Paige Toon Interview
Paige Toon has recently announced she is to write a new series of YA novels around Johnny Jefferson and a child he never knew he had....! I was just a -little- bit excited when this was announced. Who doesn't want two Paige Toon books a year?!
I was lucky enough to have the chance to interview Paige before Johnny's Girl was published and here's what we talked about....
1. Johnny's Girl is your first step in bridging the gap between adult and YA fiction. Have you always wanted to write for younger audiences?
Funnily enough, one of my first book series ideas was for younger readers, but that was when I was young myself. I've always thought about writing children's books, but never young adult - until now.
2. A lot of your loyal fans are excited about Johnny's Girl. Do you think they'll still feel the same about Johnny after they discover his secret?
I think so, yes. We all know he's a bad boy, right? And even if he's pretty well behaved now, it's not surprising that he's still making up for past mistakes.
3. I can't help but feel gutted for Meg! Can you give us any clues about how she copes with the news?
She's an emotional wreck - up and down. She loves Johnny to bits, but things were going so well for them with their two little kiddies and happy married life. Now all that is up in the air and she has to deal with the prospect of a stranger coming into their lives and changing it forever. It's pretty daunting.
4. After Johnny's girl, we can look forward to The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson. Was it fun writing about a brand new character in Johnny's life?
I loved writing about Jessie - absolutely loved it! She's my feistiest heroine to date - I feel like she's my cheeky little sister. And I loved writing about Johnny in a dad capacity. I can't wait to write the next book in the series and really develop that relationship.
5. Is Johnny your favourite character you've ever created?
No, but I couldn't choose a favourite - my favourites change all the time. I do love Johnny - he's the character I hear most about from readers.
6. I for one cannot wait to read your YA fiction but am also really excited about Thirteen Weddings due in 2014. Can you give us a sneak peek at what this novel will be about?
I'm writing it at the moment and I'm really enjoying it. Bronte is the main character - she was mentioned in Pictures of Lily but you haven't met her before. She works on the picture desk at a magazine and photographs weddings in her spare time. A year and a half ago she had a night of passion with this gorgeous guy, Alex, and he comes back into her life again - but now he's engaged. They become friends, he asks her to photograph his wedding, but over the course of the next few months they realise they have unfinished business...
7. After The Accidental Life what more can we expect from Johnny and Jessie?
There will be book 2 in the series, and hopefully 3 and 4 and... who knows where this could lead? I love how Jessie is caught between two very different worlds - back home in the UK where she's just an ordinary girl and no one knows who she is, and in LA where she's a rock star's daughter with the world at her fingertips. It's exciting.
Quick Fire:
What is your:
Favourite colour?
Green
Favourite song?
When You Were Young by The Killers - will always remind me of writing Lucy in the Sky, my debut novel
Favourite book?
I change my mind often but today I'm saying Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Favourite word?
Bollocks
Favourite food?
Pasta with red pesto, parmesan and mozzarella
Favourite season?
Spring
Favourite TV show?
Currently counting down the days till the next episode of Homeland
Favourite author?
Marian Keyes - chick-lit queen!
Favourite animal?
Dog - will get one for the kids (I mean, me) one day
Favourite day of the week?
Friday
Huge thanks to Paige for taking the time to answer these questions. If you want to buy Johnny's Girl then it is available now and you can pre-order The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson.
I was lucky enough to have the chance to interview Paige before Johnny's Girl was published and here's what we talked about....
1. Johnny's Girl is your first step in bridging the gap between adult and YA fiction. Have you always wanted to write for younger audiences?
Funnily enough, one of my first book series ideas was for younger readers, but that was when I was young myself. I've always thought about writing children's books, but never young adult - until now.
2. A lot of your loyal fans are excited about Johnny's Girl. Do you think they'll still feel the same about Johnny after they discover his secret?
I think so, yes. We all know he's a bad boy, right? And even if he's pretty well behaved now, it's not surprising that he's still making up for past mistakes.
3. I can't help but feel gutted for Meg! Can you give us any clues about how she copes with the news?
She's an emotional wreck - up and down. She loves Johnny to bits, but things were going so well for them with their two little kiddies and happy married life. Now all that is up in the air and she has to deal with the prospect of a stranger coming into their lives and changing it forever. It's pretty daunting.
4. After Johnny's girl, we can look forward to The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson. Was it fun writing about a brand new character in Johnny's life?
I loved writing about Jessie - absolutely loved it! She's my feistiest heroine to date - I feel like she's my cheeky little sister. And I loved writing about Johnny in a dad capacity. I can't wait to write the next book in the series and really develop that relationship.
5. Is Johnny your favourite character you've ever created?
No, but I couldn't choose a favourite - my favourites change all the time. I do love Johnny - he's the character I hear most about from readers.
6. I for one cannot wait to read your YA fiction but am also really excited about Thirteen Weddings due in 2014. Can you give us a sneak peek at what this novel will be about?
I'm writing it at the moment and I'm really enjoying it. Bronte is the main character - she was mentioned in Pictures of Lily but you haven't met her before. She works on the picture desk at a magazine and photographs weddings in her spare time. A year and a half ago she had a night of passion with this gorgeous guy, Alex, and he comes back into her life again - but now he's engaged. They become friends, he asks her to photograph his wedding, but over the course of the next few months they realise they have unfinished business...
7. After The Accidental Life what more can we expect from Johnny and Jessie?
There will be book 2 in the series, and hopefully 3 and 4 and... who knows where this could lead? I love how Jessie is caught between two very different worlds - back home in the UK where she's just an ordinary girl and no one knows who she is, and in LA where she's a rock star's daughter with the world at her fingertips. It's exciting.
Quick Fire:
What is your:
Favourite colour?
Green
Favourite song?
When You Were Young by The Killers - will always remind me of writing Lucy in the Sky, my debut novel
Favourite book?
I change my mind often but today I'm saying Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Favourite word?
Bollocks
Favourite food?
Pasta with red pesto, parmesan and mozzarella
Favourite season?
Spring
Favourite TV show?
Currently counting down the days till the next episode of Homeland
Favourite author?
Marian Keyes - chick-lit queen!
Favourite animal?
Dog - will get one for the kids (I mean, me) one day
Favourite day of the week?
Friday
Huge thanks to Paige for taking the time to answer these questions. If you want to buy Johnny's Girl then it is available now and you can pre-order The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson.
