Once In a Lifetime - Softcover

Kelly, Cathy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1416586253 ISBN 13: 9781416586258

Publisher: Gallery Books, 2010

Synopsis

Kenny’s Department Store, with its handsome Edwardian facade and meticulously hand-selected goods, is the jewel in the crown of the small Irish town of Ardagh. Star Bluestone sells her beautifully crafted tapestries at Kenny’s. Made with natural dyes, they embody her earthy spirit and creative vision, but she has a special reason for caring about Kenny’s that extends far beyond her sales. And for Ingrid Fitzgerald, hotshot political journalist and wife of workaholic David Kenny, the store is the “other woman” in her marriage. With her children leaving home and her career taking off, she is worried that her marriage could be in jeopardy. Charlie Fallon, one of David’s staff, is among the first to hear the rumor that the store is faced with a takeover bid. With an owner who doesn’t seem his usual self and the threat of closure looming closer—what does the future hold for these women who are bound together by its fortunes?

With her expertly drawn characters and heartfelt storytelling, this satisfying novel proves that “Cathy Kelly knows exactly what women want” ( Publishers Weekly ).

About this title

Review:

"Her best book yet." -- Marian Keyes

From the Author:

When did you start writing?
It sounds clichéd to say I’ve always written, but I have such vivid memories of being twelve and sitting up in bed writing in my notebook. I studied journalism after I left school and got a job in a newspaper, where I stayed for fourteen years. So I’ve worked as a professional writer all my grown up life. Wow! Sounds mad to say it. I dreamed of writing fiction but never really had the confidence to do it, and although I had a couple of abortive attempts to write a novel, I finally put my heart and soul into it during the mid ‘90s and wrote my first book. I’ve just started my twelfth. Yet again, sounds mad.

Where do you write?
I have a beautiful study in my house in Wicklow and from the window, I can see rolling hills and woodland. But I try to keep my eyes on the computer.

What are the pros and cons of being a writer?
I think it’s one of the best jobs in the world. I love writing – not that it isn’t tough on many occasions when the story’s not working and you think you’re a total idiot, which happens every day, basically – but I have a job I love. I am so lucky. Do you know, I can’t really think of any cons apart from the ones every person has about a job: you know, am I doing it right, will I get fired for screwing up! The negatives are what happens in my own head because I am so self-critical and let’s face it, no matter what job I had, I’d be self-critical. So I’m blessed.

What writers have inspired you?
I am a huge fan of an Irish writer, Molly Keane. I read and reread all her work. I love comedic writers too, from Douglas Adams to PG Wodehouse.

How important is a sense of place in your writing?
Very important. Mentally, I have to work out where my characters are very early on. It’s like the place is almost another character.

Do you spend a lot of time researching your novels?
I read a lot and do on-line research, but don’t do so much out-and-out research anymore. Partly because I have two small children and am very busy, but also because I find my novels are more and more about people and relationships, and that’s research into the human condition, which can be done anywhere! I love the airport. Watching people flying off, wondering where they’re going and what’s been happening to them...

Do your characters ever surprise you?
All the time. When I wanted to write first, I used to interview every novelist I could and they all said the same thing: that the story and the characters take on a life of their own. I thought they were all bonkers but it turns out, they were right. You want your character to do something by the end of the novel, and when you reach that point, they refuse to do it.

How much of your life and the people around you do you put into your books?
Who you are goes into your writing because you are the author but I honestly don’t put people I know or my own life into my novels. It wouldn’t work, in my opinion. I want to create a character and a situation and if I use an existing one - character or situation – then I’d be tied by the reality of that person or situation. I am astonished by writers who do put real people into books.

How did it feel when you saw your book in print for the first time? Incredible. Up until that point, it felt as if it was just me and something I’d worked on on my dining room table but suddenly, I had this actual book in my hand with my name on the cover.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing now?
I suppose I could still be a journalist, which was a great job but could be stressful. In my fantasy other world, I’d have retrained and by a psychologist.

What has been your ‘Once in a Lifetime’ opportunity?
Having my sons with my partner. Nothing else comes close.

You have achieved so much, what is your next goal?
I’m very involved in two charities: UNICEF Ireland - I work as one of their ambassadors – and Chernobyl Children’s Project International, of which I’m a patron. UNICEF works in more than 150 countries doing incredible work saving children’s lives. It’s an honour to be involved. With them, I’ve visted Rwanda and Mozambique to raise awareness – and funds – for their work, which includes helping children orphaned by HIV. UNICEF do so much work, I could write a thousand words here describing it. Visit their website to see what they do. CCPI is an Irish charity set up by Adi Roche in 1991 to improve the quality of life of thousands of children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. To date, they’ve delivered over 76 million euro’s worth of aid to children in the heart of the Chernobyl Zone. Currently, we’re trying to raise funds to operate on children with ‘Chernobyl Heart’, a birth defect that will kill them unless they can have surgery. 1,000 euro saves a child’s live. I want to do everything I can for these charities. No child should have to live in fear, hunger, pain. We can all help and I want to do my bit.

About this edition

• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1416586253
• ISBN 13: 9781416586258
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 416