Guest Post with Jacqui and Anna Burns
This week I am delighted to welcome Jacqui and Anna Burns to the blog for the first time. Their situation is unique in that, as mother and daughter, they write novels together. People are always curious about how the set-up works. Now published by Allison and Busby, their third novel, Poles Apart, will be published on the 21st March.
Jacqui and Anna, welcome. Please tell us about your new novel and writing as a duo even though you live two hundred miles apart. Over to you both!
Jacqui – It was such fun to write. We
wanted it to be funny but also poignant. A pole dancing exercise class seems so
out of place in a sleepy village, but it’s a great vehicle to unify the women
when faced with opposition from, let’s say the less enlightened, members of the
community. We wanted the women to push themselves out of their comfort zone and
it was wonderful to seem them develop and grow from their experiences, despite
being painful at times.
Anna – We were ecstatic when Bill Goodall
agreed to represent us and he secured a two-book deal with the publisher Allison
and Busby.
People often
ask how we write as a duo and if we ever disagree. Well, of course we do at
times, but generally it works really well and it’s half the work – not just the
writing, but the editing and promoting, too. I have a one-year-old, very lively baby boy so
it’s marvellous to share the workload. I’m also back in work as a psychiatrist after
maternity leave. I write on my phone when he’s asleep. If you’re determined
enough, you’ll find a way to write! I would like to write my own novel in time
but I think the dynamic my mother and I have is quite unique.
Jacqui – We’ve written novel number four – Escape
to Pumpkin Cottage, set in the Wye Valley – and we’re a quarter of the way
through number five. There’s no time to rest! My dream would be to have Poles
Apart made into a drama for the BBC, like the wonderful Men Up.
Fingers crossed!
Blurb
Four women, one sleepy village ... It's time to give life a whirl.
The Pembrokeshire village of Morlan is undoubtedly a beautiful place to live, but four of its female residents find themselves in search of something more.
Gwen seems to have it all but in reality, her marriage is on the rocks. Meg has struggled with her health and her love life has barely got a pulse, but is she ready to shake things up? Recently widowed Ivy is fed up, but at seventy-two can she put herself first and revamp more than just her home? Mum of two Summer dearly loves her two children but is desperate to escape the sleep-deprived fog that has settled over her.
The announcement that pole dancing exercise classes are coming to the village offers something fresh and exciting to each of them, as well as the discovery of previously hidden strengths. As the group comes together, a bond is formed that will allow them to overcome the trials and tribulations that lie ahead.
'Poles Apart is an absolute joy to read and a reminder of the value of female friendship.' Helga Jensen, author of 'Fly Me to Paris'.
'This book is an absolute tonic. If you need a lift, read it!' Luisa A. Jones, author of 'The Broken Vow'.
Social Media Links
Website:
X/Twitter: @annaandjacqui
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poles-Apart-uplifting-feel-good-friendship/dp/0749031905
Thank you both. Writing together obviously works well for you both and the new novel sounds wonderful. I'm very much looking forward to reading it. I wish you both much success with it and hope the sales soar.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed meeting Jacqui and Anna for the first time as much as I did.
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