|
|
1. What inspired you to write A Robot in the Garden?
I always say it was my son, though at the time I couldn't have known how alike he and Tang would be in some ways, so I think now it was a bit of a product of things I grew up with, all mulling over in my brain waiting for the right trigger. There seemed to be a lot of robot things around when I was a child, Short Circuit, Star Wars, The Terminator etc, and I was interested then in the relationships between them and humans.
2. Was A Robot in the Garden the original title or were there other titles?
It was the original title, yes. There have been other titles since, when it has been translated into other languages, but that was the title I used when I first sent it to my agent.
3. Where is your favorite place to write?
It depends. have a little office at home that I mostly work from, with a beautiful desk made out of a slab of cedar that I got from a tree surgeon. I find the look, feel and smell of it inspiring. I have other plants in my office, too, including a bonsai that I bought when the book was first published in Japan. At other times, though, I appreciate having a different space to work in. I go on retreats with my writing group which I find so valuable. The pandemic has really shown me how much I appreciate a change of scene occasionally when writing.
4. What was your writing schedule when you wrote A Robot in the Garden?
My son was a tiny baby at the time, so the only schedule I really had was grabbing a quick bit of time while he was napping. I quite often found myself writing on my laptop standing up while he was asleep in a sling on my front.
5. What was the hardest thing about writing A Robot in the Garden?
I think it was finding my feet with a new writing style. I hadn't written humor before and although this felt natural I constantly doubted myself that I would be able to get it finished. If it weren't for the support of my husband and family and writing group then I don't think I would have.
6. What was your favorite scene to write? (Make it as spoiler-free as possible).
I think the scenes with the dog. I could imagine it so clearly, and it made me laugh every time I worked on it.
7. What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Do you have a favorite book now?
It varies a little, but I think I would always list Pride and Prejudice in my top five. I have learned a lot from the structure of the book, and I love the observational humor and social commentary. As a child, and as an adult too, actually, I always loved The Secret Garden. The whole concept of a secret garden was appealing, of course, but I also loved the idea of someone who would understand animals, and a big house with lots of rooms and passageways.
8. What’s the best advice you have ever received about writing?
That is a really good question! I think probably to learn to write in my own way; to know that there isn't only one way to write a book. For example, I write out of sequence, writing scenes and chapters as they come to me, rather than from beginning to end, and I arrange them into order as I go along. It's just the way I do things best, but for a long time I thought that I was only supposed to start at the beginning and work through until I'd finished the story. But the truth is as long as you end up with a complete story it doesn't matter how you get there.
9. Silly-Game question: From the novel (with your eyes close) could you please leaf through the pages and point at a random place. What is the full sentence? And what is the page number of this random sentence?
Page 177 (in the version I am using), 'It felt like I could know him for years and still not get to the bottom of his thoughts and feelings.' That's a surprisingly relevant sentence to pick out at random - I'm working on my sixth Tang book and I feel that as much about him now as Ben did here!
10. How did you celebrate when your debut novel A Robot in the Garden got published?
I had a launch party at my local bookshop, with food and drink that represented all the places that Ben and Tang visit throughout the book. So many people came, it was lovely.
11. Congratulations on your book A Robot in the garden being made into a feature film, could you brief us on how you found out the news?
Thank you very much. The news came initially by email from my agent, a few years ago now, though I think until the announcement was made part of me didn't believe it was actually happening! It's always good to get news like this in emails, because then I can re-read them a million times until I've convinced myself that what I think I am reading is what is there in front of me! Everything that has happened with the book so far has been extraordinary; I couldn't have imagined any of it at the beginning.
12. The film adaptation will star Kazunari Ninomiya, a Japanese singer and a member of the J-Pop Group Arashi, what are your thoughts on him playing the lead role?
Oh I am so happy to have him play the lead role! I have seen him in several things, including Letters from Iwo Jima and I knew straight away that he was perfect for it. He has an integrity in his acting but also a lightness of touch that really suits the story.
13. Are you planning on visiting the set of the film?
Aw I would have absolutely loved to have done! Unfortunately the pandemic has made that impossible.
14. Would you like to make a cameo in the film?
Ah, again, that would be lovely but the pandemic would never have allowed it.
15. What scene from the novel are you looking forward to seeing on the big screen?
I have read the script and there are so many bits I'm looking forward to seeing, but I think if I had to choose then it would be the first meeting with Tang. The first interaction between them will be so exciting to watch!
16. Have you ever considered writing a screenplay?
I have considered it, yes, and if the opportunity presented I would certainly give it some thought. It is, of course, a different skill set from writing a novel, so I would only do it if I felt I could do it justice.
17. Which author would you love to invite over and chat with?
Oh my goodness, where to start! There are many I'd love to meet: Stuart Turton and Caroline Wallace, to name a few. I fangirled really hard when I met Nick Hornby once, though, and feel I thoroughly embarrassed myself, so perhaps I should never be allowed to meet anyone! But in answer to your question, if there is one author I could invite over and have a chat with it would be Alexander McCall Smith. I have always loved his work, and learned a lot about writing my own work from reading his. I also think he would have some wonderful stories to tell, too. I'd like to give him afternoon tea and just listen to him talk.
18. Last question, which novel/novella/article/short story have you read that you would like to see a film adaptation?
I mentioned Caroline Wallace above, and I would love to see her novel 'The Finding of Martha Lost' made into a film. The book is fantastic and I can just imagine it as a movie.
Thank you for taking your time to read this interview. Get to know more about the author and her work by visiting her website. Take care and have a wonderful day.