At long last (and apologies for the wait Lisa) I am delighted to be interviewing Lisa Jewell on the Chinwag Interviews today.
Lisa is a popular British author and 'Sunday Times' bestseller of 12 gloriously refreshing novels.
I bumped in to Lisa, in a small cafe in the heart of London, while she pondered over a chapter for her next book (coffee in hand) and just now and again, she looked up to people-watch around the cafe.
Hello Lisa, thank you so muchly for joining me today for this little chinwag.
It’s a delight to be here, Tara.
As always, I’d like to warm up the interview with a really easy question to start us off...
1. Could you explain, in your own words, how organisms use Adenosine Triphosphate?
I have no words of my own for that, I would have to use other people’s!
Plagiarism? Surely not! It's a simple question Lisa and being a woman of many, many words, I am surprised that you can't find any to explain this very simple process.
Lisa is a popular British author and 'Sunday Times' bestseller of 12 gloriously refreshing novels.
I bumped in to Lisa, in a small cafe in the heart of London, while she pondered over a chapter for her next book (coffee in hand) and just now and again, she looked up to people-watch around the cafe.
Hello Lisa, thank you so muchly for joining me today for this little chinwag.
It’s a delight to be here, Tara.
As always, I’d like to warm up the interview with a really easy question to start us off...
1. Could you explain, in your own words, how organisms use Adenosine Triphosphate?
I have no words of my own for that, I would have to use other people’s!
Plagiarism? Surely not! It's a simple question Lisa and being a woman of many, many words, I am surprised that you can't find any to explain this very simple process.
Should you need to know this information in the future Lisa, Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is considered by biologists to be the energy currency of life (I did think that you would have known this though).
Here's a light-hearted book that you may benefit from reading - possibly a holiday read Lisa?
Here's a light-hearted book that you may benefit from reading - possibly a holiday read Lisa?
Ok, after a disappointing start, on to the next question.
2. Your latest book, ‘The Third Wife’, has a very dramatic book description, could you tell us whether you have ever found it difficult to write about certain subjects and how do you deal with this?
2. Your latest book, ‘The Third Wife’, has a very dramatic book description, could you tell us whether you have ever found it difficult to write about certain subjects and how do you deal with this?
The only problem I have is not finding it difficult, but not feeling able to write about certain subjects, because of my readers. I'm pretty hardcore when it comes to subject matter – I found American Psycho very entertaining for example! – but any time I get close to something really dark I tend to back off because I'm scared my readers will freak out! I do see why other writers have taken to writing under pseudonyms so that they can explore new areas in their writing.
Well, I'm sure that you wouldn't want any horrified readers, especially with such a beautiful name like Lisa Jewell. It just doesn't ring true with horrific, psychotic reading!
Well, I'm sure that you wouldn't want any horrified readers, especially with such a beautiful name like Lisa Jewell. It just doesn't ring true with horrific, psychotic reading!
3. Do you ever write anywhere else, apart from at your local cafe?
Actually, I have recently discovered that as long as I shut my ‘internet laptop’ and open up my ‘no internet laptop’ I can be virtually anywhere, so I have been writing my latest book mainly at home. It’s been nice, especially the comfy chairs! But I think when I go back to writing my current book after the summer holidays I’ll start using cafes again so I can really focus and get the words down. I may not be distracted by the internet at home, but there’s always the kettle and the biscuit tin and the housework!
Actually, I have recently discovered that as long as I shut my ‘internet laptop’ and open up my ‘no internet laptop’ I can be virtually anywhere, so I have been writing my latest book mainly at home. It’s been nice, especially the comfy chairs! But I think when I go back to writing my current book after the summer holidays I’ll start using cafes again so I can really focus and get the words down. I may not be distracted by the internet at home, but there’s always the kettle and the biscuit tin and the housework!
Hmm... well I may just have the perfect thing for you Lisa. This may just help you to keep away from that internet laptop...
