Character interview from Amanda Egan's latest book!

I'm absolutely delighted to have an interview with the one and only Tabby from Amanda Egan's latest book, Tabby & Kat...

What's your full name? Do you love it? Or hate it?
My full name is Tabitha and I hate it. Mum and Dad are artists so they chose pretty daft names. I have a sister called Ophelia and a brother called Tadge - enough said?! Please call me Tabby, all my friends do and I prefer it. Tabitha makes me feel like a kid being told off.

Who is your best friend?
I have two best friends, Polly and Adam. We met at uni and have lived together ever since. Well, until now, that is. Poll's off to get married and pop out a sprog so Adam and I are looking for a replacement housemate. Although, he'd like to share with just me - that's a whole other story!

What do you do for a living? And what's your dream job?
I work in my friend Mims' trendy gift shop but my dream is to make money painting watercolours. I manage to sell a few through the shop but not enough to feed me or keep a roof over my head, so I have to keep on with the shop work. It's cool though as Mims and I have a good laugh together and she's really not like a boss at all.

Are you single/married/divorced/looking for love?
I'm single at the moment as I just split up with 'Codface Callum' - that was my first attempt at a relationship with a 'Mr Nice Guy' and it didn't work out. Soooo boring! I go for the bad guys - not that it does me much good.

Name one of your all-time favourite books?
I love massive art books on my coffee table - you know, the ones you can pick up and lose yourself in for an hour or two.

What inspires you?
My grandmother, Elsie. She's in her eighties but is so full of life and glamourous. She lives in the South of France now and there's nothing I like more than popping over for a visit and sipping cocktails with her as she helps me to sort my life out.

Where is your favourite place in the world?
If we're talking about my favourite place by the end of my story, then it would have to be in my giant bed with ... now that would be telling!

Favourite movie?
I have a bit of a thing for 'Carry On' films! They bring back happy memories of a Christmas spent with Adam and his brother James.

Favourite author?
Jilly Cooper - I love a giggle and I have to get a bit of romance in my life somehow.

If you could have a dinner party with anyone in the world (alive or dead, real or fictional), who would you choose and why?
Dr Dolittle! He'd have such great stories to tell. And he could maybe help me get over my fear of cats - are they really all evil?

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have a talking parrot called Timothy. He has a foul beak - I blame Adam for that - but I love him with all my heart. He's a very funny little fellow.

Who would play you in the movie about your life?
I'm a fiery redhead! I think Isla Fisher would be perfect.

Tell us something interesting about where you live.
I live in Notting Hill - it's trendy, busy and vibrant. Scene for many a good romcom and famous for its annual carnival.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of my story, you can find it here. The novel is out TODAY!!

Amanda Egan's other works can be found on Amazon Uk and Amazon.com. Also in paperback at Lulu.
You can follow her on Twitter @mummy_misfit and on Facebook.

Hello... Amanda Egan

I'm absolutely over the moon to have several best selling chick lit authors popping round for a chat over the next week or so. The first one is the totally inspirational author, Amanda Egan. 
So, let's get on with it...

When did you first start reading Chick Lit?
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?

The book that I feel would be most successful on the big screen is ‘Stilettos & Stubble'. It’s set in a drag club so it’s filled with glamour, bitching and laughter, and would have a fab soundtrack. I’d cast Miranda Hart as the lead.
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?

photo credit: moviesinla via photopin cc

I'd love Meryl Streep to play me in the movie of my life. I know she's a bit older than me but she's just one of those weird actresses who can seem to morph into anyone! I admire her comic timing but she can also make me cry at the drop of a hat.

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
Facebook

Tomorrow, Mandy Baggot is here!!