Vanessa Austin Locke: “Let her be Dot. Because she is a beginning

Araminta Hall was one of my peers on an MA at Sussex University. Her best-seller, Everything And Nothing, was published by HarperCollins in 2011 and was featured on Richard and Judy’s Book Club. But there was a foetal book that came before that, which told the story of three generations of women all living in the same house, locked in by the past. I read very early drafts of it years ago, so I was delighted when Dot was finally published this year. I caught up with Araminta…

Why did you publish Everything And Nothing before Dot?
“I wrote the first three drafts of Dot before writing Everything And Nothing. I start with character and a vague idea of where I want to go with a story. It’s more laborious without a clear plan as you know you’re going to have to re-write; I re-wrote Dot four times because I knew the plot wasn’t working.”

I find a lack of complex female characters in most literature, but your novels deliver women I recognise. Which literary women inspire you?
“The modern fascination with chick lit and erotica has certainly disregarded the complex woman, but she’s still out there – both Zadie Smith’s NW and Clare Messud’s The Woman Upstairs feature fantastic strong, angry women. Margaret Atwood and Marilyn French are essential reading, not to mention Charlotte Bronte; and who doesn’t identify with Mrs Dalloway? And, though written by men, I totally believe in Madame Bovary, Tess Of The d’Urbervilles and Anna Karenina.”

What are the challenges that your female characters tackle for their readers?
“I see the next step for feminism as getting society to recognise that the domestic arena is as important as the commercial. I want women to feel valid whatever choices they make, something which doesn’t happen now as we do a lot of juggling and feel guilty most of the time.”

You’re a non-judgmental writer of intensely flawed characters. What is it that interests you in people?
“The grey area that we all inhabit between being right and wrong. I find it very hard to judge people and am always looking for reasons why anyone behaves in any way. Everything begins with character and, if you don’t remain true to how your character would behave, the story will feel clunky.”

Any hints on what your next novel will be about?
“My great-grandfather survived the Titanic and wrote a book. I started off wanting to write a fictionalised account of this, but have now extended this and am writing the diary of a man from the early 1900s to the late ’60s.”

Do you think any of your books will make it to the screen?
“Everything And Nothing has been optioned by an American production company who I hear from periodically with ridiculously exciting news.”

“I can’t stand book snobs – reading is egalitarian”

What are your thoughts on the digital debate within the publishing industry?
“I’m all for choice. I can’t stand book snobs – reading is egalitarian and thank goodness we all enjoy different types of books.”

Dot by Araminta Hall, is out now, published by HarperCollins, HB, £16.99