Armchair BEA: Author Interaction

Since becoming a book blogger at Fiction Dreams, I have obviously found myself interacting a heck of a lot more with authors around the world. Some have contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in featuring them and others I have approached myself. I must say, I still get butterflies in my tummy when a particularly well known author (or her PA) gets back to me or my colleague Eloise Walton!

Image by Jennifer Robertson

This has happened with various including two amazingly famous authors last year. The first was Joanne Harris (left), yes you know her. She wrote that little book that was made into the Johhny Depp movie, Chocolat! Eloise interviewed her and was thrilled.

The other was Gena Showalter! I know, cool huh? I've since tweeted with Joanne but have never had any real interaction with Ms. Showalter. I'm sure she's incredibly busy, mind you! 

Sadly, with me living in the Algarve, Portugal, I never have the opportunities to meet many authors in the flesh. There are no author readings anywhere locally so I have to make do with getting to know them online.

I've have become online pals with a number of amazing authors, some are better known than others but to me they're all in the same boat. They (we!) are all authors looking for readers, wherever they may be. And if I can help them widen their audience, then I'm thrilled.

Read more author interaction stories via the Armchair BEA.

Review: The house we grew up in by Lisa Jewell

Book Description
Release Date: 18 July 2013
Synopsis

Meet the Bird Family
All four children have an idyllic childhood: a picture-book cottage in a country village, a warm, cosy kitchen filled with love and laughter, sun-drenched afternoons in a rambling garden.
But one Easter weekend a tragedy strikes the Bird family that is so devastating that, almost imperceptibly, it begins to tear them apart.
The years pass and the children become adults and begin to develop their own quite separate lives. Soon it's almost as though they've never been a family at all.
Almost. But not quite.
Because something has happened that will call them home, back to the house they grew up in - and to what really happened that Easter weekend all those years ago.

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Review

Published by Century, The House We Grew Up In is author Lisa Jewell's 11th novel to date and tells a powerful story about the bonds that hold a family together and the little things that crop up in life that can nearly tear them apart.
The story centres around the Bird family, with a strong focus on the dizzy and very childlike mother, Lorelei.
The opening pages set the scene in the present. It's April 2011 and we find out something has happened that will draw the Bird family back together. Back to their childhood home to face the demons of their past.
Once the scene is set, the book flits back to the very beginning, April 1989, when all four of the Bird children shared an idyllic childhood in a cottage in a country village with a warm and cosy kitchen filled with love and laughter and just a little bit of clutter.
A tragedy strikes however one Easter Sunday. A tragedy so devastating that almost imperceptibly it begins to tear the family apart.
The clutter that was once seen as cute, interesting pieces of family memorabilia, children's artwork and old clothes, broken toys and pink polkadot raincoats, gradually starts to overtake the house as Lorelei hoards them, fearing the loss of precious memories.
As the years pass, often focusing on the Easter period and the effects of that tragic day, we learn more about the four children, how they grow up, what they each do with their lives, their relationships, and gradually it's as though they were never a family at all.
We also see the effects that each child 'flying the nest' has on Lorelei. Her character is the most interesting, dealing with complex psychological issues.
The house we grew up in is a fascinating work of fiction that will grab your attention and keep it there to the very end. Lisa Jewell spins a tale that is both tragic and mesmerising, keeping you glued to the book until the very end.
Her characters are believable, perhaps owing to the fact that Lisa writes in a local cafe each day where she can drink coffee and people watch. Without access to the internet and being able to watch life and the complex interactions between people happening before her while 'at work', can only be a good thing for her writing. I found myself empathising with her characters' ordeals and wondering what would I do in a similar situation?
Overall, I would recommend The house we grew up in as a wonderful piece of fiction, with prose that flows through the passage of time, interspersed with email correspondence from Lorelei. The ending will ultimately leave the reader both happy and sad. But then again, that's life!
Reviewed by Eloise Walton

