Could It Be I'm Falling In Love?

Could It Be I'm Falling In Love?

What can you tell us about your new book Could It Be I’m Falling In Love?

 

It’s a love story set amongst a group of ex-celebs. The main character is Roxy Squires, a hard-drinking TV presenter (one of the original 90’s ladettes) who can’t quite come to terms with the fact that her 15 minutes of fame are now over. One day, when she’s very hung-over, she answers the door to her window cleaner, who just so happens to be Woody, a former mega-famous pop star who left the music business to live a quiet, simple life. Through Woody, Roxy meets a whole group of other ‘ex-celebs’ – some famous, some infamous, but all currently out of the limelight and at a loss as to what they should do next. Together they all have to decide... do they want fame again, or not...?

 

What made you choose the characters to be ex- stars?

 

I used to work in the press office at MTV, and although I didn’t deal with the celebs directly, I got to see them all at pretty close quarters. It sounds surreal, but in a place like MTV you quickly get used to seeing famous people walk past your desk – from Kylie, Robbie and Angelina to one-hit wonders and reality TV stars. I saw loads of celebs, and dealt with loads of TV presenters. When they’re at the top of their careers they live in a very strange bubble where everything is done for them, from having their craziest whim delivered for lunch, to having their clothes picked out for them each morning. It’s the kind of existence where you could easily forget what the real world is like. I was always fascinated about forwarding the clock on... OK, some stars would stay famous, but what about the ones who faded away? What did they do next, once the papers and the public weren’t interested? Could they just go back to their old lives? Could they just get themselves an ‘ordinary’ job?

 

What was the hardest part of this book to write?

 

I always find it hard to write romantic heroes. The women are easy – they just fly onto the page. But creating a hero that not just I fancy, but the readers fancy too... well, that’s hard. I’m never sure that my taste in hero is the same as everyone elses!


Which is your favourite chapter or part of the book?

 

When I’m writing I fall a little bit in love with all of the characters (even the so-called bad ones). But I have an extra-big soft spot for Simon, the mild-mannered ex soap villain, now languishing in panto. Simon is ignored by his agent and disparaged by his teenage children, but as soon as he steps into his local supermarket he’s always getting heckled by old ladies who think he really is the ‘murderous, kiddy-fiddling pervert’ he used to play on TV. He’s so put upon, I love him!

But in terms of my favourite scene, I think I’d have to say Roxy ‘ladder spooning with Woody’. I know it sounds weird, but it’s not when you read it, I promise!


Which author would you most like to have dinner with?

 

My favourite living author is Lionel Shriver (who wrote ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’), but if I had dinner with her I think I’d be too terrified to swallow. So I think I’ll plump for JK Rowling. Every time I see her interviewed on TV I think how lovely she is and what a good dinner party guest she’d be. Plus I've noticed she's got a really naughty laugh. I reckon she's a bit of a dark horse when she's not on her best behaviour!

 

What is your favourite novel?

 

When it comes to remembering books, I’ve got the memory of a particularly thick goldfish, so my favourite is usually whichever novel I happen to be reading at the time. But recently I do remember falling in love with Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. Her skill in creating a truly fanciable hero who couldn’t move from the neck down was nothing short of awesome!


Which authors have been a great influence on your own work?

 

Oh gosh, everyone and no-one. When I’m writing I have so little time to read other people’s books. Plus I don’t want to inadvertently find myself emulating the style of whoever I’m reading at the time. I want to make sure that my books definitely sound like ‘me’.

 

If you could do anything differently in the novel, what would you change?

 

I’d twiddle the words forever! I’m re-reading ‘Could It Be..’ now, and am itching to get my red pen out.


What advice can you give to aspiring novelists?

 

When I was 19 I met someone who told me she was a writer. At the time I thought it was a really presumptuous thing to say – she was a student - she wasn’t published. But true to her word, she duly was published, and now she’s a fabulous, successful author. Of course, now I can see that she had the perfect attitude from the beginning. She wrote, therefore she was a writer - and she kept writing until the publishing world agreed. So I think this would be my advice... If you write, believe that you’re a writer, no matter whether or not you’ve got a book on sale in Waterstones.


What is next for you?

 

I’m starting work on book 3 next week. I’m so excited – I can’t wait to get started!

 

What was your writing background before you became a PR?

 

I always wanted to be a writer from when I was knee-high, and I did creative writing as part of my degree at university. But then I lost confidence, got busy with a day-job, and didn’t write again for 10 years. Eventually I did a creative writing class on Saturday mornings which was the boost I needed to get back into the right mind-set. I’m a much more confident writer for being in my thirties.

 

What is your writing process and your daily routine?

 

Well, I’ve got two kids, so I only write for 2½ hours a day, whilst my youngest is at preschool. I drop her off, race home and type like the clappers. It’s amazing what you can get done when you’re against the clock.

When I’m on deadline, I also write every evening and every weekend. I’ve even been known to work through the night, and then do the school run. Working all night is fine until about 5am, but then I have to write standing up to stop myself nodding off.

 

If the book were made into a film, who would play the part of Roxy and Woody?

 

Oh, crikey – I’ve no idea! Although now I come to think of it, I reckon Colin Farrell would be ace as Austin Jones!

 

COULD IT BE I’M FALLING IN LOVE? by Eleanor Prescott is published by Quercus on 14 February, paperback, £7.99

Female First Lucy Walton


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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