I'm absolutely delighted to have the gorgeous author Paige Toon with me today. Paige is the author of several chick lit books.
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| Photo © Johnny Ring |
Hi Paige! Can you tell us a little about your latest book.
The Longest Holiday is about a girl, Laura, who finds out via a random Facebook message that her gorgeous husband of seven months made a terrible mistake: he had a one night stand on his stag do and got the girl pregnant. Escaping the humiliation that is now her marriage, Laura jets off to Key West with her best friend, and distraction soon follows in the form of a hot Cuban scuba diver. Laura's instant attraction to him knocks her flying, and she falls hard. As the end of the holiday approaches, Laura doesn't want to go home, but is it time to face the music? Or is there more to Key West than a holiday romance?
What inspired you to write it?
When I wrote my third book, Chasing Daisy, a friend suggested that one day I could write “the girlfriend” Laura’s story and call it Tell Laura I Love Her. So I came up with a plot for this book, involving a palm reader and a twist at the end. Later I came up with another idea about someone tracking a one night stand via Facebook, and imagined that one night stand happening just before the man gets married. The thought of suddenly discovering your husband is going to have a baby really struck me as something I’d like to write about. The name ‘Laura’ popped into my head when I was trying to think of a heroine’s name, then I realised I could merge my two stories and The Longest Holiday was born!
Is it part of a series?
No, but it is loosely linked to Chasing Daisy, my third book, about a girl, Daisy, who goes to work in hospitality for a Formula 1 team and gets caught between two drivers, one of whom has a childhood sweetheart called Laura.
If your latest book was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
I’m often asked this question and I find it really hard to answer because I see my characters inside my head and they don’t look like anyone I know! I love hearing what my readers think. They’ve suggested everyone from Danny from The Script to Channing Tatum for Leo – I don’t picture him as either!
What made you want to become an author?
It wasn’t a decision – I’ve wanted to write books ever since I can remember, so it was one of the happiest days of my life when I got a book deal. I hope I never take it for granted.
Name one of your all-time favourite book covers?
Lucy in the Sky, my first book! Seeing the artwork made everything real – I was going to have a book published! My publishers have recently repackaged all of my backlist, and I also love new-look Lucy.
Name one book that made you think 'wow'? Why did it have such an effect on you?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. They’re the last books that have had me reading well into the night – that says a lot as I have two small children. I love a bit of YA sci-fi!
Who, or what, inspires you?
I read an article in the Guardian about novel writing recently, and it said something like: ‘Beauty breeds beauty. The secret to unblocking writers block is to read.’ I stopped reading around the time I got a book deal – I didn’t want to feel daunted by thinking I couldn’t do it as well, nor did I want to accidentally use words or phrases that weren’t my own. I’ve since got over that and take inspiration from books and films all the time. Often I’ll watch something and think, imagine if that had happened and a whole idea is spun off.
Where is your favourite place to write?
I write in a local coffee shop while my kids are at school and nursery. It’s the most productive I’ve ever been. I used to write at home during children’s nap times and it was hard to not just put a wash on or do a quick tidy up. Now I sit here, drink tea and WRITE! Which is just as well because I’m writing two books this year: my usual chick-lit, Thirteen Weddings (out Apr 2014), plus a Young Adult series about the 15-year-old daughter rock star Johnny Jefferson (from Johnny Be Good and Baby Be Mine) never knew he had (out Feb 2014)
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
Probably Bridget Jones’s Diary. The film was actually quite different from the book, but I didn’t realise until I re-read the book. It felt the same. I also love The Notebook, but haven’t actually read the book – shame on me!
Who is your favourite author (s) and why?
Marian Keyes is my favourite chick-lit author. No one does hilarious and heartbreaking quite like her. I also love YA so Suzanne Collins and Stephanie Meyer are right up there.
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Jane Austen, because, God, she’d be amazing to talk to, don’t you think? Marian Keyes – I’ve met her a few times and she’s lovely! And Stephanie Meyer and Suzanne Collins – bet they’re really interesting.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I like peanut butter and jam sandwiches! Blame the years spent growing up in America.
Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
I live in Cambridge and it’s beautiful. So much history. You can go punting down the river and hear about hundreds of years of history and the kings and queens who founded the colleges. My book before last, One Perfect Summer, is set in Cambridge and it was so inspirational researching the city that had just become my home. We moved to Cambridge from London the summer before last.
I'd love to join your dinner party, Paige, they're four fab women authors I'd love to meet! Thanks for stopping by! It was a pleasure having you here today. I feel like I know you that little bit better now :D
For more information about Paige, visit
I love learning about other authors and interesting people. Thanks so much for sharing, my love :)
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