We recently posted about Scarlett Bailey's upcoming novel The Night Before Christmas (and its wonderful trailer!) The book was released last week and looks set to be a fabulously festive read, so we just had to ask Scarlett for an interview. Here she discusses the book, the inspiration behind it and her favourite funny moment...
Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.
A fun, funny, feisty, furiously festive book about friendship and love, wrapped up in romance!
What inspired you to write The Night Before Christmas?
I am a bit of a sap for Christmas, especially old Christmas films, and stories and musicals. The Night Before Christmas is really my version of all of those lovely films you like to watch on Christmas Day afternoon. (Well, not The Great Escape, to be fair.)
Where do you do most of your writing?
I wrote The Night before Christmas in the Spring, so most of it was at my messy cluttered desk, but the final touches I got to do in the garden, which was lovely. Although a tad weird, sitting in the sun and writing about snow.
What is your favourite book?
Ever, ever, ever? That's a hard one, there are so many...I'll stick to modern fiction and say Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes. I think she is such a clever, inspiring writer and I'm delighted she is coming back with a new book in 2012.
Which part of The Night Before Christmas was the most enjoyable to write?
I really loved writing this book, it was so fun. It is wrong to say it made me chuckle the whole way through? There is a scene when the lead characters are trying to get a turkey in an oven, that made me laugh a lot, as it happened to me on a Christmas holiday with friends a couple of years ago, in almost exactly the same way.
What are you currently reading?
Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson, I think she's brilliant.
Who is your favourite heroine?
Hardly original, but I think Emma, from the novel of the same name by Jane Austen. I love that she's so flawed, that she means well but makes mistakes, that's my kind of heroine.
Do you have any tips for readers who are looking to become published authors?
Keep writing, all the time, when ever you have time. Develop a tough skin and be prepared for rejection, learn to expect and take criticism, but never give up!
Are you working on anything else at the moment and if so, can you tell us?
I AM! I am so excited about it, but I can't tell you much more than that... except that I might get to go on a research trip to New York instead of beautiful but FREEZING Cumbria this time!
Thanks, Scarlett!
