All about the book Friends Like These

Who is Eden Gruger?

Eden Gruger is an eccentric author whose CV that mentions both PCB Design software sales, and hula hooping.

Writing hilarious, candid, occasionally tragic stories, each collection is based around a theme that touches women’s hearts and funny bones.

When not working Eden spends her time in her garden, on her allotment or trying to persuade her dog to behave just a bit better.

What is Friends Like These about?

Interview

What was your inspiration for Friends Like These?

I have always had issues understanding friendships (and probably people in general really, due to my processing differences). And for this book I wanted to delve into how being neurodiverse affects connection, which is something I haven’t touched on in my earlier books. Although some people might have recognised my way of thinking, and list making in earlier books.

What drew you to writing?

I was taught to read before I went to school, and just devoured every book I could get my hands on, when I was in the infants school they used to send me across the playground to the junior school library because I had out read our little book corner. And at some point it dawned on me that somebody was writing these stories I loved, and that was it for me – what else could I possibly want to do?

How did you choose which character to centre the story around? 

In the Friends Like These the main character is based on myself, the things I have seen and heard from other people’s experiences in trying to make and keep friendships. I think a lot of us find it hard to meet ‘our people’. And life isn’t life films and TV where everyone has a group they have known forever to rely on.  

What was your process for writing Friends Like These?

I spoke to a range of women about their best and worst friendship experiences, and put myself in their shoes, the biggest thing that came up over and over again was the heartbreak when a friendship breaks down or worse implodes. It’s equal to any breakup, and that needs to be more recognised I think.

What is your approach to world and character building?

All my stories (so far) are set in the real world, so I don’t have to do anything fancy in that regard. But the old saying that truth is stranger than fiction definitely has influenced my writing. When I am doing my research with people some of the things that I hear would never be believed if I wrote them just as they happened. So, sometimes I need to take the grain of a story and embellish out, and sometimes it needs reining right back in so that it feels possible!

How would you describe Friends Like These in five words?

Joyful, painful, hilarious, sometimes scary

Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?

The last story Hula Girl is based on my friendship with a lovely person, who although I haven’t been able to see in a while very much is still in my heart. To get into the head space I looked over photos of us, and it took me right back to our younger days. She is an amazing person and I have nothing but love for her. As soon as it was finished, I texted her to say hey you have inspired part of my next book as a beacon of being a great friend.  

What was your favourite book growing up?

I loved the secret garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, but my favourite character was the garden!

Do you have a favourite genre to read?

I have such eclectic tastes, at the moment I am in an older book phase Sherlock Holmes, Rumpole of the Bailey and anything PG Woodhouse, everyone should try one Jeeves and Wooster story. But I am about to start researching for a non-fiction project that will happen next year so that will all change.