Cathy Kelly is one of Ireland's favourite novelists.

She is also a global literary star selling over 15 million copies.

Her stories are always heartfelt and her characters are brought to life by her emotive and natural writing.

'Other Women' is the name of her latest book. It revolves around 3 very different women - Sid, Bea and Marian.

#METOO INSPIRATION

One narrative in the story is informed by Cathy's own life experience. She told Alison Curtis on Weekend Breakfast that if all her books (over 20 now!) were informed by her own life she'd "be in a pickle jar at this stage. It's just not possible!"

However, she has used this new book to include an event that she experienced that informed a character's story. She also credits the #MeToo movement for inspiring her include it in the story.

“Suddenly you begin to hear other people’s stories. And it’s very powerful to say, ‘Oh, that’s not your fault. How was that your fault? Why is it that when you’re 20, and somebody who has power over you does this to you, why is that your fault?’”

She also says that sometimes people can shield what is really going on and slowly we are getting able to shre and open up much more as people than we used to in Ireland:

“I thought, ‘OK, you know, people look at me and they think because I am enthusiastic, and I’m generally a good-humoured person, they don’t see that there’s any darkness, or that there’s any anxiety or worry. And I’m a bag of all of those things."

I think if you read my books, you can see that.”

Huge congrats to @cathykellybooks 🎉 on her new number 1 bestselling book. #OtherWomen is out now and available in all Irish bookshops!! @orionbooks pic.twitter.com/zGxSn6d7QG

— Hachette Ireland (@HachetteIre) April 20, 2021