Guest blogger: suzy turner

A couple of weeks ago, Suzy Turner was kind enough to host me on her Fiction Dreams website. I had so much fun answering her questions that when I found out she had just released her first chick lit novel, titled Forever Fredless, I decided not only to repay her kindness by hosting her on my blog, but invited her to answer the same questions she challenged me with!

Here are her responses:


Q: Do dreams inspire your writing? What did you last dream about?

A: Totally! I have the most way out dreams and I always write them down. I've got some fab ideas... the latest dream was about a little boy who wakes up to find a young alien watching him. I figured it would make a really fun kids book. Watch this space ;)


Q: When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?

A: I first started writing fiction in my mid-twenties. In fact I wrote a chick lit novel called Molly but it will never see the light of day. It's a bit rubbish! My first published book was called Raven (YA urban fantasy) and it came out May 2011. I've since published six more including my first chick lit novel :)


Q: What is it about chick lit that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?

A: I've always been a huge fan of chick lit - it taught me a lot when I was growing up, if you know what I mean ;)

To me chick lit should have plenty of love (or the search for love), friendships (perhaps the most important aspect of the genre), fun / comedy, heartache. I want to feel so many different emotions whilst reading it. 

But I do read other stuff too - I LOVE YA urban fantasy, dystopia and steampunk. But I'm always willing to give any genre a go. I've been known to read horrors, thrillers, sci-fi, crime drama. I guess you could say I have eclectic tastes!


Q: What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?

A: Forever Fredless is my first proper Chick Lit novel.  Here's a brief synopsis:

Kate Robinson has spent the past two decades yearning to find her soul mate, the boy she found and then lost during a family holiday.

Shortly after her twenty-eighth birthday, however, she inherits a fortune from an old family friend and becomes something of an overnight celebrity. Can her new-found fame lead her to him after all this time?

I LOVED writing it!


Q: What inspired you to write it?

A: It was a special holiday my husband and I had with some of our best friends on the islands of the Azores.


Q: Is it part of a series?

A: I only ever intended it to be a stand alone novel but you might see some of the characters appear in other books.


Q: Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?

Afraid not! If I did, I probably wouldn't be able to stop grinning for a week!


Q: Who designs your covers?

A: Ravven (www.ravven.com). She's absolutely amazing.


Q: If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?

A: Somebody like Emily Blunt would play Kate, and that guy who recently played Superman would be Marc. Oooh yes, he'd be perfect!


Q: What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?

A: There are so many I loved but The Devil Wears Prada was a pretty good adaptation. 


Q: What were the last two books you read?

A: The Howling Heart by April Bostic (werewolves!) and Breaking the Ice by Mandy Baggot (fabulous read!)


Q: Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known.

A: Oh only one? No, I can't do it. I have to name three: Shalini Boland, Melissa Pearl and Poppet. They are ALL amazing!


Q: Where do you write?

A: I wish I could say in my own private enchanted office, but alas no. I usually sit at the end of the dining table under the stairs a la Harry Potter.


Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An archaeologist, a dancer and a psychologist!


Q: In the movie of your life, who would play you?

A: Sandra Bullock, definitely. Although I look more like Sporty Spice (I used to get told that ALL the time). 


Speed Round

Top drink to make you tipsy? Champagne :)

Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopaholic but only for bargains... it's got to involve bargains

Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Closer to the ground during the day, heels for a party.

E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Jilly Cooper. She was my first chick lit love.

Cry baby or tough cookie? Cry baby. I even blubber during adverts!

Exotic beach or enchanted forest? Enchanted forest... sigh.

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