Hello chums! Many comments and reviews of my books mention the fact that some of my characters pop up in more than one book, so today, I thought I’d give some insight into the reason behind this.
If you’ve read a few of my novels, then chances are that you’ll be familiar with the blooming marvellous Val Murray, or the raucous force of nature that was Josie Cairney, or perhaps the wonderfully compassionate Bernadette Manson, or the hilarious Nancy Jenkins. Then of course, there’s the woman who started it all in What If?, my very first main character, Carly Cooper, who continues to drop in unexpectedly when it suits her. She’s bolshy like that. Other recurring names include Dr Richard Campbell and his fellow healthcare professionals Yvie Danton and Brenda Jones, who have administered first class medical treatment in many tales. These are just a few that come to mind, but there are many more, and it’s not just characters that make many appearances. There’s the village of Weirbridge, home of more drama that most TV soap sets. The fictional Glasgow Central Hospital, which is the first stop for any medical emergencies. A bit further afield, there are a couple of imaginary hotels on the banks of Loch Lomond that have provided the perfect romantic bathtub, poignant view or privacy for some scandalous, illicit activities.
And the reason that these characters and places insist on making more comebacks than most boybands?
Well, the truth is that, bizarre as it sounds, they’re all real to me and I like to hang out with people I know. When I write, I see the imaginary world like a movie in my mind, and it’s a comfort and a thrill when a familiar face slips into the story. It’s like visiting an old friend, or spending time with a loved one from the past, because each of these characters, in some way, is inspired by someone I love.
Carly is probably the closest to my personality, and her gang were loosely based on the traits of my brilliant group of pals. Val, Josie, Nancy and Bernadette, on the other hand, are an homage to the women I grew up around; the strong, fiercely loyal, and utterly hilarious Glasgow grannies and aunts, who loved with their whole hearts, had razor sharp senses of humour, and even sharper tongues that they weren’t afraid to use. I adore that generation. My grandmothers are both gone now, but writing those women is my way of keeping them close to me, every day. They were incredibly special, and I’m so grateful that I got to share their lives. Now, I’m even more thankful that I get to share them with the world.
Love, Shari xx