Author Interview

Comedian and writer Jenny Eclair talks about her latest novel to Hannah Stephenson

She’s been a grumpy old woman, dragged herself through the menopause and smashed a succession of sell-out stand-up tours – and now writing is dominating her life, at least for the time being.

The first solo woman to win a prestigious Perrier Comedy Award (now known as the Edinburgh Comedy Awards) more than 20 years ago, Jenny has just written her sixth novel, Inheritance. It’s a family saga set in and around a Cornish mansion and follows the fortunes – and misfortunes – of the characters who’ve passed through its doors.

It begins with the death of a child by drowning, and how that tragedy reverberates through generations, as the timeline flits from the 1950s to present day.

“It’s a proper family saga,” Jenny enthuses. “They’ve always been very dear to my heart.”

Her latest novel took longer to come to fruition than she’d planned because of her sell-out Grumpy Old Woman tour, which finished last summer.

“The only way I can write a book is to clear at least nine months. You can’t be touring and writing a book. I don’t work well out of my own house.”

For the last 37 years, she has shared her life with Geof Powell, a designer, with whom she has a daughter, Phoebe. But it wasn’t until two years ago that they tied the knot.

“It was all to do with my financial adviser’s advice. It’s really selfish not to do it and it really affects your wills. When I was told exactly what the ramifications were of not getting married, it really shocked me,” she admits. “A lot of unmarried couples are living together in ignorant bliss. You should scuttle down to your local register office and just do it.” What’s the secret of their happy 37 years together? “Probably me going away a lot. We just do get on. I’m still really pleased to see him.”

Jenny’s currently in between tours, having completed a three-year stand-up tour of How To Be A Middle Aged Woman (Without Going Insane), followed by the Grumpy Old Women tour. She’s also signed up for a further two books.

“Now I’m at a bit of a crossroads. There are two more books to do, but I’m very much feeling the call of the stage,” she says.

“I really like being funny. It’s the least adult thing in my life. I need to gig. I do miss the high spots of touring and the actual shows. I don’t miss the slog, the travel and being away from home and I hate hotel breakfasts with a passion now.

“Signing up for novels and writing them are two completely different things,” Jenny says with a chuckle. “I’m not thinking about it at the moment because I can’t write books like that. I’m not a conveyor belt.

“It’ll have to wait until I want to sit down for a very long time again. I’m not thinking of starting another one until next year, and only if a really good idea happens.”

Women’s comedy has come a long way since she started her stand-up career in the late-eighties, she reflects.

“Women are ploughing very new furrows and are no longer trying to beat men at their own game. It’s in a wonderful place.”

Inheritance by Jenny Eclair is published by Sphere, £14.99.