Today, I will be interviewing the wonderfully hilarious writer, Trisha Ashley. Trisha writes romantic comedies most of which have consecutively been Sunday Times Top Ten bestsellers. She is also the founder member of NW Novelistas Ink, a group of twelve novelists, including several bestsellers, who meet regularly in North Wales. Check out their fabutastic website, above.
Originally a Lancashire girl, like myself, Trisha now resides in north Wales with her neurotic Border Collie (called 'Dog') and, as she describes it, a very chancy Muse.
Originally a Lancashire girl, like myself, Trisha now resides in north Wales with her neurotic Border Collie (called 'Dog') and, as she describes it, a very chancy Muse.
I bumped in to Trisha as she gazed, dreamily at the cascading waterfall in the Dell, deep in the valley of the river Hiraethlyn at Bodnant Gardens, north Wales. A magical place to be, Trisha was hoping to find inspiration form the Dell, for her next novel, while 'Dog' scuttled around sniffing the plants and trees. Today was a special 'doggies-allowed-day' at Bodnant Gardens and both Trisha and 'Dog' had cheesy grins permanently etched on their faces.
Hello Trisha, thank you for joining me for a chinwag today.
I’m delighted to be here, Tara – thank you so much for inviting me.
Trisha, as you probably know, I do like to start the interviews off with a really easy question - so here is yours.
1. In 1985, which entertainer made the first ever mobile phone call in Britain?
No idea. In 1985 there was a lot going on in my life: I had a two-year-old son, I’d just moved up to an old cottage on a hilltop in West Yorkshire, I’d had my first novel published the year before in a light historical genre I wasn’t committed to, but also had been shortlisted for a major award for an unpublished novel with one of the satirical novels I loved to write, giving me a bit of a dilemma about what to write next. My husband was away a lot and I was attempting to learn to drive. I rarely looked at the TV and mobile phones didn’t even impinge on my consciousness for quite some time. The eighties went by in a blur.
Oh dear - I even gave you a clue that it was a man, Trisha. It's plainly obvious that you were far too busy in the eighties, so here is a picture gallery of some of the things that you may have missed.
I’m delighted to be here, Tara – thank you so much for inviting me.
Trisha, as you probably know, I do like to start the interviews off with a really easy question - so here is yours.
1. In 1985, which entertainer made the first ever mobile phone call in Britain?
No idea. In 1985 there was a lot going on in my life: I had a two-year-old son, I’d just moved up to an old cottage on a hilltop in West Yorkshire, I’d had my first novel published the year before in a light historical genre I wasn’t committed to, but also had been shortlisted for a major award for an unpublished novel with one of the satirical novels I loved to write, giving me a bit of a dilemma about what to write next. My husband was away a lot and I was attempting to learn to drive. I rarely looked at the TV and mobile phones didn’t even impinge on my consciousness for quite some time. The eighties went by in a blur.
Oh dear - I even gave you a clue that it was a man, Trisha. It's plainly obvious that you were far too busy in the eighties, so here is a picture gallery of some of the things that you may have missed.
2. Every Woman for Herself has to be one of my favourite books of yours. Will there ever be a sequel to embellish the other, so-called, Bronte sisters?
I get asked about sequels to my books a lot, but I’ve always said that I’m not writing a direct sequel to any of them until one gets made into a film! Actually, I think Every Woman for Herself should be first: loads of character parts, wonderful scenery, the Bronte elements…
Your wish is my command...
I get asked about sequels to my books a lot, but I’ve always said that I’m not writing a direct sequel to any of them until one gets made into a film! Actually, I think Every Woman for Herself should be first: loads of character parts, wonderful scenery, the Bronte elements…
Your wish is my command...
"We interrupt this interview to bring you a news bulletin..."
"Filming has already started for the latest blockbuster movie, Every Woman for Herself."
"And now, back to the interview..."
Hmm... sorry about that little interruption, Trisha. Now where were we?
3. Which one of your books did you have the most fun writing and why?
3. Which one of your books did you have the most fun writing and why?
Twice I’ve had the exhilarating experience of writing the first draft of a novel in less than a fortnight, because I simply couldn’t stop: the first was Good Husband Material and the other my rather oddball (and currently out of print) novel, Happy Endings. I’d have to say that Happy Endings was the most fun because the narrator, Tina Devino, entirely took over my head so that it was like automatic writing. She’s a terrible woman, but I love her.
