Today I’m joining the blog tour for The Daughter Of Paradiso. My review is written with thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on the tour and to Francesca Scanacapra for answering my questions!

Have you always wanted to write?

Absolutely! The compulsion began in childhood, when I would create illustrated stories and comic strips in exercise books. Through my teens and twenties I dabbled with short stories and started a couple of novels. It took me until the age of forty-two to write my first complete, publishable novel.  I have no intention of stopping.

What were your previous jobs? Have they helped you with your writing process?

My professional life has been very mixed. I began as a translator in English, Italian and French. For a time I was an estate agent in France. I have also owned and run a gym and a property development company in Spain and Senegal. My foray into teaching was cut short when I decided to leave the classroom to work on building sites as my husband’s labourer. This career move did raise a few eyebrows, but the reason for this change in direction was to allow me head space to write. It could be said that I have arrived at the destination of being a full time author via a circuitous path. I feel that every different work environment has brought me useful insights which help with creativity. 

What was your inspiration for the Paradiso Novels?

The inspiration came from stories told to me by my paternal grandfather, who was born and raised in a small rural village in Lombardy, Italy, a version of which I have used as the setting for Paradiso. Although the books are not my family’s story, there are anecdotes and characters throughout which are directly inspired by them. 

How do you construct your characters? Do they have traits of people you know?

There is no set formula for the way a character materialises. Some live in my imagination for a long time before they find their story, whilst others appear from nowhere. Most do have traits of people I know- both good and bad. Developing characters is my favourite part of writing because there is no right or wrong way.  

What does your writing process look like? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I am a combination of the two. Generally, I begin with an outline plan and an idea of various scenes and interactions which I want to include. Often I will write those first and then join them up as I go along. My books tend to grow organically and I flit back and forth working on whatever I feel inspired to write in the moment. 

How did you research? Did you enjoy it?

Most of my research is done online, and I enjoy the process, in particular when I discover useful gems along the way which I would not have considered when looking into a particular topic. I can’t imagine not having the internet at my fingertips. The research would take far longer than writing the novel!

Who are your favourite writers? Are you influenced by them?

I am a big fan of Italian mid twentieth century writers, such as Alberto Moravia and Italo Calvino. The reason I am so drawn to them is not just the quality of their writing and the psychological depth of their characters, but also because they wrote contemporary fiction of their time, which is fascinating to look back upon through twenty-first century eyes. That said, I can’t not mention Laurie Lee, whose writing style is so evocative and lyrical. If ever I am stuck, I dip into one of his works and it always gets me going again. 

If you could invite three people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be and why?

Noam Chomsky, Sigmund Freud and Mary Beard should make for a lively evening. The conversation would be a feast of philosophy, psychology and history.  However, my dining table seats eight, so I also have space for Professor Alice Roberts and Doctor Jordan B. Peterson. It would be rude not to invite Richard E. Grant and George Galloway as they are my (only) two famous followers on social media.  

Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with and why?

Anyone miserable, intolerant or narcissistic..unless of course they’re also a qualified lift repair engineer.  

Who would play the main character/s in a film version of Paradiso?

If I was to use British actors, I could find roles for Keeley Hawes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes and Miriam Margoyles. I’m sure they’d all jump at the chance. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

When I am not writing, I can usually be found in the garden, or out walking in the countryside, or helping with restoring the house; although when I’m not physically writing, I’m usually plotting and creating stories in my head.  

What is next for you?

The Daughter of Paradiso is the third in the series. I have plans for a fourth and fifth and possibly more after. In September I have a stand-alone novel coming out called The Sardinian Story. At present I am writing the follow-up to The Lost Boy of Bologna, entitled The Lost Girl of Bologna. My plan is to go back to the Paradiso Series as soon as that is complete, unless another idea swoops in. 

Favourites:

Book?

I could list numerous books which have been meaningful at different times in my life. If pushed, I would say Perfume – The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. It is an incredible feat of imagination, extraordinary description and wonderfully vile characters. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson comes a close second for many of the same reasons.

Band/Singer?

I enjoy a mix from folk and blues to a bit of classical. Generally, I tend towards singer-songwriters, particularly those who are great wordsmiths, such as KD Lang, Mark Knopfler and Leonard Cohen, although the list is far, far longer than that.

TV show?

I like a good period drama or detective series with compelling characters and storylines.  

Colour?

I love rich, vibrant jewel colours – from gorgeous ruby reds, to amethyst purples, to emerald greens. 

Place?

I have travelled quite a lot and lived in several different countries. Each has had its pluses and its minuses, but overall, my favourite place to be is at home, wherever that might be. 

Biscuit?

I should not be left unsupervised with home-baked biscuits, particularly very chunky cookies, or my mother’s Melting Moments.

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The Daughter Of Paradiso is available from Amazon.

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