Beth O’Leary, author of ‘Teto Para Dois’: ‘I never imagined I’d have readers in Brazil’

With over one million copies sold worldwide, translations into at least 35 languages ​​and a success driven by Tick ​​tockthe book Roof for two catapulted the British writer Beth O’Leary31 years old, in places he didn’t think he could reach.

The romantic comedy, which explores what happens when two strangers have to share a one-bed apartment, has become an original series on Fundamental+. The production has six episodes and hit streaming on March 17.

The work was the author’s debut novel, but four years and three books later, the record that her work has become an international success has still not broken. “I never imagined that I would have readers in Brazil,” she reveals Beth to Stadium.

“I remember seeing a clause in my contract with my foreign rights agent and thinking, ‘Oh my God! Imagine if I had a book published and it was read outside the UK.’ My books have been published in over 35 languages. It’s surreal. I’m so thankful to all the readers, it’s an honor that so many people have given my stories a chance,” she says.

These readers, especially the Brazilian ones, will be able to access the writer’s new plot starting this Monday 27, when her new book, entitled Table for onehits bookstores across the country.

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The story revolves around three female protagonists who have only one thing in common: they were all made up by the same man on Valentine’s Day. “What I loved about that idea is that it immediately triggered a question: Where was he then? And that’s the mystery that ends up at the heart of this story,” Beth explains.

Told from all three perspectives, the novel required her to have a different plan than usual. “There are many stories in this book and a few surprises along the way. It was just too much to keep track of. I used a very detailed spreadsheet while writing. It was a new experience for me, but I think every novel brings something new .”

History is led by women

It’s no news that a Beth book is played by more than one woman. Your second novel the exchangehas as its protagonists a grandmother and a granddaughter who decide to move house for two months, entering each other’s world and drawing great lessons from it.

Already in its most recent version, it is Jane, Siobhan and Miranda who lead the story. “I’m lucky enough to have some wonderful female friends in my life, and those relationships are very important to me. I suspect that’s part of why meaningful relationships between women are in my fiction,” says the author.

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Even in “light” stories, the life of these women is not portrayed in an easy way. Without revealing too much of the plot, it’s possible to tell Table for one touches on topics surrounding mental health, as well as topics such as sexual harassment and chemical addiction.

“I like writing love stories that feel like they’re based in real life, and for me, writing about real life is about the challenges we face as much as it is about encounters and happy endings,” Beth explains. For her, a happy ending has more meaning after the reader is exposed to the low points and challenges a character has faced.

On the other hand, the writer explains that approaching issues like these is not always a conscious decision. “But things like mental health issues are so present in the reality of the world we live in that they end up being present in my stories as well,” he says.

“Super Creative Spell”

Since the launch of Roof for two, in 2019, Beth published practically one book a year. When asked how she has produced so much in such a short time, she explains, “I find that sometimes I get into a phase where I’m more capable of coming up with new ideas than usual—sort of like a super creative spell.”

“I think a lot about those creative moments and how to make them happen, because nothing is more intimidating than the moment when you don’t have a book to write and have no idea what to write next, so I always want to have the next idea in line when I’m done with a story.” “, He says.

Inspiration can come at any moment: walk the dog, wash the dishes, cook dinner. “That’s when the ideas come. I had one the other day while taking out the trash, for example. It’s not very glamorous, but it seems to work for me.”

In fact, it seems to work. The adaptation rights Roof for two they were sold even before the book was published, which was not so easy for her, although she considered the result satisfactory. “I’ve heard great things from readers, but I have to say, I don’t seek reviews—I don’t even do that with my books,” she says.

Of Beth’s four novels, only one has not yet acquired the adaptation rights, her third book, Traveling with the ex. the exchange will become a starring film Rachel Brosnahanprotagonist of The wonderful Mrs. MaiselAND Table for one will be developed by the production company Bad Wolf, responsible for the series His dark matters.

Despite the success of her latest works, the author does not want to rest. Her next book is already in the works, and she reveals that she already has initial concepts in mind for two more novels. “I just want to keep writing stories that excite me and take people away from the real world. I’ll keep writing as long as you keep reading.”

*Intern under the supervision of Charlise Morais

Source: Terra