Writers On Reading: Tricia Stringer Talks About Her favourite Books and Characters

This week I welcome to the blog, Rural Romance author Tricia Stringer.

Tricia published her first rural romance via Print on Demand back in 2004 before it was a recognized genre. Since then she self-published two more titles before Harlequin Australia accepted her book, Queen of the Road. It was an exciting debut with Harlequin, going on to win RWAs Romantic Book of the Year in 2013 and also being listed in Get Reading’s 50 Books You Can’t Put Down campaign. In 2014 her second book with Harlequin, Right as Rain was published . Tricia grew up on a farm and lives in rural South Australia where she loves to write stories of country life. Her next book, Riverboat Point will be out this December.

   

Mack’s determined to do what’s right for her father...but will she choose what’s right for herself?

Mackenna Birch returns to the family farm in Australia to find her beloved father unwell and her scheming younger brother home from the city, showing a great interest in taking over the business.Mack longs to make big changes to the farm — changes her father has approved. But with her dad’s ailing health, all her plans have been put on hold. Mack finds herself turning to Hugh — her old friend and neighbour — as her confidant.Then, out of the blue, Adam, her holiday romance, turns up. Mack has to juggle some tough decisions and try to make those around her happy. But can she find the balance and have her own ever-after?

Thanks for visiting Flying Pony Tricia and all the best with Riverboat Point.

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 1. Which books do you most vividly remember from your childhood?I was lucky enough to have a childhood rich in books. My earliest memory of a favourite is Peter Rabbit which I took to bed with me every night. Horton Hatches the Egg is another favourite and I still have my original copy which I’ve read to countless children since, including my own. 2. Who are your three most favourite fictional book characters? Tell us what you love about each of them.

• The second Mrs De Winter from Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (the author never reveals her name), she stands by her man no matter what.
• Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind, she was selfish and vain but strong and determined and I loved her clothes!
• Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights, flawed and broken, brooding and dark and yet determined to do anything for love.

(Three of my favourites too!)  3. Who is your favourite literary villain? Why?Gollum from the Hobbit. He terrified me! 4. If you could invite any five writers to a cosy dinner party who would you ask and why?I would love to be able to speak with the people who wrote the titles I’ve mentioned above but for a fun night I’d like to catch up with Matthew Reilly, Monica McInerney, Fiona McIntosh, Bryce Courtney and Margie Arnold (writer and bookshop owner). Sadly Bryce is no longer with us but they’re all writers I admire. They have inspired me and in some cases mentored and supported me. I think we’d have great conversation and a lot of laughs. 5. What book has made you laugh out loud?Terms and Conditions by Robert Glancy. It’s a dark comedy which begins with the main character Frank, waking in hospital. He’s been in an accident and he doesn’t remember a thing. At his bedside we meet the two most important people in Frank’s life at the same time he does, his wife, Alice and his brother, Oscar. Frank works for Oscar at Shaw & Sons the law firm their grandfather founded. Frank writes the terms and conditions in contracts and thinks he’s very dull. But then his memory starts to return and he takes the reader with him as he uncovers the secrets of his life. A laugh out loud book and a satisfying read. 6. What book, or scene from a book, has made you cry?Exit Wounds by John Cantwell. This book was recommended to me as part of my research for Riverboat Point due out in December. My gorgeous main male character is a soldier who has done two tours of duty in Afghanistan. I needed to know how he would settle back into life at home after that. Cantwell’s story is a deeply moving account of his experiences. I cried. 7. Where and when do you do most of your reading?I spend my days writing so I don’t read as much as I’d like to just for pleasure. I do love the indulgence of holidays anywhere in a comfy chair with a coffee or a glass of wine. Reality is - in bed at night and I fall asleep after a few pages! Takes me a while to finish a book. 8. Is there a genre of book you’d never read? Why?Gollum scared me enough for a lifetime. 9. Can you give us a mini-review of a book you’ve recently read and enjoyed?I’ve just finished The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. It made me laugh out loud. If I didn’t keep falling asleep (see question 8) I wouldn’t have put it down. The story was narrated by Don Tillman, a socially challenged genetics professor. Don is on a quest to find the perfectly compatible woman. He calls it the wife project. As I reader and a writer of romance I found it intriguing to explore the gradual exposure of what makes true love. It was both moving and funny. I enjoyed it. 10. What are the top three books in your TBR pile?My pile is scattered all over the house and grows more than it shrinks. (See question 8) At the top of my list right now is Tapestry by Fiona McIntosh, Bitter Wash Road by Garry Disher and Questions of Travel by Michelle de Krester. 

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 Connect with Tricia:Website: www.triciastringer.com.auFacebook: www.facebook.com/triciastringerauthorTwitter: @tricia_stringer