Portobello Book Blog interview

First of all, would you tell my blog readers a little about yourself?
Hello! Thanks so much for having me! WHEN WE WERE US is my third novel, and I write Women’s Commercial Fiction. I’ve written professionally since I was 17. I began as a music journalist, progressed to lifestyle magazines, wrote for radio, and specialise in advertising. Writing novels is my vacation from the day-to-day.

What inspired you to start writing?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. It started with a love of reading, but was quickly followed by a deepening curiosity about authors. I found story-telling magical as a child. I still do.

I would sit at my desk and write stories, illustrate the pages, and sew the binding to give to my family. As I got older, I wrote fiction secretly, usually short stories. My first novel began the same way. It felt like a vanity project; to admit to staying home so I could work evenings and weekends on a book which may never see the light of day. I would race to sit in front of the manuscript, I was hooked.

Tell me about your journey to publication
Completing a novel became almost a dare. My first book was exactly that, but to keep my commitment, I told myself it had to be good enough to submit to literary agents. A couple responded, but I felt Caroline at Rupert Crew understood my approach. Then, off the manuscript flew to potential publishers. I’ve felt the same sense of happiness and contentment as each book is published — and then it belongs to the readers.

In a nutshell, what is your book about?
Erika Forde is re-evaluating her life. This grows to a sense of nostalgia regarding the person she once was before life made its demands of her, which is especially sparked by the re-emergence of her first love, Enzo Morelli. What she doesn’t know, is that certain choices she made are about to catch up with her.

How did you come up with the title for your book?
There’s a certain nostalgia to the novel, so I wanted something retrospective, but I couldn’t quite catch it. And as usual, it took a little while, but once I thought of it, I knew I had it.

How do you plan to celebrate publication day?
The lovely thing about publication day is how happy it makes everyone around me. For me, I’m super eager to finally share the work. It’s a book birthday, the moment I’ve been working towards, and there’s no better feeling.
I will be popping a cork, but at the same time, eager to get back to work on the next book. I know that sounds bizarre, but publication day reminds me why the work is so worth the effort, knowing people will spend time escaping into my stories. It’s the most wonderful feeling.

Do you have a work in progress just now?
I’m actually working on two novels. I’ve been working on one for about a year. The other idea came to me a few months ago.

What one book would you recommend to a friend and why?
I think I’ll opt for The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler. Tyler is such a beautiful, evocative writer, with depth to her prose and a lightness of touch which is almost musical. How could you resist?

What are you reading just now?
I’m reading Billy Summers by Stephen King. King is one of my all-time favourite writers. His work never fails to impress. Billy Summers is a superb thriller, and Billy is a unique and fascinating character.

If you were on Desert Island Discs, what one book would you take with you?
I’m going to be practical about this, because who knows how I long I’ll be on that island? Let’s take a gathering of incredible voices and make our way through history as we do it. I’m taking The Anthology of American Literature.

Is there a book you’d love to see made into a film?
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen. Quindlen is a phenomenal novelist and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. I found Every Last One mesmerising, with her usual great depth of characterisation followed by a superb twist which would translate so well to screen.

How can people follow you or connect with you on social media?
I love social media as it makes writing less lonely — and less productive, but it’s good for morale! You can find Patricia Caliskan Author on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

And finally, if you could be a character in any book you have read, who would it be and why?
I adored Greek Mythology, growing up, and took Classical Studies. I’m going to be Athena from Homer’s Iliad. Athena has an anecdote or two as the daughter of Zeus and mentor to Grecian heroes. That’ll keep me busy.

Thanks to Joanne at Portobello Book Blog.