Lynda La Plante
Writer LYNDA LA PLANTE, 75, who has just released her new novel Widows’ Revenge, talks about success, failure and the joy of having a teenage son
Creating and writing the series Widows for Thames TV in 1983 changed my life. I studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic
Art (RADA) and worked as an actress for many years for the RSC and on television. I got tired of playing the same roles so I decided it was time to shake things up and started scriptwriting. When Widows came out, it was a smash hit and was seen as groundbreaking at the time as it had four women as the main leads; the wives of dead armed robbers teaming up to finish the job. My latest book, Widows’ Revenge, picks up with the girls again. They are characters I truly love, and have always loved. It’s wonderful the books have been so successful worldwide. When I am described as The Queen of Crime, it really thrills me.
■ Family is everything
Adopting my son Lorcan when I was 57 was the best thing I’ve ever done. He’s a teenager now and a very special boy, and I adore him. He is my top priority. He never ceases to surprise me and it’s terrific to have that young energy around the house when all his friends come over. I did try to have children for many years but I had several miscarriages, and my then-husband didn’t want me to adopt. When the divorce came through, it was finally my time. I had Lorcan when he was newborn and bonded with him immediately.
■ Take care of yourself
It was all about the glamour when I was growing up in Liverpool. My mother always looked immaculate, and she would say, ‘You’re not going out looking like that are you?’ So I feel undressed without my make-up and perfume on. I believe that if you care for yourself, others will care for you too. I am 76 in March and I never think about, or complain, about my age.
Once you have a mindset like that, you are simply ageing yourself. Keeping slim is very important to me too. Every morning I have a brisk walk with my lunatic Cockerpoo Max in Richmond Park near where I live. As long as I’m doing 20 minutes of exercise a day, I feel good. Although I am rather partial to a pink gin and tonic, I am lucky that I don’t like any form of cake!
■ Learn to adapt
I found it very difficult to cope when a cataract operation went wrong in January 2018. My eyesight was so bad after the surgery that for six months I could hardly see. It was terrifying. I have been to several eye specialists since, as I am still bumping into things, and my eyes weep if I am on the computer too long, but I have to be patient and hopefully it will improve.
■ Love will find you
I still believe in love at first sight. I am a romantic and I think it would be wonderful to meet someone. I do not have blinkers on at all, but I am very happy being single too. I am so thankful to be surrounded by fabulous people in my life. Plus I am in charge of the television remote! I am just a freespirited old hippie, as my son points out.
■ What would tell your 18-year-old self?
Now that’s an easy question to answer. That would have to be to never settle for second best.
■ Widows’ Revenge by Lynda La Plante is out now, published by HB & eBook, Zaffre, £14.99
■ Lynda was speaking to Jane Oddy