10 Things I want my readers to know about me by Colette Dartford

15 July 2016

I didn't get serious about creative writing until my fifties, when I was living in Northern California's Napa Valley. Its sunshine and beauty inspired my debut novel, Learning To Speak American.

Colette Dartford

My parents emigrated from Ireland to London shortly before I was born, but we went back every summer. I have wonderful memories of Wexford's beaches and national parks, and of leading my four siblings astray.

I'm an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction, and have belonged to the same book club for twenty years.

After doing a Master's degree I was awarded a scholarship to undertake a doctorate and spent a year in Westminster interviewing politicians, journalists and think-tank experts. My thesis, New Labour, New Language - Ideas, Discourse and Policy, was published in 2001.

I go to the cinema with my husband most weekends. In Bath we are fortunate to have The Little Theatre, which shows a lot of art house and independent films. It's a lovely old building with an intimate atmosphere - so much nicer than the big multiplexes.

I haven't eaten meat for nearly thirty years. I'm passionate about animal welfare and while I do cook meat for my family, it has to be local, organic and humanely reared and slaughtered.

I have two dogs, one of whom is blind. When they are off the lead in the park I have to keep talking to her so she doesn't get nervous or disorientated. Often I talk through ideas for my work in progress and find her to be an excellent listener.

I learned a good deal about wine when I lived in the Napa Valley and have quite a discerning palate.

And speaking of drinks, I can't start the day without two or three mugs of Ceylon tea with a splash of skimmed milk and no sugar. I even take a box of my favourite brand when I travel.

I have three grown up children, two of whom live overseas. My eldest works for a law firm in Dubai and my youngest set up a soccer academy in China. Needless to say I spend a lot of time on airplanes.

Colette Dartford's debut novel Learning to Speak American is published on 14 July (Twenty7, £7.99, Paperback Original)