Aldwick author Tony Ashridge and the art of overcoming obstacles

Tony, aged 65, said: “I wanted to write a book dealing with some of the life dramas that people find themselves contending with. Although I started writing Mr Domestic a few years ago, it was actually the coronavirus first lockdown which finally concentrated my mind on finishing the book.

“It essentially deals with the idea of overcoming obstacles – even when the odds seem stacked against us – but always keeping a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour to help to get us through. There are many issues in the book which will strike a chord with readers.

“I first started writing the book after a reunion with old friends. Afterwards I started writing down some of our anecdotes – mostly funny things that had happened over the years. These formed the backbone of many of the ideas in the book.

“This is essentially a family-based drama and was designed for a largely female readership (roughly 30-65). As a reader of crime novels myself, I’m aware of a lot of female authors who write some very gritty stuff aimed at a predominantly male audience. I thought it would be fun to do the opposite – a male writing for a largely female audience.

“I’ve had my proof copies scrutinised by various female friends who believe this idea has worked.

“In the book Mr Domestic is a bit of a hapless character but then he suddenly finds himself trying to cope singlehandedly with an invalid wife and three children.

“Upwardly-mobile Dan Fisher feels that he has, at last, got a firm foothold on the career ladder. He is looking forward to the holiday of a lifetime with his young family when, at the age of 36 everything suddenly goes wrong. He finds himself on an uphill struggle trying desperately to cope single-handedly in looking after his invalid wife and children whilst earning a living. He has always been a dab hand with the vacuum cleaner and polishing rags, but he is now thrust into the deep end of domesticity.

“Just when he thinks that things can’t get any worse, the hand of fate unexpectedly slaps him even harder. He grapples with the problems thrown-out by his wife’s illness, battling with religious fanatics, his antagonistic relatives, social services, the Child Support Agency and the legal system.

“Dan’s story is based on true events and charts the struggle to win through in the face of adversity. It tells how he becomes a changed man, understanding and coping with the pressures of modern-day working life on domestic bliss.”

“A lot of the action is based in the Chichester area (although some place names have been changed for fictional purposes). Readers will recognise and identify with many of the landmarks in the story.

“Mr Domestic is the first in a trilogy of books – The Mr Domestic Trilogy.

“The second Book Mr Domestic Moves On is well underway and will be published in March.

“I first started writing in 2002, entering short story competitions. I’m an avid reader myself , well aware of what makes a great book eg a few good twists especially at the end. You will not be disappointed!”