K. M TARRANT was born in Temuka, before moving to Lower Hutt for several years before moving even further north to the North Shore of Auckland. Once there, Kim qualified as an embalmer. She talks to NZ Booklovers about her debut novel that borrows from her years as an embalmer and blends two other interests – crime and figuring out what makes people tick.
Tell us a little about Life and Death in Birkenhead.
Life and Death in Birkenhead is equal parts familiar, sweet, brutal and I believe, informative. The book tells the story of Maisie and her journey through life - beginning in small town New Zealand and continuing as a hopeful young woman heading off to explore the world. Eventually, the innocent Maisie will collide with her antithesis - the slippery and untrustworthy Gerald Stafford. The reader learns all about Geralds lack of moral fibre before Maisie has even met him but it doesn’t take long before she becomes acutely aware of just how terrifying Gerald can be.
What inspired you to write this book?
Since childhood I’ve loved stories and storytelling in all its many forms - ‘directing’ (aka ‘bossing’) my sisters and our neighbourhood friends (the Stoke’s sisters and brother Darren) in plays that we would perform for our long suffering parents. I loved watching children’s movies and television shows like Disney on a Sunday night and of course - reading.
My favourite written stories were the Little Golden Books and Enid Blyton's Faraway Tree and Famous Five series.
As an adult I began jotting down the ideas I had always had for my own stories, always thinking that one day I would love to try and turn one of them into an actual book. Well, eventually the planets aligned and I was very fortunate that Stephen (my husband) and I were at a point in our lives where I could focus all my energy on giving writing a good crack.
What research was involved?
A lot! I drew from my years as an embalmer for the mortuary scenes and funeral related content but I called on my sisters Michelle - (NZ Registered Nurse) for correct medical terminology and hospital practices and Jacqui - (various roles within the NZ Police - currently Forensic Photographer) for questions about police procedure. They were brilliant, Jax even made a special trip up to Auckland to take the LADIB cover photograph.
The most time consuming research I did myself was making sure the cities, cafes, sights and sounds I was describing in not only New Zealand but also London, the Greek Islands and several other places, were accurate. I love to check the facts (via Google) when I’m reading a book. For example, if a landmark is mentioned and I don’t know the area, I will look it up so I can picture the scene taking place in the correct surroundings. And I want readers of my books to be able to do the same. I think it makes any story feel believable and the reader gets even more invested and feels part of the book.
What was your routine or process when writing this book?
When I started writing I quite literally didn’t know what I was doing and just plowed into it boots ’n all but, inevitably I ran out of puff after a month or so and the early enthusiasm waned. Luckily I received some excellent advice from one of my lovely sisters-in-law, Patsy, that got me back on track. She advised me to set my alarm for the same time every day, then, in whichever order I chose - to eat, exercise and write. The order didn’t matter, the basis of the advice was that I create a regimen that was sustainable and stick to it. Patsy also said to write down every word I thought of and not to edit until the end of each day. Some days a good chunk of what I’d written was usable. Others… well, let’s just say not so much! But in the end it worked! I’ve written a book!
If a soundtrack was made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include.
Oooh good question - definitely November Rain (Guns ’N Roses) specifically the brilliant guitar solo at the end for a particularly fast paced and scary part of the story - when you read the book you’ll know the exact pages I’m thinking of. And maybe for Maisie’s first experience in her new career something soft and comforting like Fire and Rain (James Taylor) that pays homage to the great loss she has experienced and also to what she is now facing in her workplace.
If your book was made into a movie, who would you like to see playing the lead characters?
Wow, that would be the dream wouldn’t it! I’d want my daughter Meg to play Maisie. She (Meg) is a wonderful actress and I know she wouldn’t let the director change anything about the character her mother created! And I’d love Alex Tarrant (not a known relation but how good if he turned out to be!) for TP and Cliff Curtis for his Dad.
What did you enjoy the most about writing Life and Death in Birkenhead?
Learning about the characters was fascinating. When you get really deep into writing, it feels as if the characters are standing at your shoulder dictating their story to you, telling you what to write. As my friend and fellow author Moira Leigh MacLeod (author of The Bread Maker series) explained “I’m just the typist writing down Mabel’s (Moira's main character) words”.
What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?
I may have had one or seven cocktails!
What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?
Haven't had time to read it yet but I’m positive it will be Ruby Tui’s Straight Up. Like the rest of the country I have fallen head over heels for the Black Ferns. They all seem like such outstanding people - the way they play and conduct themselves is inspiring and Ruby Tui is phenomenal on and off the paddock. I firmly believe she is going to have a much bigger impact on young New Zealanders than she already has. Legends - every member of that team.
What’s next on the agenda for you?
My second book, working title For the Love of Max, is set to be published in early 2024. The story revolves around three families and the child who binds them together. I am around two thirds of the way through the first draft and feel very excited about getting it finished. This book is very different in style from LADIB but I’m sure it will capture people’s hearts in much the same way.
Mary Egan Publishing