Sally Page crafts a dual-timeline narrative that follows Emma, a grieving widow, as she embarks on a journey of healing through flowers, and Violet, a stewardess aboard the ill-fated ship. In our conversation, Sally shares the fascinating research behind her novel, the challenges of balancing historical and contemporary storytelling, and the writing rituals that fuel her creative process. Grab a cup of tea and settle in for a delightful glimpse into the world of THE SECRETS OF FLOWERS!
Jennifer Vido: What inspired you to weave the story of the Titanic's floral arrangements into the narrative of Emma's personal journey?
Sally Page: I have always been a flower lover and ran a flower shop in London when I was in my twenties. I had some thought of writing a book about the importance of flowers in history – history being another passion, but in the end, I realized I had neither the time, nor I suspect, the skill to tackle such a huge undertaking! However, during the initial research, I began to wonder about the flowers on the Titanic, and yet looking through the mass of on-line information on the Titanic, I could see that I had stumbled across a mystery. Every other conceivable profession is mentioned, but there is no mention of a florist. Who had arranged the flowers on board? I returned to this thought years later when I started writing creatively. Perhaps I could weave this into a novel and do some research myself? Just like my character, Emma.
Jen: Can you share interesting historical facts or research discoveries that influenced THE SECRETS OF FLOWERS?
Sally: I think once I discovered that according to passengers, the Titanic was “a ship full of flowers”, I was hooked! There must have been a real abundance of flowers, as it was said that the air was so fragrant it reminded people of being in the French Riviera. This aspect of the Titanic would only have been known to those who sailed on board. There was no press allowed on the ship, so there is no photographic record of this floral world. I began to see it as a secret garden that went down with the ship.
Jen: How did you develop Emma’s character, and what do you hope readers take away from her transformation throughout the novel?
Sally: I wanted Emma to be someone who would come to flowers with a new eye – this was a different chapter in her life. So I started the book with Emma taking on a new job in a garden center, working as a florist. I felt that the flowers could lead her on a journey of discovery and recovery – each chapter is named after a particular flower. This allowed me to think long and hard about what flowers teach us, but also to delve into what might be troubling Emma. I decided on grief at the loss of her husband, as flowers are often used to reflect on life – their transient nature, but also flowers can be very beautiful.
I would love it if readers came away feeling hopeful after reading the book – even if it deals with difficult issues. I also wanted to show that good things are often achieved when we work together. That is why the secondary character, such as Betty, Les and Tamas are so important.
Jen: What was the most challenging part of writing a story that intertwines historical events with a contemporary storyline?
Sally: Getting the right balance was by far the most difficult thing, so that one story didn’t overwhelm the other. The story is told in alternate chapters; Emma is the contemporary voice, Violet, is a stewardess who worked on the Titanic. This balance was particularly important with the historical storyline, so that all the many things I could tell readers about the Titanic didn’t swamp Emma’s tale. Then there was the issue of creating a sense of cohesion, even though we don’t really understand how the two women are connected until right at the end of the book. Here I used similarities in their lives – for example, their relationships with their fathers, or a mention of a particular flower, or even the weather, to pull the contemporary and historical story telling together. I hoped readers would then find it easier to move between the two voices.
Jen: Could you give us a glimpse into your writing process? How do you balance crafting compelling historical elements with modern character arcs?
Sally: I do love the historical research and tend to do this early on. I then leave it alone for a while as I concentrate on planning my contemporary story. Once I start writing I find I use my plan but evolve it as I go along. It is rather like starting off with a map but then navigating by instinct or even the stars! Once the story is starting to emerge, I then weave in the historical elements. I find having left the research alone for a while, the most interesting aspects of the historical elements stand out. This helps me focus on what is important rather than putting in everything I have learned. Having said that, my editor often tells me to cut out more! It is easy to let your intense interest in a part of history get in the way of telling your overall story.
Jen: Do you have a specific routine or rituals that help you stay focused and inspired while writing your novels?
Sally: I am a morning person, so I often have breakfast at my desk, overlooking the river, as I plan what I want to cover that day. And then I start. I usually try to write 2000 words a day, but sometimes it is more. After a while I can get bored with being in one spot, and on my own, so I might head out to a café or a co-working space for a change of scene. If I am struggling with a tricky part of the plot or maybe a character isn’t behaving, I go for a walk. That often clears my head, but I have been known to talk to myself as I stride along, arguing out loud about what should happen next!
