Charlotte Ward is the author of two non-fiction titles, the latest being It’s Not Me, It’s You. After offering us her latest book to review for the site we asked if she’d like to do an author interview and she said yes. Here it is! Look out for my review of It’s Not Me, It’s You tomorrow!

Tell us about your latest book, It’s Not Me, It’s You.

It’s Not Me, It’s You is a guide to getting over a break-up packed full of funny and excruciating real life stories from girls who’ve already been through it. I was inspired to write it because the break-up guides I’ve come across often seem to skim the surface suggesting you to do things like ‘get a radical new haircut’ which is not good advice! When you’ve had your heart broken and your confidence shattered doing something dramatic to your hair has the potential to make you feel a hundred times worse. If you think you’ll look as good as Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors then you are probably deluded. Sod’s law dictates that instead you’ll end up hating it and feeling even more depressed.

Rather than dish out useless advice I’ve tried to tell the truth about what break-ups are really like and illustrate my points with stories from myself and friends. When you’re going through a break-up you can often feel alone and isolated but hopefully with this book you’ll start to see that everyone has been heartbroken at some stage and you can get over it. So instead of crying over a broken relationship have a good laugh at all the stupid things we’ve done instead.

The book is also quite nostalgic, dealing with all the highs and lows of dating and single life so in that respect I’d hope that any girl in her 20s and 30s could read it and enjoy reminiscing and relating.

What was your road to getting published?

It was something I’d always wanted to do. I’d already started on a fiction idea when I was approached by Headline to write my first book Why Am I Always The One Before ‘The One’?

My book editor had seen an article I wrote for Grazia magazine - talking about how all my ex-boyfriends had settled down with the girl they met after me - and thought it would make a good book concept.

What inspired you to write Why Am I Always The One Before The One?

When I was first offered a deal I had my reservations. It was an incredibly personal thing to write about, and I wondered how it would affect my relationship with my present boyfriend (he actually told me to go for it). But the more I got into the book, the more I wanted to write truthfully about the most ridiculous, stupid and, at times, deranged behaviour I’d displayed trying to find Mr Right.

I wanted it to be a book other young women could relate to so I included the ‘Psycho Chronicles’ - my worst crimes in the name of love in the hope they would make people laugh and feel better about their own bonkers behaviour. And, strangely, putting pen to paper to document my back-catalogue of dating disasters was very cathartic. I can now laugh at all the stories that once left me cold. I also realised I wasn’t the only one. When I appealed for stories from friends, both male and female, pals were soon divulging terrific tales of woe, wickedness and wanton behaviour. It made me realise that pretty much everyone has horrific or hysterical dating stories lurking in their past – even my mum offered a few!

Why did you decide to write non-fiction instead of fiction?

It just kind of happened that way. My first deal was for a non-fiction book and that is how my career has progressed. I’ve written two non-fiction books under my own name and ghosted two autobiographies for other people - but I would like to write fiction books as well.

To follow on from the third question, will you be entering the world of fiction and writing a fictitious book?

Yes, one of these days I will finish my fiction book. I already have the concept and the characters I just need to crack on and do it!

What are you working on now?

I’m about to start ghost writing a ‘confessions of a wedding planner’ book, which is going to be really fun to work on. It’ll be full of funny tales of Bridezillas and horror mother-in-laws so I’m really looking forward to it.

Who are some of your favourite authors/books?

I recently read the Twilight saga which (like most people!) I ended up being totally obsessed with. I also enjoyed Paige Toon’s new book Chasing Daisy. I used to work with Paige at Heat magazine so it’s great to see her doing so well. In terms of all time favourites I can read In Cold Blood by Truman Capote over and over and Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveller’s Wife has to be one of the best books I’ve read in recent years.

Finally, what would you say to someone writing their own memoir?

If you do want to write a book make time to write something every day - even if it’s only for 30 minutes in the morning or evening. It’s amazing how much you can get done when you discipline yourself. When it comes to writing a memoir it is also best to be as candid as you possibly can. When you avoid issues or don’t quite address something properly then often that omission on your part is obvious to the reader.

Thanks so much Charlotte!

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