So, let's get on with it...
I guess my earliest Chick Lit was Enid Blyton and Noel Streatfield when I was a little girl. I firmly believe these are early forms of the genre and get young girls started on it. I devoured these books and felt as if I could climb into them and live the characters’ lives. I was that young girl at boarding school or the dancer in ‘Ballet Shoes'. As a teen, I worked in a library and discovered the Jilly Cooper short reads - Imogen, Bella etc - I couldn’t get enough of them! Ditzy heroines and hunky heroes - perfect.
Amanda - I was obsessed with Jilly Cooper's short reads too. They were amazing! :D
When did you first start writing Chick Lit?
I’ve written for as long as I can remember. My desk hides many abandoned manuscripts from years gone by - even a half written Mills & Boon! My first completed novel was ‘Diary of a Mummy Misfit’ in 2007. I’d found I had time on my hands to read endless chick lit novels and suddenly decided that I could finally do it myself. I’ve never looked back.
What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
I just love a happy ending! We all know that chick lit will see the heroine struggle in some way but we also know that, at the end of the day, she’ll get her man. I like the giggles, the romance and the twists and turns the writer takes us on to get there. I tend to stick purely to reading the genre because I feel it’s part of my job - researching what’s out there, what’s working and how things are changing.
Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?
Oh! Soooo tricky! I can’t, I really can’t. I love the ones where I really feel that the writer has taken me into the character’s head and their past. I think Lisa Jewel is just the best at doing this. I loved ‘31 Dream Street’ and ‘Friend of the Family’.
What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?
My latest published book is ‘Lottie’s Luck'. It’s about a girl who has always appeared to have good fortune - until things start to go horribly wrong. Has her luck run out or is fate taking over and guiding her in a new direction?I also have a Christmas novella due for release in October and a new novel out in December. It’s a busy time!
What inspired you to write it?
It will sound really silly but it was an advert on TV for a Bingo website called ‘Lucky Pants’ - suddenly I had a plot forming!
Is it part of a series?
No, it’s a stand alone book.
Who designs your covers?
I buy the images from iStock photos, after HOURS of trawling their site and then hubbie and son work on the title, font etc. I’m very proud of my covers - they make me want to read the books!
If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?
Oooooh - sounds fab! I love Miranda Hart!
What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
‘Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day’ - just WOW! It’s pretty as a picture to watch and transports you to the world of 1930’s glamour and romance.
Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?
I honestly couldn’t pick just one - sorry!
Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.
My fellow Indie friend, Michelle Betham. She works incredibly hard and is a constant support to me. We started on this journey at the same time so we feel like kindred spirits. Her books are very different to mine - mainly saucy and racy! You can find them here.
I know Michelle! She's FAB too :D
Who would play you in the movie of your life?
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| photo credit: moviesinla via photopin cc |
Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? White wine.
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopaholic - definitely!
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Depends on the occasion! Flats in the summer, heels with the right thing and I love high-heeled boots (as well as flat ones!) Cheating a bit there!
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Definitely Jilly Cooper.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Cry baby but working on it.
For more details about Amanda and her fabulous books, visit her blog, right here or on Twitter.
To get your hold of her books, check out:
Amazon.com
Amazon UK
Lulu
Tomorrow, Mandy Baggot is here!!
Fab interview!!! Loved it! x
ReplyDeleteLovely interview. I'm with you on the children's books. My dad used to tell me that if I was naughty, I would go to boarding school - little did he know, I yearned to go there! Looking forward to the new novels out later this year : )
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies. I would have HATED boarding school but I loved to go there in my head :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your interview, Amanda!
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to go to boarding school too ;)
Thanks for stopping by ladies. Do pop back over another time x
I'm guessing we all read the same books as youngsters as I too would've loved to go to boarding school. I don't know why but those trunks everyone had are what stick in my mind. Full of goodies to last a whole term! x
ReplyDeleteAs you already know, Amanda, I love your books and have devoured each and every one of them! Looking forward to reading the next two, and am very impressed you have them both out this year!
ReplyDeleteKathryn x