When did you first start reading Chick Lit?
Oh. Well. Um. Showing my age here but… about 20 years ago. See, I came across this book by Catherine Alliott, The Old-Girl Network, and I absolutely loved it. I’ve read it at least a dozen times since, and I sill laugh out loud. To me, hers is the first quintessential Chick Lit novel, long before Bridget Jones appeared on the scenes. (Loved BJ too, by the way!)
When did you first start writing Chick Lit?
My first ever attempt at writing Chick Lit occurred in college, in between degree courses. But let’s draw a veil over that one! I started writing in earnest when I was four months pregnant with my first child. I’d quit my job and decided to just ‘do it’. You know, ‘write that book.’ That would have been almost nine years ago now.
What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
What appeals to me about Chick Lit? How long have you got? Let’s see. It’s funny and light-hearted. It tackles relationships but in a practical, hands-on, very real way. Every woman has a Chick Lit heroine in her, and it’s wonderfully inspiring to read about fictional characters acting out our secret dreams. And I don’t just mean the spicy scenes, I mean every day stuff. Repartee. Jokes. Reactions to awkward situations.
Apart from Chick Lit, I read pretty much everything under the sun except from sci-fi, horror and autobiographies.
Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?
I’d have to go back to Catherine Alliott’s, The Old-Girl Network.
What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?
When did you first start writing Chick Lit?
My first ever attempt at writing Chick Lit occurred in college, in between degree courses. But let’s draw a veil over that one! I started writing in earnest when I was four months pregnant with my first child. I’d quit my job and decided to just ‘do it’. You know, ‘write that book.’ That would have been almost nine years ago now.
What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
What appeals to me about Chick Lit? How long have you got? Let’s see. It’s funny and light-hearted. It tackles relationships but in a practical, hands-on, very real way. Every woman has a Chick Lit heroine in her, and it’s wonderfully inspiring to read about fictional characters acting out our secret dreams. And I don’t just mean the spicy scenes, I mean every day stuff. Repartee. Jokes. Reactions to awkward situations.
Apart from Chick Lit, I read pretty much everything under the sun except from sci-fi, horror and autobiographies.
Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?
I’d have to go back to Catherine Alliott’s, The Old-Girl Network.
What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?
My latest release is called Sophie’s Encore. Here’s the blurb:
Her rock star is waiting in the wings, but will he get a second chance?
It’s all change for Sophie Jones—only this time, there is more at stake than just her happiness.
Rock star extraordinaire, Dan Hunter, has been her patient and caring friend through the highs and lows since her wedding day, but now he figures it is time for her to start over. By stealth, the rock singer draws Sophie into the behind-the-scenes work for his band’s latest album. Through the days and weeks spent together at the mixing desk, Sophie discovers whole new horizons for her life, yet before she can even begin to explore them, she faces the very real threat of losing her rock star for good.
Join Sophie and Dan in Sophie’s Encore to find out how their journey will end…
What inspired you to write it?
Is it part of a series?
Her rock star is waiting in the wings, but will he get a second chance?
It’s all change for Sophie Jones—only this time, there is more at stake than just her happiness.
Rock star extraordinaire, Dan Hunter, has been her patient and caring friend through the highs and lows since her wedding day, but now he figures it is time for her to start over. By stealth, the rock singer draws Sophie into the behind-the-scenes work for his band’s latest album. Through the days and weeks spent together at the mixing desk, Sophie discovers whole new horizons for her life, yet before she can even begin to explore them, she faces the very real threat of losing her rock star for good.
Join Sophie and Dan in Sophie’s Encore to find out how their journey will end…
What inspired you to write it?
Is it part of a series?
I’ll answer these two questions together, and in reverse, if I may. The ‘Encore’ is the third book in my ‘Rock Star Romance Trilogy’ and as such brings the finale in the romance between Sophie and Dan. I knew from the very first word in the first book that I wanted to take the story ‘there.’ It’s just that Sophie had other ideas along the way!
What inspired me to write the Trilogy in the first place? Well, to quote Sophie, “Rock Stars are Viagra for my soul.” I just love them. And I love rock music. My personal obsession (long tamed and under control, of course) with a variety of rock stars prompted bountiful ideas for writing Chick Lit novels with a rock theme. And because of that, there’s a large fairy tale element in my books. You know, girl-next-door (Cinderella) meets rock star (prince). But they’re also glamorous and exciting and fast-paced. My dream life, if you will ~ lived through my heroine.
Who designs your covers?
I come up with the original concept which I mock up in Photoshop, and the publisher’s design team takes it from there and sprinkles star dust all over my ideas. I love how that partnership has worked!
If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?
What inspired me to write the Trilogy in the first place? Well, to quote Sophie, “Rock Stars are Viagra for my soul.” I just love them. And I love rock music. My personal obsession (long tamed and under control, of course) with a variety of rock stars prompted bountiful ideas for writing Chick Lit novels with a rock theme. And because of that, there’s a large fairy tale element in my books. You know, girl-next-door (Cinderella) meets rock star (prince). But they’re also glamorous and exciting and fast-paced. My dream life, if you will ~ lived through my heroine.
Who designs your covers?
