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Join Us Every Friday! #NovConv |
To be a little different from the usual
'meet the author'
'meet the author'
let's meet a
character...
Judith
not from a novel this time
but from a short story by
Richard Tearle
which he contributed as part of the
Discovering Diamonds
Christmas Entertainment 2019
character...
Judith
not from a novel this time
but from a short story by
Richard Tearle
which he contributed as part of the
Discovering Diamonds
Christmas Entertainment 2019
Q: Hello, I’m
Helen, host of Novel Conversations,
please do make yourself comfortable. Would you like a drink? Tea, coffee, wine
– something stronger? You’ll find a box of chocolates and a bowl of fruit on
the table next to you, please do help yourself. I believe you are a character
in Richard Tearle's short story 'Chips and Ice Cream'. Would you like to
introduce yourself? Are you a lead character or a supporting role?
Read the whole story here! (link goes to Discovering Diamonds)
A: Hello,
Helen and thank you for inviting me. Er– coffee, please. Thank you and … chocolates! Well, I really shouldn't, but …
thank you. I am the main character although there are really only two of us in the
story
Q: What genre is the story and what is it about?
A: I suppose
you would call it a Romance. It tells about how I met Edward back in 1965. A
holiday love affair. You could say he 'picked me up' as he was a fairground
worker. I wasn't looking for a romance, but, well, it sort of fell into my lap.
Q: No
spoilers, but are you a ‘goodie’ or a ‘baddie’? (Or maybe you are both?)
A: Oh,
it isn't about 'goodies' or 'baddies' – although (blushes) I was a little
'naughty' … later on! I'm very shy by nature and a bit conscious of my weight –
I was the dumpy friend that every pretty girl has, if you understand what I
mean
Q: Tell me about another character in the story – maybe your best friend, … or maybe your arch enemy!
A: Edward! Ah, he was so handsome. I was 17 and he was my first real boyfriend.
You see, I'm quite plain, really, but he took a fancy to me. But he was such a
gentleman!! He didn't 'try anything' at all! (much!)
Q: Is this
the only story you have appeared in, or are there others in a series?
A: Yes, it is and I don't expect to be in any others. But I am,
of course, part of this great series of
short stories – A Story Inspired By A Song! (laughs)
Q: What is
one of your least favourite scenes you appear in?
A: It has to be the last night of the holiday. I had all the
emotions running through my head, wondering if I had been made a fool of,
made too much of what may just have been a regular occurrence for him through
the summer season, sad – no, devastated -
that it maybe the last time I ever saw him ….
Q: And your
favourite scene?
A: (Laughs)
Well, in fact, its the same scene,
sitting on the sands of Margate at midnight, listening to the waves and the
sounds of a town closing down for the night. So romantic! And we did make the
most of it ...
Q: Tell me a little about your author. Has he written any other
books?
A: He tells me
he has completed a novel about Arthurian
times but has so far been unsuccessful in finding a publisher. Oh, wait, he has
just reminded me that he recently had a story published in an anthology of stories
about Richard III.
Q: Is your
author working on anything else at the moment?
A: Well, he
says that he is working on a novel about a really evil highwayman, but he is
very lazy and I understand he has left it alone for too long! He also said that
he enjoyed writing this story so much that he is thinking of trying more. But,
of course, he tends to do more reading than writing – as you know!
(HH: Richard is the senior reviewer for Discovering Diamonds)
Q: How do
you think authors can be helped or supported by readers or groups? What does
your author think is the most useful for him personally?
A: My author
is very keen on interaction between authors, readers and reviewers –
constructive criticisms can be used by the author for future work, readers take
notice of reviews and authors are so grateful for them. For my author, it has
been the encouragement from fellow authors, the tips they give him and the
suggestions as to how to make his writing better.
Q: If your author was to host a dinner party what guests would
he invite
and why? Maximum nine guests – real, imaginary, alive or dead.
Ealdgyth – widow of Edmund Ironside, her story is fascinating and she just 'disappears'
Richard III – we need
to know the Truth!
![Richard III earliest surviving portrait](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Richard_III_earliest_surviving_portrait.jpg/220px-Richard_III_earliest_surviving_portrait.jpg)
Billy Connolly CBE –
funniest man who ever lived
![Billy Connolly Festival Cine Sidney.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Billy_Connolly_Festival_Cine_Sidney.jpg/220px-Billy_Connolly_Festival_Cine_Sidney.jpg)
JMW Turner – for some
art tips and maybe a quick sketch or two
![Joseph Mallord William Turner Self Portrait 1799.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Joseph_Mallord_William_Turner_Self_Portrait_1799.jpg/220px-Joseph_Mallord_William_Turner_Self_Portrait_1799.jpg)
Bonnie Raitt – my
favourite singer and a great humanitarian, to provide the music and maybe a
duet with Connolly, which could be interesting!
![Bonnie Raitt 2000.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Bonnie_Raitt_2000.jpg/220px-Bonnie_Raitt_2000.jpg)
Captain JesamiahAcorne – not sucking up! He's a charismatic character with many a story to
tell!
