On this quiet December Sunday morning why don't you put the kettle on, make your favourite breakfast and settle down for a Festive Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo
🎅 I'm delighted to welcome author, Louise Marley to our Christmas Sunday Brunch today 🎅
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🎅Welcome Louise, what favourite food are you bringing to this Christmas Sunday brunch?
Mince pies! I hope that doesn’t sound boring but I do make them myself—including the mincemeat! They are high in fruit and low in sugar—practically no calories at all!
🎅Would you like a pot of English breakfast tea, a strong Americano, or a celebratory glass of Bucks Fizz?
I would love an Americano, thank you!
🎅Where shall we eat brunch—around the kitchen table, in the formal dining room, or outside on the patio?
The patio might be a little cold and possibly wet! How about around the kitchen table?
🎅Shall we have festive music playing in the background? And if so will you share with us a favourite Christmas song or piece of Christmas music that makes you happy?
I love Christmas music, which is fortunate because I’ve just spent two years listening to it while I wrote and edited You Make It Feel Like Christmas! I always have music playing while I work and create playlists for each book.
For a long time my favourite song was All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey but listening to Christmas music for two years forced me to find new tracks! It’s hard to pick just one, so I’ll say When the Snow Falls Down by Amy Stroup, The Christmas Song by The Raveonettes, and You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton.
🎅Which of your literary heroes (dead or alive) are joining us for Sunday Brunch today?
I have lots of literary heroes but I don’t want to crowd your kitchen! Could I bring Terry Pratchett and Jilly Cooper, for their sense of humour? And perhaps squeeze in Shirley Jackson? She would have been a fascinating person to meet. I’d have lots of questions!
🎅Which favourite Christmas book will you bring to Sunday Brunch?
I love reading Christmas books, particularly romantic comedy and cosy crime. However, my favourite was written by Enid Blyton in 1944 and belonged to my mother. It’s called The Christmas Book and explains all the familiar Christmas traditions. When I was a child I would re-read it every year.
🎅When you are writing do you still find time to read for pleasure? And is there a book you would like to read but haven’t had time for …yet!
I read two books a week and still have a huge ‘to be read’ list because I can’t stop buying more! I loved Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and bought the first one in his Book of Dust series, La Belle Sauvage, some time ago. I still haven’t had the chance to read it. Maybe this Christmas!
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| Penguin Children's and David Fickling Books 2017 |
🎅What’s the oldest book on your book shelf?
Coincidentally, it’s A Visit from St Nicholas (also known as The Night Before Christmas) by Clement Clarke Moore, published in 1919.
🎅Where do you find the inspiration for your novels?
I tend to have several different ideas that all come together like a jigsaw puzzle. In You Make It Feel Like Christmas I wanted to write about Christmas because I love it so much. I wanted a heroine who loved Christmas too—so much so that she has very definite ideas about how Christmas should be celebrated—and that’s where her trouble begins! I also wanted to write about a house—and a family!—that weren’t perfect. And I wanted to explore what—when it comes right down to it—Christmas is really about.
🎅Have you a favourite place to settle down to write and do you find it easier to write in winter or summer?
I am very lucky in that I have my own study! It is a tiny room, with just about room for my desk and a couple of bookcases. I love it. It doesn’t matter what the season is, it has no effect on my writing. Although if I’m too hot or too cold it can interfere with my thought process.
🎅When writing to a deadline are you easily distracted and if so how do you bring back focus on your writing?
My problem is not lack of focus, it’s lack of time! I’m not sure whether I need a Harry Potter style Time Turner or the ability to freeze time completely. If I didn’t have to go to sleep, I’d get so much more done!
🎅Give us four essential items that a writer absolutely needs?
Basically just a pen and paper, but four less tangible things would be: A good imagination (obviously!), patience, a determination to work hard, and an ability to be able to switch off from any distractions—including the Internet!
🎅What can you tell us about your latest novel or your current work in progress?
Television presenter Agatha Holly has built her career on telling viewers how to have the perfect Christmas. 'A Holly Jolly Christmas' has been screened every December for twenty years and her entire family are involved, including her daughter Beth—the unwilling star of a thousand memes and gifs. But Beth has finally had enough of public ridicule. All she’s ever wanted is a traditional family Christmas away from the television cameras. If she can’t persuade her family to change, should she consider celebrating Christmas without them?
🎅Louise, where can we follow you on social media? 🎅
Twitter @LouiseMarley
Louise,t hank you for taking part in Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo.
Thank you very much for inviting me! Can I tempt you with another mince pie? I think I’ve made too many…
🎅Louise's Latest Novel🎅
The only thing preventing Beth’s perfect family Christmas? Her family!
Television presenter Agatha Holly has built her career on telling viewers how to have the perfect Christmas. 'A Holly Jolly Christmas' has been screened every December for twenty years and her entire family are involved, including her daughter Beth—the unwilling star of a thousand memes and gifs. But Beth has finally had enough of public ridicule. All she’s ever wanted is a traditional family Christmas away from the television cameras. If she can’t persuade her family to change, should she consider celebrating Christmas without them?
🎅More about Louise🎅
Louise Marley writes murder mysteries and romantic comedies. She is lucky enough to live in a village where there is a famous library and two ruined castles. (Her husband still thinks they moved there by accident).
Her first published novel was Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, which was a finalist in Poolbeg's 'Write a Bestseller' competition. She has also written articles for the Irish press and short stories for women's magazines such as Take a Break and My Weekly. Previously, Louise worked as a civilian administrative officer for the police.
🎅Thank you for taking part in Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo 🎅
🎅Thank you for inviting me!🎅
Follow us on Twitter @jaffareadstoo #SundayBrunchwithJaffareadstoo
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