TUESDAY TALK WELCOMES CHOC LIT AUTHOR JAN BRIGDEN

Good morning Jan and welcome. Can I start, as always, by asking you a little about yourself?

Morning, Jo. Thank you for that lovely greeting. I live in south-east London with my husband Dave. He’s a painter and decorator and, alongside my writing and any freelance proofreading jobs I take on, I look after the admin side of his business.

When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer and how did you begin that journey?

I don’t think I ever consciously decided. I just knew that I loved reading and creating little fictional scenarios either in my head or in story form for school friends and family and recognised this as being something I hoped to further explore at some point in my life. The opportunity later arose to enrol on a creative writing course which eventually sparked the idea for my novel. I then immersed myself in all things writerly from text books to attending events to connecting with other readers and writers on social media to absorb as much knowledge and advice as I could, which set me off on my journey.

How did you become a Choc Lit Author?

As Weekends Go won their 2014/2015 Search for a Star competition which subsequently led to a contract offer.

Are you a panster or a plotter? What works best for you?

Oh, definitely a plotter. Methodical to a point, with lists and notebooks full of pre-draft notes and ramblings to prove it.

Can you tell us something about your current WIP?

It’s the sequel to As Weekends Go, in as much as it tells my main gal Rebecca’s story going forward and how she copes with the fresh set of trials, challenges and dilemmas the new world she’s entered into brings with it. It’s a standalone, though, so can be read without having to first read Book 1.

Are you a beach or city girl? Name some of your favourite holiday destinations.

Ooh, I like both in equal measures. Rome and New York are two of my favourite cities, yet I’m equally happy lying on a beach with a good book in one hand and a long cool drink in the other. I’ve been going to Spain’s Costa del Sol for years, so love that particular coastline from Malaga to Gibraltar. The Maldives hold a special place in my heart too as Dave and I spent our honeymoon on the island of Meerufenfushi.

And lastly, if you were a castaway on a desert island, what four things couldn’t you live without?

Well, assuming I’m all alone and have no access whatsoever to anything remotely techy-fied, a chunky notebook, a set of pens, a photograph album with all my nearest and dearest’s faces to peer at for inspiration when I’m writing, and probably my lucky crystals. (I’d say chocolate – obviously – but it would melt before I’d get the chance to savour its divine yumminess!).

ABOUT JAN

Jan is a former member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme. An avid reader and all round book devotee, Jan is also one eighth of online group blog The Romaniacs who last year proudly received the RNA Industry Media Award and even got a mention in The Bookseller.

Social Media Links:
Facebook: Jan Brigden
Twitter: @Briggy44
Blogs: Jan Brigden Writer
The Romaniacs

 

 

ABOUT AS WEEKENDS GO

What if your entire life changed in the space of a weekend?
When Rebecca’s friend Abi convinces her to get away from it all at the fabulous Hawksley Manor hotel in York, it seems too good to be true. Pampering and relaxation is just what Rebecca needs to distract herself from the creeping suspicion that her husband, Greg, is hiding something from her.
She never imagined that by the end of the weekend she would have dined with celebrities or danced the night away in exclusive clubs. Nor could she have predicted she would meet famous footballer, Alex Heath, or that he would be the one to show her that she deserved so much more …
But no matter how amazing a weekend is, it’s always back to reality come Monday morning – isn’t it?

 

Book Links:
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com