Carole Matthews
Interview by Helen Edwards
Carole Matthews’ writing career began when she entered a short story into a Writers’ News competition. She has come a long way since then, and is now an international bestselling author of numerous romantic comedy novels ranging from her first novel, ‘Let’s Meet on Platform 8’, to her latest novel, ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’. The paperback version of ‘The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet’ was also released in January, which is the eagerly awaited sequel to ‘The Chocolate Lovers’ Club’.
[Photo by Angus Muir]
Ten Questions with Carole Matthews
1. Have you always wanted to write? How did you get started?
No, I never had ambitions to be a writer, but I was always an avid reader. My big break came about when I entered a Writers’ News short story competition – for reasons that are lost in the mists of time - and won first prize. I did a very sensible thing and spent the money on a writing course instead of shoes and handbags. The tutor there thought my novel had potential and recommended an agent – he took me on straight away. A week later he’d sold my novel.
2. How long did it take you to get your first novel published? How did you celebrate?
From selling the manuscript to the book coming out took about 18 months, which just seemed the most extraordinary length of time to wait. I celebrated by going round bookshops and tidying up the books on the shelves.
3. Where do you get all your ideas from?
Fortunately, I’ve had a very tangled love life and also several of my friends are a constant source of inspiration. The Daily Mail never fails to throw up plot lines too.
4. You do a lot of research for your books. Do you spend more time on research than you do on the actual writing of the book?
No. The research is all done with smoke and mirrors. I spend a very short time in a location or researching some other aspect of a novel, but I make that time count! Lots of photos, video and copious notes. I think you owe it to your reader to make your book as authentic as possible
5. How long, on average, does it take you to write a book? How much editing do you do?
I do a book every six months with a concentrated period of writing of about three months. I start every day by editing what I’ve written the day before – that gets me into the flow straight away. Then I edit once more when I’ve completely finished the book. If there’s anything else that my editor wants changed then I go through it one more time, but that’s not usually much.
6. Describe a typical day. Is there a particular time when you prefer to write, and do you have a favourite writing place?
I do my readers’ emails and messages on myspace and facebook when I get up. Then we have breakfast and I do the post. We walk for a newspaper every morning and then I aim to get into the office at ten (I’m the worlds’ worst at getting up and need a gentle start to my day). Then I write from ten until one when we stop for lunch. Then I’m back at my desk from two until six. After that I spend half an hour to an hour on my treadmill trying to combat writers’ bottom. If I’m in my ‘promotion’ phase I do two to three talks in the evening every week too.
I’m very lucky as I have my own office. I can’t have a view, I need a brick wall. I did build a garden shed to write in as it seemed like a writerly thing to do, but all I did was fall asleep in it. A brick wall aids production.
7. Out of all the books you’ve written, which one is your favourite? What is your favourite book in general?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. It’s like saying that you prefer one of your kids to the others. Books that just wrote themselves – a rare gift for an author – are: ‘With or Without You’ and ‘Welcome to the Real World’. I’ll always have a soft spot for my first: ‘Let’s Meet on Platform 8’. My current favourites are ‘The Chocolate Lovers’ Club’ and ‘The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet’ – they’ve been a lot of fun to write.
8. What do you have to say to critics of the chick-lit genre?
It’s very easy to knock stuff – in this country it’s a national pastime. People also knock ‘celebrity’ novels too, but I’m in support of anything that gets people reading and into book shops. So long as my readers keep loving and buying my books, I’ll keep writing them.
9. What is your opinion on the ‘show don’t tell’ debate?
It’s the worst mistake of most beginners – spending pages describing stuff that should be more immediate. Having said that I’ve just thoroughly enjoyed reading Kate Morton’s ‘The House at Riverton’, which broke all the rules and is a book that mostly tells – it works just fine!
10. Do you have any advice for aspiring and struggling authors?
Success is down to 10% talent and 90% determination.
Questions posed by Helen Edwards
March 2008