I
recently finished reading Getting Over Mr Right - Chrissie Manby's
latest novel - and admittedly, it's the funniest book I have read
in a while! Chrissie has written many novels including Spa Wars,
Crazy In Love and Ready or Not?, and Getting Over Mr Right will be
released in July.
The book is about a newly-dumped female who's so intent on getting the love of her life back that it turns into a dangerous obsession. I asked author Chrissie about writing, internet stalking and favourite fictional heroines...
Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.
A girl goes to extreme lengths to get over a break-up. Voodoo, crazy cyber-stalking extreme!
What inspired you to write Getting Over Mr Right?
How about two decades of bad dates and break-up disasters? I decided it was time to make lemonade out of some of those lemons.
Your character, Ashleigh, goes to extreme lengths to try and win back her boyfriend. 'Fess up...have you ever tried any of these methods? (I'll admit, I'm prone to cyberstalking... - Elle)
I couldn't possibly say! I think I'm quite a good ex-girlfriend. I'm mates with several of my exes (no need to cyber-stalk as we're all friends on Facebook too) and the rest I leave well alone. That said, I still cringe when I think of the very public declaration of love I made in a desperate attempt to win the heart of a guy who had dumped me not once but three times and then cheated on his new girlfriend with me. And I still wanted him after all that... I must have been insane.
Where do you write your books? (ie coffee shop, in bed...)
I write at the kitchen table. It's important to be near the kettle. Also, I like to watch the birds and the neighbourhood squirrel, who sometimes peers in through the kitchen window and demands nuts with menaces.
What is your favourite chick-lit book?
I really loved 'The Ballroom Class' by Lucy Dillon. Her characters are so real and beautifully written. She never fails to make me laugh and cry.
Who is your favourite heroine, and why?
Not exactly a fictional heroine, I know, but I adore Liz Jones and devoured her 'Exmoor Files' last year. My friends and I analyse her love-life mistakes endlessly and would love to have the chance to fix her up with someone nice and kind.
You've written so many novels - which was the most fun to write?
Getting Over Mr Right was great fun. I love to write bonkers characters like Ashleigh. I get to make her do all the things I wouldn't dare.
Do you have any tips for readers who would like to become published authors?
Just keep writing! Finishing a whole draft of the novel you've always wanted to write will put you way ahead of the pack. Also, when you get to the stage of sending your work out in the hope of getting some helpful feedback from a published author, make sure you research the person you're asking to help. Attach a personal note to your manuscript. It makes my heart sink when I traipse down to the post office to pick up a missed parcel, only to discover it's a manuscript about steam engines addressed to Mr. Manby. Or, even worse, just 'Dear Sir'.
What are you currently reading?
I'm reading 'A Special Providence' by Richard Yates and praying that one day I'll be able to write even one tenth as well.
Are you working on anything else at the moment, and if so, can you tell us?
I'm always working on the next book but will have to keep the details secret for now as it's still at the planning stage. I can however promise that my new heroine will make Ashleigh in Getting Over Mr Right seem quite sensible.
Thanks, Chrissie!
