Mums who write: Nicola Cassidy

I’m always hugely impressed by historical fiction authors (all that research!), and so it’s with great pleasure that I introduce my latest ‘mums who write’ author - Nicola Cassidy. Nicola is the author of two novels, both historical and both inspired by true events. We chat about her writing process, her thoughts on how the publishing industry could do better for women and how she believes that pregnancy can unleash a woman’s creative side…

Where do you live and with who?

I live in small village in the North East of Ireland called Termonfeckin. Yes, there is the word feck in there, much to everyone’s amusement! It’s a beautiful little village on the coast and I feel very lucky to live here. We’re a few miles outside the largest town in Ireland called Drogheda and about an hour from Dublin. I have two children, August is five and Bonnie is turning three in February. I also have a step daughter called Abbie who is 16.

What’s your writing routine like?

I finished my third novel about two months ago and have worked out that my routine is about a year long. The first part is research. As I write historical fiction I have to take a good bit of time to find my story, and learn about the background to what I want to write. I do this through reading lots of non-fiction material, newspapers, archives and watching documentaries and films. I also need to think, and let the ideas come. When I feel ready then I’ll blast through the first draft in about two months and I write everyday when I’m doing that. This is usually for about an hour but can be sometimes more if I’m really into it. I’ll then take small breaks in between edits – I usually do about two major edits after the first draft. At that point then I’m ready to send it off for a beta read maybe or to the publisher if it’s ready to go. The whole process takes less than a year. When I’m not writing the actual novel I usually find myself trying something different – it’s a nice time to be creative in other ways. So far I’ve dabbled in short stories, play writing and spoken word. At the moment I have a few podcast and documentary ideas I’d like to work on. It’s nice to stretch the writing brain and learn about different writing crafts outside of novels. Ideally I’d love to get into scripting drama in the future. As regards writing full time – I would say no I’m not a full time writer in that I don’t earn my living from writing yet. But, I am always working on my writing and in that sense, I treat it as a full time hobby slash occupation!

Where do you write from?

I write anywhere I can! Mostly I prefer the quietness of home and my usual routine is to write for the hour or so when my youngest is napping. I wrote my first novel at night when my first daughter was quite young, at a desk I had put in especially for writing. When my second daughter came along that all went out the window as I was so wrecked by the end of the day, I couldn’t bring myself to write at night! Also my older daughter started sleeping in that room and I found it easier to type away on my laptop in the sanctuary of my bedroom. You have to find what works – take any space you can get when you’re juggling small kids in the house. I write outside too if I get a chance; in pubs, cafes and yes, often at softplay! I was going to Slimming World for a while and when I was deep in the novel I’d get weighed in and then speed off in the car somewhere and pull in and write. The other half thought I was still at the class. Needs must!

On both a creative and a practical level, what impact do you think being a mother has had on your writing?

I think if I didn’t become a mother, I probably wouldn’t have written my novels at all. I might have in the future, as it was always a dream of mine, but certainly I wouldn’t be in the position where I am now, with nearly three novels out in the world and my fourth underway in my mid 30s. I stared writing as an escape during my maternity leave and it became a goal of mine to get a book published. If I didn’t have my children, I’m sure I would be working in a demanding job just like I’d always done previous to that. I put all my energy and creative talents into my career – working long hours, giving 100%. When my children came along I realised that I didn’t want to do that any longer, that I wanted to go part time and give more time to this young family we’d just brought into the world. That bit of breathing space freed me up to pursue other things. And maternity leave, crazy and stressful as it was, also gave me a bit of space to think. I think lots of mothers get very creative post pregnancy – you see lots of women starting businesses or making a change in their life. Children bring such change and chaos anyway – it can give you a whole other perspective on the world – thoughts like – what really makes me happy? Is this what I really want to do? And even – what am I leaving behind for my children?

Do you find it easier to write now you are a mother, or more difficult?

I won’t pretend it’s all roses in the garden. There are some days when I really have to battle to get some writing time or I sit down to write and a charity worker rings the doorbell and wakes up my sleeping child (wrath!). We have a busy household, I’ve recently gone back to work after taking a year and half off and my husband is working while studying for a masters, so we juggle a lot. But, you make the time and even if that’s settling the kids with a movie and sweets, you can usually pull an hour in the day from somewhere. As my husband is a musician and works nights a lot, I do have that post bedtime peace too. My little girl is sweet and says ‘are you going to do your writing now Mammy?’ when she sees me going upstairs. She’s knows it’s a time not to disturb and she accepts it. I like it like this… it’s not really that much to ask, is it?!

