Having an affair is inconceivable to Dani and yet she’s having one with Alex. He’s married, he’s an actor and she’s his agent.
Then Dani meets Sean, a paparazzi photographer with a formidable reputation. It’s a profession that makes him unpredictable at best. A dangerous trait when his motivation to expose becomes personal.
Dani knows she’s made mistakes. She also knows she’s not the first person who wilfully hurt someone they love and is simply unable to explain why.
Q&A
***
When and where do you prefer to write?
I tend to do most of my writing at home, sitting at my kitchen table. I love the idea of writing in cafes but never get much done. Too busy people watching, drinking tea and eating cake!!
Do you have a certain ritual?
I take my boys to school so I’m free from around 9am. I find it hard to just come home and start writing so I tend to take myself off for an hour or so, get any boring stuff done and maybe have a coffee somewhere and a bit of a ponder! I do like to plan so I’ll know exactly what I’m hoping to achieve on any given day and find I’m most productive if I limit myself to a few hours of actual writing. If I have any longer I tend to lose focus. Years of fast-paced jobs have made me work much better when I’m under pressure!
Is there a drink of some food that keeps you company while you write?
If I’m really focused and doing well, I eat and drink very little when I’m writing. When I’m stuck with something, I end up swimming in tea and raiding my boys’ treat cupboard!
What is your favourite book?
This is a really hard one. I am a voracious reader so my favourite book tends to be the one I’ve just finished. That said, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is one that has always stayed with me.
Do you consider writing a different genre in the future?
My second book is quite different – more suspense driven than the first one. To be honest, I don’t really think about genres and just concentrate on what I hope is a compelling story. Time will tell if that’s a good or bad approach!
Do you sometimes base your characters on people you know?
I think it’s hard not to but I think it tends to be elements of people, rather than basing a character wholly on one person.
Do you take a notebook everywhere in order to write down ideas that pop up?
I have a lovely little notebook that my husband gave me which has ‘novel ideas’ embossed on the front. That’s always in my bag and is full of random notes and observations which I’m sure will prove to be invaluable at some point!
Which genre do you not like at all?
I’m a bit of a wimp so rubbish with horror or anything even vaguely scary, and sci-fi’s not really my thing. Apart from that, I’ll give anything a go if recommended by someone I trust. I don’t like the idea of missing out on something just because I’ve decided in advance that I won’t like it!
If you had the chance to co-write a book. Whom would it be with?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the amazing writer of Fleabag and Killing Eve. I’d love to have a co-credit on her first novel should she ever decide to write one!
If you should travel to a foreign country to do research, which one would you chose and why?
I’m tempted to say anywhere hot and quiet. Just having uninterrupted time to think would be a joy! That said, I’m a people-watcher and love bustle and noise, and as it’s likely I’ll be sticking with at least some reference to the worlds of media and entertainment for the time being at least, I’d probably go for somewhere like New York or Los Angeles.
Thank you, Elaine Robertson North and Rachel’s Random Resources.
About the author
Elaine spent 25 years working in marketing and communications in the media and entertainment industries. This included seven years marketing national newspapers and a variety of senior executive roles in TV, radio and film. I Can’t Tell You Why is her first novel.
Elaine lives in North London with her husband and their two sons. When she’s not writing, she can be found looking harassed on the school run, cheering on the side lines of her sons’ football matches or singing her heart out at her local branch of Popchoir.
Social Media Links
Facebook: @elainerobertsonnorth
Instagram: @elaine_robertson_north
Twitter: @RobbieNorth
Purchase Links
B for Bookreview 