A Chat with Rowan Coleman

Ellie Woods spends her days immersed in the escapist pages of the romantic novels she lovingly edits. But her reality is somewhat less rose-tinted. Once upon a time, Ellie had her 'happily ever after' moment when she married her beloved Nick, but fifteen years later her husband's tragic death leaves her alone with their soon-to-become-a-teenager son, faced with a mountain of debt, and on the verge of losing the family home.

On the brink of bankruptcy, Ellie finally succumbs to her sister's well-meant bullying and decides to rent out some rooms. And all too soon the indomitable Allegra with her love for all things lavender, Sabine on secondment from Berlin and estranged from her two-timing husband, and unreconstructed lads' mag aficionado Matt enter her ordered but fragile existence - each with their own messy life in tow. And Ellie finds herself forced to step out of the pages of the romantic novels she hides behind, and learn to live - and love - again. Maybe a new chapter is about to begin for them all...

Hi Rowan and welcome to High Heels and Book Deals.  Was writing something you always wanted to do?

Yes, I think it was – although I didn’t always know it. When I was a little girl I used to tell my self long intricate stories to help me to get to sleep, a new chapter every night. They used to be about the things I thought I wanted to be (a film star/princess) but when I think about it I was always a story teller.

Are you a plotter-or-a-fly-by-the-seat-of-your-panter?

Yes and no. I do put quite a lot of thought into the plot before I begin, because without a map you can so easily get lost or stuck. But, for me, the best bits about writing are the spontaneous moments of creativity when things take off and take a turn that even I didn’t expect.

How do you manage to switch genres - two in young adults and women’s fiction?

And a little bit of boys fiction now too – with the Rook Hastings books that are meant to appeal to girls and boys. I don’t know really, It’s not a conscious thing. I try and think of my reader always while I’m writing– so maybe that’s how.

You always seem to be writing something. How do you fit it all in?

Honestly, I have no idea. It just always seems to be ok in the end!

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on my new adult novel. It is, I think, my most ambitious book to date in terms of plot, character and subject matter – but I am loving writing it.

My husband isn’t a great lover of books (I know, it’s appalling. I’ve tried to convert him so many times), so he’s never read any of mine. How do your family react to your success?

My mum and mum-in-law-to-be are the two members of my family that always read my books. My mum quite often tells me off for swearing and sex – but she seems to enjoy them too and my mum-in-law-to-be always has positive feedback, so that’s good!

Have you ever had your heart broken?

Well I am rather heartbroken that according to my nine year old daughter, Zac Efron of High School Musical fame isn’t by boyfriend, and doesn’t know who I am and anyway even if he did would think I was FAR TOO OLD for him. This doesn’t stop me from blowing kisses at every poster we see of him and embarrassing her beyond belief.

Your books are always so much more than women’s fiction. Like me, you’re not afraid to cover controversial subjects.

I don’t think I was ever going to write purely light and fluffy fiction – although I love it and have huge respect for writers that can. I have had a life full of either very bright light or very dark shadows, I know from personal experience that bad things happen and when I’m most interested in writing about pretty ordinary people in extraordinary situations it seems wrong to ignore that. I put my characters through a lot, and I don’t always write a neat ending, but I do try and mix all that up with humour and tons of romance. I love romance.

What is the most favourite scene that you have written in all of your novels?

Blimey. There’s a scene in The Accidental Mother when Sophie – unexpected guardian of two bereaved children – is talking to seven year old Bella about how she feels after losing her mother. I think I pulled that off pretty well. And the last chapter of The Happy Home for Broken Hearts. I like that a lot.

What is your favourite book? Or author?

I always say its Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte – it's impossible for me to overstate how important both Charlotte and that book are to me when it comes to being a writer.

And finally, what’s your poison – high heels or flat shoes?

(These shoes warrant a larger picture just for the attention to detail!)

High Heels, darling – naturally.  They are by Irregular Choice and I love them because they are quirky, sexy and a little bit kinky.

Rowan Coleman worked in bookselling and then publishing for seven years during which time she wrote her first novel, Growing Up Twice, published in 2002. She left to write her second novel, After Ever After and now lives in Hertfordshire with her son and daughter. The Happy Home for Broken Hearts is her eighth novel, is out this Thursday, August 19 and available here.  And she has a shiny new website here
 
I also have a copy to giveaway! Thank you Rowan. Leave a 'pick me' comment below to be in with a chance to win.  The competitiion will close at 18.00 on Sunday and I'll draw the winner on Sunday night so don't forget to check back.
 
Good luck with the book launch, Rowan. And the wedding too