Category Archives: Interviews
9/11 – Lillie’s Story
In honour of those who died and those who risked their lives to help others on September 11, 2001, I decided to interview Lillie Leonardi about her unique and compelling experience of that day, and the days that followed…
1. Thank you for joining me on the blog today, Lillie. Your memoir, In The Shadow Of A Badge, details your experience at the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and how the 9/11 attacks affected your life. Can you tell us a little about your book and your experience of that day?
The book reflects my story about the visitation of Angels during the first moments at the Flight 93 crash site. It is a narrative non-fiction account of the spiritual experience I encountered while serving in my professional capacity as the Community Outreach Specialist with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pittsburgh Division. What I saw and/or heard is a personal interpretation of the events leading up to and following 9-11 and, in particular, the Flight 93 crash. The book also details my on-going journey of personal healing and recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following my experiences that day. The chapters penned include some significant historical facts as well.
2. Can you share with us a brief excerpt from your book?
“On this day, the shimmer of light began to grow and was almost blinding. I looked again and the light began to evolve into a foggy white mist. The white mist then began to take shape. It moved and swirled in patterns of spectacular white light. All at once, the mist took full shape and I saw what appeared to be angels. There were angels standing in the open area to the left of the crash site. There were hundreds of them standing in columns. There was a field of angels emerging from the realms of the mist. They were Archangels with their wings arched up toward the sky.”
3. How did the events of that day change your life and your view of the world?
Like many others who watched and witnessed the terrorist attacks of 9/11, my life was dramatically altered by the very nature of the events. First and foremost, 9/11 removed any sense of security and left in its stay, a deep seeded feeling of fear. This frozen fear caused trauma to my heart, mind and soul. Yet, due to my inability to express the emotions felt, I became afflicted with PTSD. As a result, every aspect of my life has changed.
4. The memory of 9/11 brings with it a lot of strong emotions for people; do you think there are some positive things people can take from this experience to help them move forward in their lives?
Yes, I do feel there were some positive occurrences on 9/11.
From a law enforcement perspective, I believe many individuals served on behalf of their fellow man. At each of the three sites, acts of bravery transpired. When the Twin Towers were struck by the planes, the emergency responders rushed in to save lives and rescue the injured. When the Towers fell, the responders assisted in recovering those who lost their lives and in the post clean-up efforts. At the Pentagon, the same type of heroic deeds were witnessed on countless occasions. And, the passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93, gave their lives to assure others would survive.
While at the crash site, I watched representatives from United Airlines, the law enforcement, human service and government agencies work in tandem to address the needs of the family members who lost loved ones on Flight 93. Each of these remarkable individuals gave their all to ease the pain and suffering of the survivors.
Additionally, residents of the surrounding communities rallied and offered unbelievable support to the families. And, the area business owners provided essential supplies needed for an effective response to the tragedy.
There were so many individuals who helped to ease the pain and suffering of others. They joined together to help rebuild the lives of those most affected. It was amazing to watch the strength of spirit exhibited by one and all.
5. Your book is the first in a trilogy, can you tell us what the other two books will be about?
My Life In Black And White With A Smidgen Of Blue:
Book two provides the continuing story from where the first book left off. The many chapters trace my journey as a law enforcement officer, the PTSD diagnosis, the necessary healing processes and the difficulties faced.
The pages also unearth aspects of my childhood, spiritual path and the origins of my intuitive gifts. Additionally, the narrative is my version of a love story. Not, the conventional type that one may be familiar with reading, but it is my rendition of the “affairs of the heart”.
Messages From the Plane:
The third book of the series provides insight into my treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The pages penned delve into the initial treatment of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) – a highly successful therapy used to aid those suffering from the effects of PTSD.
“Messages From the Plane” describes my journey to restore my mental health, as well as reveals the extraordinary phenomenon that occurred during each of the EMDR treatments. With my mind open, my intuitive abilities were tapped and my creativity began to reemerge. The pages highlight my path out of the depths of despair to a deeply enriched spiritual connection.
This book was co-authored by Dr. Deborah Conway, PhD. Dr. Conway is the psychotherapist who treated me through conventional therapy and through the process of the EMDR sessions.
Thank you for sharing your amazing story and personal journey, Lillie.
Lillie’s book, In The Shadow Of A Badge, is available at Amazon, BN.com, select Barbes & Noble stores, and Word Association Publishers.
You can also find out more about Lillie at her website.
Do you have a 9/11 story to share? Where were you on that day?
