Volunteer firefighter, spinner of yarns, grandmother: Meet Tea Cooper

A member of the Starts at 60 Book Club recently voted Tea Cooper’s historical fiction, The Naturalist’s Daughter, one of her top ten reads in 2018. Now, on the eve of the release of  Tea’s latest book The Woman in the Green Dress, the renowned writer shares with us her story.

1. Who is Tea Cooper?

I’m a writer who is about to celebrate my 67th birthday. I have a beautiful daughter, a grandson who is the love of my life and I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of his sister. I live alone, in a stone cottage on a 100 acre bush block just outside the little town of Wollombi, in the Hunter Valley. I’m a member of the volunteer bushfire brigade and work part-time in the local museum. I love nothing more than coffee with friends, spinning yarns and a good Hunter red in front of a blazing log fire.

2. What was your favourite book as a child and why?

My grandfather gave me an illustrated copy of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales for my fourth birthday. We shared The Tin Soldier, The Wild Swans, The Ugly Duckling, The Little Match Girl … stories as much for adults as children. That book has travelled the world with me and still holds pride of place on my bookshelves. The pages are full of bittersweet memories.

3. What book made the most lasting impression on you?

Other than Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales I don’t believe there is one specific book. As with most readers, a certain book may fulfil a need at a particular time then, as circumstances change, another takes its place.

4. Is there a book you think: “I wish I had written that”?

The Thorn Birds made an incredible impact on me when I read it for the first time. I don’t wish I’d written it but I believe it was influential in my decision to write Australian historical fiction.

5. What are you currently reading?

The Lost Man by Jane Harper.

6. What are you writing at present?

At this time of the year, I have two books on the go. One I’ve completed which will be in edits next year. Meanwhile, I’m getting to know the characters in my following book and writing a very dirty first draft.

7. Are you a planner or do your books form organically?

I’m a bit of a bower bird. I collect historical odds and ends — facts, photographs, advertisements, memorabilia and interesting snippets I hear. Usually, three or four of them come together and give me the idea for a book. I then write my way into the characters, get to know them and any further planning happens as the story grows. I’ll have a general idea of the sequence and ending but the details often change.

8. What was your first job?

My first job was as a cub reporter. I was supposed to be sitting university entrance exams and all I wanted to do was become a writer. I was told by my mother I wouldn’t have to sit the exams if I found myself a job. I don’t know who was more surprised when I talked my way into a job on the local newspaper.

9. When I’m not writing I’m…?

…pottering around the garden, spending time with my daughter and grandson, catching up with friends, raiding the archives at the local museum and riding around in a fire tanker.

10. What is the most outrageous/bravest/silliest thing you have done in your life?

Pack my bags, travel alone to India and take up a teaching position in a school near Shimla. I spent a year there and then wandered overland to Australia, fell in love with the country and never returned to England!

11. What brings you joy?

My daughter and grandson, friends, a bright new day and the opportunities I have.

12. Is there a book you keep re-reading; something that never gets old for you or where you still find nuances?

Fantasy is one of the few genres I don’t read … except for Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. I revisit it most years.

13. Is there a character you really identify with, either in one of your books or indeed another author’s work?

I believe there’s always a little bit of every writer in the characters they create whether it’s an experience, a personality trait or a physical characteristic. I like to write strong, independent women who make the best of the challenges life throws at them. Do I live up to that? On a good day!

14. Are you looking forward to ageing? Why/Why not?

I’m loving it! The last ten years of my life have been fabulous. After 35 years of teaching, I woke up one morning and decided it was time to do what I had always wanted to do — write. I retired and started writing full-time. I celebrated my sixtieth birthday with my first book contract. I have no intention of retiring for a second time.

On Monday, with thanks to Tea Cooper and her publisher HQ Fiction, we are launching a competition where you can win copies of her new release,  The Woman in the Green Dress – watch this space!