Today The Blonde Plotters are having a chat with KAREN ALDOUS, author of, FIVE LADIES GO SKIING.
Thanks for popping by to visit us.
Thank you so much for having me.
Please can you tell us a bit about your novel, Five Ladies Go Skiing and the inspiration behind it?
My beautiful friends. Without imposing on their real lives, I wanted to capture that magical bond that friendship brings, in a novel. It’s those nourishing ingredients that we bring one another that I wanted to focus on, those that we share, like fun, laughter, fears and tears as well as all the love and support. My friends are my second family so keeping the that ethos I wanted to add what I thought, an interesting twist. The friends in my novel each have a part of them they have kept closeted. A secret battle to contend which for a novel, would add intrigue, variety and enrich the lives of the other characters. From my personal experience, I believe the right friendships enhance not just our lives but our equilibrium, and my intention was to capture that essence by portraying friendship in the uplifting way I have experienced it. I’m afraid there’s no gritty Jeremy Kyle stuff but I hope readers can identify with some of the real issues my characters are confronted with.
Can you tell us a little about your route to publication?
She was in stage four when she discovered her breast lump. During 2011, a time my mum was going through her chemo, we spent quite a bit of time together and spoke she told me that by having her family and enjoying her dancing she felt, at least she had fulfilled her dreams. Those words as you can imagine, hit me – but also inspired me -kicked me up the arse to fulfil my own passion before I regretted anything. So, I began to take my dream to write a novel seriously. It was whilst she nodded off for hours, I would sit beside her and use that time to write. Determined, in January 2012, I joined the Romantic Novelists’ Associations’ New Writers Scheme. The very next day, I rang and enrolled on a local novel class, The Write Place where I was lucky to receive guidance, support as well as encouragement to send my work out to a competition. Although I didn’t win, I was asked to go along to meet an editor who asked to see the whole manuscript. I received my first two-book contract in November 2013 just three months after my mum died. And my first novel, The Vineyard, was published in May 2014, my second The Chateau, in October 2014. My latest is my sixth novel for HQ/HarperCollins.
What have you learnt that you wished you’d known when you started writing?
I think the writing of a synopsis or summary for your novel – preferably before starting it. However, even if you’re a way through, it’s worth the effort. I found it gave my writing a much-needed focus and it was something to build on. When I joined my local novel class, The Write Place Creative Writing School in 2012, my tutor, Elaine Everest advised us students, even if we didn’t send out our work straightaway, it’s a good idea to write at synopsis. It was an essential requirement for the RNA New Writers Scheme too, and although I had an idea in my head of where my book was going, (It had been in my head for several years), I found the exercise immensely useful, even if the story changed. It provided the blueprint and when I plan each novel, I find I can’t manage without one now.
What would be your biggest tip for a new writer?
As always, I think it’s a good idea to get your first draft written – to the end! A blank page can’t be edited so you need the story to work with. Completing it will elevate your belief in yourself that you are a writer. You can do it! Also, find other writers. Writing classes, groups, organisations like the Romantic Writers’ Association. They will not only help you believe in yourself but offer you the opportunity to attend workshops run by writers, conferences and many other social activities and support networks so that you learn more about the writing and publishing world.
And the best moments in your writing career so far?
Writing has been so rewarding as well as a dream come true. Every day I write I can escape to somewhere exotic with my characters whether skiing or lunching in the Alps or soaking up the sunshine on the French or Italian Rivieras, but the best moments as a writer have to be the day I received an offer of my first contract, my first publication day, emails and reviews from readers, and more recently, the very first time I was able to hold my own paperback. An absolute dream!
I want to thank all my readers immensely for all their support. I love nothing more to create and entertain, so I want to let them know that without them, I couldn’t do what I love.
Bio
Karen Aldous enjoys village life on the edge of the north-downs in Kent with easy access to the buzz of London. Not only does she love the passive pleasures of reading and writing, she also craves the more active pursuits with her family and friends such as walking, cycling and skiing especially when they involve food and wine!
Much of Karen’s inspiration comes from her travels and meeting people. The UK, France, Greece, Switzerland, Italy and parts of the USA and Asia are just some you will experience in her books to date. However, wherever she goes, new characters emerge in ‘Karen’s World’ screaming at her to tell their stories; past or present. She loves to write about strong independent women who can direct their own lives – but struggle to control them! And, of course there’s always a gorgeous hunk or two!
See more… http://www.karenaldous.co.uk/about-me/
Book Blurb
Five ladies, one unforgettable trip…
Escape to gorgeous Switzerland this winter with the brand new, uplifting read from Karen Aldous.
When Ginny Watts’ husband passes away, she is left grief-stricken, not only over her husband’s death but the secrets he has left behind…
Luckily for Ginny, she has four wonderful friends – Lou, Cathy, Angie and Kim – poised to whisk her away on a ladies’ skiing holiday to beautiful La Tzoumaz, Switzerland.
While all of them appear to have their lives together from the outside, little do the ladies know that every single one of them is fighting a secret battle.
As the trip unfolds, they realise that fears of tumbling down the slopes after too much après-ski fun is the least of their worries and all is not what it seems…
A novel of love, loss and friendship, perfect for fans of Jules Wake, Erica James and Cathy Kelly.
Published by HQ/HarperCollins
Ebook: 5th November 2018
Paperback: 13th December 2018
BUY NOW: http://mybook.to/FiveLadiesGoSkiing
Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenAldousAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenAldous_
