The 40 But 10 Interview Series: Helen Matthews

 

I had decided to retire the literary Would You Rather series, but didn't want to stop interviews on the site all together. Instead, I've pulled together 40ish questions - some bookish, some silly - and have asked authors to limit themselves to answering only 10 of them. That way, it keeps the interviews fresh and connectable for all of us!

Today we are joined by Helen Matthews, who writes page-turning psychological suspense novels and is fascinated by the darker side of human nature and how a life can change in an instant. Recent novels published by Darkstroke Books are The Girl in the Van, suspense and thriller genre winner in the 2022 Pageturner Book Award, and Girl Out of Sight. Her other books include Façade (family noir), Lies Behind the Ruin and a collection of short stories Brief Encounters. Born in Cardiff, Helen read English at the University of Liverpool and worked in international development, consultancy, human resources and pensions management. She fled corporate life to work freelance while studying for a Creative Writing MA. Her stories and flash fiction have been shortlisted and published by Flash 500, 1000K Story, Reflex Press, *1 Words, Rushmoor Writers anthology, Artificium and Love Sunday magazine. 

Why do you write?

 For me, writing is a compulsion. I could be on holiday or ill in bed and I’ll still reach for my pen, notebook and laptop. I’m one of those weird people, who’s both an introvert and an extrovert. I’m happy with my own company and can withdraw from life to live vicariously in the fictional world of my characters. But once my book is out in the world, there’s nothing I love more than getting out to do library talks, book signings and chatting to people about writing. I have a supportive family and some long-suffering friends, who understand why I’m not always available to meet up. I’m never bored. In fact, I’ve never been happier. I enjoy every day.

 

Do you have any hidden talents?

 I’m no domestic goddess. From the age of around eight years old, my mother used to force me to do compulsory housework and cooking on Sunday mornings while my friends were playing outside in the street. It was torture! I don’t actively dislike cooking but planning a family’s weekly meals can be a real time suck when you’re hoarding every spare moment  for writing. I’ve been married twice and both times I’ve stumbled upon men who are not only excellent cooks but actually enjoy cooking. My first husband was a finalist in a national cookery competition run by the Sunday Times newspaper back in the days before TV cooking shows, like Masterchef, were a thing. Husband number two has gone further. He’s done all the planning, food shopping and cooking of meals for years. So, I guess my hidden talent is spotting men who will take this burden from me and leave me time to write.

 

What’s the best money you’ve ever spent as a writer?

 I ought to say the MA in Creative Writing I studied in Oxford a few years ago. That was certainly the most money I’ve ever spent on anything writing-related. I learned a lot on the course and met some fantastic writers, many of whom I’m still in touch with, but the course was quite academic, perhaps aimed at authors who wanted to write literary fiction. I write psychological suspense, domestic noir and thrillers. At the time I didn’t know that there were courses run by publishers, such as, the Faber Academy, and the literary agency, Curtis Brown, that focus on helping authors hone their work for a more commercial market. With hindsight, I wish I’d taken one of those courses instead of an MA.

 

 

What are some of your favorite websites or social media platforms?

 This Itch of Writing Emma Darwin https://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/

The Empowered Author – a Facebook Group run by Sam Missingham and Katy Sadler to help authors with marketing. https://www.facebook.com/groups/306865283135687

 I belong to several other Facebook groups for writers, such as Lizzie’s Book Group, Val’s Book Bundle and The Writers’ Clubhouse. These are great gathering places for authors to feel supported. I should also mention the UK Crime Book Club which brings authors and readers together and has excellent events and author interviews. The Fiction Café hosts live author Q&As on Sunday evenings and has a review group where you can submit a novel for review – if you dare.

 

What are some of your favorite books and/or authors?

 Many of the authors I admired when I was reading English at university belonged to a different era, like Jane Austen, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and George Eliot. But omniscient narrators don’t work for today’s reader of suspense fiction. Recent authors who’ve inspired me are Eleanor Ferrante (the Neapolitan novels) for pulling the reader in so you feel you’re right there; Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) for fiendish plotting; Hilary Mantel for intellectual brilliance and Donna Tartt for the precision of her language.

I recently had the chance to write an article for Shepherd.com about the authors in my own suspense genre who inspire me. You can read it here.

https://shepherd.com/best-books/important-themes-for-book-clubs-to-discuss

 

What are you currently reading?

 I’m lucky enough to be going on holiday to Jordan this year. I can’t wait to visit Petra, Wadi Rum and see Bedouin life in the desert. As part of my preparation, I’m reading The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T E Laurence (Laurence of Arabia).

 

What’s the single best line you’ve ever read?

 I’ve chosen the closing line of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

 So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

 

Do you read the reviews of your books or do you stay far far away from them, and why?

 I’m incredibly grateful for many generous and insightful reviews of my novels. I love receiving four or five stars – who wouldn’t? But I respect people having different tastes. Some of my books deal with dark and gritty topics, including human trafficking, and won’t be for everyone. If someone who wasn't the intended reader picks up the book, they might leave a negative review. And it's not just readers who dislike our books we have to contend with – we also get bad reviews if the delivery company's packaging was torn or dirty. I once had a one-star review from someone who wrote 'I haven't read this book as I couldn't download it to my Kindle Fire' – I mean, come on, guys, what has the poor book ever done to you?

 

What’s the one thing you wish you knew when you were younger?

 Life is short. Terrifyingly so for some of us. Don’t put off doing the things that bring you joy or keep you sane. If you have a passion, whether it’s writing, art or sport, acting, gardening or spending time with the family – just do it.

 

What scares you the most?

 The thought of something happening to one of my children. They’re adults now and have recently started their careers. One is a police officer which is handy when I need to check procedural details for a novel but worrying if I have a sleepless night. She’s a high-speed response driver and the thought of her travelling at up to a hundred miles an hour, often on her own, to deal with a violent crime scares me. The other doesn’t work in a frontline emergency services job but commutes to work in central London by bike. And to make sure his weekends are equally spiced with danger, his main sport and hobby is rock climbing!

 

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A tormented mother. An abandoned girl. A deadly game of survival.

What happened to Ellie?

Traumatised by events, Ellie’s mother, Laura, can’t bear to stay in the Welsh seaside town where she lives with her partner, Gareth. She escapes to London, breaking all ties with him, and refusing to tell anyone her new address.

After two years of living alone and working in a mundane job, Laura buys an old campervan and joins a singles holiday. Here, she meets Miriana, a teenage girl who bears a chilling resemblance to Ellie. As Laura uncovers Miriana’s story, she’s shocked by the parallels to her own life.

But stories can be dangerous, and someone out there will stop at nothing to prevent the truth about Ellie from coming out…

 

Buy a copy:

mybook.to/thegirlinthevan 

Also, just for today, if you're in the mood for a free copy of her previous novel Lies Behind the Ruin, a twisty psychological suspense pageturner,  you can snag that one here!