I come up with the original concept which I mock up in Photoshop, and the publisher’s design team takes it from there and sprinkles star dust all over my ideas. I love how that partnership has worked!
If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?
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| Photo credit: qnibert00 via photopin cc |
Well. For Dan, I’d have to cast the man himself, the one and only Mr. Jon Bon Jovi!
And for Sophie, I think I’d cast Sandra Bullock.
I have to admit, I change my mind quite a lot on this question, especially on the part of Sophie. And whoever played them would have to adopt a British accent, please. It’s core to the story.
What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
Bridget Jones. (I’m yet waiting for Universal to make me an offer on Sophie’s Turn, etc.!)
Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?
Polly, from Catherine Alliott’s Old-Girl Network. (Can you tell I’m a big fan?)
Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.
ME! Ha. Sorry. You did ask!
In the movie of your life, who would play you?
Me again, I’ve always wanted to be a big-screen sensation! (Oh God, you’re going to think I’m totally egocentric here, aren’t you? Truth is, I don’t think my life is exactly movie material, so the question had never occurred to me before.)
Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? ~ Strawberry margaritas
Shopaholic or shopadon't? ~ Shopadon’t. I hate shopping. I really do.
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? ~ Closer to the ground. I suffer from a complete inability to walk in heels and am liable to break one or several legs (not all my own, you gather) by toppling over catastrophically.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? ~ Jilly! OOOOH love Jilly! *cracks whip*
Cry baby or tough cookie? ~ Tough cookie. I live by the motto of a song of one of my all-time favourite rock bands, FM. The song being, Tough It Out.
About Nicky Wells: Romance that Rocks Your World!
Hi! I’m Nicky Wells, your ultimate rock chick author. Signed to US Publisher, Sapphire Star Publishing, I write Romance That Rocks Your World, featuring the rock star and the girl next door.
My books offer glitzy, glamorous contemporary romance with a rock theme ~ imagine Bridget Jones ROCKS Notting Hill! If you’ve ever had a crush on any kind of celebrity ~ rock, pop, movie or other ~ you’ll connect with my heroes and my leading ladies!
Like my first leading lady, Sophie, I love listening to rock music, dancing, and eating lobsters. When I’m not writing, I’m a wife, mother, occasional knitter, and regular contributor to The Midweek Drive show on Lincoln’s Siren 107.3 FM. Rock on!
Sophie’s Encore sales links:
Amazon.co.uk
Kindle | Amazon.co.uk
Paperback | Amazon.com
Kindle | Amazon.com
Paperback | Barnes
& Noble Paperback | Nook
And for Sophie, I think I’d cast Sandra Bullock.
I have to admit, I change my mind quite a lot on this question, especially on the part of Sophie. And whoever played them would have to adopt a British accent, please. It’s core to the story.
What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
Bridget Jones. (I’m yet waiting for Universal to make me an offer on Sophie’s Turn, etc.!)
Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?
Polly, from Catherine Alliott’s Old-Girl Network. (Can you tell I’m a big fan?)
Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.
ME! Ha. Sorry. You did ask!
In the movie of your life, who would play you?
Me again, I’ve always wanted to be a big-screen sensation! (Oh God, you’re going to think I’m totally egocentric here, aren’t you? Truth is, I don’t think my life is exactly movie material, so the question had never occurred to me before.)
Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? ~ Strawberry margaritas
Shopaholic or shopadon't? ~ Shopadon’t. I hate shopping. I really do.
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? ~ Closer to the ground. I suffer from a complete inability to walk in heels and am liable to break one or several legs (not all my own, you gather) by toppling over catastrophically.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? ~ Jilly! OOOOH love Jilly! *cracks whip*
Cry baby or tough cookie? ~ Tough cookie. I live by the motto of a song of one of my all-time favourite rock bands, FM. The song being, Tough It Out.
About Nicky Wells: Romance that Rocks Your World!
Hi! I’m Nicky Wells, your ultimate rock chick author. Signed to US Publisher, Sapphire Star Publishing, I write Romance That Rocks Your World, featuring the rock star and the girl next door.
My books offer glitzy, glamorous contemporary romance with a rock theme ~ imagine Bridget Jones ROCKS Notting Hill! If you’ve ever had a crush on any kind of celebrity ~ rock, pop, movie or other ~ you’ll connect with my heroes and my leading ladies!
Like my first leading lady, Sophie, I love listening to rock music, dancing, and eating lobsters. When I’m not writing, I’m a wife, mother, occasional knitter, and regular contributor to The Midweek Drive show on Lincoln’s Siren 107.3 FM. Rock on!
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Woohoo Suzy, thanks so much for hosting me here today on your FABULOUS new-look, new feel blog. I'm loving it here. I may never leave!!
ReplyDeleteAaaand you found a lovely photo of The Man Himself. *swoon* Well, what can I say but THANK YOU again?
Hope your readers enjoy meeting me and would love to hear what chicklit books got YOU all into the genre. Rock on!
Nicky, you are ALWAYS welcome to come over and visit... and if you want to stay for a while, I'm delighted!! <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteYes I think Bridget Jones is my favourite chick lit book, book not film. And the early Lisa Jewell. SD
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sandradanby.com/