Author Emma Heatherington: ‘Losing a parent as a child shapes your life right into adulthood’
Tell us about your new novel, Together for Christmas Cara Mallon, who is licking her wounds after a break-up, organises a festive press trip to Ashford Castle, where she meets travel blogger Dermot Walsh. It’s a love story that is both festive and multilayered with a cast of endearing, relatable characters. It’s your fourth Christmas-themed title. What’s the attraction? Your characters often face difficulties at this celebratory time Christmas can be wonderful one year and incredibly tough the next, so I can always find a story around that time of year. Your mother died when you were only 15 and, as the eldest child, you took on a lot of the responsibility for raising your five younger siblings. How did you cope? I have no idea how we coped but we had no choice. Losing a parent as a child shapes your life in many ways, right into adulthood. I still miss her every day. You became a mother yourself at 19 when you were at university. How was that? It was a surprise, but my daughter’s birth brought so much joy and a welcome distraction from our grief at that time. You are living with myeloma, a rare and incurable bone marrow cancer. How has this affected your life and writing? It carries an emotional load as well as the physical challenges of illness and treatment. Did finding or forming a new community help? My writing saved me emotionally while my body fought the physical side of my illness. It kept my head busy when I could easily have gone to a very dark place. The support I’ve received from my online community has been life-changing. I don’t take it for granted. You turned 50 this year. How did you mark that milestone? I went to Nashville with my fiance, Jim, my cousin Leone and her hubby, Laurence. We had the best time ever. Months on I still smile at the memories we made there, It was everything I’d dreamed of and more. You’ve written Country Girl: The Musical. Is that a lifelong love? What’s the plot? Your favourite lyric? I’m a huge country music fan, so combining my love of songwriting and storytelling equals joy. Country Girl is like my books, with themes of grief, love and family, only it’s live on stage with an amazing soundtrack. Rosie has inherited an Irish pub from her late grandmother but plans to sell it and return to Australia. When Luke Adams, a rising country star, walks into the bar one night, a spark of chemistry changes both their plans. I’m immensely proud of Country Girl and can’t wait to bring it to theatres across Ireland in early 2027. My favourite lyric is “I thank God for letting me love you”. It’s from the song Rosie’s Lullaby, which I wrote on my mother’s anniversary a few months after my cancer diagnosis. Having babies young: how does it work out? Your eldest daughter gets married next year and your youngest has moved to Australia. How did you respond to these big experiences? Shopping for Jordyn’s wedding dress was incredibly special. It’s going to be a very proud, emotional day for us all. Jade moved to Perth on St Patrick’s Day. I’m more settled now she’s settled. We talk on Facetime almost every day. Which projects are you working on? I’m working on my 2027 novel as well as producing Country Girl, so my head is very busy! Have you ever made a literary pilgrimage? I like to write by the sea in Downings, Co Donegal. My sister and I have a mobile home there so I retreat with my laptop when I can. What is the best writing advice you have heard? Without a deadline, an idea will always be an idea. Who do you admire the most? My children. You are supreme ruler for a day. Which law do you pass or abolish? I’d rewrite a whole lot of Irish history. Which current book, film and podcast would you recommend? I’m not up to speed with films, but books, I recommend Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, and podcasts, On the Couch with Rachel and The Digg Podcast. Which public event affected you most? The Omagh bombing was a dark day for my home county and all the families affected. The most remarkable place you have visited? Geneva was breathtakingly beautiful, but Nashville has my heart. Your most treasured possession? My mummy’s wedding band, which I keep in a jewellery box she got me for Christmas just before she died. What is the most beautiful book that you own? A copy of Jane Austen’s Emma I was given when in hospital. Which writers, living or dead, would you invite to your dream dinner party? Seamus Heaney, Rebecca Yarros and Samuel Beckett. We all share the same birthday. The best and worst things about where you live? Donaghmore is bursting with creativity. I’d love to be closer to the sea. What is your favourite quotation? You don’t ask, you don’t get. Who is your favourite fictional character? Anne of Green Gables. A book to make me laugh? Anything written by Roddy Doyle. A book that might move me to tears? The Last Letter, Rebecca Yarros. Together for Christmas was published on October 22nd