Having penned ten children’s books in seven years, presenter, broadcaster and author Lucy Kennedy’s new title has everything you want from your next great beach read — and then some.
Lucy Kennedy sends five longtime friends to Portugal for gossip, scandals and perimenopausal chaos in The Mini Breakers. Five old friends catch up on a sun holiday together – what could possibly go right?
Five girls met on the first day of secondary school and have been very best friends ever since. They vowed to always find time for each other. For the last 22 years, no matter what and despite leading very different lives, they go on a week’s holiday together to relax and exchange gossip. This year the girls are going to Portugal.
But what dramas await? As they open up about their relationships, careers and “women’s issues”, will there be scandals, sexy shenanigans and shocking revelations? Because anything is possible for the middle-aged, perimenopausal and thirsty messers that are the Mini Breakers.
Did you always want to be a writer? Tell us about your journey to becoming a published author.
Yes. I flitted between two career options in sixth year. Journalism or becoming a pilot! Strange, I know. So writing was always in me but I never let it out until I turned 40!
What inspired you to start writing?
When my children were very small, I spent most evenings reading children’s books that didn’t make them laugh. That’s when The Friendship Fairies were born. I have written ten children’s books in the last seven years.
Tell us about your new book, The Mini Breakers . Where did the idea come from?
I am one of the three girls. I’m a girls’ girl. My sisters are my best friends and I’m one of six girls in my closest friendship group, so this was always going to happen! As I lay on a sun lounger in Albufeira nearly two years ago, the idea came to me. A girls’ trip.
What do you hope this book instils in the reader?
Life can be challenging, we all have our ups and our downs, so keep those close female friends close. There’s nothing stronger than a female bond and it should be celebrated and treasured.
What did you learn when writing this book?
That my friends and I drink too much white wine! But also that I love life and I love fun. I really enjoyed writing this book and I laughed as I wrote. We all need a laugh and time to switch off.
Tell us about your writing process?
Frantic! I work with Colm Hayes on breakfast radio on Ireland’s Classic Hits, so I have a small window between that and the first school collection. I write everywhere: on the loo, in the attic, in the car or at the kitchen table! I write as it comes to me, so the notes on my phone are bonkers.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
My sisters and my female friends.
My children’s books are from my own children, the wonder and innocence of children is very inspiring. I love seeing things through my nine year old’s eyes, it’s so sweet.
What are your top three favourite books of all time, and why?
Andrea Mara’s No One Saw a Thing.It’s such a page turner, I literally couldn’t put it down. I love her books.
The Girl on the Train written by the incredible British author Paula Hawkins. It’s an amazing book that was made into a movie. Very clever.
Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind by Jennifer Shannon. It’s a bedside table book that I flick through at stressful times if I feel overworked and need realignment. It’s very interesting how the mind works and how we can try to control thoughts.
Who are some of your favourite authors, Irish or otherwise?
I had the pleasure of meeting Maeve Binchy in fourth year in school. She came in to talk to us about being an author and her advice was to write about something that you know. I took her advice and The Mini Breakers is pretty much based on my friends and I, and female friendship.
I adore Caroline Grace Cassidy, whose books make me laugh out loud. The Unexpected Love Story of Lexie Byrne (aged 39 1/2) is hysterical. Everyone knows a Lexie.
What are some upcoming book releases we should have on our radar?
I’ve bought the new Liz Nugent book for my holidays. Love her books.
What book made you want to become a writer?
Reading children’s books to my own three and thinking that I could do better, so it wasn’t really one book but Maeve Binchy’s Tara Road always stood out for me!
What’s one book you would add to the school curriculum?
I would add Richie Sadlier’s book for boys, Let’s Talk. It’s important for young male teenagers to learn about consent. His book is brilliant.
What’s the best book you’ve read so far this year?
Can I say my own?
Lastly, what do the acts of reading and writing mean to you?
It’s my switch off time. Writing is like therapy for me, a place where I silence my mind and go into another world. I need it I reckon.
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