Brought To Book
Karen chats to My Weekly favourite Fanny Blake...
Our Summer Together by Fanny Blake (Orion PB, £7.99) Meet Caro, an artist, mother, grandmother, daughter, friend. Though reeling from the effects of her unexpected divorce, she’s managing to build a new life for herself. Then one day, Caro does something extraordinary, inviting Bosnian workman Damir Davic into her home, first as her lodger, then as her lover. He’s restless and scarred by wartime experiences, and Caro knows the affair can’t last longer than summer, but for now he’s her own delicious secret. A love story with a positive message that mature women can enjoy passion and romance. When I was at school, I wrote a long story about the adventures of a Canadian goose. The exercise book got lost a long time ago, but I remember the excitement of writing both that and the play that I wrote to go with the song, The Lincolnshire Poacher, that we put on in the classroom.
I’ve co-written several autobiographies. One I’m particularly proud of having been involved with is MovingMountains, the memoir of Dame Claire Bertschinger. She is the selfless and courageous international red cross nurse who was posted to Ethiopia where she worked with starving children. Michael Buerk’s interview with her inspired Bob Geldof to put on LiveAid.
I had a significant birthday looming, so set myself the task of writing a novel before I got there. This was something I had long wanted to do and, after writing a number of nonfiction books, at last had the confidence to try. The day of
the birthday my agent called to say a publisher had made an offer for WhatWomen Want. That was a birthday to remember!
I was thrilled to be asked to write RedforRevenge for Quick Reads, a charity for adults who are less confident in their reading skills. I believe everyone should have the chance to enjoy reading.
I’ve written six novels now, and I wish I could say that the process gets easier. However the reward of holding the first finished copy of each one remains just as thrilling every time. n Don’t miss Fanny Blake’s story GettingAwayFromIt All in next week’s issue.