Author Interview: Anna McPartlin

Today's special guest on the blog is Irish author Anna McPartlin.  Having read all 4 of Anna's previous books I'm eagerly looking forward to reading her 5th novel, The Space Between Us, which is due to be published on 30th August so I'm delighted that she agreed to answer my  questionnaire. 

Can you tell us a little bit about The Space Between Us? 

It's about two old friends who reconnect after a 20 year feud when one nurses the other after a major accident.  It's also a story about bad choices, regret, strength and redemption.  Like my other work, there is sadness but I hope you'll never be too far away from a smile.

 

How long did it take you to get your first book published?

Approximately 10 years.  I started out as an actor then moved into stand up comedy but I only lasted as a performer for a very short time and never really worked at it.  When I made the decision to write everything changed for me and that work ethic kicked in.  I got a day job as a claims handler and in the evenings I'd write my novel and TV scripts and received rejection after rejection before that first publishing deal but 6 years on if I didn't have it I'd still be coming home from work and writing my stories.

Do you have a set daily writing routine?

I do tend to write in the mornings but if I'm on a roll I could keep going well into the night and if not I'll stop and take the afternoon off.  Sometimes if it's really going well I'll do nothing but write, eat and sleep for up to a week at a time before taking some time off to meet friends, potter and catch up on all the things I avoided whilst locked in my room working.  My poor husband is a deeply patient man.

Have any of your characters in your books been based on people you know?  If so, did they recognise themselves?

Inspired by would probably be a more accurate term and because of that I've never had any friend or family member come up to me and say 'I know that's me and I will have you killed.' 
 
How hard is it to keep coming up with fresh ideas for new books?
So far not hard at all so long may that continue.  Fingers crossed, touch wood and all that business.

If you could write another style of genre, what would it be and why?

I wrote a one off TV Drama 'School Run' a few years ago for TV3 in Ireland and TV writing is something that I'm spending more time on now.  It's totally different discipline and books will always be my first love but I really enjoy it.  The sci-fi nerd in me is bursting to do an adventure fantasy book and I've one teen series idea that's been knocking around my head for years.  I write the stories that appeal to me I could never write another 'shades of grey' book despite my agent's appeals.  I'd be rubbish at it.  Every time it got sexy I'd find it impossible not to find the joke.

After writing 5 successful novels, how do you manage to keep yourself motivated?
I love it.  I couldn't imagine my life if I had to give it up, it would be unbearable.  

Have you got a favourite out of all the books you've written, if so, which one and why?
I'm sorry I'm going to be boring and say no.  I love each book for different reasons.  My books and my animals are my children.  I couldn't possibly choose one or the other.  Sad but true.  

Do you have much spare time to read books? If so, what was the last book you read or what are you currently reading?

I rarely read when I'm in the middle of a novel because I tend to work so intensely but recently I read Derek Landy's 'Skulduggery Pleasant' and loved it.  It's very funny.  Stephanie is a great gutsy heroine and the character of Skulduggery leaps off the page. 

If you could have any of your books made into a film, which one would you choose and why?  Who would you cast in the leading roles?

'No Way To Say Goodbye,' because it takes place in a beautiful town called Kenmarein Kerry.  lt's an awkward dark love story between a Kerry woman and a New Yorker.  Ideally I would like the Irish character to be played by an Irish actress to avoid that awful Oirish accent.  So someone like Kerry Condon for 'Mary' and Ryan Gosling for 'Sam' because he's more than capable of balancing the humour and deep darkness in that character and the story.

The Space Between Us by Anna McPartlin is out now priced £7.99 and for a limited time only The Truth Will Out is part of an exclusive special offer on Kobo store: click here to order your copy.