun and exciting. I now know it's mostly eating biscuits and playing spider solitaire, but I won't hold that against them.
Do you have a writing routine?
I'm not a very disciplined person. I still work full-time, so have to fit writing in around that. I'm a bit of a night owl, so I tend to stay up late writing rather than getting up early in the morning.
Do you plan your books or fly by the seat of your pants?
I'm definitely a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants person – in life as well as in writing. I like to go with the flow and see where it takes me – and I love when I'm surprised by where I end up.
Did it take you long to write your first book?
It took an embarrassingly long time. With your first book there's no deadline pressure and you don't know if it will ever be published, so it can be hard to stay motivated. My sisters read The Disengagement Ring as it was written, and having them nagging me for the next bit was probably all that kept me going.
How did you get your book deal?
I was submitting The Disengagement Ring to agents and starting a nice little collection of rejections when I joined an online writing group, where I met the lovely Claire Allan. She showed my synopsis to her agent, Ger Nichol, who then asked to see the whole manuscript. It landed on Ger's desk on a Friday and she e-mailed me the next day when she was halfway through, saying she wanted to represent me. She called again on Sunday when she'd finished it to tell me how much she loved it. A lot of champagne was drunk that weekend! That was in October, and just before Christmas I got a two-book deal with Hodder Headline Ireland. That was the best Christmas present ever!
What's the best thing about getting published?
It's a dream come true for me and it didn't disappoint. Seeing my books in the shops is just as thrilling as I expected it to be – I still can't quite believe it. But one of the best things about being published is getting feedback from readers. Nothing quite beats the thrill of someone telling me they enjoyed my book – it puts a huge sloppy grin on my face every time.
What advice would you give to writers?
I'd strongly advise writers to join online writing groups and forums. Writing can be such an isolated activity, but the internet has changed all that. There's a whole community of writers out there in the ether that you can hook up with, and it can really transform your writing life. It's a fantastic source of support and encouragement, as well as practical advice and information.
A couple of years ago I joined an online writing group and it was like discovering another world. It changed everything for me, which is why I'm so evangelical about it. I met the most fantastic, supportive, funny, talented, generous bunch of people, and made some amazing friends. I couldn't imagine going on this journey without them. It certainly wouldn't be half as much fun.
Links to interviews and articles about me
Interview on Nik Perring's blog.
My Writing Room on Novelicious.
Interview on Chicklit Club.
