Say hi to... Terry Tyler!

The fabulous Terry Tyler is me for today's interview...

When did you first start writing contemporary women's fiction?

I wrote my first novel in 1993. I wrote ten altogether (one was an attempt at a Mills & Boon, which was ghastly, and didn’t get accepted, needless to say!). I didn’t do much with them, but the last one I submitted to an agent who was very interested, though wanted me to change the plot before she would submit to publishers. I didn’t. Not just because I was determined it should be as I wrote it, but also because I couldn’t be bothered. How crap is that??! Then life got in the way, and I didn’t write again for 10 years. I started again in 2010, when I wrote You Wish. It won the ‘Best Chick Lit/Women’s Lit’ award in the eFestival of Words 2013, which was lovely – even though it’s not really chick lit, though there are elements of that genre within it!

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
I don’t think about genre – I just write the story I want to write. I label them ‘contemporary women’s fiction’ because it’s quite vague and all encompassing! I read a lot of different types of book; at the moment it’s all historical novels, partly because I am doing research for my next book which is set in the present but has a historical twist. I like good chick lit – I love Sophie Kinsella, for instance, and Diana Appleyard.

Name one of your favourite Chick Lit or contemporary women's books?
Oh, just one?! Okay – a great all time favourite of mine is ‘All The Days Of My Life’ by Hilary Bailey. It’s about the life of a woman called Molly Waterhouse, from her childhood as an evacuee in the war, through to the underworld of London in the late 1950s and 1960s, and up to the 1980s. Absolutely terrific book, can’t recommend it too highly.

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

I published my latest novel, my sixth on Amazon, on September 6th. It’s called What It Takes, and is ‘a tale of three sisters’…. it’s a family drama and explores the issues of sibling rivalry, secret affairs, jealousy and obsession, and those who will do what it takes to win the heart of the one they love!

What inspired you to write it?
I was watching a television programme about a stalker, and started to think about what would happen if the stalker became the stalked…

Is it part of a series?
No. My books are all one-offs, with the exception of my two rock romances, Dream On and its sequel Full Circle – I left all my characters a bit up in the air at the end of Dream On, and a couple of my readers suggested that a sequel might be just the thing!

Who designs your covers?
A friend. Four of them are on the same theme; it’s one I like as it shows up well on the Amazon thumbnails, apart from anything else!

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
I haven’t read all that many chick lit books, but I loved the first Bridget Jones film. I thought the second one was dire, though. I watched the film of Shopaholic and thought that was pretty grim, too! I didn’t mind the film of The Devil Wears Prada (though that’s not really chick lit, is it?), but the book was 100 times better. I also really liked the film ‘Having it All’ with SJP, who is one of my favourites.

Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.
Problem, again! I don’t read all that much of it. I hear Tracie Bannister is very good, and Susan Buchanan’s book The Dating Game has got some smashing reviews – one of them by me! They’re both worth checking out.

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

Image courtesy: Paul Bird

This is where I pick some amazing blonde bombshell, isn’t it? Okay. Scarlet Johansson. Will that do?!

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? I don’t drink much these days, but when I do it’s vodka and tonic – the only thing that doesn’t make me feel sick. Boring, or what?!
Shopaholic or shopadon't? I’m not a huge shopping person. I like it on impulse best – when I go out specifically to buy something, I can never find anything. I think that probably goes for everyone, though!
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? I only ever wear flat shoes – partly because I can’t be bothered with not being totally comfortable, and partly because my husband and I are the same height! I used to wear stilletos, though; loved them!
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? God, neither. Definitely not the first. I used to love Jilly Cooper in the 1970s and early 1980s, but then her books got ridiculous. The last one I enjoyed was Rivals, but even that was getting a bit daft. Her early romantic novels – Harriet, Prudence, etc – were marvellous. For me, she was the inventor of chick lit, rather than Helen Fielding.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Tough cookie, mostly. I tend to get angry rather than upset!
Many thanks, Suzy, for asking me to appear on your excellent blog!

It's my absolute pleasure, Terry! You're welcome any time :D

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