Ludovic de Portaveno
– another fictional character in J G Harlond's novels – but can we believe him?
![The Chosen Man](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91N0iKqU2KL._AC_UY218_ML3_.jpg)
Dido Belle –
fascinating life and we could swap reminiscences of Kenwood House
![Painting of a young women](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Dido_Elizabeth_Belle_Alone.jpg)
Bess of Hardwick –
not many people defied Elizabeth I, was friend to Mary Queen of Scots and built her
own house!
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/Elizabeth_Talbot%2C_Countess_of_Shrewsbury_from_NPG.jpg/220px-Elizabeth_Talbot%2C_Countess_of_Shrewsbury_from_NPG.jpg)
Thank you Judith it was a pleasure
talking to you. Would your author like to add a short excerpt? Meanwhile,
chatting is thirsty work, would you like another coffee…? I’ll have
another Gin and Tonic . . .
Thank you for inviting
me, Helen! I'm quite shy really but I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I think I
may indulge in a small glass of wine. And another chocolate, if I may?
Of course - help yourself! Salute! Here’s to writing a best seller!
CONNECT WITH RICHARD TEARLE
The brilliant Website
where I among a number of great reviewers:
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Amazon UK Amazon US |
![Deckchairs, Sea, Beach, Seaside, Seagull](https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/05/27/15/22/deckchairs-355596__340.jpg)
EXCERPT
I
sank into the colourful canvas of the deck chair and closed my eyes. For early
September, the weather was glorious; warm sun
diffused by the gentlest of breezes. Edward. Eddie. What was special
about him? Why did he make me feel this way? Indeed, what exactly did I feel
about him? It couldn't be love; love grew, didn't hit you like an express
train. The term 'crush' is well named; I felt as though my heart was squeezed
from all angles. And it hurt. Even through closed eyes covered by sunglasses I
saw his face. His expressions when he spoke, his lips when he smiled, his eyes
when he kissed me. Ouch! My heart groaned as another barb lanced home.
I
drifted into a snooze to a symphony of squawking seagulls, gentle surf, excited
cries of children who surely should be back at school by now. Intermittent pop
music from tinny transistor radios. For
how long I lay like that I don't know, but I actually felt the shadow over my
face. Even before he spoke, I knew who cast that shadow.
“'Ello
Judy. Whatcha readin'?
Be
still my heart! Why did it jump like that? I wasn't a fan of Mills & Boon
but suddenly I understood them so much better.
I
removed my sunglasses and touched the open book resting cover upwards on my
lap. “Jane Eyre,” I said. “My favourite book. Ever.”
Eddie
sat down on the sand beside me. “Not my sort. I like some action. James Bond.
Yeah. Sex, sadism and snobbery, that's what it says on the covers! Can I get
you an ice cream?”
I
perked up. “Let me pay,” I pleaded. “You bought me chips last night, after
all.” I fished in my purse. Eddie stood up. “I'll go get them,” he said as he
took the money from me. What do you want?”
“A
'99'” I confirmed.
“Right.
Be back in a jiffy. Don't go away.”
As if.
< PREVIOUS GUEST NEXT GUEST >
Thank you for inviting me, Helen - I enjoyed our chat and my '5 minutes of fame' as the heroine of a story
ReplyDeleteSincerely.
Judith
Oh, Judith, watch out for guys named Edward. I just hope your young man isn't one of "them" [con men]. First love for a plain girl is always a sweet story.
DeleteRichard, what a guest list! Admit it, you did a bit of sucking up inviting Jesamiah (though who can blame you; he is such a great character).
Thank you Inga! Fortunately, this Edward turned out alright ... I thought Jesamiah and Ludo would get on very well together discussing nautical stuff and maybe a cunning plan or two. Either that or one would challenge the other to a duel for remarks made!
DeleteI'd hate to think of what could happen if my Jesamiah, J G Harlond's Ludo and Inge's Edward all got together! Mind you Alison Morton's Conrad would probably appear on the scene to sort them out with stern Roma Nova justice - or Susan Grossey's Constable Sam Plank will appear...*laugh*
DeleteI could only hope that "my Edward" would receive a sound thrashing for his dastardly deeds which took me four volumes to mete out. My penny is on Conrad - although I think Jesemiah would lend a gleeful hand for sure.
DeleteOh, boy, Ludo and Jesamiah at the same table with Billy Connolly! Will anybody be in a fit state to eat anything? What those three could cook up together doesn't bear thinking about. Lovely interview, Judith. Shame your author isn't more active as a writer, but he is a much-appreciated reader.
ReplyDeleteIt would be fun, wouldn't it!!! And thank you for your support
DeleteTotally agree re Richard and writing Jane. Richard you are brilliant at thee sort of short stories!
DeleteOh my Word!!! Thank you, Helen so much, that means such a lot to me ... xx
DeleteApologies for not being here yesterday - wrenched my knee so spent the day with my feet up!
ReplyDelete