Lucky 13 Interview With Katherine Faulkner

1 – Can you start by telling us a little about your current book?

My debut novel Greenwich Park is a psychological thriller about a pregnant woman called Helen, whose seemingly perfect life starts to unravel as a result of a friendship she strikes up at her first antenatal class with the unpredictable Rachel. Despite finding herself increasingly unsettled by Rachel's odd behaviour, Helen is unable to extricate herself from her friendship. Gradually it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems - and that Rachel knows a secret about Helen's past which threatens to destroy her...

2 – Are you a plotter or a panster?

I've found (in my not very vast experience!) that I like to start with a place, some characters, and most importantly, an atmosphere, and I spend quite a lot of time at the beginning writing and feeling my way into those elements before I finalise the details of the plot. Hilary Mantel describes her process as 'growing a book'; starting with a few elements like that that feel important to the story, and then gradually allowing the book to reveal itself, piece by piece, through the process of writing - I really relate to that.

So, I'm afraid I'm probably a bit of a pantser, in that I didn't do an awful lot of plotting up front for either Greenwich Park or the second book I've just finished the first draft of. That isn't to say that I don't think plotting is important - it's one of the most important and satisfying elements of writing I think, and I definitely think you owe it to the reader to make the plotting feel really tight and make sure all the pieces fit together in a satisfying and surprising way - but it's something I have found it more helpful to focus on in later drafts, once the story and the characters are realised. I have tried to do it the other way around - doing all the plotting early on and being really organised - but I've found it makes the writing feel a bit flat, and I always end up having a better idea halfway through and changing my mind anyway!

3 – Savoury or sweet?

Impossible - that's like asking me to choose between my children!

4 – Three books to take to a desert Island. Go!

Oh, to be stranded on a desert island right now! I'd take Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood. It's one of my favourite books of all time, and deals with the toxicity of girls' friendship better than anything I've ever read - I've been meaning to reread it now that I have two daughters of my own. I would also have to take something enormous that I knew was going to last me a while and be deeply satisfying - The Mirror and The Light would be a good candidate, by Hilary Mantel. Then for a treat, I would take a thriller by Louise Candlish. Wouldn't matter which one - she nails it every time.

5 – Star Wars or Star Trek?

Ugh, neither, sorry! I wouldn't even know one from the other.

6 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would absolutely love to be able to function on two hours' sleep, like Margaret Thatcher. My main problem in life is not having enough hours in the day for everything I need and want to do!

7 – Music or Silence when writing?

Total silence please!

8 – If you could live anywhere in the world, and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose?

Tricky one! In my twenties I'd probably have said New York. Nowadays I'd say the North Cornish coast.

9 - Your favourite karaoke song?

This question brings back disturbing memories of my hen weekend. I've been known to attempt Beyonce if drunk enough...

10 – One piece of advice to an aspiring writer?

I don't know how qualified I am to dispense advice really - I still count myself as an aspiring writer! - but I'd probably say that obvious as it sounds you only become a novelist by actually sitting down and writing the novel, and making all the necessary sacrifices: taking time out of your weekends and so on. But, of course, it's absolutely worth it.

11 – You win £1 million, but you must give half to charity. Which charity do you choose, and what do you do with the rest of the money?

For my charity I'd choose the e5 Baby Bank in Clapton, where I volunteer - it's like a food bank but it supplies baby essentials to mothers who are in need of them. It's an incredibly inspiring place, powered by women helping other women through crisis. With the rest of the money... a luxurious holiday would definitely be high on my priority list!

12 – Horror films, yes or no? If so, any favourites?

I absolutely love horror films. I recently watched - and loved - Get Out, which was recommended to me by Zakiya Dalila Harris (whose brilliant Thriller The Other Black Girl is out in June).

13 - What are you currently working on?

I'm currently working on my second book, which is due for release in 2023. I can't say too much about it, but it's another psychological thriller, set in London, and I think it will definitely appeal to fans of Greenwich Park.