Cathy Kelly

Author Cathy Kelly talks to womanandhome.com about book ideas and writing tips

Childhood
My imaginary life was much more interesting than my real life when I was a child. From about ten onwards I wrote poetry and told stories. My sister is seven years younger than me and we'd lie in bed and I'd make up tales.

My mother and I decided to write a novel for Mills & Boon when I was 19. She'd write in longhand and when I came home from college, I'd transcribe it on our terrible second-hand typewriter, adding in my bits. I don't know how two people can write a book, it really doesn't work. Ours was just desperate, so we never even sent it off.

Writing tips
I learned that you can't write what isn't in you. I was 22 and working as a journalist when the news editor introduced me to a publishing scout looking for Irish sagas. I was so excited, but when I couldn't write about Irish clogs and shawls I felt such a failure. Then five years later, I sat down and started writing for me. My first book was published when I was nearly 30 and now I'm 40 and writing my tenth novel.

My head is so jam-packed with ideas. The problem is I can't type fast enough. They keep coming at me all the time; on a walk, reading a newspaper, anywhere. I used to try and keep them in my head, but now I write them down.

I think a lack of confidence is a necessary requirement for writing. If you start to think you're brilliant, you're in trouble.

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