Delicious awkwardness is celebrated on the page by Natalie Willbe as three generations work together to connect, survive and er... sing… in a choir - fab reading
- CWIP
- Sep 28
- 3 min read
Can you tell us about the brilliant ‘Music for the Samosa Generation’ in one sentence? Sandwiched between her headstrong ageing mother and rebellious teenage daughter, Yasmin involves them both in launching a community choir and learns how much she has underestimated them (and herself). What inspired you to write about the juggle of perimenopause and care of parents?
I HAVE NO IDEA: MY OWN PARENTS ARE NEVER HEADSTRONG AND MY HORMONES ARE NO BOTHER AT ALL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR ASKING. I grew up in a three generational household so I saw first-hand how my Mum and Grandma navigated this stage of life, and now I’m doing it alongside my own fabulous friends, church family and neighbours. You want to show up for everyone, perhaps underestimating how capable they actually are, and can forget to show up for yourself. I wanted to write something that acknowledges the challenges of this stage but also reminds us that it can still be funny and wonderful. How do you find humour on the page can nail the more painful areas we tend to avoid talking about freely?
I think when it’s used appropriately humour can skewer the tension or awkwardness around a topic, and quickly establish common ground. If we can feel connected to other people, everything becomes a little easier to manage, in my experience. Which witty novel inspired you the most growing up? The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole; I could probably relate to his flair for the dramatic. My own humour is not dry at all (my husband once watched me laugh myself hoarse at Martin Clunes failing to vault a gate), but I love it in other people.
How long have you wanted to write and finish a manuscript? Where do you write? Do you take coffee breaks or stick to water /wine/other? Any writing habits gratefully received.
I have wanted to write and finish this story in some shape or form for over ten years now; the irony of struggling to carve out time to write about a woman juggling life is not lost on me. I have a beautiful desk set up for writing, so I usually spend a long time choosing the perfect record to accompany meaningful work, make a lovely cup of tea and then wander off to talk to the chickens, give my teenage sons a lift somewhere or do the ironing. I am immensely grateful to CWIP for giving me a deadline and forcing me to get my manuscript finished. Finally, can you tell us why you think CWIP is important?!
I think the ability to see the funny side of life is important when you’re up against the hard stuff, and perhaps especially so when you’re a woman. If we couldn’t laugh at how difficult it is to put on tights after swimming, find a decent light in which to tweeze rogue chin hairs, or politely rebuff men people who insist on helping us to park when we were already halfway into the space, where would we be? There are many brilliant and important literary prizes, but sometimes writing funny stories can feel a bit lightweight or unworthy. I’m thankful that in CWIP, Helen has created a platform that celebrates and rewards the hard work and effort it takes to write humorous, relatable fiction.
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