Beginner's pluck

ELLA always loved reading and writing.

She wanted to be a teacher, but her father died when she was 18, which sent her life off course. After college she went to Holland for a while. Back in Ireland, she worked in advertising, then travelled and wrote for magazines. She also wrote a film for RTÉ Short Cuts.

“I took various courses in creative writing, including courses in Skyros, Greece. The third one, in 2001, was run by Clare Boylan. I met my husband there. After that my writing just took off.”

Who is Ella Griffin?

Place of birth: Dublin.

Education: Muckross College. “Then I flirted with UCD but we separated.”

Home: Bray, Co Wicklow.

Family: Husband Neil and two step-children who live in Britain

The Day Job: Some advertising.

Hobbies: “I love travelling. I’ve just joined a gym, and I love walking our giant dog, a Scottish Deerhound.”

Favourite Writers: Ellen Gilchrist. Chris Cleave. David Sedaris. Douglas Kennedy. (And lots more.)

Second Novel: “It’s a mixture between romantic comedy and family drama, and is about a brother and sister. She’s an unsuccessful actor, he’s a life coach. As well as being about family, it’s about the friendship between men and women. It’s coming out in August 2012.”

Top Writing Tip: “Sit down every day for 21 days and write for one hour or longer. At the end of 21 days your brain has created a new habit.”

Web: www.ellagriffin.com Twitter: @ellagriffin1

THE DEBUT

Postcards from the Heart. Published by Orion, €8; Kindle, €5.38

Take two couples. There’s the glamorous Saffy, who works in advertising, and hopes her soap star boyfriend, Greg, will propose; and there’s the settled pair, Conor and Jess, who have twins and live in domestic chaos. At thirty-something, the couples struggle to negotiate their dreams. Will they be able to muddle through and find true happiness?

The Verdict: A funny, zany romp through the glitzier side of Dublin.