Ilsa Evans, FAQs

Frequently Asked (and other) Questions!

I have just finished your book Broken...excellent, excellent, excellent.I read it within 2 days. It brought back memories of my childhood, so I had a good cry but what a fantastic job.What I want to know is have you written a sequel (I am writing this in February 2010), as I am wanting to buy it.

Great timing! The sequel has just this minute (almost literally) been sent to Pan Macmillan for the next round of editing. It will be called sticks & stones and will be released in September 2010.

I have been wondering why you wrote the laundry series of books first, before writing about marital abuse and then the issue of euthanasia which [both seem] close to your heart. Both of these issues must have been burning as topics needing to be written about, so how were you able to give your full attention to the laundry series? I have made the assumption that there were several factors here - monetary, saleability, and emotional readiness, but I still wonder. (April 2009)

I’d love to say that there was some compelling reason that I wrote the Laundry Series first - even if it was an economical one because that would mean I was market-savvy! The truth is, I think, that they were fun to write and that the enjoyment gave me confidence. When I first started writing regularly, it wasn’t as much about publication (that was more a pipe-dream) as about finding something I looked forward to. Like a hobby. I certainly never thought about writing about DV or euthanasia or any ’topic’ - not until I had a few published books under my belt and more confidence in myself as a writer.

My question is to do with your last book, The Family Tree. I am wondering how you feel on the position of... euthanasia? (April 2009)

To be honest it makes me angry that the vast majority of Australians support euthanasia yet the politicians still refuse to consider appropriate legislation. I believe that religion needs to be put firmly to one side so that we can have some healthy, informed debate and resolve this. Because it’s not going to go away. And it doesn’t have to be an argument between palliative care on one side and medically-assisted passing (surrounded/supported by friends and family) on the other. The system should support both. Choice - that’s the name of the game.

Thank you for writing this book. I feel it is so important to show people they can be strong and break the cycle. It really touched my heart and I congratulate you on capturing the moments so well - at some points I felt like I was back witnessing my childhood all over again. I wante to know what happened to Mattie and the kids? (March 2008)

I have just finished your latest book ’Broken’ (in two days!) and I have to say it was just magnificent. However I don’t feel like I have finished the book! I would so like you to end it since you were the story teller. Where did [they] go? Were there any ramifications for Hilda and Hannah? Most importantly, how did Jake react... what did he do, and what became of him? (Jan 2008)

Loved your book, riveting. What happened to the little family at the end? Am most curious. (Jan 2008)

The three emails above typify many of the responses that I got after Broken was published - which was incredibly validating for me!. But here was I thinking that I was being really clever with the ending when it seems I was just being rather frustrating. Anyway, largely due to the response (and the fact several readers misinterpreted the ending altogether!), I’ve decided to write a sequel that will be set a few years down the track and will hopefully answer all the questions - without asking too many more!

Picked up "Broken" at the library, and loving it. Halfway thru so far. I’d love to read your thesis on the effects on Domestic Violence - esp interested in the long term effects. (Feb 2008)

Although I’m afraid the thesis isn’t readily available (unless you have access to the Monash University library, where it lives on a dusty shelf somewhere!). However after it was finished I was fortunate enough to receive a grant to use the findings as the basis for a report. This report (Battlescars: the long-term effects of prior domestic violence) was published in 2007 and is available through the website of the Department of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University at: http://arts.monash.edu.au/womens-studies/research/battlescars-report1.pdf (thanks for the information, Barbara!). Even though it’s geared towards stakeholders in the field, I think it makes very interesting reading (although I am probably a little biased!). And I’m also happy to email it to anybody interested as a PDF attachment. Just let me know.

Can I have a hint on the next book??? Is it like the last one... or your previous ones. I did enjoy Broken, it opened my eyes to a whole new world (something I’m lucky enough to have never experienced). But my favourites would have to be your others. Please, please, please can I have a hint??? (Feb 2008)

I’m glad you enjoyed Broken - I was a bit worried re the reception of that one as it was SO different! As for the next one, it’s an attempt - by me - to blend the light with the serious. It basically takes a pretty deep subject and uses that as the background, but also has the same light humour as the first books. This blend works in real life, so I’ll have to see if I can make it work in fiction as well! It’s about a middle-aged woman who chucks everything in as she tries to come to terms with her father’s death - and the manner of his dying. Lots of family stuff etc - and it even has a cameo appearance from one of the characters from the Laundry Series. It’s tentatively called Hiatus.

Love your books, have read them all. I look forward to your next book - when can I expect it? I am going thru withdrawal after finishing Broken. (Feb 2008)

Thank-you very much! I’m actually just finishing the next book at the moment (I’ve been a bit slow with this one as I had to work last year - damn kids expect to eat daily), but I should be sending it off to Pan Macmillan within a week or so. As to when it will come out, that’s up to them I’m afraid.

UPDATE: The next book (The Family Tree) will be published in February 2009.

I have just completed reading Broken and your website is right - it’s not a light fiction read at all! I related to it as... there were many parallels in your book for me as the child. Thank you for your accurate account of domestic violence and the fear that women feel and their guilt. I am interested to know one thing - how did you know so much about domestic violence but not have experienced it in your family environment? Your account is extremely accurate. (Sep 2007)

How perceptive of you! Yes, even though I had a very happy childhood, I do know quite a bit about domestic violence as I was in a rather abusive relationship as an adult for a number of years. And even though it’s been a long time since that relationship ended, the repercussions will always remain (as they do with everyone). It’s the main reason I went back to university and got into DV research and it’s also the reason I chose that subject for Broken.

Hi, just visited your website after reading Flying the Coop. I loved it - one of those books you just can’t put down but are disappointed when you finish - I’m a real ’bookaholic’ so only took me a day to read. I’ve read all of your ’laundry books’ and always look out for new ones. I really hope you’re planning a sequel to Flying the Coop cos I want to know what happens [afterwards]. (June 2007)

Actually I am planning on doing a sequel for Flying the Coop - mainly because I got so fond of the characters I’d like to take them a bit further! But unfortunately I doubt I’ll get started on it before next year.

I’ve just finished and enjoyed reading ’Each Way Bet’. Particularly liked the Melbourne Cup background. I had one minor problem: what is the Australian meaning of the word ’retainer’? Could you enlighten this New Zealand reader? (March 2007)

One of the most unusual questions I’ve had! Mind you, I think ’retainer’ may even be an American term, I’m not sure. But it actually refers to a dental device made of moulded plastic or whatever - holds the teeth in place. I know when my daughter’s braces come off later this year, she’ll have to wear one nightly to make sure her teeth hold their new (and rather expensive) positioning!

Just wanted to say I love your books and have thoroughly enjoyed the laundry series. Are you going to complete the series in the future to tie up all the story lines? (Feb 2007)

Absolutely. I always planned on there being a fourth book to the series, it’s just a matter of finding the time to write it! I even have it all planned out in my head. There will be seven chapters (one for each day of the week), and each chapter will be written by a different female character. Camilla, Terry and Maggie will definitely get a chapter each but I can’t quite decide on the other four. It’s out of Diane, Joanne, Bronte, Bloody Elizabeth, Samantha, or even one of the older ladies like Camilla’s mother or Terry’s. But by the end everything will be tied up - for good or for bad!

If you have a question, just email me at ilsa@ilsaevans.com and I’ll endeavour to answer it.