There are difficulties in almost every aspect of our lives. What were some things that you found difficult about writing The Colour of Shadows? What was the most enjoyable?

Phyllida: The most difficult thing about The Colour of Shadows was Saffron. She is angry because she’s been lied to but, to be honest, she’s been angry since her father brought his new partner home. To Saffron, her stepmother was an imposter. A lot of people don’t like reading about the main character they don’t ‘like’ but, in my opinion, teenagers often struggle with understanding their world. Growing up the painful way sometimes needs to happen in order to learn life lessons well. Writing about someone so fiery and blinkered by life was not as enjoyable as writing about someone lovely. The character in the book I am writing now is lovely and quirky…so much fun!

The part of The Colour of Shadows which was most enjoyable was writing about the characters that Saffron meets. I spoke to several homeless people, particularly William (not his name) who gave me change for my car parking in real life. William and I met again on a later date and we went for coffee and snacks. He told me all about his life on the streets and his growing up years. A reader commented that the ‘homeless’ aspect was not realistic. Well, all I can say is that for the people I spoke to, which I have included in my book, their stories are real. The Colour of Shadows, at the end of the day, is not a book about homeless people, it is about a girl who discovers that other people have complex lives too. Allowing Saffron to look beneath the surface of other people’s lives, was the most enjoyable aspect for me.

The Bibliophagist: I completely understand Saffron. Live as a teenager is wild and confusing at times. We struggle to not only find out who we are but we have to deal with everyone around us and the world as it is as our eyes are opened, moving from childhood to adulthood. She might not be “likable” but she is someone that I think most teenagers can relate to at one point or another in their lives.

That melts my heart…I think people see homeless individuals and think “it’s their fault.” That is not always the case. Life is complex, for most of us. Sometimes the cause of their problem is a lot more difficult to grasp or understand without really getting to know them. I love that you sat down with some of them and listened to their stories. Sometimes that is all they wish for, someone with compassion to take the time to listen to them, be humane and friendly.

In The Colour of Shadows, a teenager finds her birth mother was alive rather than dead as she had believed over the past ten years. Where did this idea for such a sad emotional story come from? Why is this story important and what do you hope readers take away from it?

Phyllida: The idea for this came from several places. I read a true account of a mother who just decided that she wanted a different kind of life. There was no reason for this other than selfishness and her own realization that she really wasn’t ‘mother’ material. As a mother myself, I was fascinated by this concept and the impact it will have had on her own family.

At the same time, someone told me about a friend of theirs who’s father had told them they were going on a family holiday and to pack their bags. It was actually just a cruel plan to allow him to pack his own bag without anyone getting suspicious. He put his suitcase in the car, said he was going to get petrol, and then never returned home. Oh my God!

I was inspired to write about the impact these actions may have on the life of a child.

I also saw ‘Maggie’ in a true documentary and really wanted her to have her say. She wasn’t just a drunk on the streets, she was a person who had a terrible experience and couldn’t live with it any longer.

I have learned that virtually everyone has a reason for their behavior, whether it be the repercussions of mental health, a recent sadness, misunderstandings or lies, etc. The message of The Colour of Shadows is – take a step back and think carefully about whether you are right in the conclusion you have drawn about other people.

The Bibliophagist: The message you send here is one that everyone really needs now, more than ever. I am a mother as well and I have a hard time coming to terms with people rationally thinking of doing something as you mentioned above. I know how damaging that must be to the child, they’d take the guilt of that parent leaving upon their own shoulders. But…as I said before, life is complicated for everyone at times and we need to learn to fully understand them and their reasons for their choices before making our personal judgments.

There are some stereotypes about authors that many have come across through the years. Do you believe any of them are true? Which ones do you actually do?

Phyllida: Some of them are true for me but only because that’s me. I’m sure everyone is different.

So, I do drink caffeine. I think it helps my thought processes to go and make a drink then sip at it while looking at the section I’ve just written. It certainly isn’t to keep me awake!

I’m not reclusive! I love going out and being with people and chatting to them. Observing people is where I get a lot of my character ideas.

I do have a pet cat but only because my daughter rescued it. It’s really hers. She’s called Luna, she’s a British Blue and she’s absolutely gorgeous.

I don’t smoke.

I do procrastinate.

I don’t have a God complex. I just write what is in my head because that is what I like doing. I can’t bake, I’m not great at maths, I’m clumsy and I love going out to play. I just write because that’s what I do best.

The Bibliophagist: I think procrastination is natural for so many of us, even those who are not writers. Life gets so busy that we would really prefer to do fun things rather than work. Thank you for sharing these with us! I love that you enjoy observing people. I do as well, you can learn so much from people just by observing them.

Coffee or Tea? Or Neither?

Phyllida: Tea!!! I have a lot of mugs to select from. For me, it’s like putting on the right set of clothes in the morning. A pint of tea in my Boston Massachusetts mug sets me up for the day, followed by various smaller cups – sunflower mug, 3 writing quote mugs, a smiley face mug, and a mug given to me with the cover of my book Sunflowers in February decorated on it.

My dad grew up on the beautiful Tregothnan estate in Cornwall. His father was the Estate Manager so they lived in a house next to the mansion. Part of the land later became the first tea plantation to grow tea on British soil! I especially like to drink this and imagine my dad as a child running around the very earth my favorite tea is now growing on.

The Bibliophagist: What an amazing legacy your father passed on to you. Being able to look back on the stories he told you and actually imagine them is beautiful. Also…first to grow tea on British soil?! How cool is that!!? I love tea as well but don’t have the same cup variation as you do.

Is there something that you wish you’d known before you embarked on the journey of becoming an author?

Phyllida: Absolutely. I wish I’d known that being an author would mean I had to be great at putting myself ‘out there’ in order to make my books sell. I am not great at that at all. Although I am very sociable and love a restaurant or party or BBQ, etc, I am having to train myself to be more visible on social media, to speak in front of schools, to give workshops, etc.

All I can say is that I’m glad I’m an author and not an actress.