Book Club: Interview with Amanda Prowse

Calling all book lovers - our brand-new book club series is here! First up is Amanda Prowse, author of Swimming To Lundy…

Hi Amanda! Thanks for chatting with us at Joanie. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in the east end of London and now live on a farm in the middle of nowhere - not quite sure how it happened, but I wake each day to birdsong, slip on my muddy boots, and go for a cuppa in the paddock, thankful that I do. I am an army wife, married to my darling love, Simeon. We didn’t meet until I was in my late thirties, and I was so lonely before I found him. We have two boys in their late twenties who are off having adventures (even though I’d much rather they were here with me).

I’ve battled with my weight and low self-esteem my whole life, but now, in my mid-fifties, I am growing in confidence and have decided not to be invisible. It’s quite a lovely feeling, emerging from this chrysalis of self-doubt - I’m not a butterfly yet, I am probably three-quarters caterpillar and that’s fine by me! I am one of the UK’s most prolific female fiction writers. I didn’t write my first book until I was in my forties, and I have sold millions of books all over the world… I still can’t bake a cake or park a car, but no one can do it all.

Have you got any tips for aspiring writers looking to start their own book?

Don’t be afraid of the page! You can start, edit, delete, and start over as many times as you like. Your story doesn’t have to be perfect and rarely is the first time. Like anything, the more you practice, the easier it will get, so write as often as you can. Read – read a lot. I’ve never met a writer who doesn’t read, it’s how we learn our craft - how we learn the rhythm of how to write. Read your work aloud, find that rhythm! Don’t try to be the next JoJo Moyes or Emily Bronte – be the first YOU! Finding your authentic author voice and style is what will set you apart, and when you do, you will fly!

Which character from your books do you like the most or least and why?

I think all of my characters have a bit of my DNA running through them - how could they not? One of my favourites is Bessie in Waiting To Begin: it’s a story where we spend two days with Bessie, on her sixteenth birthday and her fifty-third birthday. For me, it’s a reminder of the girl I was at sixteen, ready to take on the world and full of energy and enthusiasm for all that lay ahead. Then, I blinked, and I was fifty-three! We see how life has shaped Bessie and how she bends and stretches herself, as an older woman, to fit into the life she has. At sixteen she bent and stretched the world to fit her. It’s wonderful to see her start to question this and understand that life begins when you let it… whatever your age!

The character I like the least is without question Mark from What Have I Done? He is a cruel and controlling husband to the lovely Kate, and to see the joy he derives from her torment still gives me shivers. I had nightmares about him the whole time I was writing that book. I am delighted to say he gets his just desserts…

Outside of your work, what do you get up to in your spare time?

Spare time, what’s that?! I always worry about my response to this kind of question, because I’m very boring!  I’d love to say that, in my spare time, I am a fan of the Flamenco and like to hike. The truth, however, is that I prefer to sit on the sofa with my Frenchies, read, eat crisps, and watch Death In Paradise and MasterChef. I sometimes mindlessly scroll on my phone looking at air-fryer recipes and often fall down a rabbit hole of short clips – my latest? Watching racoons wash things with their tiny hands – they love to wash up and remind me of tiny robbers in their little facemasks! See, I told you I was boring.

Do you have an all-time favourite book or one that particularly inspired you growing up?

I’m still growing up! But there are books that have drawn me in and held me fast within their pages, so much so that I envy those who are yet to discover them. I am an eclectic reader. I LOVED the Twilight series - so original, and took me back to that teenage infatuation stage that was as scary as it was exciting. Far From The Madding Crowd – a beautiful ode to womanhood of its time. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – a love story that is pure poetry set against the backdrop of war. Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events - within this series is everything you will ever need to know about life. A bold claim, but true nonetheless!

Your new book Swimming To Lundy has just come out - describe it to us in three words!

Loss, Love, Hope…

What inspired you to write Swimming To Lundy?

I wanted to write a story about two women whose stories initially feel quite unconnected. One, a young woman who falls fast and hard for a man who feels out of reach. The depth of her feelings for him is hard to process, taking her by surprise with their ferocity and pull. The other, an older woman who is facing up to the fact that her marriage might just have run its course.

Both are navigating the rocky and precarious path of love and loss, both having to figure out if life might be easier if they go it alone, and both trying to smother underlying trauma that is a barrier to moving forward.

I also wanted to set a book in beautiful North Devon, my favourite place on earth. It is set in Ilfracombe with real locations, and real houses (my own included!), and I hope captures the mystery of Lundy Island, which, depending on the weather is either visible on the horizon or disappears completely… a bit like love.

Why should readers check out the book?

It’s an air-punchingly-good summer read, featuring wild swimming, and offering glorious insights into life in a seaside town. But it’s far from frivolous, looking at the secrets we keep and how they affect generation after generation…

I take a deep dive into the family dynamics that have shaped these two extraordinary women, as we learn what drives them. It’s for anyone who loves love, who can relate to feeling a little on the outside of life, and who wants to slip between the pages and spend time in the sunshine with these women who will feel like friends.

Where will Swimming To Lundy be available to buy?

This book, along with all of my novels, are available to buy on AMAZON.

Finally, tell us some of the Joanie pieces that you are loving at the moment!

SO MANY!!!!

Rachida Embroidered Western Shirt Dress

This divine dress gives me strong cowgirl vibes! The embroidery is stunning and looks so good with my cowboy boots. Comfortable to wear, a generous skirt, the kind of dress I’m equally happy to wear to a wedding, barn dance, or a walk in the park! A statement frock that brought out my full yeehaw!

Maxine Bold Stripe Oversized Shirt

I don’t think I’ve found a shirt that screams SUMMERTIME more than this! A beautiful bold blue and crisp white wardrobe staple. If ice cream, sunshine, and deckchair life are your vibe, then this is the shirt for you! Perfect to pop on over your cossie or to hit the beer garden of an evening with jeans. Versatile and fabulous!

Paris Patent Leather Mary Jane Shoes

Oh, my goodness! They are exquisite. An elegant shape with a very walkable heel and is SO pretty! I’m not sure whether to wear them or pop them into a little glass case to be admired. Perfect with floaty summer frocks or to fancy up jeans and a t-shirt. I would suggest that maybe Joanie do a range of badges that say, LOOK AT MY SHOES! As I would absolutely hate anyone to miss these beauties on my feet.