I clicked the 'Tell the publisher! I'd like to read this book on kindle' button, on Amazon. I'm hoping everyone else will too.
4. If you could spend a fabulous, fun day at one of the world’s biggest literary festivals, with any three authors (past or present), who would they be and why?
Tricky, since all my friends are authors and I love to spend time in their company! Instead, I think I’ll choose two past authors and one present author that I don’t personally know.
I clicked the 'Tell the publisher! I'd like to read this book on kindle' button, on Amazon. I'm hoping everyone else will too.
4. If you could spend a fabulous, fun day at one of the world’s biggest literary festivals, with any three authors (past or present), who would they be and why?
Tricky, since all my friends are authors and I love to spend time in their company! Instead, I think I’ll choose two past authors and one present author that I don’t personally know.
Jane Austen would be perfect, because it’s clear from her surviving letters that she had an acerbic and witty side, so I’d like to hear what she had to say if we happened to bump into any of the modern authors who have borrowed/rewritten/ripped off her novel plots.
I'm guessing that she would keep you up all night, Trisha. I imagine that she would have a lot to say about that.
Then I’d like the late Elizabeth Peters, who also wrote as Barbara Michaels. I’m sure she would be sharp, clever and funny. And finally, Stephen King, someone else with a lively mind and interesting experiences who likes to talk writing: I think the conversation between the four of us in the tea tent would be amazing.
Oh my, I would quite like to be a fly on the wall... only a fly on the wall though, as I think the sharp-talking, witty exchange would be way beyond my intellect.
I'm guessing that she would keep you up all night, Trisha. I imagine that she would have a lot to say about that.
Then I’d like the late Elizabeth Peters, who also wrote as Barbara Michaels. I’m sure she would be sharp, clever and funny. And finally, Stephen King, someone else with a lively mind and interesting experiences who likes to talk writing: I think the conversation between the four of us in the tea tent would be amazing.
Oh my, I would quite like to be a fly on the wall... only a fly on the wall though, as I think the sharp-talking, witty exchange would be way beyond my intellect.
5. Do you have any hobbies and if so, what are they?
I like to bake cakes, though really it’s icing them I enjoy best (if you click on my novel Wedding Tiers on the book page of my website, it should take you to a picture of the Elizabethan Pomander cake I made). I enjoy gardening and painting in oils, visiting historic houses, walking on the beach with my dog, having coffee and cake with my local novelist friends, the Novelistas. I have lots of interests.
Ooh, I've suddenly gained an interest in icing cakes too, Trisha.
I like to bake cakes, though really it’s icing them I enjoy best (if you click on my novel Wedding Tiers on the book page of my website, it should take you to a picture of the Elizabethan Pomander cake I made). I enjoy gardening and painting in oils, visiting historic houses, walking on the beach with my dog, having coffee and cake with my local novelist friends, the Novelistas. I have lots of interests.
Ooh, I've suddenly gained an interest in icing cakes too, Trisha.
6. Do you have a daily writing schedule?
I am a lark and like to rise early and write. For very many years I have been part of the 500 Club with authors Elizabeth Gill andLeah Fleming. We called it that because we made a pact to email each other every day as soon as we’d written at least five hundred words, or done a significant amount of other work, like research for a new book. We’ve all travelled on the same rollercoaster through years of being traditionally published and have supported each other through the ups and downs. And here we all still are today: well published and working away on new novels.
I am a lark and like to rise early and write. For very many years I have been part of the 500 Club with authors Elizabeth Gill andLeah Fleming. We called it that because we made a pact to email each other every day as soon as we’d written at least five hundred words, or done a significant amount of other work, like research for a new book. We’ve all travelled on the same rollercoaster through years of being traditionally published and have supported each other through the ups and downs. And here we all still are today: well published and working away on new novels.
7. Which would you prefer, gardening or shopping?
Gardening every time.
Me too - here's a little gardening montage for you, Trisha. It may even give you some new ideas...
Gardening every time.
Me too - here's a little gardening montage for you, Trisha. It may even give you some new ideas...
8. What has been the oddest job you have ever done?
I’ve had an endless procession of low-paid part time jobs over the years to support my writing, many of them fairly weird. At one point I found myself in an insurance office roughly converted from an outhouse on a farm down a rough track.
Ooh - yes, I've seen it, Trisha. It looks pretty run-down.
