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Today I am proud to welcome fellow author Petrina Binney to the blog. Petrina and I have read and enjoyed each other’s work. She is a wonderful author and I am very happy to interview her here today. Read on to learn more about her books.
Hey Petrina! Thank you for joining me here today. Please tell us a bit about yourself.
Hey there, Zarina. Thanks for having me. A bit about me… well, I was born in Croydon, but moved down to Devon when I was a kid. I’ve been down here for twenty-five years now which is surprising. Largely because I would never have thought I’d live anywhere without pizza delivery for this long.
I live with my partner and five dogs, and spend my days surrounded by books and coffee. It’s pretty great.
When did you start writing, and did you always want to be an author?
I wrote my first short story (technically, flash fiction) when I was four or five. (Note the above image.) Continued writing stories throughout my childhood. I missed all kinds of naughtiness as a teenager, because I was too busy writing poetry to go to parties.
I started my first attempt at a book when I was twenty. It didn’t really go anywhere, but I remember how surprised other people were that I was writing something so — seemingly — serious. Obviously, they hadn’t read me.
One of the things I enjoy about your work is the use of humour. Are you a big comedy fan?
I am. I suppose, because my parents were older when I was born, I grew up with a range of comedy leanings from Joyce Grenfell to Spike Milligan. Things and people outside my own experience were just part of having an older mum and dad.
And I was lucky to have a lot of laughter at home. My mother, in particular, had funny bones which is where I think I get it from. My dad had a kind sense of humour, which I really admire – it’s just a bit too subtle for me. Maybe I’ll grow into it. My mother, however, was sharp and incisive, occasionally rude but funny. Always funny.
Dark Humour is the best! I loved reading your short stories, my favourite so far is ‘Desperately Seeking Spinach‘. Do you prefer writing novels or short stories?
Thank you, it’s kind of you to say so. I like that one, too.
Short stories and novels are different disciplines, of course. With a short, you’ve only got so much space to tell the story, which, I found, sharpened my delivery. I could really hone in on single characters and get them on the page quickly.
It’s quite a skill to write something emotional or funny, profound or pithy, with a limited word count. That thought kept me focused, and just panicky enough to get it finished. With a novel, there’s more room to breathe, to really explore the psychological workings of a person, in a deep and meaningful way. There’s also more space for a whole host of characters and to have them impact on each other, making friends, enemies and mistakes all over the place.
I keep extensive notes on my novels, just to keep myself on track. Basic things, like if a character is divorced or vegan, or dead, all that gets written into a notebook. One thing that surprised me with the shorts was I still had to keep notes. I’d assumed, being only a couple of dozen pages long, I’d be able to keep the whole narrative in my head without losing track. Not so.
I can laugh about it now.
I don’t laugh about it now.
Do you have another job or is writing what you do full-time?
At the moment, I’m just writing. My other job is in a bar – a pretty natural environment for a writer – but, with the Covid pandemic, it’s closed. During the first lockdown, I published four short stories which might sound really productive but I’d challenged myself to write and publish a short story every month from January to June. I’m just stubborn enough that I managed to do it. I don’t think I could have done it if I hadn’t started writing the first story around this time last year (November 2019).
Your books feature a lot of lesbian protagonists without making it some big political statement. I think this is great. What are your views on diversity in fiction?
Thank you. They say to write what you know. With my characters, apart from Fiona in Sex, Death and Dinner, their sexuality isn’t really news to them — hence it isn’t the major character trait. I grew up in a time where being gay was still a big deal. My ability to live honestly is not something I take lightly. The only reason I am able to live as myself is because of everyone who came before me.
That said: the world has changed. People have all kinds of sexualities and can identify however they please. I think that’s great and should be reflected in literature. Often, people read for escape, but we all like to see something we recognise, something that speaks to us. We all like to feel less alone.
Finally, what advice do you have for budding authors?
Whatever you do, don’t give up. Read everything, encourage everyone you know to leave reviews, and never stop writing.
I have reviewed Petrina Binney’s book Sex, Death and Canapes here.
To buy the book from Amazon UK, click here. To buy it from Amazon USA, click here.
Follow Petrina Binney on social media and look out for more info on her work:
Website Facebook Twitter Pinterest Amazon Author Page
Petrina Binney has reviewed my books Around Midnight, Single Broke Female, Anne, and Every Last Psycho, on her blog.
Other author interviews:
Author Interview with Joey Paul
‘Jill of all Trades’ Author Interview with Kylie Jude
Author Interview With PD Workman
An Interview With Author Lauren Alder
