Kate Harrison
Kate Harrison writes contemporary comic novels. Her first book, Old School Ties, is a cautionary tale about the dangers of nostalgia and school reunions; her second, The Starter Marriage, is set around a 'divorce survival group' her third, Brown Owl's Guide to Life is about how childhood dreams and disappointments can affect us 25 years on; her fourth, The Self-Preservation Society – is all about learning to live, and love, without fear; her fifth, The Secret Shopper's Revenge is about three women taking life's challenges out on shopping. Kate's also an experienced broadcaster and documentary maker, and writes for British magazines and newspapers.
Envisage yourself as an animal, which one would it be?
I'd like to be an otter - playful, headstrong and very messy (have you ever seen the movie, Ring of Bright Water?).
Describe your writing style in one sentence
Bittersweet - like life or the best chocolate: sometimes sharp, sometimes smooth, but always full of flavour!
Without the rude bits, describe your typical writing day
There are no rude bits! I still work four days a week in TV, so my writing tends to get done in the evenings. I'm very much an owl rather than a lark anyway. For me, writing is 95 per cent websurfing procrastination, 4 per cent hard work and 1 per cent inspiration. But those 1 per cent moments are unbeatable.
Reality T.V. or a good documentary?
I love factual programmes of all kinds and actually, well-made reality TV can be as enthralling and insightful as any 'heavyweight' documentary: look at The Apprentice. I want to watch programmes where the director is trying to throw fresh light on aspects of life, or find a new way of telling stories... fact and fiction can both be revealing.
What did you do to get published in the first place?
I sent my book round to about half a dozen agents, without success, and then went to a writers' conference where my opening chapter won a prize - a publisher and an agent soon followed. But everyone's different. It's obvious, in some ways, but the most important thing is not to give up.
How long did it take to get a publishing deal after you bagged an agent?
See above - I actually got an offer before I found an agent, which does happen occasionally. But while it took me three months to write my first novel, it took me six months to find a publisher. This business is VERY slow!
Fried Chicken or steamed Broccoli?
The broccoli. I'm a vegetarian. But I also LOVE steamed broccoli, preferably with some cheese grated on top.
Can you remember anything remotely embarrassing about your very first book signing?
Signings are ALWAYS embarrassing. At my first one I spotted an ex boyfriend across the room and then chatted for 20 minutes to one woman who then walked off without buying a single copy.
And the best thing about being a published writer is…?
Definitely when people want to talk about your characters as if they were real... it's a wonderful (maybe slightly meglomaniac) feeling when they care about your creations!
© Lola Jaye