Saturday, August 13, 2011
Helen has always liked the idea of writing, but nothing ever seemed to work. She studied journalism, and freelanced for a couple of years, before moving on to radio. She worked in Cork for a long time, on 96fm, and C103.
“I started writing when I was on maternity leave with my elder daughter. I began by writing stories for her. Then I started writing a novel, and just kept going. The story almost wrote itself.”
Who is Helen Moorhouse?
Date of birth: 1973. Place: Mountmellick in Co Laois.
Education: Brigidine Convent in Mountrath. College of Commerce in Rathmines.
Home: Drumcondra. But lived in Cork for several years.
Family: Husband and two daughters. Daisy, two-and-a-half and Florence, six months.
The Day Job: “I work for UTV Radio solutions. I organise media sales and radio competitions for nine radio stations around the country.”
Hobbies: Watching TV. “I’m a recent Dr Who fan. I enjoy the storylines.”
Favourite Writers: John Irving. And recently CJ Samson. “I like Paul Hoffman too.”
Second Novel: “It’s a follow on to the Dead Summer. I wrote it during my second maternity leave. I’ve finished it and submitted it to Poolbeg. I have a 3 book deal.”
Top Writing Tip: “To stick at it. Write anything. Writing is like a muscle. You have to keep exercising it. And go with the flow.”
Twitter: @scribblemum
THE DEBUT
The Dead Summer. Poolbeg: €15.99
Martha Armstrong is devastated when her husband leaves her, before their first child is born. Leaving the city, she moves to a tranquil cottage in the English countryside. It seems blissful.
Until, that is, the noises start; and weird things begin to happen. Slowly, Martha starts to learn the stories of the cottage’s past, and to uncover a secret that still haunts it.
“It’s a supernatural thriller. There’s an element of women’s fiction, but with a ghostly twist.”
The Verdict: Helen Moorhouse has a fresh, original voice. She has created a satisfyingly scary page turner.
— Interviewed by Sue Leonard
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