Review - The Heart Whisperer by Ella Griffin

Claire Dillon still lives in the shadow of the past. On her thirty-third birthday, she gives herself a present. One year to change her future.
This is the little taster that draws you in to a lovely novel published by Orion about a young woman called Claire Dillon who finds herself in a bit of a Bridget Jones style predicament but with darker plot twists.
The Heart Whisperer is the first book by Ella Griffin that I have read, although her first novel entitled Postcards from the Heart was published in 2011.
I try not to be swayed by other people's reviews, but I must say, the great feedback this book has received is well deserved.
The story revolves around the consequences of one tragic day, Claire's 6th birthday.
Claire's mother had everything to live for. A husband, two children, a successful medical practice. Then, at thirty-three, she died in an accident. And it was Claire's fault.
Years later, on her own 33rd birthday Claire wakes up to the fact her mother had so much success and so much to live for at her age, so she gives herself one last year to be more like her. Or what she thought she knew about her.
The similarities with Bridget Jones are only slight in this novel and mainly revolve around the fact Claire is looking to change her life for the better in one year. She starts the year in a stagnant career as a floundering actress, lacking a decent boyfriend and living in a bachelorette flat, which actually belongs to her oldest friend, ex-rock star Ray Devine who helps her fritter her life away with 'perfect days' and random silliness.
In the story, set in Dublin, Ireland, we meet some interesting and believable characters including Claire's estranged brother Nick who is back from America. We find him keeping his distance from his clingy sister and his pathetic father while he reinvents himself as a daytime TV relationship guru. But Dublin is full of memories and Nick quickly dreams of escape. While his American wife Kelly has dreams of her own that she isn't telling him about.
The story comes to a head when another accident throws the dysfunctional Dillon family together and the secrets they have kept from themselves and one another finally emerge.
Ella Griffin's writing is smart, funny and flows effortlessly through plot twists and turns that will make you both laugh and cry. It certainly had me giggling in places and shedding a few tears
As a writer, she manages to combine wit and raw emotion in a story that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.
Overall, it's a real page turner, a fun work of fiction that explores the impact of loss on a family and on an individual who many female readers will likely be able to relate to.
I'm certainly hooked and looking forward to the next instalment from this fresh new writer.
Reviewed by Eloise Walton

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Exclusive interview with Chocolat author Joanne Harris!!

Today we have an interview with the international best selling author and one of my personal favourites - Joanne Harris. Most often referred to as the author of 'chocolat', Joanne's career as a published writer has spanned almost a quarter of a century and includes a repertoire of fiction novels, a collection of short stories and two cook books. In between her recent trip to Paris and Barcelona, Joanne was able to spare some time for an interview for Fiction Dreams. Enjoy! 
Eloise Walton

Photo courtesy: Kyte Photography

You have been a published author for almost a quarter of a century. How has your writing process changed in that time?
I’m not really sure it has: there are things I’ve learnt and improved upon during that time, but the actual process remains the same. I write; I read aloud; I edit. I prefer to work in the mornings. I find I benefit from bright lights and colours. I prefer silence to listening to music. The scents of lavender and burnt sage help me concentrate. These things have always been a part of my creative process.

Do you ever suffer from writers block - if so, how do you overcome it?
By doing something else. Writer’s block is Life’s way of saying “I feel neglected.” Read a book. Play with your kids. Watch TV. Experience life. The writing will come back when it’s ready. The dream machine doesn’t work every day. That doesn’t mean it’s broken.

To you, what is the purpose of books?
Communication; shared experience; entry into other worlds.

What is your proudest achievement?
Raising my daughter as best I could.

How do you deal with fame?
I mostly try to ignore it.

Are the names of your characters important?
Yes. Names are at the heart of a character’s psychology. The names of my characters nearly always have some hidden (or not-so-hidden) meaning.

How do your characters affect you? Do you chat to them, dream about them while working on a book or do you just shut the door to your writing shed and leave them in there at the end of a writing session?
I live with them. It isn’t always easy.

If you were stranded on a desert island but could bring one of your characters to life to keep you company, who would it be and why?

Guy LeMerle from Holy Fools. We wouldn’t be stranded long with him around...

How do you think the internet and the ease of self publication have affected the world of literature?
It’s terrific in that it has made it possible for many young writers to reach an audience that conventional publishing might not have given them. But it has also created an “us and them” mentality in some self-published writers and given them a platform on which to attack their rivals. Swings and roundabouts, I guess.

Why do you despise the term 'chick lit'?
It’s patronizing, both to writers and readers.

Describe yourself in 3 words...
Playful. Loyal. Quixotic.

Who would you choose to play you in the film of your life….or would you play yourself?
This IS the film of my life. There’s no-one else to play me...

In the 101 little known facts about you…one of the most intriguing I find is that you have never tried a Yorkshire pudding (and you live in Yorkshire）- why is that?
They look like dried-up cowpats. Plus, I don’t like gravy...

You travel extensively to promote your work - which country has surprised you the most and which, if any has been most disappointing?
I’m constantly surprised wherever I go – and because I’m never sure what to expect, I’m never disappointed.

In 200 years from now, what do you hope future generations will have to say about your work?
That my books made them feel more alive.

Can you share a little of your current project with our readers?
THE GOSPEL OF LOKI – coming out next spring. It’s a retelling of the Norse myths entirely from Loki’s perspective, and it’s the most fun I’ve had writing in ages.

And finally, some fun quick fire questions - 
Paperback or e-reader? Paperback. You can read it in the bath.
Plain socks or funky colourful ones? Short: plain. Long: funky.
Pudding or cheese and biscuits? Cheese, as long as there is wine.
Port or sherry? Neither. Give me a nice glass of red.
Sunny beach or snowy mountains? Snow, as long as there’s sunlight.
Bumble bees or ladybirds? Both.

For more information about author Joanne Harris, visit her website or Twitter.

Massive thanks to Joanne Harris for taking the time out of her busy schedule for this interview with Eloise Walton. Follow Eloise on Twitter

A new member of the Fiction Dreams team!

