Please give a warm welcome to author Ada Rossi

Tell us a bit about yourself…

Hi, I’m Ada and I’m an author – how fabulous to be able to say that! I’m thrilled to be releasing two novels with Butterdragons Publishing this year. I spend as much time as I can reading and writing, but I also love yoga and gardening.

Have you always wanted to become an author?

Yes and no… I’ve come to this in my forties, having not written any stories, nor having dreamed of doing so. But I’m an avid reader and I have a cat, so writing stories seemed a natural progression. But I was recently reminded that, when I was a child, I said I wanted to be a writer when I grew up, so I can safely say it’s always been a part of me, just hiding away, waiting for the right moment to bloom.

What was your inspiration for your current book/series?

When lockdown came in 2020, I was luckier than most and able to spend as much time as I wanted in my little bit of the English countryside. I became fascinated by tiny changes, every day something altered colour, grew or flew, and I wanted to capture those in a novel which was rooted in one place. I started taking notes, and I realised how these observations sparked memories, from childhood, or a trip out, which made me think about how we share our histories with others, out of order and not all in one go… from there, the structure and style of The Condemned Oak Tree was firm in my mind, all I needed was a story, which emerged as I wrote. 

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up the edits on my second novel Statuesque. It’s a loose retelling of Austen’s Emma, with a contemporary twist to explore a new narrative within this classic story. Apparently, it has some amusing moments. I’ve also started thinking through some new ideas. I’ve so many ideas, I’ve not decided yet which one is next.

Do you have any quirks while working?

Not at all, I’m all about a quiet place and a routine, which sounds really dull and it is, but it works for me. When I’m writing, I aim to write at the same time each day, and every day. While I don’t berate myself if it doesn’t come, I do have a plan and I try to stick to it. I’ve been known to create spreadsheets, which now I think about it, everyone thinks it’s downright weird! So maybe I should have said yes to this question.

What are your hopes for the future?

I have this overwhelming desire to chat with book clubs about my stories. I’ve been fortunate to be supported while I’ve been writing, by my partner and my publisher, but I’d love to talk to readers who don’t know me, and explore my characters, see another side of them and learn how they appear to other readers. Plus, I’ve never been part of a book club, and I really want to be.

Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?

Gosh, I don’t think I’ve enough experience to be handing out advice, so I’ll stick to dishing out some encouragement – keep going! Just like training for a marathon, you don’t have to want to go for every early morning run, but you do have to like running. Have fun, work hard, be bold, persevere, enjoy!

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

Do you have a book club, and if so, can I come say hi?