Saturday, July 02, 2011
Siobhán worked in retail after she left school, but the family company closed in 2006.
"I’d trained as a bereavement counsellor, and, finding myself unemployed at 40, I learned how to teach meditation and an ayurvedic lifestyle. I taught stress management to the staff of large organisations. I also trained as a life coach. I’d always enjoyed writing. I’d won competitions at school. I had bits of stories written, and when the downturn happened, I decided to go for it ... A friend told me about the ‘write a best seller’ competition on TV3’s Morning Show. I polished up my manuscript and handed it down to the publisher. The TV crew arrived at my house one day to tell me that I’d won. It was surreal," she says.
Who is Siobhán McKenna?
Date/Place of birth: May 28, 1966/Dublin.
Education: Dominican convent, Sutton.
Home: Howth, County Dublin.
Family: Partner, and two daughters. April Marie, 20, and Sophie, 16.
The Day Job: A Deepak Chopra instructor (www. perfecthealth.ie).
Hobbies: Long walks with good conversation, followed by a glass of prosecco or red wine.
Favourite Writers: Stephen King. Deepak Chopra. Maeve Binchy.
Second Novel: I’ve started it. I’ve written about 10,000 words. It’s set in north Italy.
Top Writing Tip: Don’t procrastinate. Turn off the internet and your mobile phone.
Web: www.siobhanmckenna.ie
Twitter: @siobhanmckenna6.
The Debut
The Lingerie Designer
Poolbeg Press; €15.99
Helen Devine is a top lingerie designer. She’s high-powered but has personal struggles. Then she holidays in Vietnam with Poppy, her karma-loving friend, and meets Jack Taylor. But is he the man for her; will she choose the right path in life? This story, based on synchronicity, is largely based in East Asia. "My message is that there is more than one job for people. If you have a passion, you should go after it."
The Verdict: A promising debut. Funny and insightful.
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