Wednesday 8 May 2013

Guest Post: Pauline Wiles

The inspiration behind Saving Saffron Sweeting

I was never in doubt that my debut novel would be light-hearted women’s fiction, often known as chick lit. It’s a genre I delight in reading myself, and I’m tickled pink by the possibility that after a tough day, a woman might curl up with my writing as a calorie-free form of entertainment and escape. Plus, I knew I didn’t have the writing skills to attempt something more highbrow: my goal was unpretentious, energetic story-telling.

As a Brit now living (happily) with my husband near San Francisco, I’ve wondered from time to time whether I would stay in California or return to England if my marriage came unstuck. Generally, when I’m gainfully employed, I tend to think I would remain in the USA, but, during the time my own business was struggling, it did occur to me that without hubby, I’d be homeless, jobless and pointless! So, this is the situation the main character, Grace, finds herself in at the start of Saving Saffron Sweeting: not only is her husband cheating, but he’s doing it with her best interior design client.

Added to that, I’ve always been fascinated by the difference in what people (both men and women) say they’ll do if their partner is unfaithful, and what actually happens. The overwhelming majority of my friends tell me that if their other half ever cheats, then it’s game over. But, looking at both public figures and private couples, when infidelity does occur, it’s rarely that clear-cut. So, this was a theme I thought was worth exploring. Grace, of course, declares her marriage to be toast and makes a beeline for England. But she soon finds that running away is not as simple as it seems.

Finally, Saving Saffron Sweeting was a way for me to pay tribute to the little things about England that I miss. I deliberately peppered the book with British slang, filled it with afternoon tea and cakes, and included traditions like Bonfire Night. Although the village of Saffron Sweeting is fictional, I researched several locations around Cambridge to make sure it felt authentic. And many of my favourite places in London and East Anglia get a mention, too. For any author who has re-located and is feeling a teeny bit homesick, I highly recommend setting your novel in your hometown. Not only do you stay connected, but it’s also a wonderful excuse for some ‘research’ trips!


 
 
Saving Saffron Sweeting is available on Amazon now and you can find out more about the book and the author at www.paulinewiles.com and on Goodreads

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for making me welcome here today!

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    1. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with us. I love reading background information from books. It's a bit like watching a DVD's extras disc.

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  2. What a great premise. I couldn't imagine being alone in a foreign land. I'd definitely run home as fast as I could.

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  3. This sounds like such a sweet book! Love the puppy on the cover :)

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah With Joy)

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  4. I love finding new authors and books....I cant imagine starting over in a different country...courageous. I want to read this one.

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  5. Thanks for the kind words, Annalisa, Sarah and Zoe. I'd love to know what you think if you read it!

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  6. What a cool concept. My mother wasn't happy in her marriage, but because she was a Finn who had married a Brit, and we moved to North America, she was stick in the marriage. She had nowhere to go if she left my father. When she married him, Finland took away her citizenship. To say she was screwed was an understatement. So for better or for worse, she stuck it out. But could you imagine how much harder things would have been if he had been an abusive husband (instead of a horse's you know what)?

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    1. That must have been an awful situation for your mum to be in. I'd hate to feel so trapped.

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  7. I live in England, and like Grace I left my home Country (Italy) to come to the UK.
    Saving Saffron Sweeting is a very promising book, I started reading it when it reached the ABNA quarter finals, and am now saving it for a very special time, when I will be taking my holidays in a few weeks.

    I can feel it's a precious gem, to be enjoyed at a special time, while I'm relaxing on a beach with a cool fruity drink.

    From the first chapters I've already read, I can tell Pauline that you were able to give your novel a feel of authenticity, probably because of your personal experience (as well as being talented, of course!). Like Grace, you've gone to live in another country, but you're also British, so you are able to convey the real, quintessential 'englishness' which I absolutely adore! And last but not least, that cool, subtle English sense of humour, which is unbeatable.

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  8. I read Pauline's book, SAVING SAFFRON SWEETING, and absolutely loved it. Highly recommended. Had an UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN (Frances Mayes) feel. Also reminded me of the Provence books by Peter Mayle.

    Pauline's got a great blog to follow, too!

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