Written by Eliza J Scott
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Today, following the publication of book #6 in her Micklewick Bay series, I am delighted to welcome to my blog romantic novelist Eliza J Scott.
Ms Scott has kindly joined me to answer a few questions for my feature Interview with the Author. Her latest novel, A Snowy Seaside Christmas is on a blog tour organised by Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources.
The blurb:
A Snowy Seaside ChristmasAs snow falls over Micklewick Bay, Lark Harker is preparing for the busy festive season at her vintage clothing boutique, creating enchanting window displays of sequinned dresses and crafting handmade Christmas decorations from shimmering silk ribbon.
But her festive preparations are put on hold when Nate Wilkinson arrives at her cottage door. The owner of a local upcycling business, Nate asks for her help clearing out the long-abandoned Crayke’s Cottage – a place locals whisper is cursed and haunted by its smuggling past.
Deep within the cottage's shadowy rooms, Lark discovers two mysterious leather suitcases. The first reveals a treasure trove of 1940s clothes that sparkle with wartime romance and mystery. But the second holds a darker collection: smuggling artefacts, cryptic coded messages and a rusty iron key that gets Lark’s mind whirring.
As Lark consults the town’s museum curator to unlock the suitcases' secrets, she finds herself torn between growing feelings for her dear friend Nate and the inexplicable intuition that warns her away from love. When the rusty key leads to a shocking discovery in the cottage, Lar
Thank you so much for taking part in the blog tour for A Snowy Seaside Christmas, Deborah, and for your fab questions.
Q1. What inspired you to write the Micklewick Bay series?
There are so many beautiful towns and villages that line the North Yorkshire Coast that I felt compelled to set a series there. I merged several places from Whitby and Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Runswick Bay, Robin Hood’s Bay and Staithes and came up with Micklewick Bay.
Q2. Who is your favourite character in A Snowy Seaside Christmas and why?
Can I be cheeky and have two? It goes without saying that I’m very fond of Lark and Nate, but as I was writing I found myself really beginning to care about Silas and Louisa. Both are a little battle-scarred by their grief and have come into one another’s lives at just the right moment. I thought they were well suited, with similar gentle and caring personalities. In fact, they were gravitating towards one another before I’d even realised what was happening!
Q3. If A Snowy Seaside Christmas were to be made into a movie, who would you like to play Lark Harker & Nate Wilkinson?
Ooh, now that’s got me thinking. I’d say maybe Lily James would make a good Lark and Leo Woodall would be a fab laidback Nate.
Q4. What was the first story you had published?
It was The Letter – Kitty’s Story from the Life on the Moors series. I originally published it independently but the series was taken on by Storm Publishing (who I’m signed to for the Micklewick Bay books) and I’m thrilled to say, it has recently been republished by them. In fact, the whole series has been given a refresh and is in the process of being republished over the next few weeks.
Q5. Who is your favourite author?
This is a tricky one quite simply because there are so many authors I love! Milly Johnson would definitely have to feature, as would Freya North, Karen Swan, Carole Matthews, Jessica Redland, Sharon Booth, Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain, Clare Marchant, Jenni Keer, Phillipa Gregory, Lucinda Riley and Paige Toon to name a few! I’ve recently started dipping into psyche thrillers and was gripped by The New Neighbours by Claire Douglas and Don’t Believe A Word by Susan Lewis.
Q6. Which writers have influenced you?
I’d say, Milly Johnson, Freya North, Karen Swan and Carole Matthews as well as a whole host of others.
Q7. Are you a member of a writing group and does working with other authors give you inspiration?
I’m not a member of a writing group but I to have regular catch-ups with two of my author friends, Jessica Redland and Sharon Booth, who I’d say are hugely inspirational – they’re also extremely kind and supportive. We spend the day chatting all things bookish – amongst lots of other things – over cheese scones and cake (and copious quantities of tea for me)! I really value their friendship and always come away from our get-togethers feeling inspired and uplifted.
Q8. What do you like to do when you're not planning or writing your next novel?
I love spending time in the garden – not that you’d know it from the amount of weeds that are there. It’s actually where I do a lot of plot wrangling and thinking about my characters. The peace and quiet has helped me iron out quite a few plots in the past, especially since I can get totally lost in my thoughts for hours on end.
Q9. What do you like most about being an author?
I love that I can work from home and take a break in the garden with a cup of tea whenever I feel the need. And I really enjoy sitting at my computer and letting my characters take me on their journeys. Being an introvert means I’m quite happy in my own company, though I do look forward to catching up with family and friends.
Q10. Do you have a specific routine for writing? Is there a special place or particular tool you use?
I wouldn’t say I have a specific writing routine, though I do like to get a couple of thousand words down a day if I can. As far as a special place is concerned, I’m lucky that I have a writing room where I can lock myself away and crack on with the latest work in progress. I should say, a regular supply of tea is a must in the writing process, along with the occasional ginger biscuit for dunking.
