Diane
Chamberlain's new book, The Midwife's Confession, was released this month and
is already gaining wonderful reviews. Here at Trashi we put our questions to
the lovely Diane, to find out what inspired her to write this latest novel...
Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.
Life-long best friends try to uncover the reason their good friend, a midwife, killed herself.
What inspired you to write The Midwife's Confession?
I woke up from a midday nap after having a distressing dream. In the dream, a woman discovered information that would absolutely devastate her best friend and she needed to decide whether to tell her or not. Although The Midwife's Confession expands greatly on that idea, the dilemma raised in the dream was the initial inspiration.
Where do you do most of your writing?
Every morning, I go to my favourite coffee shop, which I call the Opium Den because I'm so addicted to being there. I buy coffee and a scone (or on days I'm being good, oatmeal), set my laptop on my lap, and tune out the rest of the customers as I lose myself in my characters' world.
What is your favourite book?
Although I've read thousands of books over the course of my life, E.B. White's Charlotte's Web, remains my very favourite book. It was the first story that touched me (at age seven) on a deeply emotional level and it taught me how the creation of a fictional world could make a reader feel both joy and sorrow. I knew even at that young age that I wanted to be able to touch readers that way, too.
Which part of The Midwife's Confession was the most fun to write?
When I wrote the first couple of drafts of The Midwife's Confession, the midwife herself--Noelle--had no point of view because she was, well, dead. After talking about the book with my editor, however, I realized Noelle needed a more concrete role in the story. I then created ten chapters from her point of view and it was a lot of fun to get to know her better and imagine the events in her life that shaped her. Many of the surprises for the reader occurred to me as I wrote her chapters.
What are you currently reading?
I'm reading an intriguing book called The Peach Keeper, by Sarah Addison Allen.
Who is your favourite heroine?
A new favourite heroine is the character Abileen in Kathryn Stockett's The Help. Abileen is a solid, smart and loving woman who's willing to risk everything to bring injustice to light. And Kathryn Stockett is my heroine for writing this important and engaging book.
Do you have any tips for readers who are looking to become published authors?
The most important thing a writer can do is learn to write well . Often someone will have a wonderful story to tell, but his or her writing is not solid enough to get published. Study the structure of your favourite novels. Take a class in novel writing. Writing is hard work, so spend as much time as is necessary to perfect your story. And persevere!
Are you working on anything else at the moment and if so, can you tell us?
Right now, I'm revising my next novel, The Good Father. I'm in love with the characters, especially four-year-old Bella who is at the heart of the story. I can't wait to introduce my readers to her!
Thanks, Diane!
You can find out more about Diane Chamberlain over at her website.
