Author interview: Patricia Caliskan

Today I would like to welcome author Patricia Caliskan to The Burgeoning Bookshelf.
About the author 
 

Following a childhood spent writing her first books, most notably, Our Book about Jesus – a self-help guide for fellow young Catholics, and, The Sleepover – a compelling tale of a midnight feast, shockingly intercepted by fictitious parents with badly drawn hands, Patricia Caliskan always liked to play with words.

Patricia first saw her name misspelt in print aged 17, interviewing hungover rock stars and illegible actors for an Arts and Entertainment magazine. After graduating from the University of Liverpool, Patricia joined Trinity Mirror Newsgroup, working as editor across a portfolio of lifestyle magazine titles.

Patricia likes a good pair of boots, wearing perfume with her pyjamas, and laughter. Lots of laughter. Because without it life feels far too grown up for her liking. Told with mischievous humour, Patricia’s stories explore family dynamics, office politics, and the divergent roles of women throughout their lives.

Girlfriend, Interrupted is Patricia’s second novel: her first, Awful by Comparison, will be reissued by Sapere Books this summer.

So, let's get started and find out a little more about Patricia and her writing.

Hello Patricia, thank you for joining us. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello! Thanks for having me over! I write Comedy Romance novels. My first was Awful by Comparison, and my latest, Girlfriend, Interrupted, is out now. I write about Relationships, Family dynamics, and Office politics.

What inspires you to write?

The thought of taking my readers on riotous adventures, set within backdrops they recognise, and situations with which they can emphasise. That sounds quite promising, doesn’t it? I want to create entertaining escapes, mix in a little mischief, plenty to think about, and introduce them to a great bunch of characters. When I’m flagging on my final draft, those are the thoughts to take me across the finish line.

What is a typical writing day for you?

A typical writing day for me, looks like writing through the night. I've always been slightly nocturnal, that's when I seem to get a flurry of ideas and energy. During the night, I can be totally focused on my novel. I have a 4 a.m. cut-off, and if I feel I’ve had a productive night, I wake up completely zooped to read and edit the work.

Where is your favourite place to write?

I have a writing room, which is really peaceful and lovely, but also a few specs I gravitate towards. My latest project is basically happening in the kitchen, so there’s been a lot of snack breaks with this one. I have an old, leather recliner, I like to eat breakfast and edit in.

Do you have any writing rituals or good luck charms?

I drink coffee on-tap, and usually have my head-phones on the go with a playlist. No rituals, as such, but I light scented candles in the evenings. I’ve got Bourbon and Vanilla candles on my desk at the moment. They signify Writing time. That's about as ceremonial as I get.

What authors, genres do you like to read?

It's pretty varied. I read Contemporary and Literary fiction. Some is research-based in Psychology, Philosophy, Spirituality. Biographies are a treat, as are books about the Film industry. My latest discovery in Contemporary Fiction is Taylor Jenkins Reid. I love Rebecca Miller and Helen Walsh’s work. I’ll always read the latest from Megan Abbott, Anne Tyler, Jane Green, Candace Bushnell, Jay McInerney and David Nicholls, because you’re guaranteed a great, satisfying read.

What are you currently reading?

Bright, Precious Days, the last of the Manhattan trilogy, by Jay McInerney. I'm also re-reading some Arthur Miller, a selection of Eckhart Tolle, and a great, coffee table buy, The Body Book by Cameron Diaz, which is basically a Home essential for anyone female or with daughters.

How did you come up with the idea for Girlfriend, Interrupted?

I wanted to write a kind of coming-of-age novel for Relationships. That moment when Romance collides with Reality, whatever shape that takes, felt like a fun place to write my way out of. The idea of twenty-something, Ella, becoming a step-parent as a full-stop to her Single years, was influenced by my own experiences. Ella also finds her career shifting up a gear, and is trying to succeed at home, while needing to perform at work. Her life has drifted from pleasing herself, to focusing on greater emotional and practical responsibilities to other people. There’s a colourful troupe of characters in the mix, all with a sense of duality in their personas. It was a big mess of fun to write.

Your book is filled with humorous situations; How important is humour to you in your everyday life?

I didn't set out to write Comedy, but my interior monologue has always been slightly off-kilter. I enjoy making people laugh and lightening the mood. Life is bitter-sweet and utterly ludicrous. The best way I’ve found to approach it, is by making the most of those moments, when we don’t have to take things too seriously. After my first book was published, hearing readers say I’d made them laugh, or describing characters and scenes with smiles on their faces, was an incredibly lovely feeling.

What’s next for Patricia Caliskan? Do you have a new WIP?

My third book is set in the fictitious suburbs of Fernleigh, and tells the stories of a great group of women in the midst of marriage. I hope you’re going to love them.

Thank you for stopping by and spending some time with us on The Burgeoning

Bookshelf.

My pleasure. Let’s do it again! 

 Blurb

A sparkling and hilarious romantic comedy! Perfect for fans of Jo Watson, Gill Sims and Kirsty Greenwood…

What do you do when the love of your life is already somebody else’s dad…?
Brown-eyed, brunette, 25.

Enjoys walking barefoot across shards of broken home. Likes loaded silences, resentment and insomnia. Dislikes romantic weekends, lie-ins and any chance of future happiness.

Former GSOH. Developing PTSD.

Ella Shawe was undomesticated, unattached and uninhibited.

Until she met Dan.

Sexy, charming and funny, Dan ticked all the right boxes and Ella threw herself head-first into the whirlwind romance.

But now she’s moved into his family home, complete with two demanding children and a hyperactive dog.

Throw in Dan’s impossibly perfect ex-wife, Ella’s interfering sex therapist mother and the snooty and dismissive mother-in-law from Hell, and Ella is almost ready to throw in the towel.

But, ready or not, Ella is part of the family now, and getting it right for Dan’s kids means getting it right for everyone. She just needs to figure out how to include herself in the mix…

Girlfriend, Interrupted will have you laughing-out-loud, gasping in embarrassment and rooting for Ella all the way. This British romantic comedy is packed full of humour and has a delightful contemporary heroine at its heart.

*Patricia’s novel Girlfriend, Interrupted is published by Sapere Books and can be purchased here

 Check out the other posts and reviews on the Girlfriend, Interrupted blog tour.