Jen: What books are currently on your TBR stack, and do they influence your writing?
Sally: I am currently reading Letters from the Ginza Shihodo Stationery Shop by Kenji Ueda. I was lucky enough to have been sent a proof copy. And coincidentally I am listening to Butter by Asako Ukuki on Audible, so I seem to be spending a lot of time in my head in Japan at the moment! I also have a book of Mary Oliver’s poetry to dip into, and Want compiled by Gillian Anderson. A fascinating and at times surprising read!
Reading other authors is always interesting and informative, and there are times when they do influence what I write. I don’t think they direct me as to what I want to write about, rather, really good writers hold me to account so, hopefully, I am not sloppy in my descriptions or that my characters aren’t two dimensional.
Jen: What is the best advice you’ve received about pursuing a career as an author, and how has it shaped your journey?
Sally: My daughter Libby Page was a Sunday Time Bestseller long before I was, and she did help me when it came to trying to find an agent and publisher. Not by introducing me to anyone in particular, but by always being encouraging and showing me how to navigate the whole process. During this time, I remember listening to an interview by Elizabeth Strout on the radio and she said that every time she was rejected, she thought – well, I will just have to write better. I took this to heart and kept going, and although it took me many years to get my break, it did come, and I was so glad I persevered.
Jen: What’s next for you as an author? Are there any new projects or themes you’re excited to explore in your future works?
Sally: I have just finished writing my fourth novel and so next will be a whole heap of editing. In this book I developed a sense of place within the book – so I have been having a wonderful time exploring the creeks and marshlands of North Norfolk, a very beautiful area in England. I am also delving into more historical research for book 5. This is all around Russian imperial history, the Romanovs, as well as the jeweler, Carl Fabergé. I am having a glorious time and can’t wait to weave what I have learned into a book.
Jen: One last question! How can readers best connect with you and stay updated on your upcoming projects and events?
Sally: They can contact me via my website and on Instagram.
I would love to hear from readers. I am also very happy to join book clubs online, if a group read one of my books and would like to ask questions.
Jen: Thanks for sharing an inside peek into your new release!
Sally: It has been a pleasure, thank you.
From the author of the phenomenal internationally bestselling The Keeper of Stories, The Secrets of Flowers is a heartwarming novel about a grieving woman who rediscovers herself by uncovering the lost story of the girl who arranged flowers on the Titanic.
The smallest treasures can hold the biggest mysteries …
One year after her husband’s death, Emma has become a wallflower, hiding among the brighter blooms in the florist where she works.
But when a colleague invites her to a talk on the Titanic, she begins a quest to uncover who arranged the flowers on board.
As Emma discovers the lost story of the girl and the great ship, she realizes that flowers may unlock long-buried secrets in her own life …
Will she be able to unlock the mystery of the Titanic and heal her own heart too?
Women's Fiction [Blackstone Publishing, On Sale: February 25, 2025, e-Book , / eISBN: 9798228307506]
After studying history at university, Sally moved to London to work in advertising. However, in her spare time she studied floristry at night school and eventually opened her own flower shop. She soon came to appreciate that flower shops offer a unique window into people’s stories and eventually she began to photograph and write about this floral life in a series of non-fiction books. Later, she continued her interest in writing when she founded her fountain pen company, Plooms.
In her debut novel, The Keeper of Stories, Sally combines her love of history and writing with her abiding interest in the stories people have to tell. The novel sold over half a million copies in the UK and was translated into 29 languages, making Sally a Sunday Times Bestseller. It was also shortlisted for British Book of the Year.
Sally's second novel, The Book of Beginnings, was launched in September 2023. Her third book, The Secrets of Flowers, in August 2024. In both books, friendship and hope are major themes.
Sally lives in Dorset where she is currently editing her fourth book. Her eldest daughter, Alex, is a doctor and her youngest daughter is the author, Libby Page.
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry, earning acclaim as the award-winning author of the Gull Island series. Her debut novel, "Serendipity by the Sea," secured the prestigious Best First Book award from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest. In 2024, Vido's talent garnered further accolades, with Baltimore Magazine readers naming her Best Local Author in their annual Best of Baltimore poll, while the Baltimore Sun acknowledged her with an Honorable Mention in their Best of 2024 Author category. When not writing fiction, she interviews authors for her weekly Jen’s Jewels column, leads water exercise classes, and directs a legal nonprofit. Currently residing in Maryland, she and her husband are proud parents to two grown sons and a rescue dog named Fripp.
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