1.)
What was your first job? Did you like or
dislike it? Why?
My first job was
babysitting. I was 13 years old and I sent handwritten postcards to all the
neighbours with young children who lived in our street! I loved it. Most of the
children were kids I knew (this is back in the day when we used play in the
street – I’m THAT old!), and it seemed like easy money to watch television and
eat biscuits while their parents went out for the evening.
2.)
Do you have a pet peeve? If so what is it?
Apostrophes in plurals! (eg.
Apostrophe’s in plural’s). I see this more and more, and the proofreader in me
wants to get my red pen out…! But seriously, why would you add punctuation when
it’s not needed? Why?!
3.)
Do you spend more time researching or writing?
I’m a lazy writer and I do the
minimum research necessary. Unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary, though,
in which case I write as much as I can then find out what I need to know to
move forward. If I can I leave the research until the editing stage, otherwise
it would be too easy to get bogged down and never actually write. I’m always
amazed what curious subjects come up: in one day I might research the symbolism
of cicadas, the ingredients of Quiche Lorraine, and use Google Maps to plot a Paris
Métro journey. But the most fun was when I learned about the Thirteen Desserts
of Christmas in Provence. I made them, and my family enjoyed tasting them too!
4.)
Tell me about your book This Christmas in Paris
and where you got your inspiration for it?
This Christmas in Paris is
the story of Carys, who escapes to Paris hoping to start a new life where no
one knows about her car accident. She falls in love with journalist, Mat, but
he’s keeping a secret of his own – which could be devastating for their relationship…
I love the film, You’ve Got
Mail, and really wanted to write a book where the hero and heroine meet and
fall in love, but don’t realise that online they are enemies (the reverse of
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks’ characters). I also wanted to explore the subject of
online reviews because when I was first published, I was shocked at how mean
some reviewers can be. When I asked my writer friends about it, they admitted
they were hurt by one star reviews, too, yet they had written some too for
tradesmen or restaurants they hadn’t liked. I found it fascinating that we can
all be both the victim and the aggressor.
In my book, Carys is running
a Paris café which suddenly starts receiving one star reviews from a mystery
reviewer online, but I’d better not say any more. J
5.)
How much of your book is realistic?
This book was written during
the pandemic when travel was difficult; however, I hope I’ve done justice to
the Parisian setting, drawing on past trips there and research online. My
godmother, who lives near Versailles just outside Paris, was also kind enough
to read through the book and check it for me.
As for the rest of the book,
I try to keep things as believable as possible, but for me the realism is in
the characters’ emotional story. That’s what readers identify with; that’s the
heart of a romance.
6.)
What are your ambitions for your writing
career?
As long as I can keep
writing books and connecting with readers, then writing continues to be a dream
come true. It took me many years to get published so I never take it for
granted that I’m doing the job I love and hopefully bringing joy to my readers.
If I could earn a living from it too that would be even better.
7.)
Who is your role model? Why?
I’m a member of the Romantic
Novelists’ Association and there are so many writers within that organisation
that I look up to and admire. Writers who are dedicated to their work, but
unfailingly generous with their support of others, and who write inspiring
books that touch millions of readers. A few who have been kind to me are Kate
Walker, Julie Cohen and Trisha Ashley, but there are countless more. Also, I
love Jojo Moyes’ work. I’ve never met her, but she’s definitely a role model.
8.)
Share one fact about yourself that would
surprise people.
I used to play women’s rugby.
I joined the team at university, although I’d never played before and hadn’t
even watched it so I didn’t know the rules. I was scrum half and I found it
infuriating that the referee (a fellow student, giving up his spare time) kept
stopping play every time I dropped the ball forward! Poor referee. Needless to
say, I didn’t carry on playing after uni, though I still love watching it.
BLURB
Blurb:
What could be more magical than Christmas in Paris?
When Carys is offered the chance to run a little French café, she leaps at the chance to discover an exciting city where she can dream big.
Meanwhile, struggling journalist Mat is living in the City of Love – but he’s never found romance himself.
Then, a chance encounter changes everything, and it feels like the start of something wonderful. But Carys and Mat are both keeping secrets . . .
Can they open their hearts to one another – and maybe even find love, just in time for Christmas?
Buy links:
Amazon: mybook.to/ChristmasinParis
Bookshop.org: bit.ly/ThisChristmasinParis
Bio
Sophie Claire writes uplifting emotional stories with their heart in Provence, where she spent her childhood summers. She is half French, half Scottish, was born in Africa and growing up in England she felt she didn’t belong anywhere – except in the pages of a book. Perhaps this is why she likes to
help her characters find their home; a place in the world where they can be loved for themselves.
Previously, she worked in marketing and proofreading academic papers, but writing is what she always considered her ‘real job’ and now she’s delighted to spend her days dreaming up heartwarming contemporary romance stories set in beautiful places.
You can find out more at www.sophieclaire.co.uk.
No comments
Post a Comment