Reading Group Gold discussion

Q-What was the inspiration for Dear Thing?
A-I miscarried three times before I had my son. It was the darkest period of my life so far, and I will never forget the children, and the hopes of children, that my family and I lost. Several of my friends were also suffering infertility at that time; we spent a lot of time hoping and grieving together. After my son was born, a dear friend of mine rang me to tell me that she and her husband had decided to give up on IVF treatment, after their third failed cycle. My first impulse was to offer to be a surrogate for her—but then I remembered my own failed pregnancies, and held my tongue. But the idea spawned a book idea, to write about an infertile mother and a surrogate mother, both wanting the same baby, and both as heroines for one book—because I could sympathise with both of them. (My friend has since adopted a little boy and is planning to adopt another
child—Dear Thing is dedicated to her and her family.)

Q- What kind of experience did you have writing this book?
A- Writing Dear Thing was quite a new experience for me as it was a new type of fiction, and also because I had to write a synopsis for it beforehand, which I had never done. So in some ways it was easy, as I had already planned the book out. On the other hand, the emotions of the characters (particularly Claire, but Romily too) were so close to the emotions I had felt myself, that at times it was quite difficult to write. Claire’s miscarriage at the beginning of the book, which takes place at a baby shower, is based very closely on my own miscarriage on Christmas morning several years before. And Romily’s pregnancy was quite similar to mine as well; she fears losing her beloved baby to another couple, and I feared losing mine to miscarriage. So at times it was close to the bone. It’s also set in the town where I live, and includes many of my own experiences of motherhood— Posie is quite similar to my son. I did a lot of crying and laughing as I wrote it.

Q- Did you have any interesting experiences where you were researching your book, or getting it published?
A- Because of the subject matter, I’ve been contacted by many women who have suffered infertility or miscarriage, or I’ve spoken with them during events, and it has been both humbling and poignant to hear their
experiences. I’ve found that the book can prompt heartbreaking and yet valuable discussions. When I was interviewed by Richard and Judy for their Book Club, they told me about their own experience of baby loss and it was absolutely devastating.

Q- Tell us anything about you as a working writer that you think might be interesting or unusual. I think I am a pretty typical working writer in that I write during the week whilst my child is in school but I do write in my garret, at the top of my house, with a view of the River Kennet and the backside of a gargoyle.

Q- Who are your favorite authors?
A- In women’s fiction—Marian Keyes, Jojo Moyes, Rowan Coleman, Jennifer Crusie, Susan Elizabeth Philips, Jill Mansell, Liane Moriarty, Lori Lansens.
In other types of fiction—Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, John Irving, Neil Gaiman, Maggie O’Farrell, Ann Patchett.