What do you think is the hardest thing about being a mother who writes?

I don’t think it’s a whole lot different to someone who isn’t a mother that writes – writing is still hard, no matter what - but probably that spare time that you just have to give to the children that you might have to yourself if you were child free. Also, I’d love to go away on more weekends away to write or research and it’s just not possible with children. It really irks me that many prizes or grants given in support of writing are in the shape of two weeks at a retreat. This just isn’t possible for most mothers.

How do you think your love of writing has impacted your children?

Well we’re mad into books now and I’m absolutely loving my daughter learning all her letters at school. I can see already she has a love of writing and art and books and I really hope it stays with her. I think they’ll grow up in a house full of books too, with lots of trips to the library and lots of encouragement. I guess we’ll see if they show any interest in writing creatively in the future. I hope so, but I’d never force it on them. They have to want to do if for themselves. Also they get quite excited if they see my book anywhere, which is cute. (I get excited too!)

How does your partner support you in your writing?

My husband is a fantastic support. He is so encouraging, has always believed in me and has done so many little and big things to help me along the way. Last Christmas my present was a five day stay in Cornwall just to write. Then in January this year I headed off to the States for another five days to research book three. It wouldn’t have been possible if he wasn’t available to take care of the kids and not just that – he believes in what I’m doing, both for me as a person and that what I’m doing is worth it – that it’s not a pipe dream. I think the fact that he’s very creative too and has pursued music helps. Financially too, I couldn’t do it without him. I don’t know how single mums do it and single mums who write? Wow.

Do you think the publishing industry is supportive of writing mums? If not, what could they do better?

The publishing industry tends to be female dominated so I think there’s a huge understanding of what it’s like to be a mum trying to write. I’ve always felt very supported at both the publishers I’ve worked with and they’re always genuinely interested in my family and our welfare. I think where the issues come in are in the supports, grants and aids from a national or Government perspective and then of course there’s the tendency when it comes to media and awards / reviews to laud male writers over female. It is shifting though, but there’s a long way to go. Also, men who refuse to read women. That’s an issue.

What are your top tips for other mothers who’d like to write?

My biggest tip would be to try and make a little routine for yourself. To say – right – this half an hour or hour is for me, I’m doing this, keep out! I had to fight for that at the start, for us it was me saying, no I’m not watching a box set series anymore, I’m going up to write. Then once it becomes the norm, nothing more will be thought of it. I’d also say, go easy on yourself and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve your goals straightway. It can be a long, difficult process. Cake and wine and tea help. And find your tribe. I talk to a lot of writing Mums who help keep me sane and we can share our experiences in a safe place!

Please tell me a little bit about your latest novel.

My latest novel is called The Nanny at Number 43 and it’s a story set in my hometown of Drogheda 1880. A mysterious woman arrives to take charge of a motherless child, while the bodies of two babies are found buried in a suitcase in Dublin. The story was inspired by a true advert I saw placed in my local newspaper at the time looking for a ‘respectable woman to care for a motherless child.’ The suitcase story is also based on truth, while the nanny was inspired by true crime serial killers in lived in England in the 19th century. You can see where my research comes in. I have to give a mention to my third book which is out in Spring 2020 – it’s based on the life of Adele Astaire, who was Fred Astaire’s sister and I’m so excited to bring it out into the world as I haven’t seen a novel yet on her life. She was more famous than he was back in the 1920s and over time has been forgotten. I’m hoping to bring her back!

Quickfire Questions

What’s your favourite…

Novel about motherhood: Ooo…. Are there any?! Ha! Most the ones I read are outside of that! I need the escape! Probably, thinking back on what I’ve read, We Need to Talk About Kevin. It was such a powerful book and certainly one that explored motherhood – especially around issues of responsibility, guilt and love.

Thing about being a mum: I just love holding my kids, wrapping my arms around them in front of the TV and seeing them cuddle into me and feeling safe. It’s the most simple thing but it feels me with joy. They’re still young enough to do this… long may it last!

Thing about being a writer: The actual writing – producing a character, a story or some lines that I can sit back and go – I really like that. I get the most joy from writing material that I myself can be proud of or feel I’ve done well at. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, I swear, the endorphins release!

Way to relax: I love a nice bottle of wine, massive box of salt and vinegar crisps and good box set with the hubby. I also love cups of tea and chocolate and sitting down in a quiet clean house to watch whatever I like on the TV. That really is bliss.

Nicola Cassidy’s novel The Nanny at Number 43 is published by Poolbeg Press. Her debut novel is December Girl. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram and on Facebook. Her website is www.nicolacassidy.com.