Lovely #Interview with Margaret Amatt, author of the delightful sounding ‘A Festive Surprise’
She can’t abide Christmas. He’s not sure what it’s all about. Together they’re in for a festive surprise.
Please welcome Margaret Amatt here today- And read on to discover what she had to say As she kindly answered my questions and allowed me to share Her replies on here, as you're now aware! She's the author of A Festive Surprise and so I've included about it - will you give it a go? It sounds like a magical Christmas read Maybe it will prove just the book we both need!
Where did you get the inspiration for the book/series?
The first story in this series I wrote (that actually became book four) was based on an idea I had when I travelled to the Isle of Mull and got completely lost and had no idea how big it was! It got me thinking what fun it would be to land a character there and give her a real need to find someone. I made it even worse for her by sending her on public transport! Some years later, I was on holiday on the same island and I had injured my foot. In the evenings, I wasn’t able to go out walks and just wanted to rest my foot. I started to crave books set on the island. There wasn’t a lot of choice in the fiction department. That was when I realised if I wanted one, I would have to write it myself. Now, I have ten! Earlier this year a bookshop on the island started stocking them too, so hopefully lots more holidaymakers will enjoy the series in situ!
What is your writing process?
I’m a binge writer! I work parttime in a school and on my days not in School I write and write and write! When I’m in the zone I can do up to ten thousand words a day. Doing that for a couple of days each week is how I draft my books. I find it really difficult to write a bit here and a bit there. Stories flow better for me if I take a good run at them.
Do you write using pen and paper or on a computer?
I like to plan stories and brainstorm in notebooks but when it comes to actually writing them I 98% of the time go straight to the computer. Partly because I type pretty fast so it’s quicker and also because when I try to write fast I usually can’t read back what I’ve written as it’s so messy!! Occasionally if I can’t get to my laptop, I might write out a scene on paper but that’s rare!
Who is your favourite character out of your stories and why?
Oh my goodness, what a question! I’m not sure I can pick one favourite. One of the most awesome characters to write was Beth from A Spring Retreat (book 2). She’s such a tough character and she doesn’t suffer fools but at the same time she’s vulnerable and lonely. I loved writing her story and her interactions with leading man Murray.
If you were a character in your story, which would you like to be?
I think I’d be Georgia Rose. She’s a recurring character in the series who likes to matchmake and she’s also a bit mad (in a good way!). She’s just so much fun that I’d like to have her energy and spirit!
How and why did you choose the names for your main characters?
For this book, I chose the name Holly because I wanted her to have a Christmassy name – something she’s not too thrilled about. And for Farid, I wanted a traditional Syrian name and I also really liked the sound of it!
Thank you so much, I enjoyed reading your answers!
Read on to discover more about A Festive Surprise and its author:
Synopsis:
Ambitious software developer Holly may have a festive name but the connection ends there. She despises the holiday season and decides to flee to the remote island of Mull in a bid to escape from it.
Syrian refugee Farid has made a new home in Scotland but he’s lonely. Understanding Nessie and Irn Bru is one thing, but when glittery reindeer and tinsel hit the shelves, he’s completely bemused. Determined to understand a new culture, he asks his new neighbour to educate him on all things Christmas.
When Holly reluctantly agrees, he realises there’s more to her hatred of mince pies and mulled wine than meets the eye. Farid makes it his mission to inject some joy into Hollys’ life but falling for her is an unexpected gift that was never on his list.
As their attraction sparkles, can Christmas work its magic on Holly and Farid, or will their spark fizzle out with the end of December?
Purchase Links
UK- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Festive-Surprise-Scottish-Island-Escapes-ebook/dp/B0B6RGFVJQ
US – https://www.amazon.com/Festive-Surprise-Scottish-Island-Escapes-ebook/dp/B0B6RGFVJQ
Author Bio –
Margaret is a writer, mummy, wife and chocolate eater (in any order you care to choose). She lives in highland Perthshire in a little house close to the woods where she often sees red squirrels, deer and other such tremendously Scottish wildlife… Though not normally haggises or even men in kilts!
She has published nine books and written many more. Margaret won a short story writing competition in 2012 and her winning entry was performed live to an audience at Pitlochry Festival Theatre as part of their Winter Words Event. This spring boarded Margaret’s journey from writing for fun to novel writing – though she still enjoys every minute of it.
Margaret is also a keen amateur photographer, who enjoys drawing, reading, and talking about books.
Social Media Links –
https://www.facebook.com/MargaretAmattAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/margaret_amatt_author
https://twitter.com/amattauthor
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