Author Bella Osborne Answers all our Questions
- Latest Book: One Family Christmas
- Can you give us the ‘elevator pitch’ version of your latest book.
Lottie wants one last big family Christmas filled with happy memories and snowflakes.
But what she gets is a house full of reluctant relatives – and every one of them has a secret.
What could possibly go wrong?. - Tell us something about yourself that we likely don’t know! The more obscure the better!
I always read the desserts on a menu first so that I can plan the rest of my meal choices around my pudding – I have a very sweet tooth. - Do you write in silence, or with music? If you write to music, give us the top three songs on your writers’ playlist this week.
I’m afraid I need silence otherwise I sing along and that’s not a nice experience for anyone. - Are you a plotter or pantser?
Huge plotter. I’m a project manager by profession so planning out my novel is my happy place. - Have your characters ever ‘gone off-script’ – hijacked your story and taken it in a direction you didn’t expect?
Not to any great degree but despite my best-laid plans (and let me tell you they are beautiful) I do sometimes find out things about my characters I wasn’t expecting which alters things. So no aliens battling knights in the middle of my romcoms but a lightbulb moment is always fun.
- If you could spend time with any character from any of your books, who would it be and what would you do?
I’d like to catch up with Regan from Meet Me At Pebble Beach so we could take Elvis, the Irish Wolfhound, for a walk on Brighton beach.
- Which of your characters can you say you would least get along with in real life?
Nick from Escape to Willow Cottage – he was a nasty piece of work! - Do you read your reviews?
I do. I sometimes wish I didn’t but the good outweighs the bad and there’s nothing lovelier than knowing someone has enjoyed your story. - What has been the toughest criticism you have been given since becoming a published author?
My books are often serialised by my publisher which means they are released in four parts digitally before the whole thing is published. This is explained in the first line of each of the blurbs. So I find it hard when readers don’t realise this, buy it in both formats and then leave one-star reviews saying they feel they’ve been scammed.
- What is the best compliment you have received?
That my books reminded a reader of Jill Mansell – she’s one of my heroes. - Do you have a day job when you are not writing? If so, what do you do?
No, I left my day job two years ago and now write full time. - Can you name three authors who have inspired your writing?
Jill Mansell, Zoe Barnes and Richard Curtis – they have all been instrumental in waving the flag for romantic comedy.
- What was your favourite book as a child?
The One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith. - What scene in your latest book was the hardest scene to write (without giving away too many spoilers!)
The scene towards the end where Joe and Lottie share their secrets with each other.
- Do you have any other author friends? If so, can you name a few and have any of them given you a piece of advice you would consider invaluable on your publishing journey?
Ooh, so many I’m bound to upset someone by not mentioning them! But here goes – Jules Wake, Erin Green, Morton Gray, Phillipa Ashley, Christie Barlow, Sarah Bennett, Darcie Boleyn, Sue Moorcroft, Georgia Hill and loads more! I’m so lucky to have them in my life.
For Bonus Points – Answer five fabulous frivolous questions!
- What is your biggest fear?
Aside from people in my family getting sick it would be going to prison. - If you could have any superhero power, what would it be?
To make people tell the truth. I could have some wonderful fun, especially with politicians! - If you could write one line to be etched into your tombstone, what would it read?
It seemed like a good idea at the time. - If you could give your younger self ONE piece of advice, what would it be?
Go with your gut – it’s usually right. - Finally – Who are your latest Cover Crushes? (No more than two!)
A Surprise Christmas Wedding by Phillipa Ashley
The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain
Both of these covers make me feel really Christmassy!
You can purchase Bella’s latest book: One Family Christmas here on Amazon.
