Colleen Coleman spent years teaching English and Philosophy before writing her first book, Don't Stop Me Now. Today she tells us a little bit about the woman behind her debut novel.  

Colleen Coleman

Colleen Coleman

I was raised in an Irish pub  

My family owned a pub and restaurant on the West coast of Ireland where I worked behind the bar, in the kitchen and on tables (waitressing!). Being surrounded by such a constant and diverse stream of people and their conversations whether they were tipsy or sober, tourists or locals, after happy or sad milestones such as weddings or funerals, gave me a very special insight into the drama and dialogue of ordinary life. This insight certainly fuelled fascination with storytelling and real-life characters that I have tried to nurture all my life, especially in my writing. 

I have the biggest coffee addiction

I can't even make eye contact with anyone without half a pot of coffee to start my day.

Curry and karaoke is my idea of a perfect date

I love singing cheesy songs badly and I love hearing others sing cheesy songs badly. Throw in some samosas and I’m there.

A clairvoyant told me I’d be a successful author

.. but that I needed to pull my finger out and get on with it.

I went to an all-girls convent boarding school on the West Coast of Ireland

For five years and really loved it .I made the best friends in the world.

I have twin girls

I brought different coloured nail varnish to the hospital delivery room to help distinguish them. However, when the second one arrived ginger we knew we wouldn’t have any trouble telling them apart.

I swim a lot

Even the idea of plunging into water just makes me feel better. It is one of my favourite things to do in the whole world and couldn’t live without it. If I’m having trouble clearing my head or working out a story knot, a swim always sorts me out.

I got what I wished for..

On graduating from school, the two things I wanted to do more than anything else was to teach someone to read and write a book. Hence, I became an English teacher! Teaching has taken me all over the world; Canada, USA, The Middle East, India, Australia, Germany, Cyprus and most memorably, my many years in central London where I fell head over heels for my lovely teacher husband Julian! 

I read ALL of my reviews.

Sometimes over and over! I write for  my readers, so feedback really is the best gift that I can receive from them in return. The good and the not-so-good! If people have taken the time to write a review then the least I can do is take the time to read them.

I love radio

I listen to the radio at every opportunity; in the car, in the kitchen, in the bath. I love the randomness of song choice and chat; I guess that’s reflected in Don’t Stop Me Now!