Interview With Alexandra Brown
As part of the blog tour for Alex's fantastic new book, I had the chance to interview her and ask her some very important questions, mainly about how many cakes she has to eat for research purposes!
1. For those who haven't read Christmas At Carrington's, how would you describe it in one sentence?
Second in the Carrington's series, there's a surprise in-store when retail guru, Kelly Cooper, arrives to film her hot new reality TV show - it's a warm funny Christmassy read with plenty of sparkle and lots of heart.
2. (Don't tell anyone, but my favourite character is Eddie.) Which character do you find is the most exciting to write?
Ooh, this is far too tricky to answer, it really depends on my mood at the time, but if I really have to pick just one then it has to be Eddie, he's outrageous and says things I wouldn't dare to say, but then I'm very fond of Georgie, and Sam too, and Mrs Grace and Kelly, she was pretty exciting to write, probably because she's a bit bonkers… see, told you it was tricky.
3. In this novel there are a few nasty characters who seem intent on ruining Georgie's Christmas. Do you enjoy writing not so nice characters?
Oh yes, I really do. I find it very liberating.
4. If you could spend a day as one of your characters, who would you choose?
Sam for sure, particularly the scene in Christmas at Carrington's where she meets Mary Berry. I'd LOVE to meet Mary Berry.
5. Now, this is a serious question. Often, authors carry out research to aid in the writing process. There is a lot of talk about cakes in this novel, did you have to do a lot of research into cakes? Was it hard?
Yes I did, and it was SO hard! But I made it through… just about. Mm-mmm, as Georgie would say.
6. Do you have a strict writing routine or do you write when you have a flash of inspiration?
A bit of both, I write every day, from about 10ish until I've had enough, but if a flash of inspiration strikes when I'm watching TV in the evening then I'll bomb up to my office and do a page or two.
7. Now, if I'm not mistaken there is going to be a THIRD book in the Carrington's series (WOOOOO!) called Ice Creams At Carrington's. Can you tell us anything at all about what might happen to Georgie next....? (PLEASE)
Georgie gets the opportunity of a lifetime which takes her away from Mulberry-On-Sea… That's all I know so far!
Quick Fire:
What is your:
favourite colour?
Yellow
favourite song?
All of them – in particular Dance music, Northern Soul, Motown, Elton John and Marvin Gaye
favourite book?
I'm very fickle, it tends to be whatever I'm reading at the time
favourite word?
Far too many to choose just one
favourite food?
Cake
favourite season?
Summer
favourite TV show?
Any reality TV show
favourite author?
Armistead Maupin
favourite animal?
Black Labradors
favourite day of the week?
Friday
Thank you very much Alexandra for taking time to answer these questions. It was great fun finding out more about you.
1. For those who haven't read Christmas At Carrington's, how would you describe it in one sentence?
Second in the Carrington's series, there's a surprise in-store when retail guru, Kelly Cooper, arrives to film her hot new reality TV show - it's a warm funny Christmassy read with plenty of sparkle and lots of heart.
2. (Don't tell anyone, but my favourite character is Eddie.) Which character do you find is the most exciting to write?
Ooh, this is far too tricky to answer, it really depends on my mood at the time, but if I really have to pick just one then it has to be Eddie, he's outrageous and says things I wouldn't dare to say, but then I'm very fond of Georgie, and Sam too, and Mrs Grace and Kelly, she was pretty exciting to write, probably because she's a bit bonkers… see, told you it was tricky.
3. In this novel there are a few nasty characters who seem intent on ruining Georgie's Christmas. Do you enjoy writing not so nice characters?
Oh yes, I really do. I find it very liberating.
4. If you could spend a day as one of your characters, who would you choose?
Sam for sure, particularly the scene in Christmas at Carrington's where she meets Mary Berry. I'd LOVE to meet Mary Berry.
5. Now, this is a serious question. Often, authors carry out research to aid in the writing process. There is a lot of talk about cakes in this novel, did you have to do a lot of research into cakes? Was it hard?
Yes I did, and it was SO hard! But I made it through… just about. Mm-mmm, as Georgie would say.
6. Do you have a strict writing routine or do you write when you have a flash of inspiration?
A bit of both, I write every day, from about 10ish until I've had enough, but if a flash of inspiration strikes when I'm watching TV in the evening then I'll bomb up to my office and do a page or two.
7. Now, if I'm not mistaken there is going to be a THIRD book in the Carrington's series (WOOOOO!) called Ice Creams At Carrington's. Can you tell us anything at all about what might happen to Georgie next....? (PLEASE)
Georgie gets the opportunity of a lifetime which takes her away from Mulberry-On-Sea… That's all I know so far!
Quick Fire:
What is your:
favourite colour?
Yellow
favourite song?
All of them – in particular Dance music, Northern Soul, Motown, Elton John and Marvin Gaye
favourite book?
I'm very fickle, it tends to be whatever I'm reading at the time
favourite word?
Far too many to choose just one
favourite food?
Cake
favourite season?
Summer
favourite TV show?
Any reality TV show
favourite author?
Armistead Maupin
favourite animal?
Black Labradors
favourite day of the week?
Friday
Thank you very much Alexandra for taking time to answer these questions. It was great fun finding out more about you.