Today I’m joining the blog tour for Scotlander. I’m sharing my Q&A with the author with thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on the tour and to Sheila McClure for answering my questions!

Have you always wanted to write?

I have always wanted to write, but it took me a loooong time to actually develop the ability to start a story and then see it all the way through to the end. I’m glad in a way as I had a lot more life experience under my belt by the time I finally sat down and finished my first book.

What were your previous jobs? Have they helped you with your writing process?

I have done quite a few jobs over the years. I ran theatre box offices, picked grapes in Australia to pay for scuba lessons, temped for several television companies, news producer in London, entertainment news producer in Los Angeles and, most recently, I’ve been a farmer.

What was your inspiration for Scotlander ?

I have had a couple of editors suggest that I look at my own history (entertainment news reporter to farmer) for inspiration but I didn’t want the story to be too close to home. It was when I hit upon the idea of someone who LOVES escapism – but not all forms of escapism – and then immersing them in it – that I knew I had a good idea.

How do you construct your characters? Do they have traits of people you know?

 My characters tend to come to me fairly organically. They usually are their ‘own selves’, but will often be someone I feel friends or loved ones could relate to. I once heard a great piece of advice from Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray Love fame: write as if you’re writing to one very specific person. That has always helped me.

What does your writing process look like? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

 I am definitely a pantser. Although…I usually know the beginning and the end and snippets of the journey. I have had to plan the book I’m just finishing and it was an entirely new experience. I think I might try it again. 

How did you research? Did you enjoy it?

 For this one, I’ve done the job Willa did in real life (but quite a few moons ago) and I farm. So I had that part roughly nailed. What I hadn’t done was immerse myself in the world of Outlander superfans, so I did some of that including taking a tour by two amazing tourguides in the Highlands who dressed as Jacobites for the entire three day tour. It was fabulous. I can absolutely see why people are bewitched. Oh! And also married a Scotsman, so that helped, too. 

Who are your favourite writers? Are you influenced by them?

Oooo – I love so many authors. My current favourites are Katherine Heiny, Lianne Moriarty, Curtis Sittenfeld and MC Beeton. (I could go on and on and on so I won’t, but basically, I read very widely across genres with the goal of falling into the story and coming back up for air again when it’s done. 

If you could invite three people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be and why?

What a hard question! Katherine Hepburn, definitely. (Did I mention my original life plan was to be an immensely famous actress?) Jane Austen because she’s extraordinary and also had incredible penmanship (mine is shameful) and…hmmm….Charlie Chaplin. Or Stephen Sondheim. I bet they’d all have some cracking stories to tell.

Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with and why?

 I think it’s safest not to say that one, but if you want a hint, just look towards a former president who wants to be president again.

Who would play the main character/s in a film version of Scotlander?

I think I’d probably cast Jennifer Lawrence and Richard Madden. (and also…ooops! Can’t say that one because it’d be a spoiler, but there would be some celebrity cameos for sure). 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

 Read! (No surprise there). I also love my dogs and love to cook and, well, really I need more spare time to do all of the things I want to do. One of the things I’d love to do is join a women’s roller derby team. 

What is next for you?

 I am writing two cosy crime novels with Shirley Ballas, head judge on Strictly Come Dancing. The first one’s just been finished and will be coming out this October and the next one comes out next autumn. I also have some ideas for some more romcoms lying in wait!  

Favourites:

(NB: I think this is TORTURE!!! How am I mean to pick just one????)

Book?

The Diaries of Adam and Eve by Mark Twain

Film?

 Strictly Ballroom

Band/Singer?

 The Cranberries (tied with Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush)

TV show?

 Oooo – I LOVED Deadwood. That’s a tough one – to pick just one.

Colour?

Dark Green 

Place?

 California (can I have a whole state or is that greedy?) But also Edinburgh. It was the first place I worked when I moved to the UK (for the festival fringe) and I absolutely adore it there. It’s where I got married!

Biscuit?

Chocolate chip cookie

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Scotlander is available from Amazon.

You can follow the rest of the blog tour here: