And now for something completely different.
A mutual connection to Cambodia brought me together with the comedy writer, Lynda Renham. Knowing her has been a real education to me. We write different sorts of work. We promote it in different ways. The nuts and bolts of our processes are different, but our passion for our writing is the same, and our love for Cambodia binds us together.
Lynda and I both have books coming out at the same time. Hers is called The Dog’s Bollocks (originally titled The Valentine Present and Other Diabolical Liberties) and I thought it would be good to take a breather from my present self-obsession to talk to Lynda about her new work and her craft.
Sue: I am in awe of your ability to write comedy. I think that humour is so important in all writing. It really does “earn” you the pathos, if you know what I mean. But it is also the most difficult thing to write. Does it just come naturally? Do you need to get your brain into some special sort of a place to do it?
Lynda:
I wish it did come naturally. Just the thought of writing a new novel has me throwing up into my handbag. I do have a good sense of humour but it isn’t always easy to write it. If the weather is grey and overcast the humour just doesn’t flow. When the sun shines it flows like water. I think this is certainly why I need to live in a hot country all the year round. Any excuse right? But I agree that I do need to get my brain into some special sort of place. I make a point of taking notes whenever anything funny happens to me. Like the time I had to have my hand luggage searched at Heathrow Airport and then I walked off without it after they’d finished rummaging through my personal effects and then being chased by security. Or the times I leave my handbags in shopping bags trolleys. Or pull my spare knickers from my handbag at the most inappropriate time. If I am really struggling then I will watch a lot of humour. I like Miranda Hart for example. I will also watch a lot of stand-up comics like Jo Brand and Alan Carr and this helps inspire on a bad day.
Sue: Tell me about the origin of this book. Did it come out of something you experienced or heard about? I know your very funny, Coconuts and Wonderbras grew out of your love for Cambodia. Did this have some special origin?
Lynda: The origin of The Dog’s Bollocks’ was the outcome of what began as a completely different book. I struggled to get the first idea going and got quite frustrated. This went on for several months actually and I had three ideas on the go. One was about three women which started off well but I somehow didn’t feel comfortable with it. I did however find myself growing fond of one of the women, who turned out to be Harriet. I then saw a film about gangsters and thought, ah this could be funny. That was the evening the book was born really. Oh yes, Coconuts and Wonderbras was certainly inspired by that marvellous country Cambodia which feels like my second home now. I miss it every day.
Sue: You seem to be able to write so quickly. What is your process like?
Lynda: I feel I write very slowly actually. I think my secret is that we don’t own a TV. I can imagine I would be constantly side-tracked by one of them. My writing process starts about nine, if possible. I spend about an hour checking emails and social networking for anything urgent needing my attention which is hardly ever. I begin writing and continue until lunchtime. I may take a snack break every few minutes but I find this doesn’t interfere with the flow. Actually, I believe it helps enormously. I continue to write and sometimes re-write until Andrew comes home which is about 6-6.30. Of course by this time I am so full of snacks this often means I don’t want dinner. I then read through what I have written to Andrew and we may go over some stuff and I will edit some of the work I did that day. I usually stop around 7.30. This is pretty much the same every day and at weekends I spend the time promoting the books. So it never stops really.
Sue: Lastly, tell me a little secret. Come on, just between us writers……
Lynda: From the age of seven until about nineteen I had a terrible stammer. It was really bad. I actually thought I would always have it. People would try to help by finishing my sentences. Luckily, it did go, otherwise I’m not sure how I would ever have spoken on radio like I have. There you are, one of my secrets. This is why I was able to write from my own personal experience when creating the character Alistair in The Dog’s Bollocks.
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If you want a laugh — and who doesn’t — I urge you to take a look at an excerpt from the book, which you can find here.
The Amazon link is here. Her website is here. And here are Lynda’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
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