Amanda Robson: Thank you for your very kind words. I was thrilled to read your review.
J: OBSESSION goes deep into marital relationships as well as mental illnesses. How long did you research the various issues before starting to write?
AR: I have been listening to friend’s problems over the years and empathising. Also, a very close friend of mine has just retired as a Relate counsellor, so all in all it has been a long term observational interest rather than anything I had to research specifically.
J: How long did it take to write the book?
AR: I had been writing a piece of historical fiction for many years which took a lot of research and re- drafting. I just missed getting it published and was so disappointed. The idea of Obsession suddenly popped into my head and so I decided to go for it and change genre. Writing a psychological thriller came to me much more naturally than historical fiction. Obsession only took me six months.
J: I find it fascinating that you previously co-authored a medical book on cyanide poisoning. When did you realize you wanted to write fiction?
AR: I wanted to write fiction from being a teenager. I always loved writing poetry too. But because of my early scientific career and bringing up my children, writing a novel never got a look in. A few pieces of poetry for private consumption was the best I could do. It wasn’t until my children were late teenagers that I really felt I had the time. When I saw their lives moving forwards and mine stagnating, I realized this was the time to take control and do what I had always wanted to do.
J: I read that you wanted to be an actress in another life. Who would you like to see act in the role of Carly if OBSESSION was made into a movie (fingers crossed!)?
AR: I would love Scarlett Johansson to play Carly, as she is so interesting and versatile. Scarlett Johanssan has a very expressive face, which is exactly how I imagine Carly.
J: Yes! I 100% agree! Scarlett Johansson would be absolutely perfect as the gorgeous, blonde, funny and intense Carly!
J: I saw that one of your favorite contemporary authors is Chimamanda Ngozi. I loved AMERICANAH! Which of her books is your favorite and why?
AR: Americanah is my favourite too. It is so sharply and evocatively written, and the main character is so well drawn. I think it is a book of importance, challenging the West’s attitudes to race in a very haunting way. The way Ngozi describes in detail the thoughts and feelings of a few characters, so that I can imagine their situation, rather than being bulldozed by statistics, works for me in a very powerful way.
J: Were you influenced by any other current authors in the mystery/suspense/thriller genre?
AR: Definitely. I loved Gone Girl and Girl on a Train. Didn’t everybody?
J: Yes, I certainly did! Both books are in my TWISTER HALL OF FAME!
J: Without spoiling the ending for readers, OBSESSION does have a quite shocking one. How many various endings did you imagine for the book? Or was it always going to be the final product?
AR: I did have another ending. But I changed it so that the reader could have more empathy with one of the characters. Guess which one?
J: Hahaha! Yes I think I know which character you mean. And the ending definitely works! It is realistic, plausible and shocking. The best kind of plot twist.
J: Please tell me you are working on a new book! If so, can you say anything about it yet?
AR: I have just finished the second edit of my next book Guilt. It is another domestic thriller, in which two sisters get into a bad situation with the same man.
J: I can’t wait to read GUILT, Amanda! Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to visit with me. Congratulations on OBSESSION!
Available on Amazon Now! Obsession: The bestselling psychological thriller perfect for summer reading
Amanda Robson, author of OBSESSION. See my review of OBSESSION here.
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