Bronia Humble
The Carer - Historical Fiction/Crime/Thriller
I am a full-time mum and diplomatic “trailing spouse”. I have two small boys, aged 18 months and 3 years. Before having my children, I worked in academic publishing as a Commissioning Editor with a focus on research methods. I have a PhD in Politics and International Relations. Since 2019, I have split my time between Pakistan and Scotland. We are currently based in Islamabad, where my husband works for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
What Made you enter the Cheshire Novel Prize?
I thought a writing competition would give me a focus and a deadline. I wanted to write but I struggled to put pen to paper. There was always some other task or chore to be done. CNP attracted me because of the promise of feedback and the amazing judges. Juliet Mushens was the first to catch my eye. I’ve followed her career for years. I was excited that she might read my words. Then I saw Awais Khan was judging too. I live in Pakistan, like he does. That felt like a sign.
What did it feel like when you were LL and then SL?
It was 6pm in Pakistan and I was bathing my children when the longlist video announcement went live. When I saw my book’s title, I almost dropped my phone in the bath. I wasn’t supposed to get longlisted. The truth of the matter is that I had no book to send. Just 20,000 rough words and a synopsis. When the feeling of panic subsided, it was replaced with grim determination. I’d wanted a deadline, now I had one. By the time Sara called me with the news about the shortlist I’d written 60,000 more words and the end was in sight. I remember a feeling of manic glee. I’d done it! Then I drank more coffee and got back to work.
What was the reaction from those around you/family and friends?
Mixed. There was confusion and excitement and pride. Most were simply surprised. After all, nobody knew I was writing a book (I didn’t even know I was writing a book). There were a lot of questions.
You were unrepresented when you entered the Cheshire Novel Prize, can you say what’s happened since?
My book attracted some agent interest and I had some nice feedback about my writing. But, ultimately, I know that my book is not ready for submission. There is a lot of work to do. Since the prize lunch, I have got to know my fellow shortlisted writers and we have set up a writing group. I’m very lucky to have such talented women in my life, cheering me on.
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
The idea for my book has followed me around for a long time. My childhood best friend lived in an old mansion house in Aberdeenshire. A house fire in 1939 had destroyed much of the building and only one wing had escaped the flames. As small children, we would play in the shadow of that colossal ruin. Much later, when I was studying for my PhD at Aberdeen University, I learned that Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British Union of Fascists, had
visited that same house in 1937. I started thinking: a fascist in 1937 and a fire in 1939? What story might be cooked up from those two ingredients?
What’s it about?
My story is a dual timeline literary thriller about sibling relationships, loyalty, guilt and aspiration.
Aberdeenshire 1936, sisters Hope and Gloriana find their lives curtailed. Their father is dead, their mother ill and debts are mounting. Seeking solutions, Gloriana joins the British Union of Fascists. Hope finds comfort in her photography. But when Hope’s photograph of Gloriana wins a national competition, it attracts the attention of Oswald Mosley and puts the sisters on a collision course.
In 1984, personal carer April lives in the shadow of her late brother’s crime. A new job in rural Aberdeenshire offers a fresh start. But April has been chosen for a reason. Her new employer is also haunted by the memory of a sibling. And she is ready to confess.
What’s your writing routine?
For the purposes of getting the novel finished for the CNP deadline, I turned writing into a full-time job. The children went to childcare and I wrote from 8am till 5pm, every day. Then, when the children were sleeping in the evenings, I’d get my laptop out again. I had a target of writing 1500 words every day. I followed Claire Fuller’s advice, only ever reading and editing the previous day’s work before shifting into forward gear again and getting the words down. Without the CNP deadline, I’d still be tinkering with chapter one.
What’s next for you?
Editing, editing, editing. My novel needs a lot of structural work. I’m currently tearing my hair out over character arcs.
What are your favourite books and why?
I love gothic, twisty books. Three recent favourites are “Bitter Orange” by Claire Fuller, “Magpie Lane” by Lucy Atkins and “The Last House on Needless Street” by Catriona Ward. I tend to re-read books that I love. Jessie Burton’s “The Muse”, Kate Atkinson’s “Life after Life” and “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt, all have broken spines and scuffed covers. It seems I enjoy books about obsession and loss; art and history; and aspirations, both attained and suppressed. It’s not all dark and depressing, though. I’m also a huge fan of anything with a sparkly cover at Christmas time. I read Trisha Ashley’s “Twelve Days of Christmas” every single year.
Any tips for writers intending on entering the competition?
- You’ve got 5000 words. Make them count. If you can work your hook, inciting incident and a major conflict/crisis into those first 5000 words then you will leave the readers wanting more. That’s all it takes to get through round one.
- Find a friend (or, better yet, several friends) who will read every word and be brutally honest. Buy them wine if it loosens their tongue. And, crucially, do what they tell you needs done. No “buts”; no “ifs”. The reader is always right.
- At the risk of sounding like Miss Jean Brodie, please do not follow my example. Do as I tell you, and not as I did. Finish your book before entering! Or at least, be most of the way there.
- Get started, keep going and enter the Cheshire Novel Prize. You will not regret it!