Isobel Mahon has come a long way since the blonde, bubbly barmaid who worked behind the Molly Malone bar in Glenroe, and as she releases her second book, she remembers one lady who inspired her.
The Meet Cute has hit Irish bookshelves and is a true romantic story that will resonate with many as the main character, in her late 30s, finds herself moving home, living with her mum and having to start all over again.
However, for Isobel, putting the final touches on the book came at a difficult time, as she had lost her mother, Thelma.
While the book is fictional, Isobel says there are elements of her own life that have seeped in. 'It's not my own life, but it's a bit of my experience, but one removed. It's definitely not autobiographical, but there are certain experiences that I can stand over.'
Giving us a quick insight into the story she said 'It's about an actress who's at the pinnacle of her career in London and she's sacrificed a lot in her life to stay available (for work) and then, at the end of the day she has to come home.'
'She gives up the London dream and returns home to start all over again in Dublin at 37, and all of her friends are having babies and are married... she's arrived back and she's a complete fish out of water. She is living with her mum again, and even her mum seems to have moved on as well, and then she meets this guy. But as you know, when you meet people in midlife, you know, they rarely come without baggage.'
Thrust into a new life and having to begin all over again, Isobel feels that many women and men out there will be able to relate to aspects of the main protagonist's life.
Sitting down with EVOKE, Isobel spoke of how it was her 98-year-old mum who gave her the strength to keep writing when times were tough.
Looking back, she said 'She was strong and encouraging and she was tremendously sure of herself and her opinion...she wouldn't put up with just anything. She was that war generation that didn't tolerate any old silly shallying around.'
But it was her mum's belief in her that helped her to succeed. 'I think she just believed in me,' often telling me to 'just keep going, you'll be fine....I believe in you, you'll make it, don't give up.' These sentimental words echoed in Isobel's mind as she sat by her mum's hospital bed during her final weeks.
After Glenroe came to an end in 2001 Isobel turned her hand to writing and wrote six plays, such as Ideal Place and Party Face, which have been produced in Ireland, the UK and the US, including off-Broadway.
Still drawn to the world of soaps, she joined Fair City but this time working behind the camera as a writer for three years.
Isobel is already in the middle of her next book, which she hopes to release this Christmas. Titled Mr Right All Along, it promises to be as addictive as her other work, a real page-turner.
To pick up a copy of The Meet Cute, just click here
