Stella Duffy, best known for her crime novels and dark romantic comedies, tells us about her book Parallel Lies.

g3> What inspired you to write about Beverly Hills and celebrities?
SD> I wrote a similar short story a few years back and it seemed a waste, so I expanded on it. The world of fame and celebrity is fascinating; it’s something that everyone knows something about.

g3> Are people too gripped with the famous?
SD> Celebrity lifestyle has become so big, especially with magazines like Heat and OK, people are obsessed by it. Shows like celebrity Big Brother have encouraged the public to be fascinated by looking at people’s lives.

g3> What part did you most enjoy writing?
SD> The nature of the story gave me a chance to be really lavish and indulgent when I was describing the place where the story was set, which was fun. It was a dream house with a herb path leading to the swimming pool.

g3> Your book is hyped as involving sexuality, celebrity and identity, can you explain how these elements are combined?
SD> I wanted to highlight how dangerous it is to live a lie. So many people in the public eye try and hide their lives but the truth always comes out in the end.

g3> How did you research for your book?
SD> I never really research. I read a lot of newspapers and know how celebrity lives are lived.

g3> When you thought up the celeb’s PA character, did you have Rebecca Loos on your mind?
SD> No, it was just a coincidence, possibly a lucky one, I finished the book in 2003. But I think many people who have busy lives end up having a more involved relationship with their assistant, because they spend so much time together.

g3> Do you think the public is fascinated by celebrity lifestyle and sexuality? Or that celebrity bisexuality is a fad?
SD> I think Angelina Jolie and other actresses who admit to kissing a woman are not helping at all, she’s not actually admitting to having a relationship with a woman, it’s a lot safer to say it was in the past, Angelina’s not running the risk of society hating her. It’s very different for male actors compared to female, it’s a lot easier.

g3> Do you watch the L-word?
SD> I like the L-word because the fact that the characters are dykes is irrelevant to who they are as people, their sexuality comes second. But I was disappointed that Queer As Folk and Will and Grace made it onto mainstream TV whilst The L-Word is only on Terrestrial TV.

g3> Lesbian literature is an extremely popular format, more so than TV and film, why would you say that is?
SD> We see ourselves more in books, the reader can use their imagination more and women got into books sooner.

g3> Who are your books read by?
SD> Both lesbian and the mainstream, I don’t target one single audience.

g3> You are also involved in theatre, is it hard to juggle this with the writing?
SD> I don’t think any writer can just write a book, it only takes up about twenty-percent of your time, you need to be inspired. I love doing theatre and it gets me out and talking to people and finding out what’s going on in the world.

g3> What are your plans for the future?
SD> I have written another book, which is launching in July.

PARALLEL LIES by Stella Duffy is published by Virago at £12.99