Next Monday 20th April sees the launch of my
fourth romantic comedy novel, Game of Scones. And I am a huge fan of its
namesake, the hugely successful series of books and TV shows, Game of
Thrones. I recently discussed with
someone why I love the programme so much, and I think it’s because George R R
Martin succeeds in making me feel passion for the characters – be that love,
hate, sympathy or empathy.
Indeed, when writing my own books, I have to feel
passionately about any character, to include them in the story. In my debut,
Doubting Abbey, I felt a huge affection for pizza waitress, Gemma, a loyal
friend who agrees to try and pass herself off as an aristocrat for two weeks,
in order to win a reality show and save a crumbling stately home. I also felt strongly about uptight, superior
Lord Edward, who eventually falls for her charm.
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In Game of Scones there are three characters who have filled
my thoughts and made me experience a whole range of emotions over the last few
months and I was sorry to leave the writing of the passionately created first
draft, when typing The End.
Firstly Pippa, a successful executive with a secret longing
to leave the Rat Race and run an afternoon tea shop. She is continually torn
between her head and heart and I can relate to that. Certainly as we age, life
becomes more about what we should do, rather than just following our heart and
instincts. On returning to the sleepy village of Taxos in Greece, where Pippa
spent many a happy childhood holiday, she is reminded of what life is like in a
place where families live close together, neighbours look out for each other
and the simple things in life give enormous pleasure – like a fresh feta cheese
and olive salad, or evening dip in the azure Aegean waters... A far cry from
her fast-paced, dusty London life.
Henrik is her suave, organised half-Dutch property developer
boyfriend. Tall, blonde and slick, he is caring, considerate and ambitious. He
takes huge pride in Pippa’s professional success and is extremely proud of her.
He is also happy to do the washing-up – who could be more perfect? Except, as the story continues, we see that
he does have flaws and similar to Pippa, he too has decisions to make about
following his logical head or his romantic desires.
Niko, the flirty, cheeky Greek fisherman who was good
friends with Pippa when she was a child... Hmm, mocha eyes, caramel skin, and a
devastatingly intense gaze, what’s not to like? Except that he’s clearly hiding
something from the beginning and throughout the book we see him wrestle with
some inner conflict.
So for me, it’s all about the passion when creating my
characters. They have to have appealing traits – but also flaws. And inner
conflict, that’s the most intriguing thing, as, like the popular meme says,
that often gets shared around Facebook: “Everyone is fighting their own battle.
Be kind.”
