Q&A with Elizabeth Coleman

We chat with Elizabeth Coleman author of Losing the Plot.

A witty and uplifting novel about second chances, ambition, and unexpected love, Losing the Plot follows single mum Vanessa Rooney as she takes a leap of faith to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a romance author. When her work is stolen by a celebrity writer, Vanessa embarks on a legal battle that turns her world upside down. With the support of an unlikely legal team—local solicitor Dave Rendall and the charismatic Marcus Stafford—Vanessa navigates both courtroom drama and matters of the heart. As she confronts past wounds, she learns that the dreams she once chased may not be the ones she truly needs. Join us as we talk with author Elizabeth Coleman about this delightful novel, the inspiration behind Vanessa’s journey, and the unexpected paths love and ambition can take.

A&U: Losing the Plot humorously addresses serious issues like grief, betrayal, and self-discovery. How did you balance humour with these deeper themes?

EC: This is a tricky question to answer because that’s something I do instinctively, I don’t really think about how. For me, humour and emotional pain are flip sides of being human, and I can’t imagine writing one without the other.

A&U: Vanessa’s journey is one of finding her voice, both as a writer and as a person. How much of her character was inspired by your own experiences in pursuing creative dreams?

EC: Vanessa’s experience with her novel was inspired by my own early years as a writer – see more below – but unlike Vanessa I was always encouraged to follow my dreams, so I had the confidence to dive into writing from an early age. Over the years I’ve met people with lots of potential who’ve been held back by their upbringing or their economic circumstances or the expectations imposed on them. I’m fascinated by people who have the courage to overcome these obstacles and reach their true potential, and I guess that’s what I was aiming for with Vanessa.

A&U: The legal battle over plagiarism is a unique plot point. What inspired you to explore this theme, and how did you research the legal aspects of the story?

EC: There’s an interesting answer to this question. I won’t go into specifics, but early in my screenwriting career I was unknowingly working with bad faith colleagues, and I lost a project of my own creation that was very dear to me. But here’s the interesting bit – I didn’t realise I was writing about that experience until after I’d finished writing the novel. I think my subconscious was demanding to be heard!

In terms of the legal story, I was given detailed legal guidance by Michael Wise QC, who’s now His Honour Judge Michael Wise of the County Court of Victoria. So, lucky me. And any mistakes in the legal story are obviously mine.

A&U: Two romantic heroes appear in Vanessa's life. How did you craft these characters to reflect different aspects of Vanessa’s needs and growth?

EC: I think that sometimes women (including me in the past!), don’t recognise the difference between what they want in a man, and what they need. Quite often those aren’t the same thing. When I was younger, I was a sucker for the funniest, most commanding man in the room, the kind of guy who clicked his fingers and waiters came running. But I quickly learned through painful experience that those men couldn’t meet my emotional needs. I think even now some women are seduced by the lure of a charismatic man while the right guy is hovering under their nose. I wanted Vanessa to learn this lesson in the most fun way possible.

A&U: Romantic fiction is often seen as escapism, but in Losing the Plot, it serves as both a refuge and a challenge for Vanessa. What do you think the genre says about modern ideas of love and relationships?

EC: I don’t think I can speak for the genre, but for me, I’m trying to point out the flaws of the traditional romantic fantasy and nudge readers towards the kind of guy who’ll be there for them when the chips are down. With lots of laughs along the way.

A&U: Marcus and Craig have significant roles in challenging Vanessa’s perception of relationships. How did you decide their respective fates in the novel?

EC: Craig was so patronising to Vanessa that I wanted him to get his comeuppance! He was one of those people I mentioned above, who never recognised Vanessa’s true potential. I wanted to force Craig to face the fact that while he was the one who left the marriage, ultimately it’s Vanessa who’s left him behind. So, suck eggs Craig!

With Marcus, I wanted to reverse the trope where a shallow person learns to stop being image-obsessed and live a more authentic life. For a while, Marcus tries to live more authentically with Vanessa, but when it comes to the crunch, he’s more comfortable with flashy opening nights than sharing feelings on the couch. I think that’s reflective of life – not everyone grows emotionally.

A&U: Charlotte Lancaster, despite being exposed, lands a national TV show. Was this an intentional critique of modern celebrity culture, or simply a narrative twist?

EC: It was an intentional critique of modern celebrity culture! As Dave thinks to himself, ‘That’d be right. If you’re rich and famous, you can count on being rewarded for appalling behaviour.’ I hate unfairness in any form, so this drives me nuts.

A&U: If Losing the Plot were adapted into a movie, do you have a dream cast in mind for Vanessa, Marcus, and Dave?

I love this question! I have casting ideas for both an Australian version and an American version, although I’d obviously prefer it was made here at home.

AUSTRALIA

Vanessa: Isla Fisher or Rose Byrne

Dave: Patrick Brammall

Marcus: Chris Hemsworth

AMERICA

Vanessa: Rachel McAdams

Dave: Jon Krasinski

Marcus: Glen Powell

A&U: Which scene or passage was the most enjoyable for you to write, and why?

EC: Truthfully, I loved writing it all - but I have a soft spot for Chapter 11, where Dave comes to Vanessa’s place, and they read the two erotic texts aloud together. We learn so much about them both as people and parents in this chapter, and their wildly differing approaches to romance, but it’s all wrapped up in a funny package. So, I guess if I had to pick, I’d pick that.

A&U: If you could sit down for coffee with any of your characters, who would it be, and what would you ask them?

EC: Are we talking coffee or a night on the town? If it was a night on the town, I’d probably choose Joy! She’d be heaps of fun. I’d love to have a coffee with Vanessa and gossip for hours about life and love. And I’d love to give Dave a hug – could I do that over a coffee? Carly would be lots of fun too, I can imagine laughing my head off with her. The only people who aren’t invited are Marcus and Charlotte.