Happily Ever After
What can you tell us about your new book Happily Ever After?
It's a memoir (my first non-fiction book), about my pregnancy and the first year of life with my son, Xavier. I was a single mother throughout my pregnancy and then at two months old my son was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome, so it's really about how I 'attacked' parenthood with all this in mind.
When did you first feel like you wanted to be a mother?
I'd always wanted to be a mother but I imagined I would be married and in a conventional set up. However, this wasn't the case. When I split up with my long term partner when I was approaching my mid-30s I thought perhaps I wouldn't be a mother. Then when I was told by a gynaecologist that it was unlikely I would be able to have children down to a problem with my one ovary, I supposed I really thought it wouldn't happen. That's why when I found out that I was pregnant; I thought it was a miracle. Xavier is still my miracle child.
How did you imagine it to be?
I had the perfect picture of motherhood in my head. Despite the fact that I was single and therefore going to be doing it on my own I still saw the perfect future ahead of us. We would be a little unit, and we'd make each other laugh and smile every day. I imagined perfection!
How did you react when you first found out your son would have Down's Syndrome?
I didn't find out until Xavier was two months old so he was already in my life. I fell apart, but I still had to feed, dress and bath him. It was a very dark place where I had no idea how I would cope but I had a little baby who needed me and that was something that I always kept with me. I didn't know at times if I would be able to face the future, but somehow Xavier got me through it and we both came out fighting.
How can this book appeal to readers who are not yet mothers?
That's a really interesting question, because I think that if you're not a parent and you want to be there are many different issues in the book that I think will apply to you. It also contains humour and hopefully observations about life that I think many people will relate with. One reader told me that she doesn't want to have children but she still found the story fascinating so hopefully there is something in there for everyone.
You normally write fiction, so at what point did your realise you had to tell your story?
I think that just after Xavier's first birthday it struck me that I needed to tell my story. We had been through so much and I had thought so more about motherhood than I ever thought I would as a result of Xavier's diagnosis. I discussed it with my agent and we both thought there was an interesting story to tell. When I started it it was a bit of rant, I think I had a lot of anger and other emotions that I needed to write. But then I started again (as no one, not even me would have wanted to read that), and it became the story I wanted and needed to tell.
It was very hard, because usually I hide behind my fiction characters. But I had to bare myself and it wasn't easy but I knew it was the right thing to do.
Please give us a brief insight into your other works.
I've published six fiction books, in the chick lit genre previously. The style of Happily Ever After is consistent, I believe, with my fiction style. Hopefully the books are funny as I think humour is incredibly important.
What was your biggest low in doing this alone?
The diagnosis was the biggest low. I really wished there was someone else who was responsible for the child to help me come to terms with everything. There were times when I really didn't think I could do it alone. But I came through it and I wouldn't change my son for all the world.
What feedback have you had since releasing the book?
Very positive. Everyone has been really kind and said that the honesty shines through. I've also been called brave and we've had some great reviews on Amazon. So far the reaction has been just what I hoped for.
What is next for you?
I'm writing my next fiction book, which I hope to release later this year. And perhaps there will be a follow up to Happily Ever After one day.... Watch this space.