To celebrate the release of Katie Fforde’s – The Christmas Stocking and Other Stories, we caught up to talk to the author herself about the new book and Christmas of course!
1. Did you always want to become an author?
I wasn’t aware of wanting to be an author until I was in my twenties. I thought that not being able to spell and having bad hand writing meant I couldn’t be one. Also my sister was the writer in the family.
2. What was the first book you remember buying?
I remember using a Christmas book token to buy Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson because I’d seen the film. It was way beyond my reading capabilities. I was probably about 5 or 6.
3. We loved ‘A Dream Christmas’ from your latest book The Christmas Stocking and Other Stories and we wish we could stay at Withycombe Lodge! but which one was your favourite to write?
It’s hard to say which my favourite to write was. I did enjoy writing A Dream Christmas because I had never written a ghost story before. I also loved writing The Christmas Fairy because I would love one to turn up on my doorstep.
4. Where does your inspiration come from when writing books?
I always feel that the ideas for books are like the wild yeasts that are in the air. Some random thing may set off a whole new idea. I used to worry about not having ideas but now I know they are there and they will come!
5. If we wanted to start our first novel what would be your one piece of advice?
If you were writing your first novel my best piece of advice would be to start the story as soon as you can. Don’t make us read loads and loads of background before the action begins. You can drip feed the background in later. Start with a bang if you can.
6. What’s next for you?
6. The next book is next for me. I have loads of ideas for it and need to get them into some sort of plan.
7. And finally, we like to ask everyone we interview – What’s Christmas like in the Fforde household?
Christmas at the Fforde house is always fairly chaotic especially if it’s at my house rather than at my daughter’s. It will be at ours this year because my daughter is having a baby (as is my daughter in law!). I’d prefer to separate the food day from the present day personally but I don’t think the grandchildren would think much of that. As long as there is enough gravy (which I make ahead) and enough roast potatoes I don’t worry too much about the food. It’s always fine!
It was wonderful to chat to Katie and what’s more to celebrate the launch of The Christmas Stocking and Other Stories. We also have a special giveaway for you. Katie has kindly SIGNED a copy of her wonderful book to give away. To enter this competition click HERE.
