Seeing the funny side with bestselling author, Lynda Renham…

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.renham.co.uk

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

The Next Big Thing: Sleeping People Lie

I was delighted to be invited to be part of The Next Big Thing by Matthew Hirtes, author of Going Local in Gran Canaria and guru on all things Spain – way beyond the sun, sea and vino rojo. Matthew covers the Canaries for the likes of Condé Nast Traveller and the Independent. Check out what he is up to here:

http://matthewhirtes.com/next-big-thing/

Thank you for thinking of me, Matthew. Here we go with those all important questions on my very own Next Big Thing…

                       

What is the working title of your book?

Well first up, I am deliriously happy to announce that my book no longer needs a working title as it has just been published! My novel spent a long time being Dear Em, then it switched to NOT an Affair to Forget and finally went via Two Weeks in Paris to arriving at Sleeping People Lie. Oh – and it was The Hands of The Mistress at one stage but that awkwardly coincided with 50 Shades. It’s not ‘Mummy Porn’ so we lost that title quickly!

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Sleeping People Lie is a love story from two points of view – that of Nicholas, an artist and writer from Boston and Sloane, a would-be writer from Stamford, England. I wanted to examine the power of perception; how two different voices can influence the reader one way and then the other.

What genre does your book fall under?

Since my first novel, The Thinking Tank, found itself in the top 50 on Women´s Contemporary Fiction on Amazon, I am now confident that this is my genre. There is certainly a literary element to it but it´s a page-turning read, that´s never difficult. I always hesitate with the ‘Women’s’ Fiction idea though as lots of guys have read my first novel and loved it – so I really hope my gentlemen readers will also enjoy Sleeping People Lie, especially since, unusually, Nicholas, my male protagonist, has a voice in matters of the heart.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

If I were choosing actors for the parts of Sloane and Nicholas it would have to be Emily Blunt and I would need a younger Matthew McConaughy. Maybe someone could suggest who that might be!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Sleeping People Lie is a compelling love story with a dark edge set between Paris and New York with themes of love, guilt, blame, lies and secrets – an ‘emotionally intelligent page-turner’. (Okay – I cheated with the dash!)
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Sleeping People Lie is published by Summertime Publishing without an agent. It has just gone live on both Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com in paperback and on Kindle.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I am pretty disciplined about my writing and make myself complete a minimum word count of 1500 words per day. However, the words just tumbled onto the page and the characters just raced away with the plot of Sleeping People Lie such that the first draft took me from 17 May until the middle of July – two months flat.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

It´s difficult to compare my novel with any other since all books have their own flavour. One reader did remark that the shifting viewpoints put her in mind of Andrea Levy´s Small Island. We are in the realm of obsessive love, conscience, blame, lies, guilt and the effect our actions have on others. Sleeping People Lie has been described as a ‘haunting love story that keeps you guessing all the way.’ ‘Written with emotional honesty and in atmospheric detail, presenting the reader with a sometimes uncomfortable but brutally credible exploration of the dark side that lies within us all.’
Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Well now, I suppose I do have to tell… I guess it was largely inspired by how people took sides when my own relationship came to an end – how people judge and decide what happened without even a nod to the truth!
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I have woven in the story of Rodin and his mistress, Camille Claudel. Not in a high-brow way, but the story takes a look at the dark side of compulsive love and the effect it has on those involved and those around them. It’s certainly not 50 Shades of Jae but it does have its moments! Have you ever felt that frisson of all-consuming infatuation dancing through your veins? Nicholas and Sloane have too…

Now it’s time for me to hand the baton of The Next Big Thing on to my five chosen authors…

I am very happy to pass the torch to bestselling author, Janna Gray (http://jannagray.wordpress.com/ . Janna started her career as a teacher and part-time writer for magazines and newspapers in the Far East. Her debut novel Kilingiri, set in exotic locations, deals with the universal themes of love and loss and the healing power of forgiveness.

Lynda Renham (www.renham.co.uk) is the bestselling author of Croissants and Jam. Her latest novel Coconuts and Wonderbras is out now and guaranteed to raise a laugh. It’s a fun romance where diets are the order of the day and where love blossoms for literary agent Libby Holmes. Come with Libby on her romantic comedy adventure to see if love blossoms in the warm Cambodian sunshine or if, in the heat of the day, emotions get just too hot to handle.

Chris Edwards is author of Running In Corridors. His hero, Frankie, is a wise cracking, womanising, half Gypsy, he lives in a shabby caravan, on a dilapidated small holding in rural Shropshire, and scrapes a living breeding hens and doing odd jobs. http://www.amazon.co.uk/RUNNING-CORRIDORS-THE-GYPSY-ebook/dp/B009Y81FG2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1351612751&sr=8-4

Jack Scott (http://www.jackscott.info/perking-the-pansies.html) is author of Perking the Pansies, Jack and Liam move to Turkey. This critically acclaimed debut book is a bitter-sweet tragi-comedy that recalls the first year of a gay couple in a Muslim land.

Elle Amberley (http://elleamberley.wordpress.com/) writes novels, ‘the result of too much imagination and constant scenarios playing in her head’. Although she is a British author, she likes to dabble in French too and is working on a French novel. Her latest read, Lost In Her Time, which is set in Paris, follows Natasha, when she clicks on an internet link only to find her life turned upside down by an encounter with a handsome French rock star.

