Q&A with Helen Simonson discussion

Thanks Julia. When I began, I had only the smallest of ideas - to write something for myself. The village, Rose Lodge, and the Major in his late wife's housecoat appeared and there was also Mrs. Ali, the stranger on the doorstep. My initial short story ended when the Major told Mrs. Ali that his son, Roger, would drive him home from the funeral. It was a simple story of a missed connection, missed potential. However, all who read it loved the two characters and demanded more information. I was told it might be the novel I was meant to write. I set out on that long and inpossible road with no map and no destination. I just followed the characters around and hoped they would lead me to interesting ideas. Fitting all the stories and characters together certainly never felt 'perfect.' I often described the writing as 'like carrying a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs - without the bowl!'

Thanks.