Allison Rushby, author of The Heiresses
Tell us about your latest creation…
The Heiresses sees triplets Thalia, Erato and Clio—estranged since birth—thrust together in glittering 1926 London to fight for their inheritance, only to learn they can’t trust anyone—least of all each other.
Where are you from / where do you call home?
I’m from Brisbane, but lived in Cambridgeshire in the UK whilst writing The Heiresses.
When you were a kid, what did you want to become? An author?
A ballerina with pierced ears (I got the pierced ears, at least!).
What do you consider to be your best work? Why?
The Heiresses truly is my best work. It was such a learning experience writing a very long and unwieldy tale full of drama!
Describe your writing environment to us – your writing room, desk, etc.; is it ordered or chaotic?
Now that I’m back in Australia, I have a very normal study, but The Heiresses was written in Cambridgeshire, where I lived in a converted mill on a lock, complete with swan and cygnets. It was all rather idyllic!
When you’re not writing, who/what do you like to read?
I do love a bit of English fiction — P.G. Wodehouse, Stella Gibbons and anything Mitford.
What was the defining book(s) of your childhood/schooling?
Robin Klein’s Hating Alison Ashley was a defining book for me. Up until that point I don’t think I realised you were allowed to write about ‘real’ life and schools, suburbs and so on that you knew truly existed.
If you were a literary character, who would you be?
I’d love to say someone both beautiful and clever, but the truth is, most likely Kate Reddy from Allison Pearson’s I Don’t Know How She Does It. I write and have two kids who go to two different schools. I am always juggling!
Apart from books, what do you do in your spare time (surprise us!)?
It always surprises people to find out I used to ice skate competitively.
What is your favourite food and favourite drink?
I’m a huge corn chip fan and what goes better with corn chips than a very large margarita!
Who is your hero? Why?
I’ll have to go with my Nana. She’s 94 and still going strong, after not having the best start in life.
Crystal ball time – what is the biggest challenge for the future of books and reading?
I think it will be interesting to see Australia’s digital sales pick up in the same way they have in the US. With the proliferation of self-published books, it will also be interesting to see how quality books are chosen by the public in the future.
Follow Allison:
Website URL: http://www.allisonrushby.com
Facebook Page URL: http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Twitter URL: http://www.twitter.com/Allison_Rushby