Today I'd like to welcome Patsy Collins to my blog. Patsy's novel is being published on the 30th March, and she is my first ever interviewee!
Congratulations!
Escape to the Country is not only being published, it won a
competition with over 600 entrants - have you calmed down yet?
Have you
been watching that
video?
No, I
wouldn't say I'm totally calm yet.
I love that video - I'm sure it's what most of us do when we receive an acceptance, but possibly not with so much style!
Where did the idea for this
novel come from?
That's
really hard to answer as I rarely know exactly what prompted me to
write a story. I suppose it was at least partly a desire to use some
of my research material.
How much research did you need to do?
26 years.
Well, that's how long I lived on a farm. At the time I had no idea
I'd use the experience in this way.
Did you find writing the novel easy, or were there many drafts and redrafts?
Did you find writing the novel easy, or were there many drafts and redrafts?
Yes and
yes. There were a lot of drafts and edits, but all I had to do was
make stuff up, tap away on my keyboard and then fiddle about with it
a lot. There are much harder jobs than that.
What does your writing day look like?
There isn't
a typical writing day. I have a full time day job and am a keen
gardener so I fit in the writing during lunch breaks, when it's
raining or dark and when Gary and I go away in our campervan - which
we like to do as often as possible.
Cheeky question: would you choose Adam or Duncan?
Cheeky question: would you choose Adam or Duncan?
Duncan.
Although Adam is quite a charmer ...
What are you working on at the moment?
I'm working
on a romantic novel about a couple who go away in a campervan. I'll
have to do a lot of research!
And, finally, where will we be able to find Escape to the Country?
And, finally, where will we be able to find Escape to the Country?
Amazon,
Waterstones online, some 'real' bookshops including my local
independent and I'm hoping to get it into libraries too. There will
also be an ebook version.
You can
read the first chapter for free here -
You can also follow Patsy's blog here and like Patsy on Facebook here.
Thanks so much for popping over today, Patsy. I'd like to wish you every success with your novel!
That video makes me smile every time I see it, huge congratulations to Patsy.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me smile too, Sarah.
DeleteThank you for interviewing me, Annalisa!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Patsy - I'm glad your tour's going well!
DeleteGreat interview - am really looking forward to getting my mitts on the book!
ReplyDeleteIt looks good, doesn't it?
DeleteA terrific interview, Annalisa! I think you should definitely do more of these. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Patsy! I wish you lots of success with this novel. I'll definitely be checking it out.
Thanks Melissa - I think I might have another go, once the A-Z is over.
DeleteSounds like a good read. I love the bit where Patsy says, "...all I had to do was make stuff up, tap away on my keyboard and then fiddle about with it..." When you put it like that it does sound easy, doesn't it!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great job description, isn't it?
DeleteSo bye bye Adam!! Yay for Patsy!!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Hi Kitty. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteBest of luck Patsy! I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth!
DeleteCongratulations on the novel. Getting good news is also good excercise for you. I would probably be not so energetic.
ReplyDeleteLee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Running for good news; hitting a punchbag for bad news. Win-win!
DeleteCongrats on the novel and what an awesome interview! thx ladies!
ReplyDeleteThnaks Cassie :-)
DeleteGreat interview, you never fail to make me smile/laugh Patsy. Good luck with the book.
ReplyDeletePatsy's great, isn't she?
DeleteCongratulations on the novel Patsy! Great interview:) Thanks Annalisa:)
ReplyDeleteHi Marta, thanks.
DeleteWhat a wonderful video. Congrats on all the success, Patsy. You look a lot like my sister-in-law, who I really like, so that's a good thing. :)
ReplyDeleteWaving at Annalisa. I finished reading your book. I loved it. Wlll post up a review soon.
Oooh, thanks Mary! So glad you liked it :-D
DeleteTwenty-six years of research - funny!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of camper van research!
DeleteI think maybe I should write a book about a chocolate taster - I've made a good start on the research for that one.
ReplyDeleteI'm ahead of you on that one!
DeleteWonderful interview, Annalisa. I would never have guessed it was your first. Thank you for the intro to Patsy. I am now following and reading her blog (I even entered a contest today to win a cool e-pen thing). The book sounds lovely. I enjoyed watching the video; it made me smile. It was hilarious and I loved hearing the narrator's voice at the very end, "well she's quite pleased", in that awesome accent. Great job Patsy & Annalisa.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa - thinking of questions is hard! I'm glad you've discovered Patsy, her blog is a great read!
DeleteMelissa, that's my fiance you can hear - it's not just his accent that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove the fact you've been researching all that 'real' time! Another lovely interview.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Rosemary.
DeleteAnnalisa, how nice to see Patsy here.
ReplyDelete26 years of research--that made me laugh. You are dedicated, Patsy! Good luck with the book.
Yes it is! I'm thinking of having more visitors - it's been fun.
DeleteAnnalisa, it's a great interview with Patsy.
ReplyDelete26 years means you must know it inside out by now, which will add to the authenticity of the writing. I always get frustrated/ exasperated when authors write stuff that is incorrect because they make assumptions rather than do their research.
Thanks Madeleine :-)
DeleteThat research sounds like a lot of fun hehe! The video was awesome, I'm still smiling :)
ReplyDeleteThe video still makes me smile too!
DeleteOh Patsy! You must be writing about my husband and me (the campervan romance)! Your book sounds like wonderful reading for when we take to the road soon. You'll understand if you pop over to visit me at http://writeryogini.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHi Annalisa!
Congratulations Patsy on your upcoming publication.
ReplyDeleteThank you to everyone who stopped by to read my interview - and especially to all those who've left messages and good wishes!
ReplyDelete