Lola's Secret
What can our readers expect from your current novel Lola's Secret?
It’s the story of Lola Quinlan, an 84-year-old Irishwoman and her plotting and planning one hot Christmas in South Australia. She sends her family away from their family-run motel and invites a series of mystery guests to come and stay instead. What she doesn’t realize is her secret plans will set all sorts of other unexpected events in train. It’s a story about family ties and tensions, sibling rivalry, love new and old - and what goes on behind the scenes in a country charity shop.
Where did your inspiration come from for the novel?
Lola Quinlan starred in an earlier novel of mine (The Alphabet Sisters) and I’ve always wanted to feature her again - she’s wise, funny, flamboyant and great fun to write. In late 2010, I found myself unexpectedly in the Clare Valley, the setting for The Alphabet Sisters. It was the run-up to Christmas, and I started thinking about the different emotions people have about Christmas - dread, excitement, sorrow. I also started thinking about Lola and what she might do to give the people in her life a Christmas to remember. The two ideas came together, and six months later the book was finished. It’s the fastest I’ve ever written one of my novels.
Why did you decide to set the novel in Clare Valley in Australia?
I grew up in the Clare Valley, a beautiful, winegrowing area of small towns and villages, rolling hills, vineyards and old stone buildings. I love setting my books there - this is the fourth of my books to take place in the Valley. I also love setting stories in country towns, and exploring the politics and dynamics of a close community.
You have received comments such as; 'Lola's Secret encourages us all to see the potential in chance meetings. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of wit, wisdom and wondering, what if?' U Magazine, Ireland 'Some novels are simply very special. This is one of those ...' Hello!magazine.com, so how does this make you feel when your hear glowing reviews like these?
Happiness and relief! I put my heart and soul into my books and it is so lovely to hear that the story has struck chords with people.
The story centres around Lola and her family life, is this something that is important to you?
Very much. All of my novels are family comedy-dramas - I’m fascinated by family life, all the layers, ties, tensions, the secrets, the good times but also the sad times every family faces. For a novelist, the subject matter is limitless. I grew up in a family of nine, with many cousins, aunts and uncles too, so I have first-hand experience of the drama and fun of family life. I try to make my novels as entertaining and action-packed and also as realistic as I can.
Which authors have influenced your writing most over the years?
Every author I’ve read has influenced me, I’m sure of it. I’m a big reader, 2 or 3 books a week and I learnt to write by reading, discovering what kind of plots kept me enthralled, which sorts of characters I cared about, which kind of endings satisfied me or disappointed me. I know I’m a writer because I’m a reader.
Who are your favourite reads?
My childhood favourites were The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit andLittle Women by Louisa M Alcott. As an adult, I’ve loved the stories of Charlotte Bronte, Adriana Trigiani, John le Carre, JK Rowling, Roddy Doyle, Garrison Keillor, Clare Chambers, Laurie Graham, Anne Tyler, Jane Austen, Ian Fleming, Philip Pullman, Tana French…
What are your future plans for your fiction?
I’m just finished my tenth novel The House of Memories which will be published in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in October this year and other countries next year. I’m a third of the way through a children’s adventure story. I’m trying to decide between two ideas for my next novel and I also have early notes for a TV series I’d like to write…
What is your best advice for writers who want to write about family?
Tell the truth. Write what you know and see around you. Disguise the characters, but use real emotions - love, loyalty, rivalry, heartache - and you will strike chords with readers everywhere.
Female First Lucy Walton