Tricia Stringer is a bestselling and multiple award-winning author. Her books include The Model Wife, Table for Eight, and rural romances such as Queen of the Road, Riverboat Point, and Something in the Wine. She has also published a historical saga; Heart of the Country, Dust on the Horizon and Jewel in the North, three novels set in the unforgiving landscape of nineteenth-century Flinders Ranges.
Today, Tricia’s on the blog to answer some of our questions about her latest book. Read on!
Tell us about your new book, The Model Wife!
TS: Natalie King is at the core of this story. She’s a hard-working woman, loving mother and wife. At almost sixty, she’s become the glue that holds her family together, but several things happen to make her question her life and on a day when it seems everyone is taking her for granted, Natalie leaves home. How will her family cope and will Natalie find answers to her own life questions or has this good woman been pushed too far? The Model Wife is a multi-generational family story looks at what happens when real-life betrayals and struggling relationships clash with outdated ideas of what a woman should be.
What was the inspiration behind this story?
TS: It’s never one thing. Several years ago I visited communities on the remote Dampier Peninsula in WA. I got chatting to a woman who lived by one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen and I realised her love of her country and her isolation were not dissimilar to country women in the remote rural areas of my home state, SA. Later I was reading an article on women and mid-life crisis and it made me wonder what that might look like for women in remote areas and Natalie came to life.
If The Model Wife had a theme song, what would it be?
TS: ‘Permission to Shine’ by Bachelor Girl. The lyrics are Natalie’s story to a tee.
What do you hope readers will discover in The Model Wife?
TS: First and foremost I want them to have an engaging and enjoyable reading experience. I hope that they’ll connect with Natalie and enjoy her journey, and that they’ll have fun discovering the settings like I did.
When you’re envisioning a new novel, do you start with a plot or do you develop your characters first?
TS: Setting is a big influence on me and then the characters within it. I spend a lot of time finding out why the characters are where they are, what makes them tick and the story grows around them.
What is the best piece of writing advice you have ever received?
TS: Write every day (or at least very regularly) even if it’s only five hundred words, and you’ll finish the book. It’s worked every time.
Name three authors who inspire you the most (and why).
TS: I’ve picked two – Monica McInerney and Fiona McIntosh. These two women have had the most influence on me. I love their stories, and they inspire me with their professionalism, work ethic and willingness to encourage other authors and to share their knowledge of the craft and business of writing. I have to say I’m still slightly in awe of them, but when we catch up I feel as if I can have a conversation with them and not trip over my tongue!
Who is your favourite fictional hero or heroine?
TS: James Bond or should I say Daniel Craig? I get the two mixed up sometimes.
If you were planning a literary dinner party, which three authors (dead or alive) would you invite?
TS: I went with dead because there are too many living authors I’d want to be there. Difficult choice, but the three authors whose writing and personal lives have intrigued me the most are – Beatrix Potter, Daphne du Maurier and Pamela (P.L.) Travers. Three amazing women and I’d love to know more of their backstory, but as I gather they were all a little on the shy side I might need to ply them with some good South Australian wine to get them talking.
And finally, what’s up next for you?
TS: I’ve finished the first draft of next year’s book. It still needs tweaking before I sub it, but the hard work is done and I hope my publisher will think so too. In the meantime, I will be on the road meeting readers and telling them about The Model Wife. I love doing that.
Thanks Tricia!
Pre-order a signed copy of The Model Wife here (available while stocks last)!
The Model Wife
From bestselling author Tricia Stringer, this beautifully realised multi-generational family story looks at what happens when real-life betrayals and struggling relationships clash with outdated ideas of what a woman should be.
Natalie King's life is full. Some might say too full. With her teaching job, a farm to run, three grown daughters who have not quite got a handle on things, a reserved husband and a demanding mother-in-law, most days she is too busy to think about whether she is happy. But her life has meaning, doesn't it? After all, she is the one person everyone depends upon...
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