Good morning from a sunny Screen! I hope that the Easter Bunny was good to you all. Chocolate hangovers anyone?
The excitement in the H household hit new heights this year, as Nate now understands whats going on, so double trouble! Amelia woke me up at 3am on Easter Sunday to say, ‘The Easter Bunny has been Mummy! Get up!’ Attempts were made to sleep after that, but eventually at the ungodly hour of 6.30, an easter egg hunt was on!
Right, enough of all that, because I’ve got a visitor – none other than author Hazel Gaynor.
Hello Hazel, can you do the honours and introduce yourself to us all?
I describe myself in my Twitter bio as ‘Novelist. Mother. Friend of gin’ – which sums it all up pretty neatly. I’m originally a Yorkshire lass (born and bred) but was swept off my feet by an Irishman and moved here in December 2001. We now have two fabulous boys, aged 8 and 6, who I hold entirely responsible for my grey hairs. As a former suited and booted businesswoman in the financial and legal sectors, I have to say that life is much more fun as a full time mum and writer.
Ok, that description pretty much fits me too! I wonder does ‘friend of gin’ go hand in hand with being a mother and novelist? Let’s pretend for a second that your life is to be made into a movie, what genre movie would it be and who would play in the starring roles?
It would be a strange period drama/rom-com hybrid: ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ meets ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ meets ‘Titanic’. Rachel Weiss would play me because we are practically identical (hysterical laughter!) Chris O’Dowd would be my charming, lovable Irish husband. The rest of my life would be played by Lego MiniFigures – because they have literally taken over my life.
I think you do look a little like Rachel! And btw, that has the hallmarks of a great movie I reckon!
What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
Losing my mum to cancer when I was 23.
Oh Hazel, I’m so sorry, that’s very sad. Cancer has touched my family a few times, so I understand why that is your answer.
Can you chose the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?
According to my husband, it was being vomited on by my then one year old as we came in to land at Dublin airport after a week’s holiday in France. I had to walk all the way through passport control and baggage reclaim before I could change. I did not find it so amusing.
I think all parents have been there. Would you believe the exact same thing happened to me when Amelia was a baby, but at the start of the flight. Lets just say that despite my best efforts, I was quite the sight in arrivals! Most famous person you have ever met?
Philippa Gregory. I was lucky enough to interview her in Dublin while she was over for the Mountains to Sea event in 2012. I was so inspired by her as a woman and a writer and she was kind enough to read some early chapters of my second novel and give me some wonderful feedback. I have her email printed out and stuck to the noticeboard above my desk.
Isn’t it wonderful when we meet one of our idols and they LIVE up to our expectations?! Best advice ever given to you?
Slice up fresh lemons and limes from the fruit bowl (which you will otherwise throw out) and freeze them. A guaranteed way to make sure you always have the necessary accessories for your G&T.
OMG that is genius! Consider that tip stolen! Cheers Hazel!
Who inspires you?
My children.
Aw, yep, sounds about right to me. Celebrity crush?
Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge).
Isn’t she simply stunning. She is certainly one of my style icons, I don’t think I’ve seen her wear anything, that I haven’t lusted after. If you could go back in time, what time would you choose and why?
London 1997 so I could remember where I stored my sister’s much treasured collection of vinyl singles and LPs (because she has never forgiven me for losing them). Ooops.
I’m sorry Hazels sister, but that made me laugh! Bad sister. Tell me about your blog and what we can expect if we pop by.
I write my blog as part of my website. I hope to share lots of news about my books, thoughts and tips about writing and generally not taking myself too seriously.
Give me 3 words to describe your best self and 3 words to describe your worst self.
Best: Gin. And. Tonic.
Worst: Ironing. Hoovering. Dusting.
Ha Ha! Great answers. Are you me? Girls or boys night out, room for 10 in the limo, who are you bringing with you? (Dead, alive, fictional, celebrities, friends, the choice is yours!)
Could I change it to a Mini Cooper and can it just be me and a good book and a bottle of prosecco?
There you go, wish granted! See what I did there? Good book = Your Book! 😉 Actually everyone, Hazel will tell us about her beautiful novel The Girl Who Came Home in a moment, but can I just share here that it is a compelling read. I have always been fascinated with the story of the Titanic and Hazel delivers a stunning account of what it was like to be on board that iconic trip and the aftermath that ensued. A poignant and charming tale.
Ok, enough gushing from me on that, Hazel can you describe a perfect day and night for me, where are you and who are you with?
I am on holiday somewhere warm watching the children play happily while me and my husband share a cold bottle of wine and eat olives and cheese. At night we would all have a BBQ and watch the stars then everyone would go to sleep and nobody would need me to fetch them a drink or find their teddy in the middle of the night. Bliss.
Yes, that does sound bliss. What are you reading right now? And is it a paper book or ebook?
