From blog influencer to Haribo eater this is Pam Ayres - with a spread sheet and a murder weapon - Yvonne Vincent’s ‘Game of Trust’ rocks
- CWIP
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
For readers who haven’t (yet!) read your ‘Game of Trust’, can you tell us about it in one sentence?
When members of Scotland’s worst diet group infiltrate a reality TV game show to catch an art thief, the last thing they expect is to find themselves on the trail of a murderer (warning - contains strong language, adult humour and far too much shortbread).
How much did the TV show ‘Traitors’ inspire you when conjuring the hilarious reality show backdrop?
My husband said over coffee one day, “What if there was a real murder in The Traitors?” I glazed over and went completely silent for ten minutes as the plot formed in my mind. I had to make up my own game rules and cast, but everything stemmed from that single “what if”.
Are you a strategist yourself when it comes to game playing and how far have you plundered that to good effect in your writing?!
I’m always the first one out at Monopoly! When writing, l tend to start with a big idea but no detailed plan. I do keep notes and a spreadsheet of timelines as I go along, so a plan does eventually emerge. But writing is like watching a movie in my head, and often things happen that surprise me.
Which witty novel inspired you the most growing up?
Not so much a novel - it was Pam Ayres. I thought she was utterly brilliant, and 10 year old me wanted to write poetry like her. I was so proud when my poem about daffodils made it into the school magazine. I was also an adventure addict. I joke that my books are heavily influenced by The Famous Five and Scooby Doo, but I really do believe that in this difficult world, grown ups need proper adventures too.
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 lost the notion of writing a book around the time I acquired a job, mortgage and kids. Life took over. Then, in 2018, I started blogging, and my blog readers encouraged me to write my first book. I assumed it would be a one-off, perhaps sell a few copies, but it sold ten thousand and got to number 50 in the UK Kindle store, so I just kept going. I started out on my dad’s ancient computer on the dining room table, but I’ve graduated to having my own room now, where I can shut out the world of a morning and concentrate. My vice is Haribo. I pop some Haribo rings on my fingers and reward myself with one for every five hundred words. An empty hand is an achievable goal.
Finally, can you tell us why you think CWIP is important?!
I cannot think of any organisation other than CWIP that celebrates laughter so splendidly. I’ve followed CWIP for years because it makes me feel like I belong; that putting a smile on someone’s face is valued. I know CWIP was set up to give women comedy writers parity, but it has taken parity a step further by including new and self-published writers. CWIP has done something different from any other writing prize - it has valued us all. We all belong. And that’s quite special.
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