About Alice
At the age of eighteen Alice had been awarded a tennis scholarship to America when she experienced pain in her right hand. It was rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and she hasn’t picked up a tennis racket since, a sadness that shall always be with her. The theme of disability features in her fiction, but there is nothing gloomy about Alice or her work. Rather this gives her fiction the added dimension of true poignancy.
Her latest novel, Monday to Friday Man, is published by Quercus. Mark Thwaite, digital marketing manager at Quercus finds out more about Alice…
Alice, did you always dream of being a writer?
No. I’d always (unrealistically) dreamed of winning Wimbledon! However, since the age of ten I had written diaries, so when a friend suggested I write my own personal story I was excited. I dug out my old tennis scrapbooks and relived the past, which was, at times, painful, but it was also therapeutic. I enjoyed the creative side too.
I don’t know very much about RA. Can you briefly describe what it is and how it has affected you?
RA is a chronic, painful and debilitating autoimmune disease that affects 400,000 people in the UK. It is three times more common in women than men and the onset is generally between 40 – 60 though it can occur at any age. The good news is, if you are diagnosed today, so much more can be done for you, as medicine and research has moved on considerably in the last 20 years. I don’t know where to start about how it has affected me. It has turned up life upside down! But thankfully, after years of pain I have finally found my magic drug and can lead an independent life.
I have an incredibly close relationship to my parents who have supported me through so much, the RA has certainly brought us closer together and made us a team. I also never would have been a writer. That is one very positive thing that I hold onto.
What I enjoy about your writing, and especially your novels is that while they are light-hearted, funny and easy to read, the characters also have soul and depth, which can often be missing in this genre.
Yes. I like my characters to go on a real journey. For example Look The World In The Eye is about two estranged sisters. Belinda, Bells for short, was born with a disability. She is scatty, endearing, often maddening but never dull. Katie, her elder sister leads a full and busy life in London, has a successful career and a handsome successful boyfriend to match. When the two sisters are brought together it brings up all kinds of issues about prejudice, jealousy, family and love. Katie has to dig deep and reassess her priorities in life. That interests me.
Onto your latest novel. I really enjoyed ‘Monday to Friday Man’ especially since I am a huge dog lover myself. Tell me about the book and where the idea came from.
Gilly Brown could be me! I live in West London, close to Ravenscourt Park where the story is set, I am part of a quirky dog walking group and I also have a lovely Monday to Friday lodger, which I found on the www.mondaytofriday.com website. Not only that but I am (roughly) the same age as 34-year-old Gilly.
The idea came when I received yet another change of address card in the post, from a friend moving to Scotland. Your 30s can be a time when friends are preoccupied with having families or moving out of London, but what happens if you haven't met the one and are stuck in a rut? This is the dilemma my heroine finds herself in. I felt this would hit a nerve with many people so I wanted to write about it. I also think the dog walking community provides a lovely platform for humour. I have met so many interesting people in the park and they have given me plenty of ammunition for the novel!
You’ve dedicated the book to Bernice and Zek. Who are they?
Bernice and Zek are old family friends. They had a disabled daughter called Alice, who died when she was only two years old. Their courage has always inspired me. My heroine, Gilly feels the loss of her baby sister deeply and Monday to Friday Man poignantly illustrates the impact death can have on a family.
Do you always give your books a happy ending?
I do, but there is a lot of soul searching and heartache along the way. Deep down I am an eternal optimist and I want my characters to find happiness, but I don’t make the path too easy or predictable.
When you're not writing, what do you get up to?
I enjoy going to the movies, eating (I especially love puddings) playing cards, and though I am hardly a great traveller, I do love going away. Italy is one of my most favourite places. I have also just returned from a short trip to Alsace. It’s beautiful countryside and I enjoyed some delicious wine-tasting, which features in my next novel!
I am very close to my friends and family, and last, but not least, I enjoy dog walking. We meet each morning under the oak tree. It’s my office talk for the day otherwise writing is a very solitary business. I owe a lot to my Lucas Terrier, Darcy. It was he who inspired Monday to Friday Man.
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