Judith Thomas
"All in the Head & other tales with a twist " is a collection of eighteen short stories, each with a provocative, unusual twist. They are located in a variety of countries from the odd and exotic to the more familiar. Some of the characters include a woman executive with a hidden obsession, a soldier with a deep and terrifying past, a widower dealing with grief, an academic wrestling with morality, a teenager pushing the boundaries and a couple enjoying the trip of a lifetime. The tales range from the funny to the poignant. As in life, things turn out far differently from what we expect.
You have lived in seven different countries so where is your favourite place to be?
That is a difficult one to answer. I have embraced each place at the time I was living there. If I am pushed, I think my favourite place to be is La Rochelle, in the west of France. Many fond memories of holidays there as a teenager and adult and one of the stories, "Feeding the Ducks" is located there.
Why will the book resonate with everyone in some way?
The tales echo with our experience because we have all met characters like the ones depicted, or at least some aspects of their personality. We all have some inner secret. We will all have had some experience of loneliness, however fleeting. We all have an idea of the perfect dream holiday, which may or may not, live up to expectation....and so on.
What made you want to combine fact and fiction?
I often find myself imagining what well known personalities of the distant past were like - not only in their own time but if I were to bump into them now, in the routine of my daily life. Would I like them? Would I want to have coffee with them? Also, was there anything I might be able to pass on to them from my experience? I have for a long time been fascinated by the French revolution and its participants as much as strong women of the twentieth century. Add a character from sixteenth century Japan, plus a very typical teenager of today and you have stories all over the place! From there, the imagination took over, and the book resulted.
Which has been the most memorable culture you have experienced?
That is an easy one. Without doubt, Japan. I lived and worked there twice. It fascinated and delighted me both times. Where else could you have train staff bow in apology if a train is late!
Please tell us about collecting the short stories for the book.
I wrote only about places, either where I had lived or visited. They had made an impact on me in some way. Many of the situations in some form or other have been part of my experience. In my life, I have had the privilege to meet people who have left an indelible mark. The characters I depict become a marvellous composite as well as being some aspects of me - like Linda, in one of the stories - she is afraid of heights.
What is next for you?
Two things. I have loved writing and giving seminars for women on all aspects of life's transitions. There are many transitions and confronting situations in my book "All in the Head." I would like to use some of the material in such a seminar. Secondly, I have an idea for a "What If?" book. One of the characters from history about whom I have written would make a totally different decision from that which they did in actuality. It will be fact and fiction combined again - wouldn't we all like that opportunity to make a different choice at some time or other? Watch this space!