True love doesn't always come from the direction we are looking: Katie Fforde creates incredible romantic stories (PHOTO)

Foto: David O'Driscoll

Family and friends are very important for the development of every person and its character. They are the foundation for the construction of our character, and each of their support gives us the strength to achieve great success. With that comes love later on, and the power of true love is something everybody should experience. That is when the person gets an impression that nothing is impossible and they can overcome every obstacle. Those are precisely the themes the famous British writer Katie Fforde. 

The American writer reveals the magic of her books: Although we live in different continents, we all enjoy the same stories

Her full name is Catherine Rose Gordon-Cumming. She lives in Gloucester with her husband and has three children. She published the first book in 1995 and began writing only after the birth of a third child. He likes to sing, play Flamenco and watch Huskey races. So far she has written about 24 books and is considered an extremely popular writer.

Katie talked with Telegraf.rs about her work, readers, books... She admitted to us where she draws her inspiration and that whether she always believed in herself on her way to success. 

• When did you decide to become a writer?

I thought I wanted to be a writer some years before I started but one year for Christmas my mother gave me a writing kit.  It contained paper, pencils, correcting fluid, a dictionary, a thesaurus, and a bit file.  I had to start then!

• Where do you find inspiration for your novels?

I find inspiration all around me.  It might be something I read in a newspaper (the small ads in the back are very useful) something I see on television, a scrap of overheard conversation or meeting someone inspirational.

• What message do you want to send to your readers?

I would like to send my readers the message that true love is possible and that it may not come from the direction you are looking.

Foto: Promo/Laguna

• Your books are about true love, family, friends, and fighting to achieve your goal. Your heroes have to come a long way to get what they want, but they are always trying to stay true to themselves. How hard is that, and do we have to make a few exceptions to be happy?

It took me a long time to become a published writer and I had to work very hard to achieve publication.  But I think I was lucky in that my books are very like I am in many ways, so I have managed to stay true to myself in my writing.

But everything worth having requires sacrifices - mine was having to learn to get up very early in the mornings so I have time to write.

• Do you think that family and good friends are important in someone's life? Is that our base for success?

I think family and good friends are vital for happiness. If you don’t like your family, you can form another one among your friends! I know the support of mine (family and friends) has been very important to me and helped my success.

Foto: Promo/Laguna

• Your main heroes always find a true love. How would you describe love in your own words and what's the craziest thing you've ever done for love?

I think love is your heart lifting when you see your husband come home (even after 46 years).  I think the craziest thing I’ve ever done for love is going to sea with my husband when I get terribly seasick and frightened.

• How do you feel about romance? How would you describe it? Are people less romantic nowadays then they were a few decades ago?

I think life has fewer possibilities for romance but people will always find a way.  Think about people who arrange flash dances so they can propose in a romantic way.  In my younger days, a romance was making a ring out of grasses twisted together.

• Your female characters are strong women and they are getting into various situations. They also have a lot of charm, they are very independent and female readers can relate to them. How much is that pattern important in your writing?

It is important to me that my female characters don’t need rescuing, that they make their own way in life.  They may get help from the male protagonist but they give help in return.  They are both equally strong.

Foto: Promo/Laguna

• Is the blend of a good love story, strong background, and great and unexpected twist a real recipe for success because it keeps the reader's attention from beginning till the end? Or you can see yourself in another genre?

I’d love to think that my books contained all those elements - a good love story, strong background, realistic characters and a real twist at the end.  This is enough for me - I don’t think I would like to write another genre.

• How does your writing process look like? Have you always believed in yourself or there was a time that you were thinking of giving up your writing?

I haven’t always believed in myself, although I must have believed in myself just enough or I wouldn’t have started.  I would hate to give up writing but I think I have forgotten how to write several times a day!  It is always a struggle, but I think that’s a good thing.

• You are very popular in Serbia. Do you plan to come to our country and to hang out with your readers?

I’d love to come to Serbia.  I just need someone to invite me.

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(Telegraf.co.uk / A. Taskovic - a.taskovic@telegraf.rs)