The talented Lynda Renham, author of bestselling romantic comedies (like all three in the top ten at the same time, guys!), Croissants and Jam, Coconuts and Wonderbras and Pink Wellies and Flat Caps, and I discovered a mutual passion when she interviewed me for her blog.
Here’s what happened:
Lynda Renham shows off her latest bestseller
The perfect combination: Relax with cupcakes and Lynda’s quirky characters…
Lucky me! I have been hanging out with chicklit royalty again and had the huge pleasure of interviewing the lovely Lynda Renham, who has enjoyed huge success with her super-funny and uplifting novels, Croissants and Jam, Coconuts and Wonderbras and the most recent, Pink Wellies and Flat Caps. This lady has dragged me away from serious literature and opened up to me a whole world of light-hearted fun such that on a long haul flight I eschewed the lure of the in-flight movies and read her latest novel cover to cover. Here’s what she had to say about her quirky style:
Your novels are highly entertaining and have some wonderful laugh-out-loud moments. Where do you get your ideas for your characters’ calamities?
A lot of my ideas for the calamities actually stem from my own life experience and my own calamities. Andrew (my husband) and I (sounding like the queen) both have a similar sense of humour and see humorous situations in most things. It helps being a bit of a nutcase though.
What inspires you to begin a new novel?
I actually agonise at the beginning of each novel. I know they all seem easy and fun but trying to write humour and make it flow easily is actually very hard to do. If I don’t feel at my best, writing humour is, as another author friend quoted, ‘like extracting teeth without anaesthetic’. Sometimes I think I would prefer that. I can be inspired by anything. Something someone says, something I see in the street, a piece of music, a film. Anything can trigger an idea. The new one was inspired by my visits to the laundrette when having my extension built and I didn’t have a kitchen. Let’s hope it comes out well in the wash.
You have had enormous success with Croissants and Jam, Coconuts and Wonderbras and more recently with Pink Wellies and Flat Caps with all three being in the top 20 at the same time on Amazon Humour. Is there anything you would like to say to your readers about this wonderful success?
A BIG THANK YOU, because it is my wonderful readers who have made the books such a success. I am amazed at how well the books have done. It feels so surreal sometimes. I am so pleased that I am making people laugh and it isn’t only Andrew who appreciates my crazy humour. So I shall try and continue producing more of the same until the men in white coats come to take me away.
Do you ever get stuck in your writing and if so, what unblocks you?
Yes and the only answer is CHOCOLATE and more CHOCOLATE…
Who is your favourite character from all your novels and why?
Easy. That has to be Christian. Gorgeous, strong, handsome, and with a great sense of humour and of course a relaxed personality. A little bit like Andrew on a good day.
Do you have a favourite moment?
The Thelma and Louise spoof in ‘Pink Wellies’ is my favourite. I had great fun writing that and laughed a lot when reading it to Andrew. It was embarrassing how much I laughed at my own jokes.
You have lots of brilliant reviews on Amazon, but what is the best comment you have ever had about your work?
Diane Morasco of ‘Morasco Media’ when she called me ‘The uproarious Lynda Renham: Definitely a unsung hero’
Do you have a work in progress and can you share with us what we have to look forward to?
Ooh, always reluctant to talk about WIP. But I can say that there is a monkey involved, a few East End Gangsters, lots of misunderstandings and a touch of Downton Abbey and of course a gorgeous hero. The most gorgeous yet I think. And a huge amount of comedy.
Huge thanks to Lynda for being my guest. Meet Lynda, follow her blog and discover her fab novels by clicking on the links:
http://www.facebook.com/lynda.cook
https://twitter.com/Lyndarenham
Jae De Wylde is the bestselling author of The Thinking Tank and Sleeping People Lie. Find out more at http://www.jaedewylde.com
When I found myself ‘expatted’ so to speak, my immediate choice was to turn to my two passions – writing and dancing – to create a framework for my new life abroad. But to do that it takes energy, effort, an abundance of patience and above all other people. Without other people, the isolation of a new country, new culture and the reality of the alone-ness of the ‘trailing spouse’ can turn excitement to dread.
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Please take a look at my website for details of my novels and news of events. I am always delighted to visit reading groups who have been kind enough to spend time with my work: http://www.jaedewylde.com
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