Robyn Harding is the author of numerous books, including the international bestseller, The Party, and The Swap, which was an instant #1 Globe and Mail (Toronto) and #1 Toronto Star bestseller. She has also written and executive produced an independent film. She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her family. Her latest novel is called The Perfect Family.
Today, Robyn Harding is on the blog to answer our Ten Terrifying Questions! Read on …
Robyn Harding (Photo by Tallulah).
1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?
I grew up in a small town in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. When I finished high school, I moved to Vancouver to go to uni. I have lived in Vancouver most of my adult life except for five years in Calgary and a year in Perth, Australia (my husband’s hometown). My children are also Australian citizens, so I consider Australia my second country.
2. What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?
At twelve, I wanted to be an author. I was such a bookworm! At eighteen, I thought that writing fiction for a living was unrealistic, so I wanted to be a journalist. At thirty, I wanted to be an author again. I was working in advertising and beginning to think about trying to publish something around that time.
3. What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you don’t have now?
That Bono was the hottest guy on earth. And that making a living as a writer was basically impossible.
4. What are three works of art – this could be a book, painting, piece of music, film, etc – that influenced your development as a writer?
Bridget Jones’s Diary: This was the first book I read that made me feel like I might be able to publish my work. When I started out, I wrote humour, and I’m grateful to Helen Fielding, Sophie Kinsella, etc … for kicking off the “chick lit” genre.
The Slap: This is the novel that took me to the dark side as a writer. It’s a polarizing book because the characters are all so odious, but I devoured it. I was visiting my in-laws in Australia when I read it, and it made me want to write about people behaving badly. That’s when I started my first dramatic novel, The Party.
The Handmaiden: This is a Korean movie by director Park Chan-Wook, inspired by the novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. The twists and turns and intricate plotting in this film are the definition of jaw-dropping. I hadn’t read Fingersmith when I first watched the movie, so I was blind-sided. It really inspired me to make my novels as surprising and clever as I’m able.
5. Considering the many artistic forms out there, what appeals to you about writing a novel?
I devoted several years to screenwriting and managed to get a film produced. It was an incredible experience, but it really made me appreciate being an author. I’m quite introverted, so I’m happy to spend time alone and keep to my own schedule. I also appreciate the one-on-one relationship with my editor. With screenwriting, there are a lot of people involved with a lot of agendas. My editor’s only goal is to make my novel the best it can be.
6. Please tell us about your latest novel!
The Perfect Family is about the Adlers – a mom, dad, teen daughter, and college-aged son who are being harassed by a bunch of hooligans in the night. They have no idea why they’re being targeted … Or so they all claim. But behind their façade of perfection, each member of the family has their own dark secret that might be behind the abuse. And as it escalates, they’re pressured to come clean … before it’s too late
7. What do you hope people take away with them after reading your work?
I really write to entertain and offer an escape. I believe there is great value in entertainment – a point hammered home during the pandemic. Books, movies, and TV shows provided me real comfort during stressful and scary times. I feel such a sense of accomplishment when a reader tells me they got lost in one of my books.
8. Who do you most admire in the writing world and why?
Mary Kubica is one of the most successful thriller writers around and she is also the kindest, most generous person I’ve encountered. A lot of people reach her level and disconnect from the writing community, but Mary is always willing to offer other writers a hand up.
9. Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?
I have hopes and dreams, like anyone, but I don’t like to set concrete goals. It’s a recipe for disappointment. I believe I can only do my best, work my hardest, and I have no control after that.
10. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Yes! I encourage aspiring writers to finish their projects. It’s so easy to get discouraged and dissuaded along the way, but finishing a manuscript teaches a writer so much: about story, structure, and what it really takes to write 300 pages.
Thank you for playing!
—The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding (Simon & Schuster Australia) is out now.
The Perfect Family
Thomas and Viv Adler have a picture-perfect family. Affluent and attractive, with two well-mannered kids almost out of the nest, they live in a beautiful house in a well-to-do neighbourhood. Their jobs are fulfilling; their children are thriving; the world is their oyster.
Until one morning, when they wake up to find that their house and car have been pelted with eggs. Thomas dismisses it as the work of a few out-of-control kids, but when a smoke bomb is tossed on their front lawn, and the tires on their BMW are punctured, he begins to worry...
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