4. As a ‘people-watcher’ myself, I can fully appreciate the fascination in observing others and even trying to piece together their life stories, if time permits. What do you enjoy about people-watching?
I suppose the fact that we are all living inside our own heads all the time and it's such a unique experience, no matter how much empathy we might have towards another person we will never ever know what it feels like to be somebody else. And it's extraordinary to realise that every person you walk past is lost in their own thoughts and their own worries, hopes, dreams and feelings.
I suppose the fact that we are all living inside our own heads all the time and it's such a unique experience, no matter how much empathy we might have towards another person we will never ever know what it feels like to be somebody else. And it's extraordinary to realise that every person you walk past is lost in their own thoughts and their own worries, hopes, dreams and feelings.
5. Could you tell us why you had always had a plan to write a book when you reached fifty, although you were following other career paths at the time?
At the time that I started thinking about being a writer there were very few, if any, young female writers. I was only reading books by men or dead women or middle aged women or old women. I just unthinkingly assumed that you had to have had a life, to have had babies or experienced loss, had a marriage, had a career, had illness or a nervous breakdown before you could be qualified to write a novel! That was why reading High Fidelity was such an eye opening moment for me. Here was a young man who’d done nothing much; listened to some music, watched some football, slept with some girls, and he’d written this incredibly relatable book. My immediate thought was that now a woman needed to write a book like that.
Ah, so this book spurred you on to write your first novel, Ralph's Party.
Ah, so this book spurred you on to write your first novel, Ralph's Party.
6. Do you consider the internet to be a help or hindrance?
One hundred percent a hindrance. Bane of my life. I could have written twice as many books by now without the internet. And tidied my house. And done some nice paintings. Gone for some long walks. That kind of thing. I hate the internet, it’s like a drug.
Well here's a little clip to help you get started Lisa...
One hundred percent a hindrance. Bane of my life. I could have written twice as many books by now without the internet. And tidied my house. And done some nice paintings. Gone for some long walks. That kind of thing. I hate the internet, it’s like a drug.
Well here's a little clip to help you get started Lisa...
And here is a report from 'WReporter.com - Top News Stories Daily, that you might be interested in.
Experts from the Academy of Sciences in China, conducted a study in which it was found that Internet addiction causes the same changes in the brain, as addiction to alcohol or drugs.
Scientists conducted an experiment with 35 volunteers aged 14-21 years. For those young people who answered affirmatively to the question “Do you make repeated and unsuccessful attempts to control your Internet use, reduce it or stop altogether?” Magnetic resonance imaging documented Internet addiction.
The scanning results showed that Internet-dependency disrupted white matter, responsible for decision-making and self-control.
Thus, Internet addiction, along with gambling and other behavioral disorders is at risk of becoming a medical diagnosis.
- See more at: http://www.wreporter.com/health/internet-addiction-equated-to-drug-addiction/#sthash.WioEJQX9.dpuf
So there you have it - you're right Lisa.
7. What do you like to read?
I'm pretty unadventurous with books. I’ll always go for the Book That Everyone’s Talking About. The page-turner of the moment. I never reread and I don't read anything that’s not new. I read a lot of classics in my youth and a lot of cult novels in my twenties. Now I just stick on the main roads.
Hmm... I can imagine that that could be a problem when one of your own books is the book that everyone is talking about.
Experts from the Academy of Sciences in China, conducted a study in which it was found that Internet addiction causes the same changes in the brain, as addiction to alcohol or drugs.
Scientists conducted an experiment with 35 volunteers aged 14-21 years. For those young people who answered affirmatively to the question “Do you make repeated and unsuccessful attempts to control your Internet use, reduce it or stop altogether?” Magnetic resonance imaging documented Internet addiction.
The scanning results showed that Internet-dependency disrupted white matter, responsible for decision-making and self-control.
Thus, Internet addiction, along with gambling and other behavioral disorders is at risk of becoming a medical diagnosis.
- See more at: http://www.wreporter.com/health/internet-addiction-equated-to-drug-addiction/#sthash.WioEJQX9.dpuf
So there you have it - you're right Lisa.
