All About Me

Hi, and welcome to the 'All About Me' pages. Here you'll find out all about me, my family, my friends and my likes and dislikes - probably more than you ever wanted to know in fact. I'm a naturally curious person myself (did someone say nosey, moi?) so I've tried to include lots of things I think you might find interesting. Many thanks to my friends and family for their co-operation! Especially Ben and the kids.

Q and A

Sarah, where did you grow up?

I grew up in Dalkey, a small village by the sea in south county Dublin. It was a lovely place to live and I still spend a lot of time in Dalkey as my parents and many friends still live there. And I adore ‘The Exchange’ Bookshop on the main street, a second hand bookshop which kept me reading as a broke teenager. Dalkey also boasts one of the best bakeries around, ‘County Bake’, run by the lovely Margaret and her daughters.

Where do you live now?

I live in Dun Laoghaire with my partner, Ben and my children, Sam, 11, and Amy-Rose, 2. Again, it’s on the sea (spot a theme here?) and near the yacht club, handy as we all sail a lot. Our house is over two hundred years old, which has its good and bad points.

Good: high ceilings, spacious rooms, heaps of character

Bad: dodgy yellow 70’s bathroom which needs a lot of work, leaky walls, draughty windows - I could go on but it’s too depressing!

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Yes, both. Two sisters, Kate and Emma. And a little brother, Richard. I’m the eldest.

Have you always written?

Yes and no. I’ve always been a huge reader and in school (St Andrew’s College in Booterstown) I wrote articles and reviews for the school newspaper, ‘Out of the Blue’. But I didn’t write much in college apart from essays. I studied History of Art and English in Trinity College Dublin. I spent far too much of my time sailing for the college and not enough time studying!

After having my son, Sam, I started to write children’s book reviews for Southside News, my first official published pieces. That led to other journalism and then my first book.

What was your first job?

My first ‘proper’ job was in Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street, Dublin. Before this I had worked as a waitress, screen printer, and sailing instructor - during my holidays and part time while in college. I then went on to work for Hughes and Hughes, Waterstones, and Eason, mainly in the children’s departments. I do love my bookshops. I now work as a children’s book consultant when I’m not writing.

Was Three Times a Lady your first book?

No, my very first book was called Kids Can Cook. Three Times a Lady was my first adult novel. I was so thrilled when Gaye Shortland, the editor from Poolbeg Press rang to tell me they wanted to publish it. I danced around the room, laughing and screaming. It was a dream come true. They signed me up for three books, and then I moved to Pan Macmillan for my next three books. And I’ve just signed with Pan Macmillan for book no 7!

How long does it take you to write a book?

About a year from start to finish, including rewrites and editing.

When and where do you write?

I’m very lucky to have a study at home and I write there most of the time. But if it’s cold or I need a little extra comfort, I write in bed.

I write mainly in the morning and again in the evening if I have the energy. I try to take a short walk before I sit down at my desk and I think about my characters and the situation/s they are currently in. Dialogue often comes to me while I’m walking and as soon as I get home I sit down and start typing. Sometimes, if the humour takes me, I write longhand in a large A4 size notebook.

I write non-stop until two o’clock when my son gets home from school. In the afternoon I like to play with Amy and help Sam with his homework. And then in the evening I’ll sit back down at my desk, answer emails, write up any articles I’m working on and look over my day’s work.

I’m very lucky - I have a job I love, and one I can fit around family life. I worked full time when Sam was small (I was a single parent for many years) so I really appreciate my life now. I have no idea how I used to squeeze everything in. I have huge admiration for single parents and full time working mothers.

And finally, do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Yes, read! Read until your eyes fall out of your head. It’s the best way to learn the craft. Soak it all in and learn.

There are two books on writing that I have found useful: On Writing by Stephen King and Write Away by Elizabeth George. They are both very practical and accessible and a must if you are interested in writing commercial fiction.

And if you really want to write - write! Just grab a pen and paper and do it. Give it a go, you have nothing to lose.

For lots more information on writing see the Writing Coach section on the website and read the author interviews in the Writing Tips section.

 

A Few of My Favourite Things

Favourite colour: Dark pink. I suppose you’d call it raspberry pink.

Favourite food: I’d have to say ice cream. Or pasta. Or pizza. Preferably all three together! Although not at the same time.

Favourite drink: I’m actually not a big drinker at all. Comes of having a toddler who gets up at 6am I think. But I do like my white wine. New Zealand if given a choice.

Favourite film: Field of Dreams (baseball film with Kevin Costner in far too tight Levis), When Harry Met Sally, Jerry Maguire. I especially love all sports films, strange but true.

Favourite book: Just one? I’ll give you favourite authors instead - Ann Tyler, Dr Seuss, Richard Scarry, Marian Keyes.

Favourite place: Apart from home, Castletownshend in West Cork. A tiny fishing village with the most beautiful scenery and amazing coves and beaches to explore.

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About the Author (official biog)

Sarah Webb has written seven bestselling novels including, ‘When the Boys Are Away’, ‘Take a Chance’, and ‘Always the Bridesmaid’. Her books have been published in many different countries including the U.S. and Indonesia. She has also written four children’s books, has contributed short stories to many collections including ‘Moments’, and has compiled and edited two charity collections of her own, ‘Travelling Light’ and ‘Mum’s the Word’.

Sarah studied Arts in Trinity College, Dublin and worked in the book trade for many years as a Children’s Buyer. She now combines writing with working as a Children’s Book Consultant, and reviewing children’s books for the Irish Independent. She has also programmed and run many successful readers’ days, and is on the committee of Irish Pen.

She lives in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, with her partner and three children and spends as much time as possible in her parent’s second home in Castletownsend.

Sarah is currently working on her eighth adult novel and her debut teenage novel.

August 2005