Interview With Fiona Gibson
Fiona's latest novel Take Mum Out is a real treat and I was lucky enough to grab a few moments with Fiona and talk all about it...
1. Take Mum Out is your latest novel; can you tell us a little bit about it?
Alice is thrown back into the dating world when her three best friends each decide to set her up with a man. Three dates are planned, much to the horror of her teenage sons - 'What d'you want a boyfriend for?' they ask scathingly. 'You're a mum!' There are dating disasters and domestic catastrophes as Alice tries to juggle the dating whirlwind with her life as a single mum and baker.... it's a fun, light read, with lashings of meringues and men!
2. What was your inspiration behind this book?
My stating point was Alice's teenage sons - I wanted her to have two smart, wisecracking boys who drive her to distraction, and whom she loves dearly. I try to make each book feel new and different, and had never really explored that mum/teen son dynamic before. I thought that having her dating again would throw a cat among the pigeons at home, and make for lots of funny scenes as her sanctimonious sons are, predictably, appalled that she even wants to have a social life at all.
3. Take Mum Out is your eighth novel, has it become easier to write novels over time or is it just as challenging every time you look at a blank word document?
It does become easier - I'd have my head in my hands a lot with the early ones but now I've found ways to make the process more fun. Every book has its tough bits, but now I enjoy the process a lot more. Weirdly, as I've become more relaxed and less fretful about my writing, I think they've become better books.
4. Do you have a strict writing routine?
Yes - I see my kids off to school then walk my dog, Jack, with friends, and aim to start working by 10. I work until the kids come home, then I might grab some more writing time in the evening. I used to write in the middle of the night, but am too old for that now!
5. Who is your biggest writing inspiration?
One of the books that inspired me to try writing fiction was A Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank. It was smart and sassy and full of personality. I also enjoy Lisa Jewell's novels, and Caitlin Moran and India Knight's non fiction writing.
6. Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on at the moment?
I'm half way through my next novel, which is about a mum and her teenage daughter who's thrust into the modelling world. I even know the book I'll be writing after that. I'm always impatient to get on with the next project!
Quick-fire:
What is your…
favourite colour? Blue
favourite song? It changes constantly but I do love Brimful of Asha by Cornershop
favourite book? It also changes... Love Nina, by Nina Stibbe, was my fave of last year. My favourite book as a child was Harquin the Fox Who went Down to the Valley by John Birningham. And as an adult... probably The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.
favourite word? Pipette, or swoosh.
favourite food? Seafood, especially scallops.
favourite season? Summer.
favourite TV show? Breaking Bad
favourite author? Anne Tyler
favourite animal? Dog
favourite day of the week? Friday
Thank you so much Fiona for taking the time to answer these questions!
1. Take Mum Out is your latest novel; can you tell us a little bit about it?
Alice is thrown back into the dating world when her three best friends each decide to set her up with a man. Three dates are planned, much to the horror of her teenage sons - 'What d'you want a boyfriend for?' they ask scathingly. 'You're a mum!' There are dating disasters and domestic catastrophes as Alice tries to juggle the dating whirlwind with her life as a single mum and baker.... it's a fun, light read, with lashings of meringues and men!
2. What was your inspiration behind this book?
My stating point was Alice's teenage sons - I wanted her to have two smart, wisecracking boys who drive her to distraction, and whom she loves dearly. I try to make each book feel new and different, and had never really explored that mum/teen son dynamic before. I thought that having her dating again would throw a cat among the pigeons at home, and make for lots of funny scenes as her sanctimonious sons are, predictably, appalled that she even wants to have a social life at all.
3. Take Mum Out is your eighth novel, has it become easier to write novels over time or is it just as challenging every time you look at a blank word document?
It does become easier - I'd have my head in my hands a lot with the early ones but now I've found ways to make the process more fun. Every book has its tough bits, but now I enjoy the process a lot more. Weirdly, as I've become more relaxed and less fretful about my writing, I think they've become better books.
4. Do you have a strict writing routine?
Yes - I see my kids off to school then walk my dog, Jack, with friends, and aim to start working by 10. I work until the kids come home, then I might grab some more writing time in the evening. I used to write in the middle of the night, but am too old for that now!
5. Who is your biggest writing inspiration?
One of the books that inspired me to try writing fiction was A Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank. It was smart and sassy and full of personality. I also enjoy Lisa Jewell's novels, and Caitlin Moran and India Knight's non fiction writing.
6. Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on at the moment?
I'm half way through my next novel, which is about a mum and her teenage daughter who's thrust into the modelling world. I even know the book I'll be writing after that. I'm always impatient to get on with the next project!
Quick-fire:
What is your…
favourite colour? Blue
favourite song? It changes constantly but I do love Brimful of Asha by Cornershop
favourite book? It also changes... Love Nina, by Nina Stibbe, was my fave of last year. My favourite book as a child was Harquin the Fox Who went Down to the Valley by John Birningham. And as an adult... probably The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.
favourite word? Pipette, or swoosh.
favourite food? Seafood, especially scallops.
favourite season? Summer.
favourite TV show? Breaking Bad
favourite author? Anne Tyler
favourite animal? Dog
favourite day of the week? Friday
Thank you so much Fiona for taking the time to answer these questions!