“Unlock your inner French woman. A witty investigation into the styles, lusts and secrets of French women.” Two Lipsticks and a Lover.
One woman who reveals the hidden secrets about European women and their indispensable wardrobe and beauty tips.
Helena Frith Powell unleashes the essence of France and the lustrous women in the novel ‘Two Lipsticks and a Lover’.
Helena Frith Powell 44, is a travel and lifestyle journalist who has her own French Mistress column in The Sunday Times, The Guardian and Daily Mail. Her first book Two Lipsticks and a Lover, was published in October 2005. Poonam Vadher talks to Helena to find out about the inner essence of becoming a successful writer.
One woman who reveals the hidden secrets about European women and their indispensable wardrobe and beauty tips.
Helena Frith Powell unleashes the essence of France and the lustrous women in the novel ‘Two Lipsticks and a Lover’.
Helena Frith Powell 44, is a travel and lifestyle journalist who has her own French Mistress column in The Sunday Times, The Guardian and Daily Mail. Her first book Two Lipsticks and a Lover, was published in October 2005. Poonam Vadher talks to Helena to find out about the inner essence of becoming a successful writer.
Where do you get your inspirations from to write these classy novels?
I’m not sure you can call them classy! But my inspiration for them has come from my surroundings and my past. Living in France was hugely inspirational and my unusual childhood gave me a lot of material for my memoir Ciao Bella. At the moment I am working on my first novel, which is set in France.
Did you always want to be a writer?
Pretty much from the age of about nine, before that I wanted to be a vet for wild animals because they have no one to look after them. Also an actress (or rather a film star) and a writer.
I am currently reading ‘Two Lipsticks and a Lover’, do you think that British women are more carefree about their appearances then French women?
I think British women are more carefree because there is not such a heavy emphasis on looking good in England.
You travel a lot, name one place you visited and what did you like about it?
Oh help! I think one of my most favourite trips was to Port Cros just off the French coast near Toulon. It is like a little paradise on earth with no cars, the children played on the beach while my husband and I drank rose and ate grilled fish.
What made you move to Abu Dhabi?
It was a dream job, staff writer for a magazine and also the idea of an adventure.
Are you planning on writing any more books? If so what is it about?
I am working on a novel at the moment, but have just finished a diet book which will be published in May. One day I will write a book about my experiences here.
How did you gain the information?
I write mainly about what I live through and also the experiences of my friends.
Who is your idol and why?
Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader in Burma. She is beautiful and has dedicated her life to a cause. She is the most selfless woman I can think of, as well as intelligent, elegant and brave. And throughout it all she wears a flower in her hair – a very French attitude!
What type of genres interest you?
All kinds really, I just interviewed the Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell and so read some thrillers for the first time ever. I like anything that is well written but have to say my favourite book always was and remains Wuthering Heights.
You have written a lot about different women in different countries and their culture, if you could choose one of these cultures to live in which one would you choose e.g. France, Italy …?
France I think, much as I love Italy and England and all sorts of other places. The French know how to live and I admire their passion for fashion, human rights and beauty. I also think France is the most beautiful country in the world and it has just about everything you could ever want from life; mountains, sea, Paris, champagne and culture.
You focus on women in your books. What interests you about the female gender and why?
I find women endlessly fascinating; and I think I enjoy writing about them partly in an effort to better understand myself. I love the fact that as a woman you have so many roles in life; mother, lover, friend, mistress (not everyone obviously!), wife, sister, career woman – all these roles we somehow manage to juggle and fill. Women’s capacity to achieve things never ceases to amaze me.
To find out more information on Helena Frith Powell and her novels, log onto her very own website: http://helenafrithpowell.com/
I’m not sure you can call them classy! But my inspiration for them has come from my surroundings and my past. Living in France was hugely inspirational and my unusual childhood gave me a lot of material for my memoir Ciao Bella. At the moment I am working on my first novel, which is set in France.
Did you always want to be a writer?
Pretty much from the age of about nine, before that I wanted to be a vet for wild animals because they have no one to look after them. Also an actress (or rather a film star) and a writer.
I am currently reading ‘Two Lipsticks and a Lover’, do you think that British women are more carefree about their appearances then French women?
I think British women are more carefree because there is not such a heavy emphasis on looking good in England.
You travel a lot, name one place you visited and what did you like about it?
Oh help! I think one of my most favourite trips was to Port Cros just off the French coast near Toulon. It is like a little paradise on earth with no cars, the children played on the beach while my husband and I drank rose and ate grilled fish.
What made you move to Abu Dhabi?
It was a dream job, staff writer for a magazine and also the idea of an adventure.
Are you planning on writing any more books? If so what is it about?
I am working on a novel at the moment, but have just finished a diet book which will be published in May. One day I will write a book about my experiences here.
How did you gain the information?
I write mainly about what I live through and also the experiences of my friends.
Who is your idol and why?
Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader in Burma. She is beautiful and has dedicated her life to a cause. She is the most selfless woman I can think of, as well as intelligent, elegant and brave. And throughout it all she wears a flower in her hair – a very French attitude!
What type of genres interest you?
All kinds really, I just interviewed the Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell and so read some thrillers for the first time ever. I like anything that is well written but have to say my favourite book always was and remains Wuthering Heights.
You have written a lot about different women in different countries and their culture, if you could choose one of these cultures to live in which one would you choose e.g. France, Italy …?
France I think, much as I love Italy and England and all sorts of other places. The French know how to live and I admire their passion for fashion, human rights and beauty. I also think France is the most beautiful country in the world and it has just about everything you could ever want from life; mountains, sea, Paris, champagne and culture.
You focus on women in your books. What interests you about the female gender and why?
I find women endlessly fascinating; and I think I enjoy writing about them partly in an effort to better understand myself. I love the fact that as a woman you have so many roles in life; mother, lover, friend, mistress (not everyone obviously!), wife, sister, career woman – all these roles we somehow manage to juggle and fill. Women’s capacity to achieve things never ceases to amaze me.
To find out more information on Helena Frith Powell and her novels, log onto her very own website: http://helenafrithpowell.com/
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