Spring has Sprung… time for the Author Harvest!
The sun is shining in my part of the world today, birds are chirping, the ocean is sparkling, and colours are beginning to burst to life in the garden. To celebrate the start of Spring, I visited author Jenn J McLeod’s blog to be the first seedling to take part in her Author Harvest.
I love reading interviews that help me get to know other authors, but it’s nice to read something a little out-of-the-ordinary and this series of questions Jenn has come up with are so much fun! Click here to check out the interview, and while you’re there, find out more about Jenn whose debut novel, A House For All Seasons will be out in time for Mother’s Day 2013 in Australia. I can’t wait! 🙂
Amy Metz answers Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions!
In this segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Please welcome Amy Metz!
- If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
I would choose Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction since it is the first in a series. The others will be able to stand on their own, but this first one introduces the characters and the town, so if I had to pick one, that would be it. Start at the beginning.
- Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!): Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
Good listener.
- Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one): Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
Sadly, I’m a complete klutz.
- Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
No, not really a crush. All of my characters are my imaginary friends so to speak, but I haven’t written a character I’ve fallen for yet. Good idea, though. Maybe I’ll do that in the next book.
- When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
Nope, never done that. I read scenes out loud, but I’ve never acted one out.
- Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
Besides reading out loud, no. Sometimes I talk to my dog, but that’s just for deniability. I’m not talking to myself, I’m talking to the dog!
- Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
Oh my. My first thought is who would want to. But off the top of my head, I’d say Jodie Foster.
- If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
Elizabeth Bennet. Because she’s witty, intelligent, beautiful, and…come on…she ends up with Mr. Darcy.
- You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
You’re a cruel, cruel woman, Juliet. But, since it’s only for a year, I could get a lot of writing done if I were on a deserted island with no distractions, no things to do, or places to go, or people to see. So I’d say I would bring a pen and notepad that never runs out to a deserted island. Just don’t ask me which of the other three I’d miss the most.
- If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
If I had the attention of the whole world for even two seconds I would probably get the deer in the headlights look and sputter something unintelligible. But since I sense that won’t be a good enough answer for you, I guess I would quote Revelation and say, “Hurt Not The Earth Neither The Sea Nor The Trees” and I would add: nor each other. Oh, and read my book, please, world!
Thanks for participating, Amy.
You have been awarded ‘Ultra Brave Author’ status on the Braveometer!
You can visit Amy online at her website, facebook, and twitter accounts.
Read or purchase Amy’s book at Amazon and B&N.
Meet My Character: Lily Collins
This is the second of my ‘character interviews’, where I pose some questions to a character in one of my novels.
Please welcome a very special character, the young Lily Collins from THE LIFE MAKEOVER CLUB! If you missed the first interview with Lily’s mother, Cara, here it is.
Name: Lily Collins
Age: 7 going on 37
Occupation: school student
1. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A lawyer, a politician, or a journalist. Maybe all of them.
2. What’s your favourite school subject?
English, or Science. No, English I think. Especially when we get to write stories. I wrote a really good one about kings and queens once, and my king was called Lord Viagra. Mum said I should choose a different name, but Dad said it sounded good. It made him laugh for some reason, I don’t know why. He also said the kingdom would rise in his honour… well, duh! He is a king, after all.
3. Who do you like best: Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny?
Well I do love chocolate, so I’m pretty pleased with the Easter Bunny, but I also love Santa because he brings me great presents like pink calculators and yearly planners. Plus, poor Santa has such a hard job, he deserves some recognition.
Hey, you forgot about the Tooth Fairy! I also like getting money under my pillow. But Mum says the Tooth Fairy has a new budget, so I only get fifty cents for each tooth instead of two dollars. The Tooth Fairy should really see an accountant, they help with money stuff, and Dad thinks the money that the fairy leaves could be tax deductable.
4. You have two little brothers, what do you think of them?
Sometimes I love them and sometimes they annoy me. Like Toby, he often wakes me up in the middle of the night when his teddy bear falls out of the cot. It wakes up Mum and Dad too, but they look terrible in the middle of the night so I try to help Toby sometimes so they don’t have to get out of bed and make grumpy faces. Jacob is good at drawing, but I got very angry once when he drew a martian on my pillow case in black texta.
5. Whats your favourite food?
I like sushi best. It tastes delicious and I like collecting the little fishy shapes they give you with the sauce inside them. I used to like chicken nuggets too, until I found out that they make them out of chicken boobies. Now I don’t eat them. Chickens need their boobies.
