Interview with Eva Jordan
Eva Jordan is having her book, ‘183 Times A Year’ published in paperback soon. I asked her a few questions.
Can you tell me a bit about ‘183 Times A Year’ please?
183 TIMES A YEAR is a humorous observation of contemporary family life and the story unfolds through two narratives. Lizzie—exasperated Mother of Cassie, Connor and Stepdaughter Maisy—is the frustrated voice of reason to her daughters’ teenage angst. She gets by with good friends, cheap wine and talking to herself—out loud. 16-year-old Cassie—the Facebook-Tweeting, Selfie-Taking, Music and Mobile Phone obsessed teen—hates everything about her life. She longs for the perfect world of Chelsea Divine and her ‘undivorced’ parents—and Joe, of course. However, the discovery of a terrible betrayal and a brutal attack throws the whole household into disarray. Lizzie and Cassie are forced to reassess the important things in life as they embark upon separate journeys of self-discovery—accepting some less than flattering home truths along the way. Although tragic at times this is an amusing exploration of domestic love, hate, strength and ultimately friendship. A poignant, heartfelt look at the complex and diverse relationship between a Mother and daughter set amongst the thorny realities of today’s divided and extended families.
How long did it take you to write?
With rewrites and waiting for feedback, I suppose it took somewhere between twelve to eighteen months.
Is it a book that both teenagers and women would enjoy?
Yes, I believe it is. I’ve had a lot of good feedback and some brilliant reviews from an eclectic group of readers. Clearly some of these have included some exasperated mothers (one reviewer said she could have sworn I had surveillance cameras at her home, so similar were some of the mother/daughter conversations) however I’ve also had some great feedback from younger readers and those without children.
Are there any similarities between you and the characters?
All my characters are fictional but like most writers I’ve drawn on people and characters I know.
Would you like to see this book made into a film or TV drama?
Definitely! Some reviewers have said they could see it as a film or TV series. After I’d finished writing my novel I did start to imagine certain actors for certain roles. I’d love Simon Pegg to play Simon, Nick Frost would be great as Andy, Julie Walters would make a brilliant Nan and Ray Winstone would be wonderful as Grandad. I’m still thinking about the others.
Are you planning to write anymore books?
I am writing the sequel to this book at the moment. It starts three years on from the end of this book and there’s lots going on! I’ve also written ideas for stories for completely different genres.
Did you always want to be a writer?
It sounds like a cliché but yes, I have always wanted to be a writer. However, I don’t think I was ready to do so until now. Life experiences have made me mature as a person and I didn’t embark on my English/History degree until I was in my late thirties (when I was newly divorced, bringing up two small children and working – I like to make things easy on myself!). Studying for a degree helped give me the confidence and some of the tools needed to be a writer. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you need a degree to be a writer, I just believe I learned a lot that ultimately helped me.
Do you jot down ideas as soon as they come to mind?
Yes, or I tap them into my phone or record voice messages to remind me.
Are you a people watcher?
Absolutely – always have been. My partner, Steve and I, will often make up stories about some of the people we watch. We’ll give them names, jobs and characteristics based on what they appear to be doing – or not doing!
Who are your favourite authors?
Oh wow! How long have you got? That list is endless and there is so much I haven’t read it almost seems unfair to say I have favourites. I don’t have a favourite or preferred genre so my reading is really eclectic. In no particular order the following are some of my favourite authors, Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, Louisa May Alcott, George Eliot, Joseph Conrad, J.R.R Tolkien, Phillip K. Dick, Alan Sillitoe, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Angela Carter, Stephen King, Fay Weldon, J.K. Rowling, Helen Fielding, Anna McPartlin, Louise Doughty, Jodi Picoult, Gillian Flynn and tons more!
If you could only keep three books which would they be?
No! Only three? That really is impossible. I really don’t think I can answer this. I’ll say (if I have to!) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, anything by Charles Dickens and Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Describe your life at present in five words.
Family. Love. Writing the dream!
About Eva Jordan
I am a short story writer and author of the debut novel 183 TIMES A YEAR. I live in a small town in Cambridgeshire with my fiancé and ours is a blended family. Between us we share one cat and four children, all of whom are a constant source of inspiration! My career has been varied, including working in a Women’s Refuge and more recently at the city library. However, storytelling through the art of writing is my true passion.
As well as writing, I love music and film and of course I love to read, both fiction and non-fiction. Many writers have inspired me from Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Joseph Conrad to Angela Carter, Sue Townsend, Stephen King—and recently Anna McPartlin, Gillian Flynn and Louise Doughty. I enjoy stories that force the reader to observe the daily interactions of people with one another set against the social complexities of everyday life, be that through crime, love or comedy.
It is the women in my life, including my mother, daughters and good friends that have inspired me to write my debut novel. A modern day exploration of domestic love, hate, strength and friendship set amongst the thorny realities of today’s divided and extended families.
Links
‘183 Times A Year is available in eBook from:-
Amazon UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015G3FIZM
Amazon US – http://amzn.com/B015G3FIZM
Urbane Publications – https://t.co/UTxfI9RsYT
Website – http://www.EvaJordanWriter.com
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/EvaJordanWriter/
Twiiter – @evajordanwriter
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