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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 19:36:18 GMT
wow, Claire, are you a journalist?! I got starte totally by accident as is often the case. I was going through a rough patch at work and spent my lunch-times reading to distract myself from the job. One day, after finishing a particularly lousy book (not an Irish author I hasten to add) I said 'I can do better than this! I wrote a couple of chapters of Too Little, Too Late, put it way (I was doing marketing exams at the time and needed to study ) and promptly forgot all about it. It was only when I left that job I found a hardcopy in the back of the drawer. When I told a friend about it she nagged me to send it off. I sent it to Poolbeg and got a call from Kate Cruise-O'Brien (editor of Poolbeg) the very next day. A few weeks later, I signed a three book contract. When it was publishe, the book went to number one within a week. Shortly after that, I was talking to Cathy Kelly who introduced me to her Agent, Ali Gunn (now my agent) and before I knew it, I was being auctioned for worldrights outside of Ireland. When I start a book, the background comes first (ie the main location for the story). In the latest book, Changing Places, that's an estate agency. Then I come up with the main cast of characters. The title is usually the last thing, unless something occurs to me along the way. I've come up with all the titles barr Shaken And Stirred (my husband, Tony) and Changing Places (my, editor in Simon & Schuster, Suzanne Baboneau) Whew! Have to stop for a sip of wine!
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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 19:41:04 GMT
ahhh - terrible two's - you have a point! My age? Well, there's no point in being coy. I revealed my age from the beginning (my mother said I was mad, and she was, as usual, right). Have you noticed the way journalists always ask female authors their age but never the men - very annoying. Anyway - I'm the grand old age of 42. I had Peter at 36 and Sean when I was just turned 41. Mad or what? Still, it's true what they say - they keep you young (although not necessarily awake).
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Post by charlene on Jul 5, 2005 19:41:19 GMT
Do you get anyone to read your finished work ie:a member of your family or a friend when you have finished a novel?
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 19:46:32 GMT
Me a journalist, god no!! I can't even write a shopping list. I'm a stay at home mother of three and work in the local play school two mornings a week.
Sometime I read books and wonder just how on earth they got published. Sometimes I think that I could do better but I really don't have it in me. Maybe when I'm 80, write my memoirs!
We have something in common, I too was recently in the Herald. Marisa Mackle asked me to answer some questions for her on my 'holiday romance' the ones that do last. It was funny to see myself in the paper, she sent it over to me.
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 19:47:38 GMT
Well they keep you awake, at the wrong bloody time!
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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 19:48:07 GMT
Charlie, I don't let anyone near it until it's finished. I often read about other authors having friends/ family read chapters as they go and maybe I'm weird but I just can't do it. It's like the characters are my personal possessions until I'm completely finished and then unleash them into the big bad world to fend for themselves. Doesn't that sound fanciful?? Anyway, once I'm finished I send off a copiy to my editors (Suzanne in Simon & Schuster, Gaye in Poolbeg, Ali, my agent (she is just so sharp and cuts right through the chase - invaluable input ) and my dear old Mammy. Yes, she always says my books are wonderful and can't be trusted to be objective but I still need to hear it.
Incidently, on this whole 'mum, mummy, mam or mom business, I call my mother 'mammy' and that's what I told my kids too. My eldest now calls me 'Mom' presumably thanks to US TV. I use all of the above in my books becuase usually it's a good illustration of different classes/ backrounds etc. I doubt if anyone in Dalkey says Mammy!!!!!! Sorry for going off on a tangent - blame the wine!!!!!
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Post by charlene on Jul 5, 2005 19:51:23 GMT
Have you read the thread on that colette mam mom or mammy it's quite interesting I call mine mam and mine call me mam or mammy
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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 19:52:15 GMT
it is sad, Claire, some of the rubbish that leaks out into the world - having said that, one man's poison etc. I have some really close friends who like stuff that I can't stand and visa versa and I would have thought that we were really alike. Anyway, working with kids is a much more important job that journalism - now Marisa will murder me - no, I'm sure she'll agree. Raising the next generation of readers gets all our votes!
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 19:52:54 GMT
that Mam Mom Mammy was also a topic a while ago. Mine is also mam or mammy. but I couldn't understand it in an Irish book. Maybe mum but mom always got to me.
You were very lucky getting a call so quickly from Poolbeg. was it hard to come up with the other books, at the time, or were they floating around in your head too?
Here send over that wine, you're putting a longing on me!
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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 19:55:39 GMT
Yes, Charlie, I did, and I'm always amazed about how strong people feel about these things. When it comes down to it, it's just a term of affection and it means the same thing. Although just using 'mother' might concern me. I can't imagine any child in a moment of trauma or upset calling 'mother, mother'! Probably they'd call 'nanny, nanny' instead!