Thank you, Lily, for chatting with us today!
You’re welcome. I like talking very much.
Do you have any questions for Lily? If so, leave a comment! 🙂
Meet My Character: Cara Collins
This is the first of my new ‘character interviews’, where I’ll pose some questions to a character in one of my novels.
First up we have Cara, from THE LIFE MAKEOVER CLUB!
Name: Cara Collins
Age: 26
Occupation: Mother of three, wife of one (until Channing Tatum realises he loves me), taxi driver, personal shopper, chef, room service attendant, nurse, housekeeper (a bad one), artist (unpaid as yet), magician (I’m great at making chocolates disappear), human vending machine up until six months ago, and… what am I forgetting? Did I say I’m a mother?
1. What do you like to do in your spare time?
If I ever get any I’ll let you know.
2. What’s your favourite part of the day?
When I’m so fast asleep not even an earthquake could wake me up. No seriously, I love it when I snuggle with my kids before bed. It makes it all worthwhile. Sometimes.
3. What do you think is the hardest part of being a mother?
When you’re awake.
4. What do you do before going to bed each night?
I write my ‘To Do List’ (which can take a while), and my ‘Done List’ (which usually takes me about fourteen seconds), and transfer the ‘not yet completed’ items from the previous day’s To Do List to the new To Do List, and then add ‘Notepad’ to the Shopping List because I’ve run out of room on the To Do List. Then my son wakes up and after attending to him I forget what I was about to write on the new To Do List and then I usually pass out with the pen in my hand.
5. What scares you most in life?
Not having my husband and kids around. I know I complain sometimes, but really, they are my world and I love them more than life itself.
Thank you, Cara, for taking time out of your busy schedule.
A little birdie told me your seven-year-old daughter, Lily ,will be joining us for an interview on Friday!
Yes, that’s right. God help me.
Do you have any questions for Cara? If so, leave a comment! 🙂
A Novella With Heart – Guest Interview with Tahlia Newland
On the blog today I have author Tahlia Newland to talk about her new young adult novella, You Can’t Shatter Me, Tahlia writes magical realism and contemporary fantasy for young adults & adults. She has a short story available free on kindle for a limited period – A Hole in the Pavement from 3rd to 7th July.
Welcome Tahlia, what is the novella about?
It’s about Carly, a sixteen year old girl who wants to write her own life and cast herself as a superhero, but when she stands up to a bully, the story gets out of her control. Dylan, a karate-trained nerd who supports her stand, turns out to be a secret admirer, and Justin, the bully, makes Carly his next victim. While romance blossoms, Dylan faces attacking words, an unreliable movie director, a concrete habit that requires smashing, and an unruly Neanderthal. Meanwhile, the bully’s increasing harassment forces Carly to deal with flying hooks, unflushable cowpats, and deadly dragons. An old hippie shows her an inner magic that’s supposed to make her invincible, but will Carly learn to use it before the bully strikes again and Dylan resorts to violence?
Why should people read it?
It’s a heart-warming story that will inspire and empower teens and adults alike with its solutions for the bullying issue. It’s also written in a unique magical realism style that provides an exciting and unusual fantasy element in the form of extended metaphors for the characters’ inner experiences.
Like attacking words and flying hooks?
Yes. The words are Dylan’s thoughts, and the fishing rod and bait is the bully trying to annoy Carly. She has to try not to end up a fish struggling on the end of his hook.
Where do the dragons fit in?
Carly asks her Auntie exactly this. This is her reply.
“The dragons are inside you, and you have to slay them before you can deal with anything outside.”
“So I’m living with an infestation of dragons,” Carly said. The conversation got weirder and weirder.
Aunt Anne chuckled, “I see a doubt dragon, right now. You need to get rid of that one, quick smart, or it’ll sabotage everything.”
Even though Aunt Anne says the dragons are inside, Carly’s battle with the Doubt Dragon is written as if it appears outside.
A huge purple dragon raced out of the bush towards me, snorting fire. I dived out of the way, but the flames licked my arms, searing off layers of skin, leaving it red raw like a lump of meat.
What’s the inner magic?
Light conjured up from arousing love and compassion. It’s very powerful but Carly doesn’t trust it.
Is that bit magical or real?
It’s reality written as if it were magic.
A karate-trained nerd sounds like a contradiction. What’s Dylan like?
