Are there any books or authors that inspire you either in your career or writing style?
I’m inspired by every book I’ve read or listened to, from childhood to now. But an early influence, one that’s stayed with me, is Maeve Binchy. She was the first author that bridged the gap between my childhood and adult reads. I have an almost full set of her hardback editions, that sits on a book shelf directly in my eyeline when I write. Something that Maeve said about writing has stayed with me too, ‘always write as if you are talking to someone. It works. Don’t put on any fancy phrases or accents or things you wouldn’t say in real life.’ She’s right, it does work. And if a reader feels the same glow from the warmth and wisdom that I’ve felt whenever I read a Binchy novel, with one of my books, then I’m happy.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Most of my spare time is taken up with my family and dog! But a new hobby that I adore is playing the piano. During lockdown in April 2020, I downloaded an app so that my daughter could learn how to play on a keyboard she was gifted for her birthday. I decided to learn alongside her. And pretty soon realized that when I played the piano, I stopped thinking about everything else. Within a few weeks, I outgrew the small keyboard, so my lovely friend Caroline gave me her Casio keyboard. Then for our anniversary in October, my husband surprised me by buying me my own baby grand digital piano. It sits in my writing room now, in front of my library wall.
Reading Group Questions
Discuss the meaning of the title The Moon Over Kilmore Quay.
How did the setting of Kilmore Quay and New York impact the story? Would you like to visit any of the locations Carmel described?
Which character did you relate to the most and what was it about them that you connected with?
Carmel has said that while she is known for her emotional reads, she works hard to ensure that humour is weaved throughout her novels too. As she often says, to get a rainbow you need both rain and sunshine. What parts of the novel made you laugh or cry?
If you were to write a letter to your future self, what would you say?
Did any particular passages strike you as insightful, or was there a moment in The Moon Over Kilmore Quay that made you see things differently?
The friendships of Bea, Katrina and Stephanie, and Lucy, Maeve and Michelle play an important role in the story. Discuss.
There are some big romantic scenes for Bea and Lucy in The Moon Over Kilmore Quay. Were you happy with how things ended up for them with Dan and Ryan?
During her research, the author interviewed many Irish immigrants who have made their home in New York. Have you ever lived overseas? Did she capture the immigrant’s emotions?
What surprised you the most when you read this story? Did you pick up on the hints for the plot twists? And how did you feel about the ending, was it what you were expecting?
Keep Reading …
If you enjoyed The Moon Over Kilmore Quay, then you’ll love Carmel’s other books …
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About the Author
Carmel Harrington is from Co. Wexford, where she lives with her husband, her children and their rescue dog, George Bailey. An Irish Times bestseller and regular panellist on radio and TV, her warm and emotional storytelling has captured the hearts of readers worldwide.
Carmel’s novels have been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award in 2016 & 2017 and her debut won Kindle Book of the Year and Romantic eBook of the Year in 2013. Her recent books include My Pear-Shaped Life, A Thousand Roads Home, and the official ITV novel Cold Feet: The Lost Years.
To keep in touch with Carmel, follow her on social media or visit her website.
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram @HappyMrsH
www.carmelharrington.com
Also by Carmel Harrington
Beyond Grace’s Rainbow
The Life You Left
Every Time a Bell Rings
The Things I Should Have Told You
The Woman at 72 Derry Lane
A Thousand Roads Home
My Pear-Shaped Life
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