I just finished the amazing Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. A hardback and beautiful in every way. I am now re-reading Walter Lord’s ‘A Night to Remember’ – a classic and brilliant account of the sinking of the Titanic. I have a huge TBR pile beside the bed, all actual ‘books’. Can I admit to not owning a Kindle? Shhh, don’t tell anyone.
What was the first book you ever read?
I think it was probably an Enid Blyton. Something about Noddy. Yes, I am a child of the ‘70s!
If you could rewrite the ending of any book, would you?
No *gasps at the thought*. I would, however, take the idea of a book and develop it, like Jo Baker recently did with Longbourn – a re-telling of Pride & Prejudice from the servants’ perspective.
That sounds interesting! If you could pick any career in the world other than what you do now, what would it be?
I honestly wouldn’t swap it for the world. I am finally doing what I love and I consider myself extremely lucky.
Who would you like to meet most for a chat? Dead or alive. Fictional or real.
My mum.
Quick fire round, pick one of each of the below –
Beer or cocktails
All of the above
Jeans or dress/suit
Dress
Sun or Snow
Sun
Beach or Pool
Pool. Sand? Eeugh.
Cats or Dogs
Cats
Theatre or Cinema
Cinema
Pink or Green
Purple
Night in or night out
Out. They are extremely rare these days.
Paperback or eBook
Paperback
Lobster or steak
Surf n’ turf
The Walking Dead or Downton Abbey
Downton. Hands down. Lady Mary – swoon.
Football or Rugby
Hiding in bed with a good book?
Flying Solo or with a gang
A small gang
What is the best compliment anyone could give you?
That I have great kids.
Now that we’ve gotten a better feel as to who you are, (in all your gin & tonic loving glory) can you tell us a bit about what you write?
I write historical fiction with a hint of romance. Some might call it saga. I started writing in 2009, but only started seriously writing my first historical fiction novel in 2011. I love delving into the past and using history as a backdrop for my stories. I have a notebook full of ideas for future novels so hopefully there is plenty more to come from me!
Of the characters you’ve created through writing, which one is your favourite and why so?
I really love Maggie, the main character in THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME. As my first published novel I think this book will always be very special to me. Maggie just seemed to inhabit the page so easily and I love the fact that we see her as a seventeen year old girl and then as an elderly lady. She has so much spirit – she reminds me of my grandma.
I loved Maggie too, it was wonderful getting to know her as both a young shy seventeen year old, right up to her more wiser self at eighty seven, who has lived a long and full life, despite the secret she harboured. She was very real to me when I read your book. And actually, she reminded me of my own grandmother too, who was called Maggie. Can you share something with us about one of your books that you’ve not shared with anyone else before?
The name of Frances Kenny, one of the characters in THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME, is a combination of my mother-in-law’s first name and her mother’s maiden name. In my second novel DAUGHTERS OF THE FLOWERS I use the name of my great aunt for the character Queenie Lyons. I love being able to weave family history into my novels.
What are you working on right now?
I am currently writing ‘Book 3’ which is set in the seventeenth century, during the period of the English Civil Wars. I am having such a great time developing my heroine – a respectable Lady who has a fabulous secret. I can’t wait to share her story and hope readers will love her as much as I do.
Pretty please share a sample of your writing!
Extract from THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME
It was the stars Maggie saw first as she clambered up on deck. The millions and millions of twinkling stars, illuminating the sky like the magical lands of her childhood imagination, the very same stars she used to look at in Ballysheen, captivated by their beauty and unfathomable distance.
The vast empty space of the sky above her now seemed to make this ship, which she had gasped at in wonder and awe just a few days ago, feel very small and extremely fragile. At that moment, as the noise and confusion on the deck engulfed her, she longed, more than anything in her life, to be back in her humble stone cottage warming her fingers over the glow of the fire as Séamus sat by her side.
She looked around wildly, standing on her tiptoes to peer over the heads of the masses of people swarming around her. Where was Aunt Kathleen? She had to be here.
“Aunt Kathleen!” Maggie shouted as loudly as she could. “Aunt Kathleen! It’s me! Maggie. I’m over here. Aunt Kathleen! Where are you?”
She’d never felt so far away from home, so lost and terrified.
“Maggie! Maggie, over here.” But it was Harry’s voice, not Kathleen’s that called her name. “We have to go up again,” he shouted, trying to make himself heard above the noise of the panicked passengers and the continual hiss of steam from the funnels high above them. “There’s a few boats left on the upper deck.”
Well, that brings me to end of my chat with Hazel. Isn’t she lovely? Talented, fun, warm and all round nice person. Thank you Hazel for stopping by, best of luck with publication day of The Girl Who Came Home in Ireland on 24th April, but I have a feeling you won’t need it.
Chat soon everyone,
Carmel x
Web: http://www.hazelgaynor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hazelgaynorbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HazelGaynor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hazelgaynor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/hazelgaynor
