A Meeting of a Different Kind
A Meeting of a Different Kind is a contemporary adult fiction novel exploring midlife crises and various forms of betrayal, not least that between two female friends. It follows the parallel lives of Edward and Taryn, two forty-somethings linked by a common strand in that they both know Marianne. To Edward, Marianne is an ex classmate who has been emailing him for over a year, since finding him on Friends Reunited. She is Taryn's best friend and is always talking about the wonderful Edward, saying she has no scruples about emailing him because he is not the type to philander. Taryn, a borderline manic-depressive, sees herself as a femme fatale. Having finished with her boyfriend, she is wondering if she still has the ability to attract men. Thinking Edward might provide the challenge she needs, she concocts a plan to meet him after a lecture he is giving at the British Museum. If she likes him, she intends to try to seduce him.
Meanwhile Edward's happy family life has been thrown into turmoil by his wife inheriting almost a million and setting about fulfilling her career dreams. She opens a restaurant and starts turning their home into an eco-farm, mostly without consulting him. She also seems to be losing interest in their relationship which makes his email friendship with Marianne seem more important. Suddenly there is another woman in his life - and if Taryn's plan succeeds, there may be a third.
The book is a stand-alone sequel to Meeting Lydia; what can you tell us about this book?
Meeting Lydia considers the effects of childhood bullying on later life, and the pros and cons of email relationships. The story is told from the perspective of psychology teacher Marianne, whose old insecurities return when she finds her husband befriending a glamorous colleague. Her self-esteem plummets once again and this has a destructive effect on her marriage.
The backstory introduces us to Marianne as one of few girls at a boys' prep school where she is relentlessly bullied. Meanwhile, over thirty years later, her daughter introduces her to Friends Reunited where she searches for the only boy in her class who was never horrible to her; the enigmatic Edward on whom she had a crush. Marianne thinks that finding him may be her salvation, but cyber-relationships create their own problems.
What was your inspiration for the novel – and the dual perspective you used?
When I completed Meeting Lydia, I realised there remained one important unanswered question. What is Edward Harvey really like? I decided that this could be best answered by continuing the story from Edward's perspective. It was an enjoyable challenge trying to get into the head of a male character. But we also need to know how Marianne's feelings for Edward develop. As I wanted a fresh approach to the sequel, I decided Marianne's friend Taryn would provide the second perspective. She is a fascinating character and has a story worth telling. These two perspectives give an opportunity for new themes to be explored, making the sequel a totally different experience.
Why did you decide to set the novel in Broadclyst, Beckenham and Scilly?
Choosing Beckenham was easy because I live there and it has the most beautiful ornamental park which features in both my novels. I've spent several happy holidays on the Isles of Scilly and although I didn't set out to include them, the tiny isle of St Agnes found its way into Edward's storyline. When it came to writing the sequel, it was obvious he should pay a visit and give me the opportunity to introduce this magical place to my readers.
Broadclyst was chosen by my college friend's mother as a village outside Exeter in which someone like Edward might live. In Meeting Lydia, it is merely a name, but for the sequel I had to do my research and only then did I find that it was no ordinary village, but part of the Killerton Estate.
Which writers have paved the way for your own work?
At school I studied and loved Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy. My early attempts at writing were very much in their style. Then I discovered David Lodge, Fay Weldon and Margaret Atwood, all of whom have a quirky and innovative approach to writing. I remember when I first read Fay Weldon I thought, 'That's how I can write!' I was so excited. It
gave me confidence to find my own voice.
Whose books do you most like to read and why?
My teaching job involved a lot of reading, so time for reading fiction was limited and therefore precious. I am constantly looking for books that leave me feeling that I've had a worthwhile experience, but without it having been hard work. I generally read on recommendation from friends and The Kite Runner, The God of Small Things, Engleby and Life of Pi are all books by different authors that fit the brief. But having said that, I'm currently reading 50 Shades - largely because I want to form my own opinions about this controversial work!
The character of Edward Harvey is an archaeologist. Is this something that you have an interest in?
I wanted Edward to have an academic career in an area that interested me. Archaeology was one of several possibilities, but it seemed complimentary to Marianne's career in teaching psychology - both involving analysis with view to understanding human behaviour.
What is your writing background?
I've always loved to write and have dabbled with many different formats over the years. The novel is my favourite and during my early teaching life I wrote two full length books, tapped out on an old-fashioned typewriter. I call them my practice novels. In 2001 I was inspired to begin writing Meeting Lydia. My day job was the reason it took so long to complete and bring to publication.
What is next for you?
I've recently given up teaching in order to focus fully on writing. I would like to add a third novel to my Lydia series. A door is left ajar at the end of A Meeting of a Different Kind and I'm working on how best to prise it open. I've a clear storyline in mind for the personal lives of the characters, but as with my previous two books, I want it to be multi-themed. In the light of current climatic instability I would like to develop one of the environmental themes. But I find characters sometimes lead in unexpected directions and I'm happy to follow.
Copies of the book are available from Troubador.