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Post by fionak on Jul 5, 2005 19:58:15 GMT
Hello Colette - nice to meet you I get called mammy most of the time, although 'awww mam' is becoming a very familiar sound these days too!
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 19:59:15 GMT
You don'tknow my cousins! And they used to put on these real 'posh' accents when saying. I used to be sick laughing
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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 20:01:00 GMT
open wide, Claire!!! Yes, there was a huge amount of luck involved in me becoming a writer. No, there aren't loads of ideas floating around in my head - there isn't room with all the stuff I've to remember on a daily basis re the boys! - however, quite annoyingly, I usually get an idea for a book, just as I'm finishing one - if you follow my drift. It's very distracting and if I'm not careful can result in me trying to rush an ending, just so I can get started on the next story. Thankfully I've got sensible people around me who sort me out when I go off on a tangent. Re 'Mom' - I hate it too, although when Peter says it, it sounds fine. There's love for ya! Why are you surprised that mam and mammy are used in Irish books?? I'd say about 70% of Irish people use those terms
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 20:01:01 GMT
Hi Fiona, nice to see you posting.
So how old is your little terror?
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Post by charlene on Jul 5, 2005 20:01:49 GMT
I say I've a little flock of lambs MaMaMaMa is all I hear then when it's both at the same time oh but I love them
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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 20:02:17 GMT
Fiona - welcome! Any questions before we call it a night?
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Post by fionak on Jul 5, 2005 20:02:35 GMT
I've 3 - 9, 6 and 1. I used to think my ambition was to write, now its just to get through the day with my sanity in tact..
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Post by fionak on Jul 5, 2005 20:03:31 GMT
I just wanted to say hello and congratulations - its wonderful to see so many Irish Girls names in print these days!
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 20:04:56 GMT
No I'm surrprised that they are NOT used. God that wine went to me head before i swallowed it.
every book I read from an irish writer always call the mothers 'mum' and i feel I even say it in my head in an english accent. But if I read 'mam', well then I know it's irish. I really hate the 'mom'.
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 20:07:50 GMT
Fiona I know the feeling.
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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 20:08:19 GMT
Fiona - I am in awe although I bet your 9 year old is a great help. Thanks for the kind words, it is nice to be part of such a talented bunch and great that Catherine was more proacative than the rest of us and put this site together. I find it very uplifting to come in and touch base from time to time. I don't often get involved in the conversations because - as you by now will realise - I never shut up and then no books would get written and you'd all be giving out!!!!!! Speaking of which, I really should get started on the next one...................
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 20:09:08 GMT
Hey Charlie we'll have to start calling you 'little Bo Peep'
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Post by charlene on Jul 5, 2005 20:09:30 GMT
Must go now few jobs to do before BB yes sorry I do watch it
Thank you so much colette for answering my questions I've enjoyed chatting with you I will let you know when I've finished Changing Places I think it might be our book club choice have to check that out hope to chat on the boards again soon. night claire ,night Fiona ,night colette, speak soon love charlie.xx
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 20:10:27 GMT
Are we allowed to know the jist of the next one yet?
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Post by charlene on Jul 5, 2005 20:11:47 GMT
lol claire I've just read that now hey I'll have to chang my pic, no only joking right I'm of catch you's tomorow
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Post by fionak on Jul 5, 2005 20:12:06 GMT
Do friends and family presume that the people you write about are based on them?
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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 20:12:21 GMT
I do know what you mean, Claire, but most of my audience is in the UK and THEY get irritated when I use 'Mam'!! As they say, 'you can't please all of the people all of the time' . I find a llot of it depends on the book or author. Sometimes it's irritating, sometimes it's not. I think if you are that hung up on petty details it means the story is failing to hold you attention. I always notice that when I've read a particularly good book, I haven't bothered about the language, style, tone - it just worked and I loved it!
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Post by claire on Jul 5, 2005 20:14:03 GMT
that's a good point Colette. It doesn't bother me so much now must be getting used to it
night Charlie
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Post by ccaddle1 on Jul 5, 2005 20:18:30 GMT
night Charlie, thaks for stopping by. Have to go myself and get ready for summer camp tomorrow. Fiona, family and friends did think that to begin with - if they still do, they don't tell me anymore!! It's natural I suppose but I use experiences I've had rather than people I've met. Basing characters on actual people is far too limiting. Claire - re next book, well it's about two women who are partners in an interior designer firm, their lives and the usual screw-ups that occur. Fraid that's about all I can reveal for now - I'm only getting to know them myself.
Thanks Fiona, thanks Claire, really appreciate you dropping in. Talk to you on-line again some time. Promise promise, promise, website will be happening soon. Watch this space, xx
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Post by fionak on Jul 5, 2005 20:21:00 GMT
Thank you Colette and I will look forward to your next book.
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