Local Life - St Helens - Mar/Apr 2021

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16 America after my book, ‘For Better, For Worse’ hit the New York Times bestseller list. As I was about to go on, the studio floor manager told me that the show went out live to 60 million Americans which utterly terrified me. ‘chick-lit’ craze, and I was lucky to be writing the right thing at the right time. Thank you, Bridget Jones!” This transcript was to be Carole’s first foray into publishing, her agent sold her book, and ‘Let’s Meet on Platform 8’ was published. Carole added, “It was such a thrill to see a book that I’d written in the shops and I’m pleased to report that never really stops!” It seems Carole really lives up to the adage of love what you do; she’s found her passion and has been enjoying all that brings. When asked what she most loves about being an author, she tells me, “My job is so varied. I’ve got to do lots of fun things over the years in the name of research and that’s been great, as an author, you also have complete control over the worlds you create”. When pressed about her proudest moments throughout her career, I sense there might be too many to mention, and that Carole is also quite modest. She adds, “I’ve written thirty-four novels and have been on the Sunday Times bestseller list with most of them. I was awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Romantic Novelists’ Association and have recently won the Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year for Sunny Days & Sea Breezes which is fabulous .’ “There’s so much to be thankful for and next year, it’s the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of my first novel, I never thought when I wrote my first book that I’d be able to make a long career of it.” Despite all the accolades, none of the selfdeprecating Northern humour has left Carole and she cheerfully tells me about the time she almost met Dustin Hoffman. Carole says, “I went on breakfast television in “I have no idea what they said to me or what I replied. I was so traumatised that when I came off the show at 8 a.m. I went straight to a hotel bar and drank many glasses of wine. Because of that, I missed meeting Dustin Hoffman. Sometimes I still wake up in a cold sweat thinking about it.” Carole’s level of success doesn’t just happen overnight, despite her humble attitude its obvious that she is a talented writer and has worked hard at her craft. But what advice would she give to any budding writers out there? She tells me, “I’m often asked for shortcuts to getting published, but you have to sit at your computer long enough to produce roughly 110k words. Try to write a little every day – it’s amazing what you can accomplish in just an hour and it’s the only way to tone your writing muscles. “Without wanting to sound cheesy, write the book that comes from your heart. If you chase publishing trends, they’ll be over before your book is finished. Enjoy writing your first book – it’s probably the only one that will be done without the constraints of a contract or deadlines!” Carole is a woman of many talents and along with writing best selling novels she also enjoys paper crafts, cardmaking and crocheting. Along with her hobbies, Carole tells me that walking with her husband has really been a blessing through lockdown, “My husband and I like walking and try to get out every day for about an hour and at weekends, when we’re able, we’ll do a longer hike. “During the first lockdown I was on a tight deadline to complete my follow-up
17 Christmas book – Christmas for Beginners – so it was business as usual. This time round, it’s been much more difficult to concentrate and find inspiration when we’re not actually doing anything or going out anywhere. I didn’t realise how much I needed that. After dominating bestseller lists and selling 6 million books around the world, what could possibly be on the agenda for Carole? “I think this very weird time has caused many people to think about their lives and how they want to live them. I’ve spent forty-odd years working flat out and I’d like to ease back a bit – though I’m finding that easier said than done,” Carole adds, “I love the Lake District and want to spend more time there when we can. I was lucky to be able to travel extensively when I was younger, so my wanderlust doesn’t take me very far now! I love walking up hills and, if possible, finding a nice tea shop or pub when I come down again. That’s definitely the plan for <strong>2021</strong>.” Carole’s list of novels can be found online at www.carolematthews.com
Page 1 and 2: LocalLife St Helens Edition Mar/Apr
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Local Life - St Helens - Mar/Apr 2021

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