Sophie Kinsella
Sophie Kinsella series of Shopaholic novels cemented her as one of the most popular chick-lit writers and this popularity was cemented by a big screen adaptation of the first Shopaholic novel.
What was it like watching your book come to life as a movie?
It's just been amazing and completely surreal. It's such an adventure and such a treat. I'm just the luckiest girl alive because I could just sit on the set and watch these guys bringing my story to life, and being so witty, entertaining and just brilliant. So, it's been a dream... it really has.
How did you receive the information that Jerry Bruckheimer wanted to turn your book into a movie?
It was a phone call from my agent, saying...you won't believe his, but...I nearly fell off my chair. It had never occurred to me that anybody would be interested in making a movie out of it.
The whole Shopaholic thing has blown me way. I sat down all those years ago and thought I was writing a little story about a girl in Fulham with an overdraft. I hoped a few people might relate to it and be interested.
What was your original inspiration?
It was a mixture of me, my sister Gemma and friends. The first inspiration was Visa bill - which is nearly the first scene in the movie....the shock and denial you feel when you open the Visa bill. With me it was amnesia, claiming I had never been in the shop. I would think it was wrong and then my husband would remind me I had shopped there.
When did you realize that Shopaholic was more than a little story?
It dawned on me gradually. I started getting the odd fan letter. It was a very gradual thing. I still get surprised by the scope of it.
Was there any trepidation over your book becoming a movie?
I had no preconceptions. By the time it came round I had almost put the film out of my mind and I had no idea what, if any, my involvement would be. A lot of authors don’t get involved so for me it was a real bonus that everybody was so welcoming. I felt very privileged.
You were pretty active in the production side of this... so, how did it feel to be on set?
It was a privilege for me. I never expected to be so involved. So many times, the author is really not a part of it... in fact; I think often they prefer the author to be deceased. So, I felt very honoured.
Everybody was very inclusive and collaborative and it was enormous fun. It was just so exciting to see it come to life and a whole new world for me. I feel very spoiled to have my first movie experience be a huge Jerry Bruckheimer movie. I feel my standards are now really high. I started off way up there [gestures high].
And do you have more work in production?
Yes. I have two other books that are in development at the moment.
What was the stand-out moment for you when you were on the film set?
I did get goose bumps on the first day of shooting when the first scene to be shot was the Visa scene. It was the first scene that I had written all those years ago, coming to life before my eyes. That was a bit shivery. The big scene, like the ballroom scene, was amazing.
What has been the most ridiculous thing that you ever bought?
There was a pair of shoes that were not cheap. They were on sale but still certainly cost over 100 Pounds. That is the first point of shame. The next point of shame was I don’t know what I was thinking, I must have been hormonal or something because they were the most ludicrous shoes.
They had diamante hearts; great big black wedge platform heels with a hole cut through them and silver straps that tie up your legs. I think I bought them thinking that I might wear them if I go clubbing.
I don’t know what I thought, I was utterly deluded and the minute I got them home I thought I am never wearing these shoes. They have never been worn. They are my shoes of shame.
What was the last thing you bought with a credit card?
It would have to be a bright pink dress, which I bought this week for the London premiere of the film. It was a fine investment!
There seems to be a new genre of films concentrating on women's relationship with shopping, such as Devil Wears Prada and 27 Dresses. Why do you think that is?
I think it reflects society and the culture we're all living in. As a creator, you just look at the world and observe it and turn it into fiction and try to entertain people with it, rather than telling people the truth.
I think the film does have a truth to it as well as being a lot of fun. The film is about integrity as much as anything else and it shows Rebecca blossoming. When she writes the truth which, for her, is writing about bags and shoes she captures a truth, which is far wider and speaks to people. It resonates and means something.
What are your shopping temptations?
Do you know, mine are summer dresses which is just tragic given the country that I live in! I think its complete wish fulfilment. I go out, I buy skimpy summer dresses and I never get to wear them because of the weather. And I go on holiday and have to wear three dresses every day just to get through them.
You have three young sons, how do you cope with motherhood and writing?
My sons are 12, 11 and three. It has been a busy time, a juggling act. Sometimes I do look back at all my books and wonder how it all happened. I am lucky in having a really supportive husband who is the headmaster of a school.
