Q&A with Katie Ginger

 Welcome to The Comfy Chair Blog... Katie Ginger 

KATIE GINGER lives by the sea in the south-east of England, and apart from holidays to very hot places where you can sit by a pool and drink cocktails as big as your head, she wouldn’t really want to be anywhere else. Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay is her sixth novel. She is also the author of Spring Tides at Swallowtail Bay, Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay, Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage and the Seafront series – The Little Theatre on the Seafront, shortlisted for the Katie Fforde Debut Novel of the Year award, and Summer Season on the Seafront.

When she’s not writing, Katie spends her time with her husband and two kids, and their dogs: Wotsit, the King Charles spaniel, and Skips, the three-legged rescue dog. (And yes, they are both named after crisps!)

1.      What was your favourite childhood book/author? 

My favourite childhood book is Winnie the Pooh and the House at Pooh Corner. I’ve got an absolutely ancient copy in my bookshelf that no one’s allowed to touch because it’s falling apart!

 

2.      What inspired you to start writing and how long has it taken you to get to this point? 

Although I was one of those kids who loved writing, I stopped for ages when I started working and had kids. Even though my ambition was secretly to be a writer, life got in the way and I just thought it was one of those things that would never happen. But then in 2014, I got made redundant and I decided that after years of being practical, I wanted to tap back into being creative, so I signed up for a novel writing course and fell back in love with writing.

I joined an online writing group too which taught me so much, and I found out I was okay at it! It gave me a real confidence boost.

Sadly, in 2017 my cousin died from cancer at just 25 and it was the wake-up call I needed to really try and make my dream of being a writer come true. I entered a Twitter pitch that HQ Digital were running and was lucky enough to get picked up.

 

3.      Describe your writing space - neat and ordered or creative chaos? 

Definitely neat and ordered! Most of my house is a mess but I love a tidy workspace! It just makes me feel more in control and gives my brain room to be creative.

 

4.      What is the easiest and hardest part of the writing process? 

I think the easiest is having the idea and the hardest is writing that first draft. Editing can feel tough emotionally because you’re changing things you put a lot of effort into, but knowing it will be better at the end of it always gets me though!

 

5.      Which other authors are you influenced by?

So many! Sometimes I read other authors books and just wish I could write like that! I particularly love Sophia Money-Coutts, Jenny Colgan and Wendy Holden.

 

6.      What does literary success “look” like to you?

That’s a really good question! I think just knowing people are buying my books and enjoying them. I love it when readers get in touch or when I see someone has read my book, it really means the world to me. They’ve chosen to spend time with my characters and read my words and that blows my mind every single time!

 

7.      How do you select the names of your characters?

For my heroines, I love old fashioned names. I’ve had a Charlotte, Esme, Hetty and a Nell. I just love them! For the guys, I sometimes go for names that remind me of an actor or character. They can be hard to choose though sometimes!

 

8.      Do you hide any secret ‘messages’ in your book that only a few people will understand? 

Never! I’m just not clever enough for that! Sometimes I ask my friends if I can use an anecdote or something they’ve told me and they’re very kind and let me. My mum friends can probably recognise stories about our various kids!

9.      If your book was to be made into a film/TV programme, which actors would play which role? 

I absolutely adore questions like this! So for Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay, I see Nell as Anna Farris. I just love her in What’s Your Number? For Tom it’d have to be a long-haired but clean-shaven Tom Hiddleston!

 

10.  What do you hope your readers take away from your book?

With how awful 2020 has been I just want readers to enjoy being away from reality for a while. I try and tug at their heart strings a bit, but it’s always safe in the knowledge that things will work out in the end! And right now, I think that’s what we all need.

 

Lastly, Jenn (The Comfy Chair) likes to enjoy a good read snuggled up with a cup of tea and piece of cake... what cake or sweet treat would you suggest to accompany your book? 

A hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows and maybe even a flake!

Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay

Grab your cosiest jumper and escape to the beautiful Swallowtail Bay!

Christmas and romance are in the air and Nell is obsessed! She can’t stop watching her favourite Christmas romcoms and dreaming of the day when she meets her own romantic hero, especially as she is hosting the first ever wedding at her small hotel, Holly Lodge.

Nell’s best friend, Tom, has been in love with her ever since they met. But Nell has never seen him that way, and he’s always kept his feelings a secret in case it ruins their friendship.

After the opening of the glamorous Langdon Mansion Hotel in the bay, Nell’s hotel is struggling for survival and she must fight, with Tom’s help, to keep Holly Lodge open. Can the magic of Christmas help two old friends save Holly Lodge and open Nell’s eyes to a love that was always there the whole time?

Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay is the hilarious new romantic comedy from Katie Ginger, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Veronica Henry and Holly Martin!

Buy Links:

ebook: https://amzn.to/2Ni5ipv

paperback: https://amzn.to/3fwlz7L

For more about Katie, you can visit her website: www.keginger.com, find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatieGAuthor, or follow her on Twitter: @KatieGAuthor..