7. What do you like to read?
I'm pretty unadventurous with books. I’ll always go for the Book That Everyone’s Talking About. The page-turner of the moment. I never reread and I don't read anything that’s not new. I read a lot of classics in my youth and a lot of cult novels in my twenties. Now I just stick on the main roads.
Hmm... I can imagine that that could be a problem when one of your own books is the book that everyone is talking about.
8. What would be your idea of a wonderfully, relaxing weekend?
A weekend with one busy day and one quiet day would be my ideal. Maybe having lots of friends over for lunch on Saturday, hopefully on a sunny day so we could sit out in the garden. Lots of sparkling wine and way too much food.
A weekend with one busy day and one quiet day would be my ideal. Maybe having lots of friends over for lunch on Saturday, hopefully on a sunny day so we could sit out in the garden. Lots of sparkling wine and way too much food.
Then on Sunday a quiet lunch out with my husband and our girls, somewhere local. Followed by an early night perhaps with time for a double bill of whatever box set we’re watching.
9. Do you have a keep-fit regime?
I’m not sure about that but I have a keep-myself-alive regime. I go to the gym 3-5 times a week but I don't really push myself. I do the same thing every day and no classes. It’s just a ticking-over regime really.
Hmm... maybe this clip will encourage you Lisa...
I’m not sure about that but I have a keep-myself-alive regime. I go to the gym 3-5 times a week but I don't really push myself. I do the same thing every day and no classes. It’s just a ticking-over regime really.
Hmm... maybe this clip will encourage you Lisa...
10. Do you believe in having pyjama days?
Not entire days no, that would just make me feel as if I was ill and I wouldn't like that. But at the weekends we are nearly always all still in our pyjamas at midday. We put off getting ready until the very last minute.
Well I hope that you don't leave it as late as Mr Bean does Lisa...
Not entire days no, that would just make me feel as if I was ill and I wouldn't like that. But at the weekends we are nearly always all still in our pyjamas at midday. We put off getting ready until the very last minute.
Well I hope that you don't leave it as late as Mr Bean does Lisa...
11. If you could spend a day with one person (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
Oh, my mummy, without a doubt. I didn't appreciate her properly while she was here and after she died in 2005 it took me quite a long time to really feel that she’d gone. It felt more as though she’d emigrated than died. And then it really hit me about five years ago and now I have this little ache all the time, like I'd just like to get in my car and go and spend an afternoon with her but I can’t and it’s gutting.
I am really sorry to hear this Lisa, my heart goes out to you.
Finally, the most important question of all…
12. If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?
Er …!
Hmm... not the ansa I was looking for Lisa but then I spose it wood depend on witch dictionery you were looking at.
Oh, my mummy, without a doubt. I didn't appreciate her properly while she was here and after she died in 2005 it took me quite a long time to really feel that she’d gone. It felt more as though she’d emigrated than died. And then it really hit me about five years ago and now I have this little ache all the time, like I'd just like to get in my car and go and spend an afternoon with her but I can’t and it’s gutting.
I am really sorry to hear this Lisa, my heart goes out to you.
Finally, the most important question of all…
12. If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?
Er …!
Hmm... not the ansa I was looking for Lisa but then I spose it wood depend on witch dictionery you were looking at.
Well that’s it. Thank you so much for taking the time to join me in this interview today Lisa. I wish you well for the future
Thank you so much for having me, Tara. I've thoroughly enjoyed myself!
For Lisa Jewell fans, The Third Wife (Century Hardback, £12.99) and The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell (Arrow, paperback £7.99) are out now.
Thank you so much for having me, Tara. I've thoroughly enjoyed myself!
For Lisa Jewell fans, The Third Wife (Century Hardback, £12.99) and The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell (Arrow, paperback £7.99) are out now.
You can find out more about Lisa on the Author Showcase here or by visiting her Facebook page below.
Facebook: Official Lisa Jewell page
Facebook: Official Lisa Jewell page