He’s gorgeous, of course, and full of contradictions, which is what makes him so interesting. He’s very intelligent and preferred math and computers to girls until very recently, but now his naturally protective feelings for Carly threaten to turn him into a Neanderthal. He never wanted to do karate but his mother insisted, hoping it would stop him being bullied as a child. It worked too. A lot of the book is written from his point of view, so we get to know him quite well.
What about Carly?
She’s a very ordinary girl in many ways except that she wants to make a difference in the world. She wants to right what’s wrong, but she struggles to find the courage she needs to do that. She loves dancing, art, movies, chips (fries to the Americans), her cat and by the end of the book (after a few kisses) is entertaining the idea that she just might fall in love with Dylan too.
What kind of solutions for bullying does the book offer?
I use analogies for helpful ways of thinking. For example, when you stir a cowpat it stinks, whereas if you leave it alone, it crusts over and stops stinking. I draw a parallel between this and anger. If you stir up your anger, it’s going to hang around like a bad smell until you stop repeatedly thinking about what caused it. As well as being entertaining, the analogies make the points easy to remember.
Also, the main character, Carly learns to meditate, which helps her to handle the situation more calmly and clearly, and she comes to see her harasser in a compassionate light. This increases her self-esteem and eventually disarms him. Of course, she has a lot of resistance to learning to meditate. My teenage daughter made sure that the characters actions were very realistic.
Do these solutions work?
Yes. I’ve used the analogies and the viewpoints they represent to help my daughter negotiate the trials of the school ground and also various teens at the high schools I’ve worked in as a teacher. I’m constantly amazed by the immediate positive effect they have.
>>One of Tahlia’s short stories, A Hole in the Pavement , is free on Kindle until 7th July.
>>You can purchase ‘You Can’t Shatter Me’ on Kindle, or in files for all devices via Smashwords. The paperback will be available via all major book retailers worldwide. If you would like to be notified when it’s released please fill in the form here.
Thanks Tahlia for visiting the blog today!
Tahlia is an avid reader, an extremely casual high school teacher, an occasional mask-maker and has studied philosophy & meditation for many years. After scripting and performing in Visual Theatre shows for 20 years, she is now a bone-fide expatriate of the performing arts. She lives in an Australian rainforest, is married with a teenage daughter and loves cats, but she doesn’t have one because they eat native birds. Connect with Tahlia at her website/blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
Rachael Johns Answers Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions!
In this segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Today I’d like to welcome Rachael Johns, who has a new book out called JILTED! She is also giving away a copy of this book to one lucky commentor (Australia/NZ only).
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
JILTED without a doubt. I love ONE PERFECT NIGHT but JILTED is a bigger book and was my fairy dust book in many ways. I can honestly say it almost wrote itself. Wish another one would do that.
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!):
Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
Cheerful! Definitely. I’ve even been told I smile TOO much 🙂
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one):
Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
Oh dear… I think I’m gonna have to go with SLOB! Not because I want to be this way but between kids, writing and the shop, my house and housework severely suffer.
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
I LOVE a tortured hero and I think all my heroes have a little bit of torture in them. So, I have to be really naff and say I love them all. I’m jealous of the heroines and hopefully that comes across on the page!
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
Nope – which is bizarre, cos I’m an English teacher with a minor in DRAMA. I am very guilty of talking to myself though and have been known to talk through scenes or at least the dialogue.
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
Whoops – I think I just answered that above. YES!!!
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
Renee Zellweger but possibly only her character from Bridget Jones 🙂
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
I’d be Hermione from Harry Potter because a) I’d really impress my sons and b) I could do magic spells!
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
An unlimited supply of Diet Coke (runs for cover from Juliet)!
10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
Live life like there’s no tomorrow and also like you’ve still got forever. Take the time to listen and always smile 🙂
Thanks for participating, Rachael. You have been awarded ‘Ultra Brave Author’ status on the Braveometer!
You can visit Rachael online at her website, blog, facebook, and twitter.
>>To WIN a copy of JILTED, leave a comment below (Australia/NZ only)!
*Winner will be drawn Tues 12th June and has one week to respond to the email notification or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!
Sunday Lunch with Jenn J McLeod…
Please give a warm welcome to author Jenn J McLeod as she joins me for Sunday Lunch…
1. Can you tell us about a happy memory from your life that revolved around food?
At 22, travelling around Australia in a Ford F100, my girlfriend and I were ‘rescued’ by four Sth Aust. farmers (on their annual pilgrimage). We dropped our exhaust on the (then corrugated dirt) Stuart highway, miles from anywhere. We met up with them again at Coober Pedy pub and they suggested we camp out of town. We did! (Had not heard of Wolf Creek then obviously.) What an experience. In the middle of nowhere – 100 clicks from Coober Pedy – they cooked us kangaroo tail soup, kangaroo steak, damper and baked vegies – all from a campfire (see picture below!). My love of a life in the country was born.
