An Interview with Sarah Jasmon

An Interview with Sarah Jasmon

Please tell us everything we need to know about your new book!

You Never Told Me is out on March 19^th in paperback and ebook. Here’s a quick overview:

  

 “A year ago, Charlie’s life seemed to be following a plan: she had a beautiful house, a lovable dog and an upcoming wedding. But she felt trapped. A few months before the big day, ignoring the warnings from her family, she abandoned her life and fled to the other side of the world in a bid for freedom.

But when her mother unexpectedly falls ill, Charlie has to cut her trip short. She flies home, but by the time she gets to the hospital, it’s too late.

Her mother is gone, but she’s left a mystery behind. Why did she buy a canal boat, and where did the money for it come from? As Charlie attempts to work through her grief and pick up the pieces of her life, she follows the threads of her mother’s secret past – but has she missed her chance to learn the truth?”

How did you get into writing in the first place, and how did you first get published..? Has it been a long and difficult road, or has it been straightforward?

Long, yes! Difficult? I feel I’ve been lucky! I first decided I wanted to write books when I was about 7 but didn’t actually finish one until I was 40. The enabling factor for me was an MA in Creative Writing at MMU (with some excellent tutors, Paul J). My MA novel was picked up by Transworld, thanks to a couple of chance encounters and a big dose of good timing. They signed me up for a two-book deal, for which You Never Told Me is the second. It was fabulous to have that two-book deal because it made me write the second novel. I learned so much from the process, equally as much as I learned writing the first. Let’s hope the third’s a charm; I’m really enjoying writing it so far!

How would you define the genre that your book falls into?

When I was writing The Summer of Secrets, my son (then aged about 12) asked me what my book was about. The best answer I could come up with was, ‘It’s about people.’ (He was typically straightforward in his response: ‘Do I have to read it?’ ‘No, of course not. It would be lovely if you did, but it’s probably not your kind of book at the moment.’ ‘Good, because it sounds really boring.’). It’s contemporary fiction, edging into literary fiction. I like relationship fiction as a grouping as well, and it sometimes gets called Book Club fiction.

Why did you fall in love with this genre in the first place, and which books / authors / series would you recommend?

I’ve always loved gentle reads which take you to the heart of a protagonist or a relationship. Sarah Butler’s new book, Jack and Bet, is a perfect example, following an elderly couple as they reflect on their marriage, and make decisions about the future. It’s so real, and I cared about the characters so much! I’ve just read Carys Bray’s new novel (When the Lights Go Out) as well: she’s another author who creates absolutely immersive worlds, and I was completely lost in this one.

What / who do you read for pleasure?

For absolute relaxation, there’s nothing better than Patricia Wentworth. She was a Golden Age of Crime novelist, along with Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers and Margery Allingham, all of whom I adore. I’ve long loved her ‘Miss Silver’ books (Miss Silver is an elderly ex-governess-turned private-investigator with a steel-trap mind and a passion for fluffy knitting) but have recently come across a vast selection of her other works on Kindle Unlimited. They’re beautifully written, very human and immensely satisfying.

Do you take elements of characters or overheard phrases from people you’ve observed..?

Don’t we all?! I absolutely love overhearing conversations – in real life or on social media – and would always rather piece together a story over time rather than ask for answers outright.

Tell us about the landscape and setting of your books. Are they all set in the same place, more or less..? Where in the world are we, and why should everyone want to go there..?

The Summer of Secrets is set on the banks of the Leeds/Liverpool canal, around about where my own boat is moored. You Never Told Me moves onto the water, as Charlie learns how to manage her new life as a boater whilst uncovering the secrets of her mother’s past. She starts off just outside Macclesfield, travelling down the Macclesfield Canal and the Trent and Mersey. I like having Northern settings, and I love to bring as much of the sense of place to the page as I can. Early reviews of YNTM have all mentioned how much the reader has enjoyed spending time on the canal and finding out about that way of life. I love living on a boat, and it’s been a real pleasure to bring it to life.

What’s the most wonderful thing about being a writer..?

Other writers, for a start! Facebook writer groups are so good for making connections, and the communities within them are the most supportive people in the world. There’s a tremendous sense of belonging. I also love the fact that I’ve achieved my dreams, which sounds very rainbows and unicorns but is nonetheless absolutely true. I began to take writing seriously at a time in my life when big changes were happening with the end of my marriage. Writing has allowed me to become much more myself and, at the same time, create an entirely new career. And being able to say I’m a writer on a boat is one of my favourite things in the world.

And what’s the most challenging thing about the novelist’s life..?

Self-doubt, comparisons with other writers and their achievements (n.b. not worth a second of time, but it sneaks in…), the sporadic money and the wildly uneven returns you get from publishing.

Longhand on actual paper, or straight onto the computer..? How do you write that first draft?

Onto the computer, then lots of scrappy bits of paper as I try to keep track of what’s going on. I also make a lot of notes on my phone when I’m out and about (the best ideas come on dog walks). The book I’m writing at the moment has changed things a bit though. I came up with the idea a couple of years’ ago, so had to keep it on the backburner whilst I finished You Never Told Me. As a result, my subconscious has worked out a huge amount about the characters and their relationships with each other, so I’ve ended up writing family trees and comprehensive character notes.

What is your readership like..? Do you meet them at events, and get letters and email from them?

I love doing events and meeting readers, but my reach at the moment is fairly small. I think it’s fair to say that The Summer of Secrets had a quiet launch into the world, so I don’t hear a lot beyond reviews, really. I’m embracing the role of slow burner, though! The blog tour for You Never Told Me is in full swing at the moment (you can follow it on Twitter, where I’m @sarahontheboat), and it’s a chance to meet lots of wonderful bloggers, who really are the lifeblood of the reading community.

What are you going to write next..? Are you going to be working in the same vein? What can we expect next..?

My next book will follow a splintered family as they meet for the last time at the family home. It’s got elements of those Agatha Christie novels where everyone needs to inherit money and they’re all hiding secrets from each other.

Finally… tell us something surprising about yourself that your readers might not already know..!

I’m passionate about power-lifting! I started doing it last summer, and I try to get to the gym at least once a week to do some lifting. It’s another supportive and friendly community, and nothing like as daunting as it looks. My PBs so far are a 90kg deadlift and 42.5kg squat.