Julia Gillard and Paula Hawkins live at Hay Festival Winter Weekend
A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
Deep Dive
What inspired Paula Hawkins to write her latest novel, 'The Blue Hour'?
Paula Hawkins was inspired by a holiday in Brittany, France, where she saw a tidal island with a single house. The idea of isolation and the unique setting intrigued her, leading her to create the fictional island of Eris in Scotland. She was fascinated by the kind of person who would choose to live in such a remote location, which eventually shaped the character of Vanessa Walsh, a reclusive artist.
How did Paula Hawkins' background in journalism influence her fiction writing?
Hawkins' journalism career taught her to get to the heart of a story, strip out unnecessary details, and observe people closely. These skills translated into her fiction writing, particularly in crafting dialogue and understanding how people hide truths. Her ability to read between the lines and focus on what people don’t say became crucial in her crime novels.
What challenges did Paula Hawkins face after the success of 'The Girl on the Train'?
After the massive success of 'The Girl on the Train,' Hawkins felt pressure to deliver another hit. Her second novel, 'Into the Water,' was ambitious but rushed, and it received harsh reviews. She described it as a difficult period, but she eventually moved past the pressure, focusing on writing stories that felt authentic to her rather than trying to replicate her first success.
How does Paula Hawkins approach the theme of justice in her novels?
Hawkins avoids neat resolutions in her novels, preferring to explore the complexity of justice. She focuses on why ordinary people commit terrible acts rather than following traditional crime-solving narratives. Her characters are often shades of gray, and she questions what they truly deserve, reflecting the messy reality of life where justice isn’t always clear-cut.
What role does the setting play in 'The Blue Hour'?
The fictional island of Eris in 'The Blue Hour' is almost a character itself, with its isolation and evocative landscapes shaping the story. The island’s tidal nature, which cuts it off from the mainland twice a day, creates a sense of mystery and tension. This setting mirrors the protagonist Vanessa Walsh’s desire for freedom and isolation, while also serving as a backdrop for the novel’s exploration of power dynamics and art.
How did Paula Hawkins prepare to write about the art world in 'The Blue Hour'?
Hawkins immersed herself in the world of visual art by reading biographies of artists like Barbara Hepworth and Joan Eardley, as well as visiting pottery studios to understand the creative process. She wanted to capture the sensory details of art-making, such as the smell of a studio and the tools used, to authentically portray her protagonist Vanessa Walsh’s life as an artist.
What is the central relationship in 'The Blue Hour'?
The central relationship in 'The Blue Hour' is between Vanessa Walsh, the reclusive artist, and Grace, a retired doctor who lives with her on the island. Their friendship is intense and complex, spanning 20 years, and explores how power dynamics shift over time. Hawkins wanted to delve into the nuances of platonic friendships, which she feels are often overlooked in literature.
How does Paula Hawkins feel about the adaptation of 'The Girl on the Train' into a film?
Hawkins enjoyed the film adaptation of 'The Girl on the Train' but noted that it looked very different from her imagination, as it was set in the U.S. with wealthier, more beautiful characters. She appreciated the cinematic beauty of the upstate New York landscape and found it interesting to see how certain scenes, like Rachel taking Anna’s baby, were reinterpreted on screen.
What does Paula Hawkins find most challenging about writing novels?
Hawkins finds the middle of the writing process the most challenging, often feeling overwhelmed and doubting her work. She described moments of sitting at her desk and weeping because she couldn’t figure out how to make the story work. However, she also finds the initial creative phase enjoyable, where everything is possible and she can experiment with ideas.
How does Paula Hawkins choose names for her characters?
Hawkins admits she’s not particularly thoughtful about naming characters. She often picks names randomly from books in her study, combining first and last names from different sources. She doesn’t see naming as a deep or significant part of her creative process.
- Early love for reading (Enid Blyton, Narnia)
- Aspired to be a journalist, influenced by her father and role models
- Wrote four unsuccessful romantic comedies under a pseudonym
- "The Girl on the Train" became a runaway bestseller (23 million copies sold), adapted into a Hollywood film
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