2. Do you have any food-related rituals or routines in your household, such as a specific meal for certain days of the week?
Very regimented at breakkie time – need it to wake up. After that, who knows! As long as I get my two soy lattes every day I’m a happy girl.
3. What is your favourite
Drink: alcohol – full stop. Only don’t stop. Pls don’t stop. Barman! Another one pls…and one for my friends. (I shout cyber drinks these days since deciding too much of the real thing is bad for my health and my waistline. Although I will be lashing out come Conference. Try and stop me!)
Indulgence: brie cheese & crackers with homemade persimmon paste, pretzels and red wine under a setting summer sun.
Meal: Home made pasta or pizza with home grown spices and herbs.
4. What’s the most revolting thing you’ve ever eaten?
Oysters or smoked cod in white sauce. Brrrrrrrrr!!!!!
5. If you have children, have you discovered any ingenious ways to hide vegetables in meals?
I hide the dogs’ tick prevention pills in yoghurt (a dollop in each bowl of biccies). Does that count?
6. Is eating out at cafes and restaurants a regular part of your life? Do you have any favourite places you’d like to mention?
Eating out was my all-time fav thing to do…until I bought a café. If you want to stop eating out (save money and lose weight) buy a food business and see what some chefs do in the kitchen, learn what the 10 second rule is, or discover how cheap and easy that $30 masterpiece is to make! I promise you will never eat out again.
7. Do you eat while you write? Are there any particular foods or drinks you always have on hand while writing?
Who can eat and write at the same time? I need every finger to hunt and peck my way around the keyboard. Besides, I can’t afford slippery food fingers if I want to keep the letters from fading away.
8. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would you choose?
Kylie Minogue or Tina Arena. Two different and very successful women who found success their own way. I admire their tenacity and the ability to reinvent themselves to broaden their audience and grow with the changing music scene. I’m not sure writers can ever do this. Both these ladies have endured set backs (in different ways) and stayed focused and positive.
9. Which one of the following types of cooks are you?
- Cooking? What’s that?
- I cook only when I absolutely have to
- I’m an average cook, and stick to my regular meals
- I like to experiment with new recipes regularly, or create my own
- Next season of MasterChef – lookout!
None of the above. I now use my new status of soon-to-be-published-author, milking it wherever possible (usually at dinner and dishes time), except when I can’t because my B&B – purpose built for pups and people – visit us on facebook here. (shameless plug) — offers evening meals. Typically:
Char-grilled Atlantic salmon fillet on Moroccan cous cous, with homemade mango chutney, cucumber yoghurt and salad with preserved lemon dressing
Our Mediterranean Table – Spaghetti Bolognaise with hand-made fettuccini, Mediterranean salad, olives, shaved parmesan & crusty sourdough bruschetta
Hungry yet?
10. Do you have a favourite recipe you’d like to share?
The Calingarry Crossing CWA ladies (from my first novel) have THE best / easiest no peeling required pumpkin soup. They posted it on my blog a while back! Here it is.
Thank you, Juliet, for my very first invitation to blog as a ridgy-didge author, having signed up with Simon & Schuster for my two contemporary Australian novels earlier this year.
House For All Seasons (due May next year)
The Simmering Season (due May 2014)
In the meantime, come on over…
Come home to the country…
www.jennjmcleod.com
Jenn J McLeod
Small town stories. Discover them. Love them.
Thanks for visiting, Jenn, and I can’t wait for your books. Consider them pre-ordered!
Leave a comment for Jenn below, and you will go in the draw for prizes at the end of the month (Just make sure you also subscribe to the blog posts ;))
Special Guest Author Interview: Jenny Colgan
Jenny Colgan visits today for a special interview…
1. Welcome Jenny! Can you tell us a little about your latest book, ROSIE HOPKINS’ SWEETSHOP OF DREAMS?
It’s about Rosie, a nurse. She has to go and look after her elderly great-aunt in the countryside, and wind up her affairs, which is when she realises that her aunt’s old sweetshop could be brought back to life.
2. You also have a book called MEET ME AT THE CUPCAKE CAFE. What do you love about writing stories with a food theme?
Oh I’m just greedy, really. It’s a nice way to incorporate two things I love to do; baking and books!
