Following the
success of her first book, A Thousand
Goodbyes, writer Ruth Graham invites us to join her on the next part
of her journey as an Independent Civil Celebrant. She honestly believed she'd
seen it all - apparently not!
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coffins-Confetti-Celebrants-Memoir-Life-ebook/dp/B0C94Y9JJM
https://www.amazon.com/Coffins-Confetti-Celebrants-Memoir-Life-ebook/dp/B0C94Y9JJM
Author Q&A
1. What would you consider to be your Kryptonite as an author?
Not getting enough sleep. I just can’t face doing anything when I’m tired, so
creativity is the last thing on my mind
For me personally it would be that I could do it. I was faced with so much criticism from all angles that life was about sheer survival during my younger years.
3. What book do you feel is under-appreciated? How about
overrated?
This is a tough one as it’s so subjective. For
under-appreciated, could I say my own – lol! As for overrated, who am I to say,
but if I was forced then I’d say it was the 50 Shades series. I thought the
writing was so bad I couldn’t even be bothered to stay with the sex scenes!
4. Favorite childhood memory involving books?
Reading Enid Blyton on my bed, fantasizing about living in the
Far Away Tree, or going off to board at Malory Towers. I was also captivated by
a book called ‘Shirley Flight, Air Hostess’ which I later realised was written
by Ian Fleming!
5. If you could dine with any literary character, who would it
be and why?
Briget Jones! We could compare stories about our disastrous
dates. I know I’d win!
6. What fantastical fictional world would you want to live in
(if any) given the chance?
I’m just about getting to grips with here thank you!
7. Did you want to be an author when you grew up?
I knew I could write, but childhood dreams were about going
into acting. I saw Jemima in Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang and felt very jealous.
8. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would
they be?
Bohemian, quirky, naughty
9. What is your most unusual writing quirk?
I start a lot of things, then leave them, then go back to them
years later.
10. What’s one movie you like recommending to others?
The Menu with Ralph Fiennes (2022). So dark and such an
unusual plot.
11. If you could own any animal as a pet, what would it be?
Dogs – they’re the best.
12. Have you ever met anyone famous?
Loads! I used to be a tv walk on artiste. I mention one of the
encounters in my book.
13. When did you write your first book?
In my mid-20s. Some awful Mills & Boon type thing. But I
kept trying, and the rejections got more personal (as in they changed from
standard rejections, to ones with hand-written notes and observations).
14. What sparks your creativity/how do you get your ideas?
I don’t know. Things come out of nowhere in quiet times. I’m
very comedy-orientated (I used to do stand-up) so something will flash into my
mind that makes me laugh and I’m off.
15. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Make music, cook, walk the dog, go to the spa, spend time with
my lovely man.
16. What’s a typical writing day like for you?
Honestly, I have never found the luxury of a normal, regular
day. Writing gets fitted in around my work as
celebrant so it could be day, evening or early morning.
17. Do you listen to music when writing?
No, I like to focus. I hear dialogue and see scenes in my
head, so music would throw that out for me.
18. If you could have a dinner party with 3 other authors, who
would they be?
I loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, so it would be
Rachel Joyce. I think Stephen Fry would be good company and also Lee Childs.
I’ve no idea how he winds so many plots and characters together.
19. If you had to pick a celebrity to cast for your main
character, who would it be?
No idea – I don’t watch tv any more.
20. If you could travel anywhere in the world to write, where
would you go?
Somewhere warm with good air con. I’d quite like a villa in
Ibiza for the summer.
21. Would you ever write under a pseudonym?
Only if I turned to erotica!
21. Do you have a favorite food/snack/drink when writing (or
anytime)?
I try not to eat aimlessly as I’m always on a diet.
22. How do you choose your book covers?
The first one the designer presented to me. The second one I
worked out with my partner to include elements of my career (funerals and
weddings). It needed to look bright and appealing though – nothing somber.
23. What’s one thing you’d like to say to your readers?
Just a big thank you. And please recommend if you enjoyed. I’m
still building an audience.
Author Bio
–
With an eclectic background in music; acting;
presenting; comedy; journalism; writing; counselling and teaching (to name just
a few careers), Ruth Graham could never have guessed all the skills she’d
acquired would be needed for her final role – that of funeral and wedding
celebrant.
With no two days ever the same, Ruth travels
all over the West Midlands to meet grieving families or happy couples, in
preparation for the happiest and saddest days of peoples’ lives.
It’s a huge role, with so many expectations
attached – and a lot of pressure to get things right. But as Ruth says, it’s
also a huge privilege to be able to bring comfort in times of sadness, or to
create something really beautiful and unique for a couple lucky enough to have
found their match.
That said, in the great improv show of life,
everything doesn’t always run smoothly because it involves humans at their best
and worst. The result is endless amounts of material and two books to her
credit so far.
The first one ‘A Thousand Goodbyes’ (The
Surprising Life Of A Funeral Celebrant) garnered fantastic reviews: Hilarious
Un-Putdownable /Moving/Touching/Must Read) from bloggers, industry
professionals and the general public.
Ruth is hoping the same for Coffins &
Confetti but either way she intends to keep working as a celebrant knowing
she’s making a real difference to others’ lives.
Social Media Links –
Instagram: @ https://www.instagram.com/Celebrantruthg/
Twitter @CelebrantRuthG
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