I could not do what I do without him. He talks through the books with me and holds the fort and manages the boys if I am away.
What is your routine when you write?
I start first thing in the morning at 8.30 am, in an office, which is 10 minutes walk from home. I switch off the phones and away I go. My target is 1,000 words a day. Then in the evening I look at what I have written and spend hours tinkering with it. Before I start writing I spend a few weeks planning the book, sitting in coffee shops writing and thinking.
What are you doing next?
I'm just editing a new book. It's not a Shopaholic book but it comes out in the autumn and it's called 20s Girl.
What was the last DVD you bought?
My boys were having friends over and we bought Kung Fu Panda and Star wars: The Clone Wars. I also loved Wall-E. We saw it twice. I love the old film favourites too, stars like Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn and The Wizard of Oz is one of my favourite films.
Confessions of a Shopaholic is released on DVD 29th June.
Sophie Kinsella series of Shopaholic novels cemented her as one of the most popular chick-lit writers and this popularity was cemented by a big screen adaptation of the first Shopaholic novel.
What was it like watching your book come to life as a movie?
It's just been amazing and completely surreal. It's such an adventure and such a treat. I'm just the luckiest girl alive because I could just sit on the set and watch these guys bringing my story to life, and being so witty, entertaining and just brilliant. So, it's been a dream... it really has.
How did you receive the information that Jerry Bruckheimer wanted to turn your book into a movie?
It was a phone call from my agent, saying...you won't believe his, but...I nearly fell off my chair. It had never occurred to me that anybody would be interested in making a movie out of it.
The whole Shopaholic thing has blown me way. I sat down all those years ago and thought I was writing a little story about a girl in Fulham with an overdraft. I hoped a few people might relate to it and be interested.
What was your original inspiration?
It was a mixture of me, my sister Gemma and friends. The first inspiration was Visa bill - which is nearly the first scene in the movie....the shock and denial you feel when you open the Visa bill. With me it was amnesia, claiming I had never been in the shop. I would think it was wrong and then my husband would remind me I had shopped there.
When did you realize that Shopaholic was more than a little story?
It dawned on me gradually. I started getting the odd fan letter. It was a very gradual thing. I still get surprised by the scope of it.
Was there any trepidation over your book becoming a movie?
I had no preconceptions. By the time it came round I had almost put the film out of my mind and I had no idea what, if any, my involvement would be. A lot of authors don’t get involved so for me it was a real bonus that everybody was so welcoming. I felt very privileged.
You were pretty active in the production side of this... so, how did it feel to be on set?
It was a privilege for me. I never expected to be so involved. So many times, the author is really not a part of it... in fact; I think often they prefer the author to be deceased. So, I felt very honoured.
Everybody was very inclusive and collaborative and it was enormous fun. It was just so exciting to see it come to life and a whole new world for me. I feel very spoiled to have my first movie experience be a huge Jerry Bruckheimer movie. I feel my standards are now really high. I started off way up there [gestures high].
And do you have more work in production?
Yes. I have two other books that are in development at the moment.
What was the stand-out moment for you when you were on the film set?
I did get goose bumps on the first day of shooting when the first scene to be shot was the Visa scene. It was the first scene that I had written all those years ago, coming to life before my eyes. That was a bit shivery. The big scene, like the ballroom scene, was amazing.
What has been the most ridiculous thing that you ever bought?
There was a pair of shoes that were not cheap. They were on sale but still certainly cost over 100 Pounds. That is the first point of shame. The next point of shame was I don’t know what I was thinking, I must have been hormonal or something because they were the most ludicrous shoes.
They had diamante hearts; great big black wedge platform heels with a hole cut through them and silver straps that tie up your legs. I think I bought them thinking that I might wear them if I go clubbing.
I don’t know what I thought, I was utterly deluded and the minute I got them home I thought I am never wearing these shoes. They have never been worn. They are my shoes of shame.
What was the last thing you bought with a credit card?
It would have to be a bright pink dress, which I bought this week for the London premiere of the film. It was a fine investment!
There seems to be a new genre of films concentrating on women's relationship with shopping, such as Devil Wears Prada and 27 Dresses. Why do you think that is?