Sara Crowe
Campari For Breakfast is a quest for the truth. It is as much about a family story that was never told and is it about the one that was. It's about the impact of that hidden story on the life of a young girl growing up forty years later.
This is your debut novel. Was novel writing anything like you imagined?
It was better than I imagined. I thought I'd have to force myself to go and sit at my desk, but in the event I couldn't wait to get back to it every morning. I think when you are totally absorbed in something you get lost in it. However, it was harder to finish it than I thought it would be, starting was much easier!
Please tell us about Four Weddings and a Funeral.
It was a lot of fun to be part of such a classic and a bit like going to a wedding all summer. I actually loved my meringue dress (don't tell anyone) off set with giant smartie ring. I will always remember Timothy Walker's 'I can't dance' dancing at the first wedding, the hectic un-rhythmic leap! The brilliant rendition of Can't Smile Without You at the end of the service, Sophie Thompson's bridesmaid's hairband which found its way round her eyebrows by the end of the night, and of course Hugh Grant's iconic foot-in- the- mouth best man speech. The whole film is definitely one to treasure.
You have appeared in many West End shows, so when did writing come into the mix for you?
It's something I've always dabbled with. I kept diaries as a child, somewhat revealing records of day to day private thoughts and feelings, but as I grew up I became so worried that someone would find them and read them that I got rid of them all! They weren't terribly well hidden..under the jumpers..second shelf down... no one would ever think of looking there... But I think it started a habit of putting things down on paper. I've always been interested in story-telling and the world of character and fiction. Writing cabaret and comedy sketches and working in the theatre has been a good grounding for writing prose. The structure of plays is a helpful blueprint. I've started many things over the years which I haven't yet finished, but telling myself I don't have enough time was no longer acceptable. I think I realised I had to prioritise writing otherwise I was never going to do it.
The book has been compared to Love, Nina and I Capture the Castle, how does this make you feel?
It's a huge compliment, it feels surreal. Writing Campari For Breakfast was a joyous experience, I feel grateful, happy, overwhelmed. (it's an Oscar speech!)
Please tell us about the character of Sue Bowl.
Sue Bowl is an innocent in a world of disappointments. She is full of longing, for love, for life. Her passion in life is writing and she is oblivious to her little errors. Bad things have happened to Sue, but she triumphs ultimately with the help of a big imagination and big dreams.
What made you want to write from a teenager's perspective?
I think it can be a beautiful, vital time of life, but also a painful one. A great deal is still ahead of you and you are full of hope. But perhaps you haven't quite worked out who you are and what you want to do yet. It's one of those transient times, where you're not quite a child but not you're quite grown up either. It's all still to be played for and the other people in your life at that time can play a significant part in what happens next.
What's next for you?
I'm working on a continuation of the story, following on from where Campari For Breakfast ends. Sue Bowl is still only 18 at the moment...
Campari for Breakfast by Sara Crowe is published by Doubleday, 10th April 2014, £14.99