Charlotte Morbey
Winner of Cheshire Novel Prize 2022 - Smoke & Honey - Historical Fiction
Charlotte lives on a hill in rural Scotland, with her husband and two of her three children. As a local midwife she feels lucky to work with remote communities in an inspirational landscape. She has always been an obsessive reader and sometimes writer, but only started writing seriously in the last few years.
In her free time she knits traditional kilt socks and bakes more bread than the family needs. Having grown up in London, she moved around southern England before relocating to Argyll. She has no plans to move again, although she said that last time.
What Made you enter the Cheshire Novel Prize?
The offer of feedback was a big draw, particularly as it was included in the entry fee. Getting insights from readers is always so valuable, and the prospect of judges of that calibre even seeing my work was a real incentive.
What did it feel like when you were LL and SL?
Sara says I didn’t sound excited when she phoned me about the long list – I was going for calm and professional. Inside I was jumping up and down, it was lovely seeing my title on there.
Hearing I was on the shortlist was amazing. My whole day came to a stop while I took in the news. Knowing there was an event to go to for the prize award just made it all so much more exciting – and nerve wracking.
And when you won?
Genuinely speechless, which doesn’t happen often. I’d decided to fib to my family and tell them I knew I hadn’t won (I was so sure I couldn’t) so they wouldn’t feel disappointment. I wanted to enjoy the day and celebrate for all 8 of us on the shortlist.
It was one of the best moments of my life – certainly the best of my writing life so far.
Have you an idea what will you spend the prize money on?
I did say I’d pay the firewood bill with it, but I think I’m going to get some writing themed things for myself. My next novel may be partially set in Edinburgh so I’d like to spend a few days there and call it research.
What was the reaction from those around you/family and friends?
It’s been incredible. I’m very private about writing – only my husband and children knew I’d written the novel and no one knew about the competition. Suddenly it became very public, and it’s been lovely to get the support from family and friends.
You were unrepresented when you entered the Cheshire Novel Prize, can you say what’s happened since?
I can’t really say anything at the moment, and things move slowly. But the prize has put my novel in front of agents beyond my wildest dreams, and I have the lovely comments from the judges to buoy me up whenever I feel the doubts all writers have.
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
It started with a few threads, but the real seed of it was my love of golden age detective novels, particularly Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie. People sometimes criticise Christie for not having rounded characters (I don’t agree, by the way) But I wondered, what might it be like to be the family at the centre of one of those events, the characters who wander in and out waiting to be questioned by the Great Detective? The plot and tone moved a long way from that, but it’s there.
What’s it about?
It’s about an asexual woman and a gay man entering into a ‘comrade marriage’, each for reasons of their own. I love writing about unconventional and found families, about people who feel they don’t fit into their time and place for whatever reason.
What’s your writing routine?
I very deliberately don’t have one. My ‘office’ is wherever my laptop and headphones are, I put background sounds on and I’m in my own private world. The one thing I do to make myself write is set a timer if I’m struggling. Writing in 20 minute ‘sprints’ – especially as part of a group doing the same thing – really helped get words on the page for the first draft.
What’s next for you?
I don’t know! Whatever happens, this has been great so far and I’m just enjoying the ride.
What are your favourite books and why?
Too many to list, like most writers. A recent discovery is ‘O Caledonia’ by Elspeth Barker. It’s dark, Scottish, beautifully written and made me laugh out loud.
Comfort reading I return to again and again includes Terry Pratchett, for the blazing social anger amid the belly laughs. PG Wodehouse for his language and Angela Carter, who is my literary fairy gothmother.
Any tips for writers intending on entering the competition?
Definitely do it. Take time and get feedback if you can to make your entry as good as possible – but try to squash the doubts down and press ‘send.’