ChatterboxNews from Jo’s life … straight into yours

Josephine Cox’s

‘Another hit for Josephine Cox’ Sunday Express

Author Letter • Questionnaire • Extracts • Caption Capers

HARPERCOLLINS • ISSUE 18• October 2011

Check out Jo’s brand new look!

Author Letter

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Hello everyone, how are you? So very sorry I haven’t contacted you for some time, but it’s been manic these past few months (as always), though it doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking of you and wondering how you all are. It’s a bit like family, isn’t it? You telephone and chat, but what you really want to do is pop over and catch up, then something happens that demands your immediate attention. Before you know it, time has raced away, and the only way you can make contact is by downing tools and just letting it all go for a while (which is what I’m doing at the moment).

I can hardly believe it, but I did manage to get a week away with my family, and it was wonderful. We went to Ibiza. I’ve never been there before, but I was amazed at how beautiful it is. We walked miles and sat in the bars and listened to the music, then we hired a car and drove to the little coves along the coast. It did my heart good, and I came home ready to cope with anything … well, almost!

I hope all of you somehow managed to get a break, and that things are going well for you. I still have three bulging batches of letters from you, which I haven’t yet

been able to answer, but which I’ve placed right under my nose. I’m determined to tackle them first thing in the morning, after I’ve finished profiling the characters in my new book.

I dearly hope to see some of you this Autumn, but in the meantime take good care of yourselves, and please be patient for a reply to your much valued letters, because although I might be late, I won’t let you down.

Lots of love until the next time, and take good care of yourselves.

P.S. I promised I’d say ‘hello’ to three very naughty ladies who had me in stitches about zumba dancing! Katie, Linda and Jilly – thanks for the giggles!

Time to face his past.Time to discover the truth.Until Jack confronts his worst nightmares, can anyone save him?

GET YOUR COPY ON OCTOBER 27TH

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THEPEOPLE’S QUESTIONNAIRE

In our last issue we asked you to send in all the questions that you were dying to ask Jo! You sent us so many brilliant questions that we

couldn’t squeeze them all in here, but the b est ten can b e found in the back of Jo’s latest paperback, Midnight. Everyone who has had their question answered will receive a copy of Midnight in the post – so

look out for the postman!

All your questions

answered, by Josephine

Where do you get all your ideas for your books? Mrs Val Dowedeswell, Middlesex

I get my ideas from the tapestry of life, and what I see and hear around me. Even now, I can sit on a train and come off at the other end with a host of characters and snatched conversations which I build on to create a story.

What is your favourite book and who are your favourite writers? Christine Bartram, Derbyshire

I was seven years old when the teacher read the story of Oliver Twist to the class. I was mesmerised. I found myself drawn into the story, and to this day, I remember it vividly. It was then and still is now, my all-time favourite story. It goes without saying, Charles Dickens is my most favourite author. Through his warmth and credibility, Dickens touched my heart and soul at an early age, and I love the way he brings the characters to life, and sweeps you into the story.

If you had become a teacher, what is the best advice you would have given to the parents of your young pupils? Nicole Foucault, Quebec

I actually did become a teacher for fifteen years, and my advice to both pupil and parent was to always follow their hearts. Everyone is different, and we are all gifted with unique talents if only we can recognise them.

What was the first thing you bought for yourself when you got your first book agreed and you knew you had made it? Christina Morante, Accrington

The first thing we bought with my very first advance cheque was a set of tyres for my husband’s car and a long weekend break for all the family.

How many rejection letters (if any) did you get before having your first book published? Mrs J Purvis, Tyne & Wear

Amazingly, I never got a rejection slip; although it took months for the publisher to get back to me with the offer of a contract. I remember skipping about in the hall after the publisher called me but there was no one there for me to tell. I was like a shivering wreck by the time I was able to share my amazing news.

How do you decide on your book titles? Christina Morante, Accrington

I always have a working title, but eventually the story itself gives me the final title, which I never argue with!

Do you ever get the ending in your head first, when preparing to work on a novel? Miss L Y Kettle, Portsmouth

When I start on a novel, yes I do have an idea of the ending, but more often than not, it takes on a life of its own. Instinct will tell me whether to go with the character, or to rein it back. It’s often a tug of war. Sometimes I win, and sometimes the characters do. The main thing is that the story is rooted in reality. The story must live and breathe so that when the reader closes the last page, the characters should live on.

Take two!

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Last issue we asked you to come up with an alternative end to Journey’s End with the lucky winner appearing in Jo’s next book Three Letters! We had an incredible response – so thank you so much to all those who entered – but there could only be

one winner, and the prize goes to … drum roll, please …

Linda Kettle!We thought you did a fabulous job! You can look forward to reading Three Letters and seeing your name printed there as

soon as it’s out next year.

You can read Linda’s winning entry opposite – but beware! If you haven’t read Journey’s End, this may spoil the ending of

the story for you!

While Lucy was bending over Barney’s grave, she noticed a white feather fluttering to the ground. It gave her the oddest feeling – as if both Barney and Jamie were standing beside her. It was then that she looked up and saw a gentleman approaching. “I was told I’d find you here”, he said softly. In his hand he held a large envelope and although Lucy was often worried by such things (she always feared bad news), the man was smiling, and somehow this reassured her. Slowly she took it from him. Inside, were some tickets to America – for herself, Adam, and Mary and Ben, too. They had been sent by Leonard and Vicky as a present. Apparently Leonard’s aunt had died, leaving him a small fortune. He could think of nothing better than to invite Lucy and her family to stay. He also mentioned if they liked it in the States, there was no reason why they couldn’t settle permanently. Lucy was quite overcome. She had no doubt that Mary and Ben would jump at the opportunity. And if they were planning to start a family it would be the ideal place to bring up a wee bairn. She knew Adam would raise no objections. As for herself…. who knows what the future may hold?

CaptionCapers

As always, you sent us some fantastic entries for this. You really are a witty bunch. But we had to give the prize to Jo Willcocks for her very clever use of Jo’s titles. Well done, Jo! A Jo Cox notepad

and pen is on its way to you now.

‘Blood Brother’ you have ’til ‘Midnight’ to hand over my legacy or it’s ‘Journey’s End’, as I’m broke, ‘Divorced and Deadly’ – I’ll ‘Miss You Forever’ though.

RUNNERS UPDon’t rifle with me as I was ‘Born Bad’ Mrs Pat Page

Hands up! Write away! Mrs Eileen Mitchell

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