Adele Parks: A Life in Words and Reflections
Adele Parks, a 57-year-old author from North Yorkshire, began her writing career after studying English at the University of Leicester and working in advertising. She published her first novel, Playing Away, in 2000 and has since released a book annually. Her latest work is Eyes on You, which has been translated into 31 languages. In 2022, she received an MBE for her contributions to literature and is actively involved in promoting literacy through various charities, including the National Literacy Trust. Parks, who resides in Surrey with her husband and son, is known for her enthusiasm, resilience, and empathy.
When reflecting on herself, Parks admits to speaking negatively to herself as a trait she deplores. She dislikes laziness in others and recalls an embarrassing moment when she unknowingly put her thumb in her mouth during a crucial meeting. Her superpower of choice would be teleportation, as long as she could keep her clothes on. She finds hopelessness to be a source of unhappiness and wishes she could bring her late cat, Lilac, back to meet her current pets.
In a hypothetical film about her life, Parks envisions Reese Witherspoon portraying her, while she confesses to having a celebrity crush on Taylor Swift for her thought-provoking lyrics. Despite her literary background, Parks admits to never having read any of Salman Rushdie's works. She values honesty but sometimes encourages aspiring writers even when she doubts their success. Her guiltiest pleasure is staying home and playing Scrabble, and she wishes she could apologize to her late uncle for not recognizing his struggles.
Parks considers words to be the greatest love of her life, as they have shaped her relationships and experiences. Love, to her, is a blend of safety, acceptance, peace, and challenge. If given the chance to alter her past, she would focus on being fitter at a younger age. She believes having a sushi chef in her kitchen would greatly enhance her quality of life. Despite her successful career, Parks views her son's love as her greatest achievement and admits that plotting keeps her awake at night.
When asked to choose between more sex, money, or fame, Parks prioritizes the importance of connection and intimacy, opting for more sex as a key aspect of a fulfilling life.