Five questions in five minutes with Lisa Heidke
What are you reading right now, and are you enjoying it?Non fiction – I am re-reading Stephen King’s On Writing.
When I first read this book which is part memoir, part tutorial, on the craft of writing, it all clicked for me. I’ve always loved story writing but King’s book really opened my eyes to the craft. His anecdotes and personal struggles as well as his practical advice on writing have been invaluable to me. At least once a year, I’ll go back and re-read On Writing and I always learn something new. Stephen King is an inspiration.
Fiction – Rancid Pansies by James Hamilton-Paterson.
Very witty. I love British humour but James Hamilton-Paterson is bordering on insane. He has a wicked and biting sense of humour and I am enjoying the story very much.
Could you tell us a bit about your favourite book?
Rather than my favourite book, I’ll tell you about my favourite author, Marian Keyes.
Watermelon is Keyes first book and when I discovered it, I devoured it in one sitting. I love Keye’s sense of humour, her take on modern life and her first person confessional tone of writing. I think she is a very funny and clever writer. I have read all of Keye’s books and admire her down to earth nature and generosity in talking about her setbacks and personal demons she’s had to conquer during her life. I also admire her ability not to take herself too seriously. I think she’s fabulous.
Rather than my favourite book, I’ll tell you about my favourite author, Marian Keyes.
Watermelon is Keyes first book and when I discovered it, I devoured it in one sitting. I love Keye’s sense of humour, her take on modern life and her first person confessional tone of writing. I think she is a very funny and clever writer. I have read all of Keye’s books and admire her down to earth nature and generosity in talking about her setbacks and personal demons she’s had to conquer during her life. I also admire her ability not to take herself too seriously. I think she’s fabulous.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I try to keep up with my three children Mia 11, Noah, 14 and Josh, 15. I like gardening, especially in Spring and I love hanging out at the beach and reading while listening to the waves crashing on the shore.
I try to keep up with my three children Mia 11, Noah, 14 and Josh, 15. I like gardening, especially in Spring and I love hanging out at the beach and reading while listening to the waves crashing on the shore.
What's next for Lisa Heidke...(could you give us a clue about your next book?).
My next book, Stella Makes Good, a novel about love, friendship and the quest for happiness, will be out next January.
My next book, Stella Makes Good, a novel about love, friendship and the quest for happiness, will be out next January.
The back cover blurb reads:Stella Sparks is on good terms with her ex-husband, Terry, despite the fact he left her for another woman. Stella’s philosophical – the marriage had run its course, they remain friends and the wellbeing of their kids is central to both of them.
Stella’s two closest friends, Carly and Jesse, envy her togetherness and wish they could emulate it. Jesse’s husband, Steve, is a control freak who’s driving her crazy, but she has two small children and can’t see a way out. Carly, meanwhile, suspects her husband is having an affair and isn’t sure what to do about it.
Stella’s life takes a distinctly upward turn when she meets a handsome, apparently single – no ring, anyway – father at her son’s school speech night. For Carly and Jesse, however, the search for happiness and fulfilment proves more elusive…
With a healthy dose of humour and romance, Stella Makes Good is about the games we play, the secrets we keep, the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of female friendship.
If you could have dinner with two famous people, who would they be and why?
It would be easy to say Colin Firth and Rob Lowe but that’s too obvious so I’m going for creative types, Stephen King, because I think he’s extraordinarily brilliant, and Tina Fey because she’s funny, talented and a great writer. I would spend the dinner gleaning as much information as I could from them in the hope that some of their creative genius would be passed on to me.
Lisa Heidke will be appearing at Cronulla Library, Thursday, 20 October at 6.30pm. You can can book a spot online or by calling Cronulla on Ph:9523 4980.
