What genre would you
say your novels fall into, or do they defy classification?
This is always a problem for me when I have finished a new
book. How do I classify it? My novels do not fit easily into a prescribed
classification - I like to consider them literary fiction, but this is such a
vague term. I even researched ‘literary
fiction’ on the internet and it became clear that the meaning depends on the
writer’s point of view as to what constitutes ‘literary’. With some of my books it is clearer and I can
pop them straight into the historical fiction category - although that too has
restrictions. What exactly is historical
fiction? My novel THE ONLY BLUE DOOR set
in the 1940s is acceptable but THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH set in Spain during the
Franco years is probably too recent. The
one thing that is consistent about my work is that they are books featuring
strong, capable women.
What made you choose
that genre?
I have always been a bit of a champion for women’s rights, so
like to write about women and how they cope with what life throws at them. I studied history at college and later at
university and have always been drawn to social history, so enjoy putting my
female characters into a historical setting.
How long does it take
you to write a book?
On average about six months. My latest novel THE SHINING
CITY took a year to write, from research to final editing. This was because I was writing about a period
in Spanish history that I knew nothing about and had to do a tremendous amount
of research.
What is your work
schedule like when you're writing?
I try to start work at 10 am and work through to 2 pm five
days a week. Sometimes if things are
going really well I will write for a couple of hours in the evening as well.
Where do you get your
ideas for your books?
Ideas come from various places - a news item, something I’ve
read that sparks off a train of thought that leads to a story. Sometimes someone will tell me about
something that has happened and I can see it as a new story. I wrote SANTIAGO TALES because we had spent a
number of holidays in Galicia and one year we were in Santiago de Compostela in
Holy Year and saw all the pilgrims.
When did you write
your first book and how old were you?
I didn’t start writing until after I had retired. This was in 2007, after I had finished doing
a Creative Writing Course with the Open University.
What do you like to
do when you're not writing?
Well, I’m married and have a family that I like to spend
time with. I also have two dogs which
need constant attention and I play golf.
On a less active side, I watch a lot of films and read all the time.
What was one of the
most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
It was something that I learned from the Creative Writing
Course - that writing is as much a craft as it is inspiration. When you realise this you can tackle your
writing in a much more practical way.
How many books have
you written?
I have written one book of non-fiction and eight
novels. Three novels are still to be
published.
Which is your
favourite and why?
While I am writing a novel that is my favourite one but I
suppose, in answer to your question, I would say SPANISH LAVENDER. It is set in the Spanish Civil War, here in
Málaga. My father came over from Ireland
to fight with the International Brigade and although he told me very little
about what happened back then, I feel a connection to the events of that time.
As a child, what did
you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a journalist.
What are you working
on now?
I am just publishing my latest book, THE SHINING CITY, a
historical novel set in 10th century Spain, in Madinat al-Zahra, just outside
Córdoba. For once the action is evenly
distributed between the sexes - Omar, a young and talented potter falls in love
with Jawhara, a slave girl who becomes the favourite concubine of the Caliph.
Bio:
Joan Fallon was born in Scotland, but spent most of her
formative life in the south of England.
After a brief spell working in industry, she became a teacher and later
a management consultant specialising in Behavioural Studies. She moved to the
south of Spain in 1997 and began writing full-time. Since living in Spain she
has become very interested in the country and its culture and this is reflected
in her books.
DAUGHTERS OF SPAIN
THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH
SANTIAGO TALES
LOVING HARRY
THE ONLY BLUE DOOR
SPANISH LAVENDER
Connect with Joan
Fallon:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joan_fallon
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