Please tell us everything we need to know about your most
recent book!
My last book was Happiness for Beginners, published in May
last year. It’s based round a real-life farm, Animal Antiks, which offers
alternative education for children and young adults with behavioural
difficulties and mental health issues. I had such fun doing the research as I’m
completely out of my comfort zone around animals – and allergic to all of them.
It’s not put me off though as I’m currently writing a sequel. This was my 32nd
novel and hit the top ten of the bestseller list. It’s just been short-listed
for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year awards. I’m really pleased for myself
and everyone who’s been involved in bringing it together.
What would you define your genre or style as..?
Funny, light-hearted romantic comedy/women’s
fiction/chick-lit/ commercial – people can be sniffy about the various labels,
but I don’t mind any title as long as people buy my books.
Why do you enjoy working in your genre, and which books /
authors / series would you recommend? Who made you want to write romantic comedies?
I love it. I think it’s my natural home. I have once or
twice explored my dark side in writing and that’s quite surprised me. I do like
a bit of vampire action. I’m not sure my readers are ready for that though! I
tried writing straight romance, but it always ended up comedic. There was no
real influence, as such. I started writing romantic comedy when it wasn’t
really that popular and I have Bridget Jones to thank for bringing into the
spotlight. I started writing romantic comedy when it became possible to write
about ‘ordinary’ lives – until then women’s commercial fiction had been, largely,
bonkbusters like Jackie Collins and I didn’t know much about parties in
Hollywood or yachts
What do you read for pleasure? Am I right in thinking you
love really spooky and gory novels..?
I do! I tend to read outside my genre, though I do have my
own rom-com authors that I love such as Jill Mansell, Milly Johnson and Sheila
O’Flanagan. I also read Katie Fforde, Marian Keyes, Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn and
David Nicholls. I like historicals, a high body count, fangs or being scared
witless. I’ve recent enjoyed books by Laura Purcell – The Silent Companions and
The Corset. My all-time favourite spooky story is Dark Matter by Michelle
Paver. I’ve bought countless copies as gifts over the years. To me, it’s
word-perfect. Chilling in tone and subject matter. Quite fancy writing a ghost
story, if I ever make time!
Tell us about the landscape and setting of your books. Are
they all set in the same place, more or less..? Where in the world are we, and
why should everyone want to go there..?
My books are set in different locations – some exotic, some
in Costa del Keynes where I live. You can track when I’ve been paid over the
years due to the lavish nature – or not – of the setting. I like it when people
visit a place just because you’ve set a book there. A Cottage by the Sea has
sent a lot of people on holiday to Pembrokeshire! One of my readers who read
Wrapped Up in You – set in the Maasai Mara - has ended up working for a
wildlife charity in Kenya. That’s dedication.
How did you get into writing in the first place, and how did
you first get published..?
I entered a short story competition in Writing Magazine and
won a thousand pounds. The first piece of fiction I’d written in the twenty
years since I’d left school. I spent the prize money on a week-long writing
retreat – the most sensible thing I’ve ever done! On the course, the tutor gave
me the name of an agent and I sent my book off to him the week before Christmas
and he took it home to read over the holiday. When the office opened in the new
year, he took me on and sold the book a week later.
What’s the most wonderful thing about being a writer..?
Being able to make your characters do exactly what you want
them to do! If only life were like that. Research too. I do a lot of behaving
badly/bunking off in the name of research. I’ve also managed to convince my
accountant that afternoon tea is quite the best form of research.
And what’s the most challenging thing about the novelist’s
life..?
Erratic income. Though that has eased somewhat after writing
so many books. The fear of being out of contract never goes away. As a
commercial writer, constant deadlines can be difficult. In the early days it
was isolation too, I think, so social media has been brilliant for that. Places
like Our Writing Gang are so very helpful. It makes you realise that many
writers have the same issues.
What is your readership like..? Do you meet them, or get
letters from them? You do lots of social media stuff and competitions and all
sorts with your readers, don’t you?
I’m blessed with the loveliest, most loyal readers. They
send me birthday cards, baubles for my Christmas tree, chocolate, much and many
things. They’re so kind. Even better, they buy my books. Some have been with me
for the twenty-two years I’ve been published. I do all manner of comps,
giveaways, live chats, outings, afternoon teas. I’ve even had my readers to
parties and book events at Matthews’ Towers. I’ve got about 50k followers
across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. That takes a bit of feeding.
What are you going to write next..? Will there be another
Christmassy book..?
My next book is out in June – Sunny Days & Sea Breezes.
It’s set in the Isle of Wight – a place I adore. It was tough to write as my
head was still in a farmyard, hence I’m currently writing a sequel to Happiness
for Beginners cunningly titled, Christmas for Beginners. I have an unnervingly
tight deadline as it’s out in October – just in time for Christmas!
Finally… tell us something surprising about yourself that
your readers might not already know..!
I was once Miss Bournemouth Pier and my prize was four
tickets to the Des O’Connor show.
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