We Talk about Novels Old and New, Weird Places to Write, the importance of a good Victoria Sandwich and much, much more…
Welcome Amanda, and Merry Christmas! Thank you so much for joining me here on the blog today. Grab a fluffy cushion, a chunky slice of Yule Log and a Salted Caramel Baileys, and make yourself comfy so you can tell us a little about your most recent book, ‘The Art of Hiding’…
-What inspired you to write it?
I feel that at the moment we live in a time of great change and that makes people fearful. So I wanted to explore the idea of what it might be like to lose things that you couldn’t possibly imagine living without and how you have to go about re-imagining and reshaping your existence. Comfortingly the end result shows that very often we have nothing to fear.
– I love the way the West Country has woven its way into many of your tales (okay, I am slightly biased, it’s my birthplace!). Do you feel that – quaint Cornish and Devonshire villages aside – it is underrepresented in fiction?
I’m so glad that you’ve asked this question, yes I do! I feel that very often the bright lights of London, the architecture of Edinburgh and cool cities like Manchester take centre stage whereas the West Country for me really is a hidden gem. Having grown up in the East End of London, I still can’t quite believe that within half an hour of where I live there is seaside, stunning countryside and glorious Cathedrals, if that’s not enough to inspire good literature, I don’t know what is.
– Favourite cake?
Victoria Sandwich – the cake I used to bake with my nan, the cake my mum used to bake when we were skint and she wanted to give us a treat after school, so massive associations with childhood and tastes lovely too!
Ooh, yes… one of my faves too, paired with a nice cuppa.
– What’s the loveliest thing a reader has said about your writing?
I’m very lucky that I get so many lovely heartfelt messages on a daily basis that I couldn’t possibly pick one. But without a doubt, the thing that touches me most is when a reader, talking about one of my issue based novels, tells me that my story made them realise that they weren’t alone; that for me is something quite incredible.
– And the not-so-loveliest?
Luckily for me 99.99% of people are very kind and complimentary, I’m very lucky.
– Where is the strangest place you have found yourself scribbling notes for your novels?
I’ve never considered this until you asked this question and I’m sitting here laughing as I’ve written while waiting for surgery, stuck on a broken down bus and on the loo – take your pick!
That’s hilarious and is going to conjure of quite a vision for your readers now!
– Favourite place to holiday?
Woolacombe, Devon, it has everything I need, a stunning beach, fabulous walks, a bag of chips and beach huts, bliss.
Definitely with you there! I have so many fond memories of holidays in Devon as it was just down the road from us, and Woolacombe’s golden expanses of sand are hard to beat…
-If you could choose three authors to invite over for a dinner party (and these have to be authors you haven’t yet met!), who would that trio comprise of?
Louise Beech, Heather Hill and your good self, I think we’d have an absolute riot – in fact, I’ll get the kettle on…
Sounds great… I’m on my way with the pavlova and cocktails!
– In a very competitive book world, what single piece of advice would you give to those – like myself! – starting out in your genre?
Don’t give up. We all have times when it can feel too hard to carry on but don’t give up, you just don’t know what’s around the corner.
– What can we expect to see from you next?
I have two wonderful books coming out in the beginning of 2018. One love two stories; two novels simply called ‘Anna’ and ‘Theo’, both telling two sides of the same love story.
Thank you so much, Amanda for your time. Wishing you a fab festive season and looking forward to reading Anna and Theo’s stories in 2018!
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author who has published sixteen novels in dozens of languages. Her recent chart topping No.1 titles ‘What Have I Done?’, ‘Perfect Daughter’ and ‘My Husband’s Wife’ have sold millions of copies around the world.
Other novels by Amanda Prowse include ‘A Mother’s Story’ which won the coveted Sainsbury’s eBook of the year Award and ‘Perfect Daughter’ that was selected as a World Book Night title in 2016. Amanda’s latest book ‘The Food of Love’ went straight to No.1 in Literary Fiction when it was launched in the USA and she has been described by the Daily Mail as ‘The Queen of Drama’ for her ability to make the reader feel as if they were actually in the story.
Now published by Lake Union, Amanda Prowse is the most prolific writer of contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also score the highest online review approval ratings for several genres.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda Prowse is a regular panellist on the Channel 5 show ‘The Wright Stuff’ and numerous daytime ITV programmes. She makes countless guest appearances on BBC and independent Radio stations where she is well known for her insightful observations of human nature and her infectious observational humour.
Become friends with Amanda on Facebook: AmandaProwseAuthor and follow her on Twitter: @MrsAmandaProwse or Instagram: MrsAmandaProwse. For more information on her books, lifestyle and inspirational advice see www.amandaprowse.com
Amanda’s ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can’t possibly read another book until the memory fades…
Praise for Amanda Prowse…
‘A powerful and emotional work of fiction’ – Piers Morgan
‘Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill’ – Daily Mail
‘Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues’ – Hello!
‘A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read’ – The Irish Sun
‘You’ll fall in love with this…’ – Cosmopolitan
‘Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.’ – Heat
‘Magical’ – Now magazine
Isabella May Author 