I’ve had an endless procession of low-paid part time jobs over the years to support my writing, many of them fairly weird. At one point I found myself in an insurance office roughly converted from an outhouse on a farm down a rough track.
Ooh - yes, I've seen it, Trisha. It looks pretty run-down.
There were four or five of us crammed in there and the wind used to whistle under the rat-chewed bottom of the door in winter and the hens ran in and out. I can’t add two and two together, so I was useless and the boss used to roll up my insurance quote letters into a ball and throw them at me.
Hmm... I think your boss is still up to his old tricks and probably some new ones too, Trisha. You wouldn't believe what he can do with those paper-balls now...
Hmm... I think your boss is still up to his old tricks and probably some new ones too, Trisha. You wouldn't believe what he can do with those paper-balls now...
9. Could you tell us something that we may not already know about you?
I have professional qualifications in architectural glass.
Oh my, so you really are a woman of many talents, what with the baking and of course, the writing. Here are a couple of piccies of beautifully designed architectural glass.
I have professional qualifications in architectural glass.
Oh my, so you really are a woman of many talents, what with the baking and of course, the writing. Here are a couple of piccies of beautifully designed architectural glass.
10. What annoys you?
Noisy eaters. People eating with their mouths open, or talking through mouthfuls of food…ugh.
Oops, I'm sorry Trisha but I really think that you should see this - it may even change your mind... or at least give you a giggle.
Noisy eaters. People eating with their mouths open, or talking through mouthfuls of food…ugh.
Oops, I'm sorry Trisha but I really think that you should see this - it may even change your mind... or at least give you a giggle.
My idea of hell would be a beach holiday: I never sit in the sun and much prefer to be doing something. The best holiday I ever had was spent driving across Canada – wonderful scenery, lots to go and see, lovely people, wildlife, bookshops in even the smallest town…perfect.
Hmm... see what you mean about the scenery, Trisha.
Sadly, we've arrived at the final question, Trisha. However, this is the most important one...
12. If it is zero degrees outside today and it is supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?
Cold enough for mammoths to start roaming again, so I could finally start the Palaeo diet. (Some smart-ass will probably now take pleasure in informing me that mammoths weren’t around in Palaeolithic times, in which case I claim artistic licence.)
You are right, Trisha, mammoths were indeed, around during that time period. Good luck with your Paleolithic diet, it is claimed that you may enjoy a longer, healthier, more active life by following it.
I'd much prefer a mammoth burger myself!
12. If it is zero degrees outside today and it is supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?
Cold enough for mammoths to start roaming again, so I could finally start the Palaeo diet. (Some smart-ass will probably now take pleasure in informing me that mammoths weren’t around in Palaeolithic times, in which case I claim artistic licence.)
You are right, Trisha, mammoths were indeed, around during that time period. Good luck with your Paleolithic diet, it is claimed that you may enjoy a longer, healthier, more active life by following it.
I'd much prefer a mammoth burger myself!
Unfortunately, you failed to answer the question correctly though, which saddens me. Surely you must know about the Kelvin scale. It has the same degree divisions as Celsius does. "Absolute zero," or zero kelvins, is the coldest temperature possible. So, if you are measuring in kelvins, twice as cold is not possible. (0/2=0) However, if you are using the Celsius scale, zero degrees is actually 273.15 degrees above absolute zero. So, twice as cold would be -136.575 degrees Celsius. Similarly, absolute zero in Fahrenheit is -459.67. Thus, from zero degrees F, twice as cold would be -229.835 degrees F.
I hope that you have learnt from this today, Trisha.
Smartass!
Now, now, Trisha - remember it is the season of goodwill.
I hope that you have learnt from this today, Trisha.
Smartass!
Now, now, Trisha - remember it is the season of goodwill.
Well, that’s it. Thank you so much for taking the time to join me in this interview. I wish you well for the future.
Thank you so much, Tara – and although it’s still a little early, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas. xx
And a very Happy Christmas to you too, Trisha.
Thank you so much, Tara – and although it’s still a little early, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas. xx
And a very Happy Christmas to you too, Trisha.
You can find out more about the fabutastic, Trisha Ashley, at the links below or on the Author Showcase, here.
Trisha's Facebook page
Trisha's Twitter page
Trisha's website
Find Trisha on Novelistas Ink too.
Trisha's Facebook page
Trisha's Twitter page
Trisha's website
Find Trisha on Novelistas Ink too.