Lucy Diamond has written three novels: Over You, Any Way You Want Me and her latest offering, Hens Reunited. Lucy lives in Bath with her husband and three children.
BCC: Welcome to Book Chick City. Your latest book, Hens Reunited, has three main characters: Alice, Georgia and Katie. Which character did you like writing the most? Did you connect with one more than the other?
LD: I enjoyed writing all three characters’ storylines as I could relate to them each in different ways, but if I had to choose a particular favourite character to write, it would be Georgia. I especially loved writing her early chapters when she’s so spiky and self-centred – it was quite fun to tune into all that nastiness and really unleash my inner bitch!
BCC: Your fourth novel, provisionally entitled Sweet Temptation, will be out June 2010. Can you give us a sneak peek into what it’s about?
LD: Of course! It’s about three women who meet at a weightwatchers-style club. There’s Maddie, who works at a radio station and has been pushed into dieting by her horrid boss as part of a weekly feature on the show. But as the weight drops off, she’s convinced her husband is losing interest… Then there’s Lauren, a bitter divorcee who ironically runs a dating agency even though she thinks romance is a load of cobblers. She’s let herself go big-time with a whole lotta kebabs since her marriage break-up, and is now trying to get her act together. Finally, there’s Jess, a sweet-natured beautician who’s desperate to get into a size 10 wedding dress. She’s terrified her fiance will postpone the wedding again if she can’t shift the pounds…
So they’re all very different personalities but the three gradually become friends, and support each other through all sorts of highs and lows. It’s a novel about friendship, relationships, feeling good about yourself and the fact that temptation comes in many forms…
BCC: Sounds great, can’t wait! You have already written four novels, Over You, Any Way You Want Me, Hens Reunited and now Sweet Temptation. Do you already have plans for a fifth?
LD: Yes! I’m at the exciting stage where I haven’t actually written anything, it’s all in my head and I’m just enjoying thinking about the characters and how the plot is going to work. I want it to be feelgood and summery… and that’s all I’m going to say about it right now!
BCC: You are also a successful children’s author under your real name, Sue Mongredien. Does your writing process change when switching form adult fiction to children’s books?
LD: Not a huge amount, although with children’s books, because I’m working within a much smaller word-count, I tend to map out my plots in more detail so that I know, chapter by chapter, where everything in the plot is going to happen. I find writing full-length novels more of an organic process, if that doesn’t sound too pretentious – I don’t have every episode planned out in advance, so things happen in the novels that surprise me.
BCC: Do your children read your children’s books? Do they help in you anyway when writing them?
LD: Yes to both questions. They are a huge help in all sorts of ways. The eldest two (aged 8 and 7) often suggest ideas and titles for new stories, and also, once I’ve written a first draft of a new story, I always try it out on them to get their feedback. If they giggle or make ‘ooh!’ sounds at the right bits and say the magic words “Just one more chapter!” when I stop reading, I know I’ve got something right. Equally, if they’re fidgeting or looking pained, something’s badly wrong!
BCC: Where do you like to write?
LD: I’ve got a lovely office down at the bottom of the house which looks onto the garden. It was once a coal cellar, I think, but has since been dug out and is now beautifully light, as there are French windows at one end. It’s painted pale-green, and I’m surrounded by piles of books… Oh, and it’s right next to the kitchen which is very handy…
BCC: Do you have a favourite time of day to write?
LD: When the children were younger, I would often have to write in the evenings, when they were asleep, which was a bit of a killer, frankly, trying to be creative when I was knackered from looking after them all day! Day-time writing suits me much better. It takes me about an hour to get going, but then, fuelled by endless cups of tea, I’m off.
BCC: Who are your favourite authors?
LD: I love reading books by Kate Atkinson, Rose Tremain, Maggie O’Farrell, Sarah Waters and Helen Dunmore, as well as authors like Milly Johnson, Kate Harrison and Lisa Jewell.
BCC: What are you reading at the moment?
LD: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. It’s great – I love the way he’s structured it, and the narrative voice is so strong and original, it just sings out from the page. To be able to write about such terrible, moving events with his light touch, whilst remaining respectful is really impressive.
BCC: I read your list of favourite things on your website. I have to ask: Wine or chocolate?
LD: Ooh! What an evil question! Obviously it’s impossible to choose between two such essentials so I’m going to cheat and say wine during the summer, chocolate during the winter. Can I get away with that?!
BCC: Oh ok… 
Thanks Lucy!
Thanks Lucy! If you would like to know more about Lucy Diamond or her books then visit her website: www.lucydiamond.co.uk
Read my review of Hen’s Reunited HERE
To buy and of the books mentioned just click the images above and they will take you straight to Amazon UK, or you can buy direct from the publishers: Panmacmillan.
