To celebrate the release of her new book- The Favourite- author S V Berlin tells us a bit about the author behind the books.
S V Berlin by Linda McQueen
I moved to New York because I saw it in a movie
I didn’t know anyone in Manhattan except a friend-of-a-friend who said I could sleep on their floor for one week, and no longer. To save up I cocktail waitressed – then I sold most of my stuff at a car boot sale, packed a small bag, rolled up my duvet, and got on a one-way flight to NYC. It was love at first sight.
I started out as a blogger
As a child I wrote gory, unfortunate parodies of Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit, but I really got going in 2005 when I started a blog focussed on social commentary. This was excellent practice for writing regularly and getting my words up there, come what may.
I trained as an actor
What skills I learned came in very useful when creating The Favourite’s small cast of characters, whether estranged siblings Edward and Isobel, or Julie’s tart, mouthy sister Lorraine. How they speak, the words they use, their ‘motivation’ (as they say in Hollywood), their tiniest gestures – all were key elements in bringing my characters to life.
Once, on a dare, I swallowed a small pebble
With no ill-effects, so far as I know.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my fave TV shows
Not only for its snappy dialogue and strong female lead, but for an episode titled ‘The Body’, which was a brilliant portrayal of the surreal, first hours after an unexpected death.
My pet hate is pseudo-scientific self-help trends
Can you ‘manifest’ all your desires through magical thinking? In my novel, a cultish self-help book called Pathways to Possible is definitely played for laughs, but has a crucial role in the plot…
I’m a (somewhat) dedicated follower of fashion
I’m not slavish and I don’t own a ton of clothes, but I keep an eye on excellent fashion writers such as Jo Ellison in the FT and blogger Garance Dore. Sartorial imagination makes life more interesting and keeps your friends entertained.
I camped with wolves
After dog-sledding across northern Minnesota for nine days, our brigade split up and we each camped solo and tent-less for 24 hours. We were equipped with only basic supplies, including eight waterproof matches. I think writers relish their time alone, and this was one of my best experiences, wolves and all.
My book has a few things to say about women and class
Working class Julie is utterly devoted to middle class Edward – but does he love her? Perhaps. However, without meaning to, he continually disregards and underestimates her, and this has consequences.
I love sending and receiving postcards
It’s a massive treat to get anything in the post that isn’t a bill! With a postcard you can say so much with so little and, unlike with social media, you know that a bit of thought and effort went into sending it.
The Favourite’ by SV Berlin (published by Myriad, £8.99)
By SV Berlin
@svberlinwriter