Helen J Rolfe writes romantic fiction and
contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family,
friendship, secrets, and community.
Location is a big part of the adventure in
Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries
where she thinks her readers might like to escape to.
1.
What was your favourite
childhood book/author?
For me, definitely Enid Blyton! I loved the adventures she
took readers on, especially with the Magic Faraway Tree, that was my favourite,
the whole make believe world she created had me totally gripped. As a teen I
loved Judy Blume, she really seemed to ‘get’ how girls felt at certain ages, so
it was easy to resonate with her characters. I’ve even bought some of her books
for my teenagers too…
2.
What inspired you to start
writing and how long has it taken you to get to this point?
I still remember telling my English teacher that I wanted to
be a journalist and she warned me, never give up. She’d given up the dream and
become a teacher! Somehow I ended up becoming a computer programmer but along
the way I realised how much I wanted to write, took a couple of courses in
journalism and writing and then began writing freelance articles for women’s
health and fitness magazines. It was when my kids were both at school and I had
more time on my hands that I realised I wanted to try writing a book. My first
attempt was terrible! It will never see the light of day but was very much a
learning experience I began in around 2011 … then I wrote The Friendship Tree
which went on to be published in February 2015 and I haven’t looked back since.
3.
Describe your writing space -
neat and ordered or creative chaos?
My writing spaces have varied over the years – I worked at
the kitchen table with headphones to block out the noise, at a desk in our
bedroom, then in a walk in wardrobe, and now finally I have a lovely big desk
with room for the computer and a place for the thousand and one pieces of paper
I seem to have. You can always tell when I’m starting a new book as I have a
real tidy and the desk looks lovely until I make notes everywhere and it gets a
little chaotic once more.
4.
What is the easiest and
hardest part of the writing process?
The
first draft of a book is quite painful for me, I really have to force myself to
sit down and press on with it even though it’s quite hard and feels like I’ll
never get there. There’s always a moment around 40,000 words where I think it’s
really terrible and I almost want to start again but once I get past that it
starts to flow a bit more.
For
me, editing is the easier part, I really enjoy pulling apart what I’ve written
and shaping it into something much better. I usually go through three times
before I send it off to an editor who then returns it and we go through the
process again.
5.
Which other authors are you
influenced by?
I don’t think I’m really influenced by any other authors but
I learn from every single author out there. When I read other books I learn
about plotting, characterisation, writing dialogue, it extends my vocabulary
and sometimes triggers thoughts about my work in progress.
6.
What does literary success
“look” like to you?
I’m not sure about literary success but for my own success,
it’s when I’m getting books out there, people are reading them, and more than
that, they’re enjoying my stories. There’s nothing quite like receiving an
email or message from a reader to say how much they loved a book and why. It’s
a really special moment and those relationships I build with my readers make me
feel successful in my career.
7.
How do you select the names
of your characters?
I find this so difficult! With book number 20 publishing
December 6th I have so many characters already. I’ve got a spreadsheet with all
the names and when I choose I tend to look at baby names via Google. Even then,
it’s difficult. Sometimes I choose a name and when I’m writing I don’t feel
like the name fits the character so then it’s back to the choosing game again!
For characters’ appearances and so I have a face in my head,
I tend to go through programs I enjoy and pluck them from there or movies I’ve
seen. If I can’t think of any off the top of my head I search online for actors
around the age I need and choose that way.
8.
Do you hide any secret
‘messages’ in your book that only a few people will understand?
This sounds like a fun thing to do, but no I haven’t done it
unless you count some of the things that happen that I’ve plucked from memories
over the years. My parents tend to spot all of those!
9.
If your book was to be made
into a film/TV programme, which actors would play which role?
I love this question! If it was Christmas at the Little
Waffle Shack I’d like to have Kara Killmer (she plays Sylvie on Chicago Fire) to
play Lucy and Jesse Lee Soffer (he plays Jay Halstead on Chicago PD).
10. What do you
hope your readers take away from your book?
I hope my readers go on an emotional journey with my
characters and lose themselves in Heritage Cove which is even more special at
Christmas. I hope the book leaves them uplifted and smiling.
Lastly, Jenn (The Comfy Chair)
likes to enjoy a good read snuggled up with a cup of tea and piece of cake...
what cake or sweet treat would you suggest to accompany your book?
Well that would have to be waffles!
Christmas at the Little Waffle Shack
Release date: 6th December 2020
It's December in Heritage Cove and along with
the village Christmas tree, frosty mornings and the promise of the most
wonderful time of the year, the new waffle shack is about to open. And its owner
isn't a stranger to the Cove, because after all this time, Daniel is back to
make amends with his brother Harvey – as well as a few other locals he might
have offended along the way.
Fairly new to the village, local blacksmith Lucy
has kept up the pretence of being with her ex for the sake of his gran but
she’s fed up with all the lies. Determined to come clean and live the life she
wants to live, she’s devastated to find that her attraction to Daniel is
tainted by the fact he’s hiding a few things of his own. And his secrets are
ones she isn’t sure she’ll ever be able to get past.
Heritage Cove is full of friendship and
community; it’s a welcoming place people visit and never want to leave. But
will it work its magic for Daniel and Lucy?
Follow Helen on Twitter HERE 
