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January 2, 2008 1:26 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sarah Webb

One of the things I love about Trashionista is how many authors read it and recommend it. After we featured an interview with Martina Reilly, Martina brought the site to the attention of author Sarah Webb who then emailed me to say hello. Since I've had one of Sarah's books on my shelf for a while now (one of my new year's resolutions is to plough through my gigantic book backlog rather than watching yet another rerun of Friends), I was a bit embarrassed, but happy to invite her to answer our questions!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

When the Boys are Away is about a sports widow, Meg, and a work widow, Tina, and what they get up to when their men are away.

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?

I’d love to be able to write in bed, but my feather duvet calls to me and I always end up having a little nap. And coffee shops would be even more dangerous as I'd end up eating myself into weeble shape. So I’m afraid it’s the boring old desk. And the train – I love writing on the train!

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Without doubt it's Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes. Marian lives just down the road from me and she’s a lovely woman [Jealous! - Keris]. I’m a big fan of her books; I think she’s one of funniest writers around and she makes me laugh out loud, snort and cry.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?

I love characters who have inner strength, even if they are (like all of us) flawed. Rachel from Rachel’s Holiday would be a favourite heroine, also the wonderful Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?

I give a lot of talks on writing and everyone comes along looking for ‘the secret’. But there is no secret. Like most things in life, hard work pays off. Yes, it helps to have talent and a good grasp of the English (or any other) language. But unless you're prepared to work hard, talent alone won’t get you very far.

A lot of the time writers can’t help but write. They are always writing – in diaries, on blogs, on scraps of paper in the car, while waiting at the school gates – anywhere and everywhere.  Most writers are also huge and enthusiastic readers.

So the advice I’d give is 1/ read 2/ write and 3/ never give up. Many highly successful writers finished several books before getting published. Katie Fforde wrote eight books before Living Dangerously, her first novel was published. Stick that bum to the seat and just write!

What are you reading at the moment?

The Summer of Secrets by my good friend, Martina Reilly and also Slam by Nick Hornby – I tend to have a few books on the go at the same time.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

I’m working on my next novel, Her Girl Friday (working title), which is about a young single mum who goes to work for a charity queen in Dublin. It’s quite sad in places, but funny too (I hope!).

Do you have a theme song?

Jeepers, a theme tune – not really. But the De-De-De-De-De Dora theme does spring to mind which is quite sad – my two youngest are both fans. Wild Thing has now become Wild in My Head Thing.

What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)

What’s your favourite colour? No, only joking! I can’t think of one to be honest, sorry!

Thanks, Sarah!

Came straight to this page? Visit www.trashionista.com for more female fiction news, reviews and interviews.

Posted by Keris on January 2, 2008 in Interviews | Permalink

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