Just to say finally – I would LOVE reviews for Sleeping People Lie on Amazon, Goodreads and wherever else you would like to post them. I always hugely appreciate my readers and never lose sight of the fact that they are the reason why I work hard to write what I hope others will love to read.

Jae XX

www.jaedewylde.com

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeping-People-Lie-Jae-Wylde/dp/1909193100/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351681380&sr=1-1

Author to Author: Lynda Renham-Cook offers Jae De Wylde her candid and quirky view of life as a writer…

Right, folks, here’s something to brighten up your midweek. I am delighted to introduce to you my writer friend and romantic novelist,  Lynda Renham-Cook – that’s if this lovely lady needs any introduction at all. Her latest novel, Croissants and Jam, has been described as ‘one of the best romantic comedies of our time’.  Lynda did me the great honour of agreeing to an author- to- author interview, and I just loved her candid, quirky and thought-provoking answers…

Lynda Renham-Cook

 What inspires you the most when writing?

 Music without a doubt. I can’t write without it and every novel has its own theme music. Often, this means I can only then associate it with that particular novel. I always make sure I have my headphones nearby. This isn’t to say I can’t write without the music inspiration but I do find it harder. In fact a piece of music often inspires a whole novel. I’m sure in this I am not alone.
 
Paper or laptop?

 A Lap top every time. At one time I used a rather tatty old notebook but I now have a lovely smart lap top that I couldn’t live without.  I tend to have numerous documents open when writing as all my notes are on there also. I am a devout user of Drop box, if devout is the right word. My husband discovered it and it is a great way to make sure I don’t lose anything. This is something I am normally very prone to doing, I am ashamed to say… Paper doesn’t work for me. I write much too fast and then cannot read my illegible handwriting, so it is not very constructive for me to use paper.
 
Where do you most like to write?

 I worked part time until recently, so I would get home from work, prepare some dinner and then dive into my summer house. A lovely cosy room which houses everything I need and there I try to write a thousand words a day. Although in the summer I am easily swayed from the word processor by the lovely birds that come into the garden. It is my chosen space. I live in a small village in the country and it is so peaceful to sit there with just the birds singing and the humming of the occasional lawn mower. 
 
What is your biggest ambition?

 I would love to write the screenplay for one of my books. That would be my writing ambition. I also have dreams of writing for TV. I love writing comedy. Personal ambition is to be happy and content. I think contentment is the key to everything and something I have not quite attained yet.
 
Do you have a disciplined approach?

 I am only disciplined in that I make myself write 1000 words every day. Even if I am not happy with those 1000 words I still feel it is important to have written them. There is always gold to be found in that there dust… I truly believe that all writing is productive. Aside from that I am hopeless, frankly. I get side tracked very easily, especially by food and drink. Chocolate is my particular downfall.
 
What do you think about the whole marketing thing?

 It takes away a lot of my writing time. I have a lovely hubby who does a lot of that for me. I am not good at promoting myself. I probably should do more. I tend to leave it to people who know what they are doing. That certainly isn’t me…
 
What do you like best about writing?

 I’ve always enjoyed writing. My mother was fond of telling everyone that I wrote a good composition. I always was a good liar. I spent most of my teenage years living in my own little world. It is also a great way of expressing my quirky humour. I have a tendency to laugh at everything. I also think laughter is a great healer and a wonderful way to banish the blues. I love reading comedy also. It is a genre that gives me pleasure both reading and writing it.
 Tell us about your latest book…

Grab your copy of Croissants and Jam on Amazon!

 It’s titled ‘Croissants and Jam’…

 Oh, can I let Blog critic Diane Morasco do that? She does it far better than me.

‘Croissants and Jam seized my heart of steel and barbwire… and melted it into a simmering pool of marshmallow and milk chocolate. Hollywood take note: Croissants and Jam is what heart-pounding and nerve-tingling romantic comedies are made of.  Breathtaking. Intelligent. Magical. Mesmerizing. Pulse-pounding. Rip-roaring. Spine-tingling. Soul stirring. Unforgettable. Whimsical. I can go on and on and on describing Lynda Renham’s bewitching novel, but I want to cut to the chase so you can grab a copy and see for yourself.

Annabel “Bels” Lewis has just two days to get to her wedding in Rome but her trip is plagued with one catastrophe after another as destiny takes hold and casts its spin.

Enter Christian.  A dashing and adventurous stranger she encounters along the way.  Will Bels get to her wedding on time or will the mesmerizing Christian transform her life?

Croissants and Jam is without a doubt one of the best romantic comedies of our time — yep, including those on the screen. ‘

 

I can’t believe there’s anyone out there who doesn’t want to make a dash for this page-turning romance so pop straight over to Amazon to grab yourself a copy and curl up with a glass of wine or maybe – given the snow and ice – a yummy hot chocolate. Find out more about Lynda, her novels, which also include Wedding Cake to Turin and The Diary of Rector Byrnes, on her Amazon page at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lynda-Renham/e/B004U1PWDU

Check out the latest on Lynda’s blog: http://lrcook.wordpress.com/

Thanks for the inspiration, Lynda – must go practise lying for my next novel!

Jae De Wylde, author The Thinking Tank: www.jaedewylde.com

The Thinking Tank is available on Amazon and in branches of Walkers and Waterstones