We sat in sunshine in the churchyard of St Mary’s church and I interviewed Richard Coles but it felt more like a conversation between old friends. Indeed, I have known Richard for many years and I noted that retirement suited him. He was relaxed and more laid-back.
So, tell me about retirement; it is obviously suiting you
It’s nice in theory. I retired as vicar in April, six months ago, and I am just beginning to find my feet as a non-vicar. It was going very well and then the death of Her Majesty occurred and I really wanted to be back in a parish. I really wanted to be all hands on the pump for that. So, I am discovering what I am if I am not a vicar.
What are you doing in all your leisure now?
That’s a very good question. Well, I am more sociable and have more time to see people, so that’s good. I thought that I would get more of my time back. But I am still getting up at 5am and writing before the day begins because it is a habit that I have got into. The garden has never looked so lovely, it is better cared for, the dogs are getting a lot of attention. I have been away a lot really with book promotions, all the usual sorts of things.
Your writing gives you lots of joy, obviously.
Yes, I have always written because that’s what I do but I am reading things I want to do.
A nervous first foray into fiction which I am really enjoying and intend to do lots more of that.
You were known for a long time as a non-fiction writer, but did you know that someday you would turn your hand to fiction?
I wrote two novels when I was a teenager. One was an uncompromising tale about life in pre-historic Britain (this caused Richard to laugh right out loud with amusement).
It was terrible and the other one was a rather whiney piece about nobody understanding a teenager, namely me! (more laughter).
Were you proud of them at the time?
I don’t look at my apprentice pieces and wince, I look at them and think that was me starting out. Don’t worry about looking an idiot. There are worse things than looking like an idiot; not doing anything is much worse.
You love cooking don’t you?
Yes, I do. I had a dinner party last night; it was rather a triumph. I cooked a Persian dip made out of roasted peppers and roasted hazelnuts, which is delicious. A Sabrina Ghourya recipe. Then I did a Nigella favourite, chicken in lemon and orzo, and for pudding I did mini magnums. I don’t do puddings.
You were telling me that since retirement you have rather filled your diary
Yes, it just fills up. Classic thing of retirement, isn’t it? People think I can say yes to all these things you want to do and then before you know it you are busier than when you were in work. I have tried to be quite careful about it, but not necessarily succeeded, as the book has taken off and that has required me to go round talking to lots of people around the country which is great.
I have stopped one form of life and now I need to work out what the next form of life looks like. I don’t want to work all the time. I don’t want to be away from home all the time. I have the freelancer’s habit of saying “Yes” to everything because it could be your last job. I am now starting to say no more often. I am sixty now and that’s not thirty, and I get tired quicker. I could work all the time. I used to work all the time, but now I don’t think that is a good idea.
Have you got anything on your bucket list, anything you have a burning passion to do?
I would like to learn to yodel. I always have done but trying to find yodelling lessons in East Sussex is not easy. So, if you can find me someone who can teach me yodelling that will be fine. I am doing some travelling. Next year I am going to Gujarat, sailing down the Nile and sailing around the Outer Hebrides for a couple of weeks.
Anywhere else? A dream come true perhaps?
Yes. I have always wanted to go to Lake Titicaca. My preferred method of travel now is ship so if I had the leisure and the funds I would like to go by ship to Easter Island and up the Amazon, but Lake Titicaca is my favourite.
Tell me about the next book.
I have just finished my next book which is called A Death in a Parish, and it continues the story more of less where we left off, we are a year on. Chancery St Mary is linked with other parishes and Daniel has a new colleague. I have started book three. I am enjoying it so much: momentum is everything isn’t it? I killed a character in my first book and now I wish I had kept him.
Interestingly with the first book, you put everything in. Actually, I have learnt – don’t put everything in.
KT: “It is rather like as a mother you should have your second child first as you are more laid back and so too perhaps an author should write their second book first.”
Tell me about what draws you back to Rye as I know you love it here.
It’s lovely here and I love being part of the arts festival – I don’t need much encouragement to come. I have been coming since the 1970s. I ate my first pizza in Rye at Papa Joe’s Pizzeria. In the portico of the town hall I performed an improvised piece of theatre which went horribly wrong – that was in the 70s too. I have friends locally and I love sharing time with them. I am a great admirer of EF Benson so that comes with the territory and now I live only an hour away so I will come more often.
You travel by bus a great deal, don’t you?
Yes, I love the bus. I catch the number 12 and it is the best bus in the world. Not only is it amazingly frequent, every ten minutes you get fantastic views.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .