Fiction Dreams: It's me!

Starting tomorrow, I have a bunch of the most awesome chick lit writers coming over here as part of the launch of this fabulous new blog (!). I've given them all the same interview questions. I can't wait for you to see them!

But in the meantime, I figured I'd interview myself to give you an idea about what's coming your way :D

Often to be found with a glass of wine in hand!

When did you first start reading Chick Lit?

Probably when I was about ten, I think it might have started with Mills & Boon, to be honest lol. But I soon discovered Jilly Cooper and I pretty devoured all her earlier short novels like Imogen, Harriet, Octavia, etc. Then I went over to Jackie Collins and the like.

When did you first start writing Chick Lit?

I actually wrote my first chick lit novel in my early twenties. It was called Molly. I challenged myself to do it after reading a fantastic Cosmo interview with Jenny Colgan. I succeeded! But sadly, it wasn't very popular with literary agents. 'Too much like Bridget Jones' one of them said! It wasn't anything like Bridget Jones Diary! Grrrrrr.

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?

I love everything about chick lit - the happy go lucky characters that appear in a lot of them, the sweet love stories, the happy endings, the settings! I'm also a huge YA fan, which is the other genre I've been writing for the past couple of years (I've actually got six YA urban fantasy books to my name so far). But I do have pretty eclectic tastes - I like the odd horror (but not the gory kind), thriller, drama, kids fiction, etc.

Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?

I can't just name one! Who made up these questions?!?! Oh, me? Erm... ok. Just one then... Let's go with Belinda Jones' Divas Las Vegas. It hooked me straight away and I couldn't put it down. But there are tonnes of other favourites.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?

Forever Fredless is my first 'official' chick lit novel (due out in October). Here's the brief blurb:

Kate Robinson has spent the past two decades yearning to find her soul mate, the boy she found and then lost during a family holiday.

Shortly after her twenty-eighth birthday, however, she inherits a fortune from an old family friend and becomes something of an overnight celebrity. Can her new-found fame lead her to him after all this time?

What inspired you to write it?

I'd been wanting to write a chick lit novel for ages and it was a visit to the Azores many years ago that got the idea for the book flickering in my mind. My friends and husband got lost in the fog on top of a volcanic crater and had to be rescued by the fire brigade! It was very embarrassing but that scene made it into the book :) Also, when I was a kid, I saw this gorgeous boy at a kiddie disco and I just couldn't stop thinking about him for ages afterwards. I've never forgotten about it and that's the premise of the book, really. Oh, and I had a seriously humiliating episode in a spa when I was working for a magazine that's in the book too ;)

Is it part of a series?

I don't think so. It's probably best left alone.

Who designs your covers?

Ravven is absolutely brilliant! She designed all of my Morgan Sisters (YA) book covers and so I asked her to do Forever Fredless. She was a little unsure at first because she usually just does fantasy stuff but OMG, she produced the most incredible cover! I'm over the moon with it!

If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?

Emily Blunt would be perfect as Kate. I just love her!

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?

Probably The Devil Wears Prada. It's one of the few movies that was just as good as the book (and I adore Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep... oh and Emily Blunt of course).

Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?

Rebecca Bloomwood is one favourite but there are so many others!

Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.

Me, of course! he he he (sorry, I couldn't resist!)

In the movie of your life, who would play you?

photo credit: Raios de Luz - Gláucia Góes via photopin cc

That's easy... Sandra Bullock :D I've always loved her and there have been times in my adult life when my darling husband has likened me to her ;)

Speed Round...

Top drink to make you tipsy? White Wine. I must also mention the most delicious drink I recently discovered called Ginja, which is a cherry liqueur but it's got to be the one from Obidos in Portugal. It's like liquid heaven.

Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopaholic (but only for serious bargains)

Sky high heels or closer to the ground? I LOVE high heels but my bunions usually make me pick lower heels or flats these days - bah humbug!

E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Jilly Cooper, definitely.

Cry baby or tough cookie? Cry baby - I've even been known to cry at commercials. How sad am I?!

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