The Real Thing

About Catherine Alliott

Catherine Alliott was our Guest Editor in August 2013 - click here - to see the books that inspired her writing.

Catherine Alliott started her first novel under the desk when she worked as an advertising copywriter. She was duly fired. With time on her hands she persevered with the novels, which happily flourished. In the early days she produced a baby with each book, but after three she stuck to writing as it was less painful. She writes with the nearest pen in exercise books, either in the garden or on a sofa. Home is a rural spot in Hertfordshire which she shares with her family and a menagerie of horses, cows, chickens and dogs, which at the last count totalled 34 beating hearts, including her husband.

Author photo © Neil Cooper

Fellow novelist SOPHIE KING on CATHERINE ALLIOTT

I first met Catherine because my youngest son was at school with her son. Catherine writes her novels in the first person which immediately makes you feel you know the heroine. I love all her books, including the latest The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton : I usually spot other people's twists but I didn't get this one until it jumped up and hit me off the page.

Author photo © Neil Cooper

Below is a Q & A with this author.

Q. If you couldn't be a writer, what would you like to be?
A.  A painter – as in artist, not decorator.
 
Q. When you need to escape from your everyday routine, what do you do?
A.  Light the fire, watch daytime TV and eat chocolate.
 
Q. Who is your style icon?
A. Wasn't aware I had one but very much admire Kristen Scott Thomas's style.  So cool.
 
Q. What is your favourite food?
A.  In - macaroni cheese.  Out - Dover sole.
 
Q. What's your favourite movie?
A.  Truly Madly Deeply.
 
Q.  What's your idea of hell?
A.  Shopping malls.
 
Q.  When did you last cry and why?
A.  Two weeks ago, at  Badminton Horse Trials, watching a great friend's daughter jump round the cross country course. Amazing.  I've known her since she was seven.
 
Q.  What is so your idea of perfect happiness?
A.  So corny.  All my children plus boyfriends, girlfriends, any other friends and of course my husband, eating  around the same table.  Or actually, a table somewhere hot, on holiday, abroad, i.e. without me having to cook.  Oh - and grandparents too.
 
Q.  What is the trait you most deplore in others?
A.  Deplore.  Golly. Quite strong.  Well I'm not mad about bad manners which come in many guises.

Click here to read the full Q&A