Writer and Actress Ruth Jones is best known as a screenwriter and actress, and particularly for creating and starring in popular television dramas likeStacGavin and Stacey and Stella. Her first novel, Never Greener, was published earlier this year and has been a huge success.
Journalist and Author Carolyn Hitt asked Jones about transitioning from script to manuscript. Jones said the writing process had been relatively solitary compared to her collaborative projects in the past, most notably with James Corden. “It was like climbing to the top of a mountain on my own”, Jones said, and she feels a great sense of achievement about the book.
The audience were treated to a tantalising extract of Never Greener, which is about an affair rekindled after 17 years. Jones said it was originally written as a screenplay which she came back to and decided to adapt 14 years later, and that the novel was the accidental product of her creative experiments.
Jones told humorous anecdotes throughout with cameo appearances of much-loved characters including the formidable Nessa. She shared memories of working with Steve Coogan, childish trickery with Corden and going for dinner with Jackie Collins. “The world is such a horrid place and I just want to be made to laugh really, I just want a bit of a laugh”, said Jones. She was met with laughs and applause throughout.
If you missed this you might enjoy Event 402, The Guilty Feminist: Live at Hay at 8.30pm on Saturday, 2 June.