ONE
THE RABBIT GIRLS is my first novel. There is a chapter in the back of the book that was my first attempt at writing a story – it remains in almost its original form – and the novel worked around it. I learnt how to be a writer because, fundamentally, I wanted to tell a story that gave a voice to those that had none.
The Rabbit Girls
TWO
I have written my second novel THE PUZZLE WOMEN on a Creative Writing MA at Bath Spa University. I felt that as a nurse I hadn’t had any education in writing novels and wanted to learn more about the process, the pitfalls and how to make myself a better writer. After the MA I have a plethora of incredible friends and mentors and a second novel to boot.
THREE
Read often, read widely and read well – it’s the best advice I’ve been given. You learn so much about writing from reading.
FOUR
4 AM is when I get up to draft and edit my novels. I can caveat this sentence with I am not a morning person. In fact, I am very grumpy at 4am. Thankfully only the page and I know this. When you are a single working Mum time is eaten up day-to-day so to buy some time I compromise on my sleep. Sadly, I write at a snail’s pace – perhaps if I learn to write faster (and better) I could lie in … until, maybe, 4.30am!
FIVE
For 5 years I have been training in Krav Maga which is an Israeli self-defence system. It has given me so much: I have become fit, healthy, happy, strong, confident, aware …. The list is endless. It has also given me a tight-knit family of inspiring people, friends I wouldn’t be without and laughter even in the most difficult of times.
SIX
Novels that made me the writer I am: Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall has been monumental to me, both because of its subject matter, but also its construction of telling a story through the form of both a letter and a diary.
Toni Morrison’s Beloved showed me what fiction could do.
Marlon James’ The Book of Night Women made me braver, as a writer, to confront the horror experienced by individuals within my own writing.
I read Stephen King’s books at too young an age, but I loved them. The Stand remains my favourite.
Martina Cole’s The Jump epitomises strong women in adversity.
Finally, Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is probably my favourite book.
SEVEN
It took 7 drafts of THE RABBIT GIRLS before it sold to Lake Union. More than once in this process I never thought I would achieve what was needed. But, I believed in this story, in the strength of forgotten women and, ultimately, I never, ever, gave up.
The Rabbit Girls, narrated by Gemma Arterton and Simon Callow, is available exclusively from Audible, £18.99, free with a 30-day Audible trial and for Audible members. It is available in hardback and paperback in bookshops.