Q11. What advice would you give to independently published authors?
I’d say before you publish your novel, get it professionally edited and, if you can afford it, use the services of a book cover designer. After that, it helps to have a social media presence to spread the word about your book/s. There’s a huge amount of support in the online book community which is great since writing can be quite a lonely business. I’d suggest joining the reading groups on Facebook, such as The Friendly Book Community and Riveting Reads and Vintage Vibes, both of which are hugely welcoming and supportive. They’re run by super-friendly admins and filled with lovely bookish folk, and both places are a real joy to drop by.
Q12. Do you have other novels planned or in progress?
I have heaps of novels planned and new ideas pop into my mind all the time. It’s why I always keep a notebook with me so I can scribble them down. I’ve just sent A Wedding at the Little Bookshop by the Sea to my editor and am awaiting structural edits. That’s the last book in the Micklewick Bay series and I’m currently writing The Secrets of Inkwell Cottage which is the first in a new three-book series which I’m very excited about.
Q13. If your books were to be made into an Audiobook, and you could choose anyone to read them, who would you choose and why?
I’m very happy with the actor who narrated the first four Micklewick Bay books. She’s called Melanie Crawley and as soon as I heard the warmth in her voice, I knew she was perfect for the series. I’d choose her every time.
Q14. Do you write novels in other genres?
I don’t, though I think it would be quite exciting to write a psyche thriller. Having said that, I’d probably scare myself too much and wouldn’t be able to sleep!
Q15. When did you know you wanted to write romantic novels?
I’ve wanted to be a writer as far back as I can remember and used to make up my own stories. However, I’d say I wanted to write romantic novels once I’d started reading them in my late teens and early twenties (in other words, ages ago!).
Q16. What advice do you have for other romantic novelists?
Keep on writing your wonderful books!
Q17. What is the best advice you can give to any aspiring novelist?
Don’t give up. If you’re in the process of writing your first novel, keep on writing until you finish it.
Q18. What is your greatest writing achievement?
That would have to be The Little Bookshop by the Sea reaching #9 in the Kindle UK Best Seller Chart earlier this year. I still have to pinch myself about that! I owe my publishers a huge thank you for their fab promo in getting it there.
Q19. Do your books always go the way you plan them?
I know how I want them to start and I know how I want them to end, but once I embark on the writing process, my stories tend to have a mind of their own and regularly lead me down unexpected routes.
Q20. What inspired you to become a writer?
I’d say that would be my love of books. As a child I was an avid reader and the books I read inspired me so much that I wanted to write my own stories. I used to make books out of pieces of paper stapled together and design covers for them. The stories were usually about mice living in little houses in trees.
Q21. Who is the most fascinating person you’ve ever met?
I think that would have to be Nicholas Rhea (real name Peter Walker), the author of the Constable series that the TV series Heartbeat was based upon. He was a mine of information on local history and a truly gentle man. I could’ve listened to him for hours.
Q22. Five things the readers don’t know about you …
- I was once a passenger in a car when it was struck by lightning. I’d never heard of a Faraday cage until afterwards!
- I dislike cucumber with a passion! I can’t even bear the smell of it!
- I don’t like the feel or sound polystyrene makes when you touch it. It sets my teeth on edge!
- I love liquorice.
- I’m quite nifty with a sewing machine – though, owing to my writing commitments, I haven’t had much time to use my sewing machine recently. I do have plans – and the fabric - to make some new curtains for my writing room. I’m not sure when I’m going to get round to it, though.
Huge thanks for your questions, I had great fun answering them😊
| Author Bio – Eliza J Scott |
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 Eliza lives in North Yorkshire with her family and has wanted to be a writer as far back as she can remember. She is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming stories based on romance and friendship with a generous dollop of community spirit and a hint of humour. When she’s not writing, Eliza can usually be found with her nose in a book or working in her garden doing a spot of plot wrangling (of the writing variety), and battling against the weeds. The weeds, unfortunately, are currently winning but Eliza is undeterred. Roses are amongst her favourite flowers and she doesn’t need much of an excuse to visit a plant centre, where a new rose always seems to mysteriously find its way onto her trolley much to her husband’s astonishment. Eliza also enjoys having a catch-up with friends over tea and cake, as well as bracing |
| Social Media Links – | |
| Blog | http://www.elizajscott.com/ |
| https://www.instagram.com/elizajscott/ | |
| Goodreads | http://www.goodreads.com/ElizaJScott |
| Facebook Author Page | https://www.facebook.com/elizajscottauthor |
| X | https://twitter.com/ElizaJScott1 |
| Bookbub | http://www.bookbub.com/authors/eliza-j-scott |
| UK Amazon Author Page | http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eliza-J-Scott/e/B07DMQWPMH |
| US Amazon Author Page | http://www.amazon.com/Eliza-J-Scott/e/B07DMQWPMH |
| Threads | https://www.threads.com/@elizajscott?hl=en |
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