(This post was originally posted by Little Vienna on the Coronation Street Blog August 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)
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| Jonathan Harvey - prolific and terrific! |
It was with this weight of expectation that
I began reading Jonathan Harvey’s new book, ‘The Secrets We Keep’, and I have
to say, it didn’t disappoint. It’s funny and sad with twists and turns that
keep you totally engrossed until the very end. It's about how 'doing the right thing' is open to interpretation and how history repeats itself from generation to generation. That's what I think anyway!
I caught up for a quick chat with the
award-winning writer and all-round lovely fella to ask a few questions about
his new book.
LV: Congratulations on the book.
JH: Thank you very much.
LV: Each chapter is written in one of four
distinctive voices; which character did you enjoying writing the most?
JH: I enjoyed writing all of them. As I’d
get to the end of one chapter I’d think, oh great, I’ve Cally to get to next,
or Owen … kind of like … a multifaceted personality (laughs). Once I got into
Danny’s story, the bloke who’s gone missing, I really enjoyed writing that,
but, to be honest with you, it was nice to then come back to the other people.
It’s just like writing a play I suppose; you’ve got more than one character and
you don’t really have a favourite. So no, I enjoyed all of them I suppose.
LV: It’s very dark, Danny’s journey, isn’t
it?
JH: It’s very dark, yes.
LV: In the acknowledgements at the beginning of the
book you said Kathy Burke was encouraging you to go darker and deeper. Was that
in respect to Danny and his story or was it just in general?
JH: Just in general really – she wasn’t
guiding me somewhere. I suppose my first novel was more comedic than the rest
of them, probably, but it was just about having the confidence to tell a story
and not think you’ve got to make jokes all the time – it’s more about that
really.
LV: What’s been your proudest achievement
as a writer?
JH: I suppose my happiest memory would
probably be at the Cannes Film Festival in 1996 when Beautiful Thing was in
competition and having a free suit from Paul Smith and walking up the red
carpet feeling a bit glamorous. It’s the things like that I remember. It’s
more of a joyous thing when you’re with a load of other people.
LV: Beautiful Thing has really endured
hasn’t it? Why do you think it still resonates with people so much?
JH: Oh I don’t know. I’m not very good at
judging all that. People related to something in it. Even if you’re not gay –
it was like, you know, first sharing a bed with someone you fancy and all that
so … it’s hard to say. I’m not good at judging my own work so the fact that it
still resonates amazes me … So I’m not really the best person to ask!
LV: Have you got another novel in the
pipeline yet?
JH: I’ve got about two thirds of the way through
my next one, yes.
LV: Oh my god! You’re quite prolific really
aren’t you?
JH: …Yes! (Laughs)
LV: Are you always going to be doing Corrie
or is writing novels something you want to do full-time?
JH: My ideal world would be just writing my
novels and writing Coronation Street – they’re my two favourites.
LV: And are you doing something with Tracy
Ullman?
JH: Yes. I’m doing the new Tracy Ullman
show.
LV: Excellent! I saw Kathy Burke tweeting
about it – she let the cat of the bag but I didn’t know if it was general
knowledge yet.
JH: I can’t say what I’m actually
doing but yes, I’ll be writing a few characters for her.
LV: That’ll be something to look forward
to. So what advice have you got for aspiring writers?
JH: Write! That’s the only advice you can
give. If you want to write, find the time. Look at Sue Townsend, who wrote
Adrian Mole when she had a million kids and a full time job. She stayed up till
three in the morning every night writing Adrian Mole. If you want to write,
just put the hours in and write - that would be my advice.
LV: My last question is, will we ever see
Fat Brenda or do you want her to remain an enigma?
JH: (Laughs) I don’t think we’re allowed to
say she’s fat any more.
LV: I noticed that actually, the last
reference to her was just Brenda!
JH: Even though I created her I’m not
allowed to mention her. (Laughs)
And with that, Mr Harvey was away to write
six novels, two award-winning plays, two episodes of Coronation Street and a
comedy… all before lunchtime! It makes you sick really doesn’t it - he'd be easier to dislike if he wasn't so damn nice.
‘The Secrets We Keep’ is out now on PanMacmillan. You can even meet him in person when he does a book signing and Q&A session at Waterstones in Liverpool on the 27th August. Details here
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