Five years later, Flo is engaged and moving to New York with her fiancé. Peggy never told her what she discovered, but with Flo looking towards her future, Peggy realises it’s time to come clean and reveal that her granddaughter’s life might also be at risk.
As Flo struggles to decide her own path, she is faced with the same life-altering questions her mother asked herself years before: if a test could decide your future, would you take it?
Title: If You Were Here
Author: Alice Peterson
Published By: Simon & Schuster
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Author Q and A with Alice Peterson
Hi Alice and welcome to Sincerely Book Angels blog.
What was the inspiration behind If You Were Here?
A friend of my mother’s approached me saying she’d love me to write a story to raise awareness of Huntington’s Disease (HD). Initially I wasn’t sure if I wanted to write about HD as I knew so little about it. What really inspired me to go ahead was when she told me that her son had a 50% chance of carrying the gene too, since it was a hereditary condition. ‘He’s in his twenties, and I haven’t yet said a word to him,’ she whispered. I then did a great amount of research and discovered secrecy can play a huge part in HD, a parent not knowing when or how or even if to tell their child they are at risk. This really made me question what I might do, if I were to discover in my twenties that my family had kept this from me? How would I feel? How would my friends and boyfriend react? And ultimately, would I take a test to find out if I had HD or not? This is a book that makes you think about your future and how much you’d like to know…
Did you always want to be a writer?
No! I had always loved writing, and from the age of 12 – 18 I wrote in my diary every night, and at school I’d always written the drama plays. But my real passion was tennis. Growing up I competed in tournaments in this country and abroad – and had the time of my life. By 18, I was ranked amongst the top 10 in the country, and was about to go to America on a tennis scholarship – but then everything changed. I had pain in my right hand, which then spread to my whole body – and I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called rheumatoid arthritis. My dream to have a tennis career was completely shattered. For the next 10 years, I was in a dark place, facing a life of pain and uncertainty, but by some miracle one of my father’s friends told me I should write my story, as it could help others. My first book, Another Alice, was about my tennis days, followed by the battle to live with RA. I found writing so therapeutic, and it was unbelievably exciting to get my story published by Macmillan – so that’s how I came to be a writer, going on to rebuild my life and career as a novelist.
What other jobs have you had?
Very few. After university I worked in an art library, I have worked for a literary agent, and I also worked in a shop in west London while I was writing my first novel…
How did it feel when your first novel was published?
After Another Alice, I wrote a book called Look the World in The Eye, now republished as Letters from my Sister. I never thought I could write a novel, it seemed such a leap from writing my personal story, so my first publishing deal felt such an achievement. I can recall vividly swimming in my parent’s neighbour’s pool, my mobile on the side, since I was tenterhooks, expecting a call from my agent. When she did finally ring, she said ‘where are you?’ ‘Swimming,’ I replied, my heart beating fast. ‘Well you’d better get out of the pool quickly before you drown, you’re a novelist, Alice’. I screamed, I splashed. I think it was one of the happiest moments of my life. My father immediately went out to buy some champagne.
What other books have you written?
I have written nine novels, including By My Side, One Step Closer to You, Monday to Friday Man and A Song for Tomorrow. What they all have in common is the protagonists have to dig deep to overcome adversity – and this is very much influenced by my own experiences of losing my tennis, living with an incurable condition, and rebuilding my life.
Have you ever had writer's block?
Yes. Many times.
If so how did you overcome it?
The best way to overcome is not to worry about it. With writing comes doubt but I’ve learned that’s OK. Good ideas will come to me in the end. I watched a documentary about Alice Martineau, by pure chance, and this became A Song for Tomorrow. And if my mother’s friend, with HD, hadn’t approached me, I’d never have written If You Were Here. I’m a big believer in following your heart – and things will work out.
What motivates you to keep writing?
Writing is a part of me now – so I’ll always do it in some shape or another. Even though I’ve written 11 books, there is still nothing more exciting than seeing my novel for the first time. Seeing months of research and work in the shape of a real book, with a cover and quotes from my favourite authors is just thrilling.
Where is your favourite place to write? ( can we please have a picture)
I work from home, Mr Darcy keeping me company. Often he’ll read and suggest a few changes.
Do your characters moods ever affect your mood and vice versa?
I get so involved in my characters’ lives. In If You Were Here there are three protagonists: Peggy, Beth and Flo. Peggy is Beth’s mother, Beth is Flo’s mother, and Peggy is Flo’s Granny. The novel follows their lives – and each story is a rollercoaster of emotions. I guess Flo is the main protagonist, so just to focus on her, I felt scared for her, angry on her behalf, heartbroken; then I felt positive, scared, excited, and emotionally drained by the end – but all in a good way! I really do live their lives – and when I reach the end of a novel, I miss them. That’s why it’s so lovely to get reviews from my blogger friends and to find out how other people feel when reading my books… which characters stand out for them, and why.
What three pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
To find a story that you feel passionate about; to write regularly, no matter how few words; and finally not to give up. Many people used to say to me, ‘it’s a tough market’ but my motto was, and remains, ‘well someone has to make it, so why not me?’
Which authors inspire you?Jojo Moyes stands out for me. I love how it took her many years to become a bestselling author with one of my favourite books, Me Before You. I can’t pretend, at times I do find the publishing world tough. It can be disheartening if a novel that I’ve put my heart and soul into doesn’t do as well as I’d have liked. That’s when I remember Jojo Moyes and how it took her time… that’s what I find inspiring and what I hold on to…
What are you reading at the moment?
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris.
If your book was made into a film what song would you choose for the opening credits?
I have no idea for If You Were Here! Can I cheat and answer that question for my last book, A Song for Tomorrow. It would have to be Alice Martineau’s beautiful track, Inside of You.
Who would you choose to play your favourite character in the film of your book?
OK – I really really love Peggy in If You Were Here and think Julie Walters would play her perfectly!
What is the one question you wish you were asked?
Alice, how does it feel to see your book on the big screen? My absolute dream would be to see one of my books turned into a film. One day…
Thank you so much for joining us on our blog today and good luck with the book.
Sincerely
Book Angel x
About the Author
