Mark Bridge: not him, the other one
Get social
  • Home
  • Writing
  • Photo and video
  • Music and podcasting
  • Social networking
  • Showcase

Author interview: 'When we were Sisters' by Beth Miller

2/9/2014

 
Picture
“Someone asked me recently what I did, and for the first time ever I said ‘I'm a writer’. But then I blushed because it seemed so impertinent. I wanted to be a writer from the age of six, so to be able to say it now seems unreal. And a bit of a joke.”

Beth Miller is being unduly modest, I reckon. She’s deputy editor of this very magazine [Viva Lewes], so she’s hardly unfamiliar with writing. But she’s a novelist as well. A novelist whose debut, When we were Sisters, is available from bookshops this month.

The book tells of two teenage friends, Laura and Melissa, and how their relationship changes across two decades. “It's a novel about a slightly dysfunctional friendship and the impact of separation in families. It's got some rude bits and I hope it's a bit funny, too.”

Which of the main characters are you most like? “There's a bit of me in both of them, I think. Originally Melissa was all about me – in fact, she is considerably nicer than I am. Laura is much more spiky and cynical. Initially the book was rejected by publishers because they said Laura wasn't likeable enough. I take that as a massive compliment because I think there's quite a lot of me in Laura.”

Key aspects of the novel’s plot are generated by different perspectives of people who have experienced the same event. Where do Beth’s ideas come from? “Often it comes in the writing: you start writing about what the character would do, you think you're going to make them do something and suddenly it becomes really obvious that they should do something else. I always have ideas in the shower. There's something about just standing there with your head empty, and the water, and not having to do anything for a bit. I'm thinking of getting a waterproof notepad.”

Beth started writing When we were Sisters in 2001 and finished the first draft in 2005. “Since then I've rewritten it so many times that there's considerably more of the original story not in the new book than is actually in the book.” A second novel is already on the way. “This one's completely fictional, there's no autobiography in it. It's about two neighbours whose lives become entwined.”

So what’s it like to be a writer? “Before I was writing regularly, I always felt there was something missing. As far as an anxious mother can feel fulfilled, I am fulfilled in regular writing. It's obviously something I need. And my writing process has improved so much. I just wrote into a void when I started the first book, wondering what would happen. I've now got to the point where it doesn't touch me deeply if someone doesn't like my novel. I'm just interested to know what they didn't like. It's not like someone insulting your baby.”

When we were Sisters by Beth Miller is published by Ebury Press.

First published in Viva Lewes magazine issue 96 September 2014.


My Space: Penny Brownings, Equine Dental Technician

1/9/2014

 
I'm Suffolk born and bred but moved to Sussex in 1994 to work for Cliffe Veterinary Group. I was head nurse at the equine clinic for many years before going on to specialise in dentistry. I absolutely love my job.

To assess the dental needs of each horse I use an oral speculum and a head torch for examination. A lot of my routine work is performed with motorised tools. When I first started it was all performed with hand tools, which nurtured shoulders not befitting of a lady!

A horse’s teeth erupt throughout its life. In the wild a horse will browse and graze for many hours, wearing their teeth down at a steady rate. Due to domestication and many other factors they now need help from a dental technician to prevent their teeth from getting sharp. Whether they’re a highly-tuned athlete or simply a pleasure horse they deserve to be comfortable in all the work they do.

I’ve been around horses since my childhood. Working with animals can be incredibly rewarding; if you are kind and caring they will rarely do you harm. Much of my work is based on mutual trust.

The worst moment at work was when a horse collapsed and unfortunately shattered my left leg. I’ve since had reconstructive surgery using a donor knee. It’s an amazing gift that’s left me incredibly grateful to whoever signed the donor register.

We cover an extensive area across Sussex. Most treatments can be performed on the yard, including sedation and analgesia if they’re required. Any horses that need advanced treatments such as tooth restoration, extraction or further diagnostics can be cared for at our clinic in Laughton.

I passed the British Equine Veterinary Association exam in 2007 and am now a fully qualified member of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians.

Sugar lumps cause the same problems for horses as they do for humans. A mint would be preferable, ideally sugar-free!

cliffeequine.co.uk

First published in Viva Lewes magazine issue 96 September 2014.

    Recent work

    Examples of my published work, with the most recent shown first. (Any links via Amazon may earn me commission on any purchases.) 

    Archives

    February 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Comedy
    Interview
    Journalism
    Lewes
    Music
    Technology

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.