Ask the Author: Petrina Binney
Answered Questions (9)
Petrina Binney
I think most of us have a mystery, if not in our own lives, then in the lives of those who are close to us. When I was growing up, I didn't have a big family and those who'd gone were like heroes: I heard about them but they were somehow separate. Because of course they were. They were dead and I was little.
Although you can look up dates of big events, for example births, marriages, deaths, in the census, and you can search out military records, I would always want to know whether my people were happy. And there just aren't records for that. But in itself, that's a bit of a mystery and might be something I explore one of these days.
Also, one of my great-aunts might have been a murderer, so I'd probably start with her.
Although you can look up dates of big events, for example births, marriages, deaths, in the census, and you can search out military records, I would always want to know whether my people were happy. And there just aren't records for that. But in itself, that's a bit of a mystery and might be something I explore one of these days.
Also, one of my great-aunts might have been a murderer, so I'd probably start with her.
Petrina Binney
It had been three nights since she’d died, but I’d know her laugh anywhere.
As I followed the sound around the room, my heart raced, the sweat stung the corners of my eyes - it was coming from the pipes... she was in the pipes.
As I followed the sound around the room, my heart raced, the sweat stung the corners of my eyes - it was coming from the pipes... she was in the pipes.
Petrina Binney
Well, taking myself and my books off the table, because that would be too easy, I would go to Manderley, and Rebecca.
At the moment, I like to think I’d be some sort of little local character, hobbling down the road and gossiping about the first Mrs. De Winter.
In truth, I’m probably one drinking session away from being Mrs. Danvers.
At the moment, I like to think I’d be some sort of little local character, hobbling down the road and gossiping about the first Mrs. De Winter.
In truth, I’m probably one drinking session away from being Mrs. Danvers.
Petrina Binney
Well, I probably should have answered this question sooner, given that we’re now in the autumn. Over the summer, I read a lot of fiction - all different kinds - from Josh Malerman to Penelope Lively. More recently, I’ve been reading the diaries of Joe Orton. Haven’t finished them yet, but I’ll tell you what I think on my blog here… www.petrinabinney.com
Petrina Binney
I'm working through an idea for a reader magnet, to pull people in to the series. I'm also fleshing out an idea for a sort of community memoir. It should be wonderful, if it happens. Like anything that involves a lot of people, quite a lot of organisation will be required to get this off the ground, and I'm right slap bang in the middle of book three of my series.
Petrina Binney
I remember the years I worked at my local shop, and remind myself I don't want to go back there.
Petrina Binney
It's part of a series.
A couple of years ago, I hosted a dinner party. I worked my socks off all day, chopping and dicing and whatnot, and by the time the guests arrived, I was shattered. I'd been working as a barmaid for some years, so no glass was empty at any point in the evening. Including mine. I'd had rather a lot to drink by the end of it. However, once everyone had gone home, I thought to myself, 'I'm not doing the washing up but at least everyone had a good time. I didn't poison anyone, and they seemed to get along. Lordy, it would have been appalling if they hadn't even liked each other.'
And - bang - there was the story. A bunch of people, sitting around to dinner, dressed to the nines and full to the brim with witty anecdotes, but they don't like each other. And some of them will wind up dead.
I'm currently working on book three, 'Sex, Death & Venison'. Right the way through, amid all the turmoil and paranoia, there's a pretty epic love story, which I am delighted with.
I haven't written anything romantic before. It's a bit scary.
A couple of years ago, I hosted a dinner party. I worked my socks off all day, chopping and dicing and whatnot, and by the time the guests arrived, I was shattered. I'd been working as a barmaid for some years, so no glass was empty at any point in the evening. Including mine. I'd had rather a lot to drink by the end of it. However, once everyone had gone home, I thought to myself, 'I'm not doing the washing up but at least everyone had a good time. I didn't poison anyone, and they seemed to get along. Lordy, it would have been appalling if they hadn't even liked each other.'
And - bang - there was the story. A bunch of people, sitting around to dinner, dressed to the nines and full to the brim with witty anecdotes, but they don't like each other. And some of them will wind up dead.
I'm currently working on book three, 'Sex, Death & Venison'. Right the way through, amid all the turmoil and paranoia, there's a pretty epic love story, which I am delighted with.
I haven't written anything romantic before. It's a bit scary.
Petrina Binney
If someone in real life is driving you absolutely doolally, you can always use them as a base for a character in a novel and just - push them off a boat.
Petrina Binney
Don't give up.
There will be plenty of people who'll be more than happy to tell you about gas bills and insurance cover and other desperately sensible things - and those things are important - but there's nothing to say you can't write as well.
Don't quit something that means the world to you just because so few people succeed at it. There is no success without, at least, an attempt at it.
Keep going. You rock. Never forget it.
There will be plenty of people who'll be more than happy to tell you about gas bills and insurance cover and other desperately sensible things - and those things are important - but there's nothing to say you can't write as well.
Don't quit something that means the world to you just because so few people succeed at it. There is no success without, at least, an attempt at it.
Keep going. You rock. Never forget it.
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