Nicole Trope is the author of the new novel My Daughter's Secret. Her other books include The Day After the Party. She lives in Sydney, Australia.
Q: What inspired you to write My Daughter's Secret, and how did you create your character Claire?
A: This novel began with an image. In the image, I saw a suburban street, with quite a few houses decorated for Halloween. I saw two young women, returning from a party. They are complimenting each other on their costumes when they see what they think is a dummy hanging from a porch of a house where there are no other Halloween decorations. That image stayed with me and the story began to emerge.
When I knew who it was, as in who the person hanging from the porch was, Claire came to my mind and I understood the depth of her anguish over her daughter immediately.
I also understood the futility of her wanting answers that could never bring her daughter back but at the same time, needing to know exactly what happened. And, as a parent, I related to her blaming herself for what had happened to her daughter.
Q: Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing the book, or did you make many changes along the way?
A: I thought I knew but it did change at some point. The ending is quite shocking and I have to say that even I was surprised when I wrote the final chapters. I really enjoy my work when that happens because it feels as though the story is telling itself.
Q: What do you think the novel says about mothers and daughters?
A: I think mother/ daughter relationships are beautifully complicated. I have two adult daughters and we are very close.
One of my greatest fears has always been that they will stop talking to me, that something will happen and they will not want to speak to me. The idea that they may be suffering in some way and not be able to come to me would be devastating.
We never stop wanting to protect our children from the world and I think that as a woman, watching the young women I gave birth to move through life, my greatest desire is to ease the path for them. I want to tell them everything so that they don’t have to deal with the same challenges I had to.
But I can’t actually do that. It’s hard to realise that when they grow up.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?
A: I hope they believe in redemption for certain characters and that they admire Claire’s courage in pushing to get to the truth and her reaction afterwards. I hope they understand and connect with her anger and despair. And of course, I hope they have been captivated for a few days or a few hours.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’ve just published a novel called The Therapist, and finished a proofread for a novel that will be out on Oct. 17 called What Have You Done?.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I love hearing from readers on social media, especially if they have really connected with a novel or a character. I always try to respond. Writing is something I do alone so it’s wonderful to see my novels out in the world and to know that people are enjoying them.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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