Answer: I read a book by Norma Curtis way back when (long before Bridget Jones!) and, it was the first book I’d read that was addressing issues that affected me. It was based in a setting that I could relate to. It blew me away, and I knew instantly that was what I wanted to write. I love writing chicklit because my books deal with real life situations and the problems that contemporary women face day in, day out.
2. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
Answer: Like most writers I read heaps and very eclectic taste – from Stephen King to Philippa Gregory and anything in between. I also do yoga and aerobics – trying to stave off writers’ bottom. My partner, Lovely Kev, and I adore travelling and in recent years have been to Nepal, China, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Italy, Cuba and the Arctic Circle – all of it great research material. I love my garden and am currently undertaking a big remodelling project to turn it from an English cottage garden (very high maintenance!) to a contemporary oasis. We also like to hike, cycle and chill out with a good glass of wine.
3. Out of all of the books you have written, which was the most fun to write and why?
Answer: I have to say my current novel The Chocolate Lovers’ Club (out in the USA in Spring 08). I spent a year researching my favourite foodstuff! What’s not to love? I’ve gone from having a mild passion for chocolate to being a total addict. I know anything you need to know about chocolate. That’s been a lot of fun – so much so that I can’t give it up. There’s going to be a sequel coming out too – The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet.
4. Are there any naughty episodes in your novels that mirror real life?
Answer: Researching a sex scene in a tent in Nepal for my novel With or Without You was quite interesting… : )
5. What is your favorite time of the day: morning, afternoon, or night?
Answer: I’m so not a morning person! I get into my office at about 10.00am – one of the few joys of being self-employed! I suppose I’m a bit of a night bird and will often start watching a movie at midnight…
6. If you could cast yourself as a character in one of your novels, who would it be?
Answer: I think I’d have to be Lucy Lombard in The Chocolate Lovers’ Club – she’s such a nice person and tries to do her best for everyone. Plus she gets to eat lots of chocolate.
7. What did you do to celebrate the publishing of your first novel?
Answer: I think I was so shocked when Let’s Meet on Platform 8 came out that it didn’t occur to me to celebrate. That’s kind of been the pattern since. I know writers who buy themselves a piece of jewellery to mark every book or throw a great party - but I do nothing! I think it’s something that I must address…
8. Is there anything you’d like to share with your readers?
Answer: It’s the readers that keep me going – so a big thank you to one and all! It terrifies me when I see the number of books out there and am so thrilled that people go and choose mine above all the others. That’s a big kick! I love to hear from my readers and, thankfully, have lots of emails everyday telling me how great my books are – you can’t really beat that.
Carole's chick lit novels:
Welcome To The Real World
Let's Meet On Platform 8
For Better, for Worse
Bare Necessity
More To Life Than This
With Or Without You
A Minor Indiscretion
A Compromising Position
The Scent of Scandal
The Sweetest Taboo
You Drive Me Crazy
Carole's website:
www.carolematthews.com