3. Did you always dream of becoming an author? When you were little was there anything else you wanted to be when you grew up?
Ha, I wanted to be a nun. Or a writer, yes. But I never really thought it would come true, I still pinch myself sometimes.
4. Is food a big part of your family’s life, and what do you love cooking the most?
I never used to cook at all, I was absolutely awful, until my first child was born and then I thought, no, I must cook for him, I don’t want him having too much processed food. So I have learned, but it’s been very touch and go. Some things are better than others! I make a great lemon chicken and my stews are good but the less said about my bernaise sauce the better 🙂 I am not a natural chef, that’s for sure, I have to work at it.
5. If you could name three essential ingredients that make up a great novel, what would they be?
Characters you care about is sometimes the only thing I think is important. If you like/ care about the people, it almost doesn’t matter what they get up to after that, you’ll follow them anywhere. If you don’t care about them, the cleverest plot in the world won’t help you.
6. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would you choose?
Ooh does it matter if they’re alive? I would have LOVED to have met Douglas Adams, he was such an inspiration. Richard Feynman too. Alive, I suppose the Obamas would be SO interesting, if they could actually tell you anything. Ha, and Stephen Moffatt, because I want him to give me a job 🙂 .
7. Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring authors?
YES! But no-one ever listens to me! The only thing that ever works is typing every day. Not research, not editing, not playing about on the internet. There’s no such thing as the muse and there’s no such thing as writer’s block. Bum, seat, words- 1000 is a good starting point- every single day. That’s the job. Doesn’t matter if you think it’s rubbish, fix it in the edit, that’s what editing is for. But until the words are on the page, you have nothing to work with, and you can’t get started. I always say this and no- one ever wants to believe me, but it’s a universal truth I’m afraid.
8. Are you working on another book, what’s next for you?
Yup, I am working on a book about lovers in Paris who work in a chocolate shop, and I have a book coming out in July for Doctor Who, called Dark Horizons. Then Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe comes out in October, and I’d like to write a sequel to Sweetshop, so we’re very busy!
Thanks for being on the blog, Jenny!
Jenny Colgan’s books have been described as ‘sharp and witty’ (Observer), ‘funny, magical, and moving’ (Time Out), and ‘hugely entertaining and very funny’ (Cosmopolitan).Visit Jenny’s website and check out her books here .
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Sunday Lunch with Tanya Contois
Today I’d like to welcome writer, Tanya Contois, to Sunday Lunch on the blog…
1. Can you tell us about a happy memory from your life that revolved around food?
A happy memory that revolves around food is the last time we went out for dinner while on vacation for my mom’s birthday, the year before my father died.
2. Do you have any food-related rituals or routines in your household, such as a specific meal for certain days of the week?
I don’t really have any rituals or routines but if I have bananas or greek yogurt in my fridge and pantry that’s what I eat for breakfast.
3. What is your favourite…
Drink: Coffee, powerade, and red wine.
Indulgence: Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
Meal: Fried Chicken and homemade mac and cheese.
4. What’s the most revolting thing you’ve ever eaten?
I would exactly say it’s revolting, but the one food I have tried that I don’t plan on eating again is escargot. The garlic, butter, and cheese part was good but the snails were too chewy for my liking.
5. If you have children, have you discovered any ingenious ways to hide vegetables in meals?
I don’t have children but I have been making it a point to eat more fruits and veggies.
6. Is eating out at cafes and restaurants a regular part of your life? Do you have any favourite places you’d like to mention?
I don’t eat out very often but when I do one of my favorite places to eat is The Flying Rhino. They have really good food and they aren’t too expensive.
7. Do you eat while you write? Are there any particular foods or drinks you always have on hand while writing?
I don’t really eat while I’m writing but I almost always have a cup of coffee nearby when I’m writing.
8. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would you choose?
I would choose my father because the last time I saw him alive was my 13th birthday and I never had the chance to tell him I loved him.
9. Which one of the following types of cooks are you?
- Cooking? What’s that?
- I cook only when I absolutely have to
- I’m an average cook, and stick to my regular meals
- I like to experiment with new recipes regularly, or create my own
- Next season of MasterChef – lookout!
I like to experiment with new recipes occasionally, or create my own.
Thanks for visitng the blog, Tanya!
You can visit Tanya on Facebook and Twitter, and remember, all comments left on the blog during may go into a prize draw at the end of the month!
JULIET MADISON 