I'm absolutely over the moon to welcome a new member of the Fiction Dreams team: Eloise Walton will be taking care of some of the more famous author interviews as well as becoming a reviewer for the site.

Eloise is also the first reader to be 'questioned' for our brand new 'A Reader's POV' interview...

Do you remember when you first started reading (without the help of your folks!)?
The first time I remember actively taking an interest and reading a book by myself I must have been around 10 years old and I was given a Roald Dahl book of short stories by a family friend. I clearly remember my favourite story to this day, it was called The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. After that, I was hooked and read more books by the same author.

What was your favourite book as a child?
When I was really little, I remember my dad reading The Wind in the Willows to me. But when I was 12 or maybe 13 one of my uncle's loaned me a book and it has remained one of my favourites ever since. It was Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I loved the weirdness of it and when I was at Uni I was lucky enough to attend a book signing with Terry Pratchett and have my own copy personally dedicated to me by him.

What is your favourite genre? What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
I like all sorts of genres, to me it's the quality of the writing more than the genre. An author has to grab my attention and keep it for the entirety of the story. I definitely like science fiction and fantasy but I also read historical fiction, YA novels, some romances…

What's your favourite book that made it to the big screen?
Not sure if I can pick one…there are a few, but among my favourites are The Lord of the Rings, Chocolat, the Twilight Series and the Harry Potter books.

Name the last three books you read. Did you enjoy them?
The last book I read was Sorceress by Celia Rees, it's a YA novel about an American Indian girl called Agnes who goes on a vision quest and discovers the story of a woman who lived in the 1600s.
Before that, I read The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. This is a historical fiction novel about a Jewish woman called Hannah who served as a Fool to Mary I and Elizabeth I.
And before that I read Raven by Suzy Turner!
If I get to the end of a book then it's because the story has gripped me, and I enjoyed all three!

Who is your favourite author(s)? 
Terry Pratchett and Joanne Harris are my top favourites

Name one female author you think deserves to be better known.
Well, it has to be Suzy Turner! Not because she is my friend, but because I have seen her progress and all the hard work and dedication she has put into becoming an author from writing her first novel Raven [of which I am the proud owner of a signed copy!] to now having written and self published a whole series of novels and promoted them herself. Plus I like the genre she writes in. 

Aww you've made my day, Eloise! Thank you! :)

Do you judge a book by it's cover?
A cover definitely grabs my attention, after that, it's all about the blurb. If I like the sound of the story and the cover, i'll give it a go.

How do you choose your next book?
If it's not a new book by one of my favourite authors, or a continuation from a series, then I usually pick a new book by spending hours in a charity shop or book shop browsing the shelves and seeing what takes my fancy. I also read books recommended or lent to me by friends.

What kind of book would you like to read that you haven't seen yet? For example, a dystopian chick lit or sci-fi romantic drama?
There are so many books I would like to read, but with a little baby it's hard to find the time at the moment!

What irritates you when reading a book?
Being talked at while i'm trying to read really gets on my nerves…so I usually read when i'm alone or when my husband is engrossed with a TV programme or the computer. Another thing I can't stand is unhappy endings in books, that really makes me cross!

Where is your favourite place to read?
Curled up on the sofa with a blanket and a cup of tea, preferably on a cold rainy day or on a quiet evening sat next to my husband who is watching TV.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A dentist believe it or not! I wanted to be a dentist until I reached 6th form, then I decided to substitute chemistry for art A-level and chose to take a degree in Geology and Archaeology, so that was the end of that. I still haven't grown up though really, so I'm not sure what i'll be when I do...

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

Image courtesy: Georges Biard

I love the actress Isla Fisher, she is so cool on screen and beautiful. I don't consider myself anywhere near as cool or pretty as she is, so I think she would make me look good in a film, but she would have to dye her hair a darker brown. Otherwise, perhaps the Parisian actress Bérénice Marlohe who played a Bond Girl in Skyfall.

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Rosé wine
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopadon't…I love the idea of shopping but i'm actually useless at it. I'm more of a window shopper. When it comes to spending the money, I lose interest.
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Closer to the ground, I own plenty of lovely heels in all sorts of colours but they are very impractical so I rarely wear them.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? E.L. James, only because I have read her stuff but not Jilly Cooper's. Sorry Jilly!
Cry baby or tough cookie? Tough Cookie!

Eloise Walton was born in Lincoln City in 1985, the eldest daughter of an RAF engineer and a teacher. A nomadic childhood was spent in towns across the UK, France and Portugal where she became fluent in four European languages (and is currently working on mastering a fifth). She completed a degree in Archaeology and Geology at Bristol University before moving to Portugal in 2005.
There she became a journalist and discovered a passion for writing as well as a taste for decent coffee and rosé wine.
After eight years living in the sun, she decided it was time for a change of scenery（and weather!）and decided to move back to her native Lincolnshire with her husband Ivan and their baby daughter Anastasia.
Follow Eloise on twitter at @EloiseWalton