Rosie. Welcome. Your novel The Theatre of Dreams sounds fabulous. Tell us more about the
plot.
The Theatre of Dreams is a
romantic comedy which follows the adventures of an unlikely trio of characters
united in their desire to save a seaside pavilion from re-development. Terminally
ill octogenarian Kitty Keaton is determined to leave a legacy of beauty, art
& culture in her home town of Hookes Bay on the English south coast. She
devises an elaborate plan to thwart her step-son’s attempts to sell her former
family-run theatre to a local property developer and recruits disgraced musical
theatre actress Tara and local architect Dominic to help her out. It was great
fun to write, so hopefully great fun to read.
I've just reached that far in the book. Desperate to read on. What prompted
you to first start writing? What was the first thing you wrote?
An illustrated piece I wrote at
infants school about a multi-coloured creature called Fred who lived in a cave
was held up to the rest of the class as a perfect example of story-writing. I think
that’s probably where it all started from. I’ve always had a vivid imagination
and scribbled lots of stories as a teenager but my hobby was put on my hold
when I started working full time. It wasn’t until I left the UK in 2009 to
follow my husband on a work assignment overseas that I found I had time on my
hands again. I started a blog about ex-pat life and rediscovered my love of
writing.
Do you plot your
novels in advance or allow them to develop as you write?
I definitely don’t plot anything
– I start off with a character and the story evolves from there. I usually have
a vague idea of how things will end up, but I’m open to suggestions, especially
as the characters develop and begin to tell their own stories.
I tend to write like that too (I think a lot of us do) If your main
character came to dinner, what would you give him/her to eat?
If Kitty came to dinner I’d give
her very little because she eats like a sparrow.
And what would
the conversation be about?
The conversation would inevitably
be about Kitty. She is used to being in the spotlight. She’s a natural performer
and all-round entertainer. I don’t think anyone else would get a word in
edgeways.
Did any novel
inspire you?
The Theatre of Dreams wasn’t
inspired by a novel – but a place. Whilst out walking along the seafront at Lee-on-the-Solent
on the Hampshire coast, I noticed a sign commemorating the spot of an art-deco
entertainment complex and observation tower that had been demolished back in
the early 1970s. There really isn’t an awful lot to do in Lee, and it struck me
that if this building had been preserved the town would be quite a different
place altogether. My imagination started working over-time and the idea for The
Theatre of Dreams was born.
What is your
favourite book of all time?
My favourite book of all time is
Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I just love everything about it –the
setting, Barcelona, which I’ve visited a few times now, combined with modern history,
romance and mystical intrigue . Plus it’s a book about the magic of books.
Perfect!
I haven't read Shadow of the Wind. Must broaden my repertoire. But I'll finish Theatre of Dreams first! Thank you Rosie - and good luck. Wishing you many deserved sales.
Links:
Buy Theatre of Dreams Mybook.to/theatreofdreams
Twitter: @RosieTravers
Facebook: RosieTraversAuthor
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