Revisiting the Triskele Lit Fest 2/5: Romance Panel

On the second panel from the Triskele Lit Fest 2016, four very different authors discussed Romance writing with Triskele Books member Liza Perrat. What classifies a book as 'Romance'? Can men write Romance, and what happens when they do? And what are the secrets of their writing craft?

Watch the whole panel here!

With Carol Cooper, Sareeta Domingo, Charlie Maclean and Isabel Wolff.*
(With apologies for the poor quality of sound for the questions from the audience)


This time next week: Crime and Thrillers. And you can watch our Sci Fi and Fantasy panel here.

Carol Cooper is a doctor, journalist, and novelist. She writes for The Sun newspaper and teaches medical students at Imperial College.
After a string of trade-published non-fiction books and an award-winning medical text, she chose self-publishing for her fiction debut Night at the Jacaranda. Her latest novel, Hampstead Fever, came out in June. Her novels are all about Londoners looking for love, and they’re laced with inside medical knowledge.

 Sareeta Domingo was born in Camberwell, South East London but spent her formative years in Bahrain, when her family moved there for her father's job. She currently works as a senior editor at a creative book packager by day, and squeezes writing into her mornings, evenings and weekends. She writes reviews of contemporary romance titles on her blog, The Palate Cleanser.
The Nearness of You is her debut novel.



Unforgettable, Charlie Maclean’s sparkling debut novel, is a captivating contemporary romance set in present-day London with an irresistible Sliding Doors concept. National press coverage, rave reviews and an award-shortlisted cover looks set to make it one of the breakout books of 2016. This literary-romantic drama is Charlie Maclean’s first full-length novel. He studied English Literature and Law before working in public relations and business. Charlie is currently writing the screenplay for Unforgettable and working on his next novel, another romance, this time set in the seaside city of Brighton and Hove.

Isabel Wolff is a former BBC radio reporter whose ten bestselling novels include Rescuing Rose, Behaving Badly, A Vintage Affair',and Ghostwritten, all published by HarperCollins. Isabel lives in London with her family.

The Romance Panel was chaired by Liza Perrat, A Triskele Books member, Liza grew up in Australia, where she worked as a nurse and midwife. She has now been living in France for 20 years, and writes historical novels set in France and Australia, and reviews books for Bookmuse.






(*With apologies for the poor quality of sound for the questions from the audience.)

Male Romance Authors - Interview with Charlie Maclean

By JJ Marsh

This week we welcome Charlie Maclean, author of Unforgettable – a funny, thoughtful, touching contemporary romance with a premise similar to that of Sliding Doors. What if we could live two parallel paths resulting from the decision of a moment? see review here

Before talk to Charlie, let’s take a minute to look at the genre. Contemporary modern romance, with pastel-shaded covers featuring silhouettes in high-heels and glitter, is dominated by women. Both as readers and writers. Indeed, occasional foolish debates flare over whether or not men can even write romance.

Tsk.

Of course men can write romance, and women can write science-fiction and anyone can write in any genre. Your gender dictates what you can do with your body, not your mind.

Here are ten of my favourite contemporary modern romances written by men, just to prove my point. In chronological order of reading


High Fidelity, by Nick Hornby
What it really means when you make someone a tape

Scratch, by Danny Gillan
There's a love story at the heart of this, but it isn't the one you think

Man and Boy, by Tony Parsons
Coming-of-age, but it’s the adult who grows up

My Fat Brother, by Jim Keeble
Idleness won’t cut it when the Barron brothers meet love, tragedy and a penguin

Time for Bed, by David Baddiel
Observations on ego and obsession, with fabulous set-pieces and blistering lines

The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simison
Love as disruption told by an exceptional voice

Things My Girlfriend and I Argue About, by Mil Millington
The daily joys of cross-cultural married life with wickedly funny characters

The Humans, by Matt Haig
People and dogs as observed by someone who doesn’t do relationships

Us, By David Nicholls
Like Simison, Nicholls creates a character love changes for the better

Unforgettable, by Charlie Maclean
Tones of Shakespeare, but tragedy or comedy?


Over to our guest this week – Charlie Maclean...

 
Charlie’s debut novel, Unforgettable, is a sexy, gritty tale of present-day star-crossed lovers. 
As a passionate storyteller he has also drafted TV and films scripts. 
He lives between London and Brighton (UK) and is currently working on his next book, also a love story, this time set in Brighton. 

Details at charliemaclean.co.uk






Which work most influenced you when growing up?

Some early favourites were I Am David by Anne Holm and Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian.

Where do you write?

I have my laptop or notebook with me at all times. At home, my writing desk is a square card table with fold-out legs and a green felt surface.

Who or what had the biggest impact on your creative life?

Tough question! I’ve never had a writing mentor; my writing has developed from reading lots of books and feedback from editors.

How far are you influenced by other media, such as music, TV or fine art?

Film and TV are particular influences. I’d love to see Unforgettable dramatised.

Do you have a phrase that you most overuse?   

I always try to be original.

Which writers do you enjoy?

There are so many. I’m going to say two great favourites, Iris Murdoch and William Boyd.

Why do you write?

It’s something I’ve always done and always felt the desire to do. I love stories and trying to find some human truth through them.

What makes you laugh?

My dear friends.

Do you have a guilty reading pleasure?

Rereading my favourite books rather than ones from my to be read pile.

Which classic do you wish you’d written?

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene

Which book impressed you most last year?

It didn’t come out last year but my favourite read was This Is How You Lose Her, the collection of short stories by Junot Díaz.

Would you share what you’re working on next?

My next novel – also a love story – this time set on the South Coast of England, in Brighton.

Wild card: What’s the best way of spending a Sunday morning?

A couple of hours of writing, a run, then breakfast with strong coffee before climbing back under the bed covers, ideally with someone special.