Book: Alice Shaken And Definitely Stirred
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I am a primary school teacher who lives in Macclesfield, Cheshire. I am the proud mum of 4 sons and my favourite past time hobbies are going on country walks, cream teas and gin tasting (not necessarily in that order).
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Alice Shaken and Definitely Stirred’ book?
I had originally envisaged my book as a rom com movie but not having a clue how to write a film script I set about writing it as a novel. I had the idea of a story in my head but actually getting my ideas down on paper was the most challenging part, particularly the first few chapters. However, the more I wrote and developed the story and characters the easier it became.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I love Helen Fielding who wrote the Bridget Jones series of books and Catherine Alliott who also writes really charming romantic comedies. I am a huge movie fan and love all the Richard Curtis films, he is such a talented script writer.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
The Lake District. One of my sons lives in Broughton-in-Furness which is a charming village. There are so many beautiful places to visit that are within easy reach of Broughton: the alpaca farm at Lingholm Estate in Keswick, the boat tours on Windemere Lake and the steam train rides at The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
Well I had imagined the story in my head for some time before actually getting it down on paper. I had made lots of notes on the characters and thought about the various settings I wanted. I think planning is important but it is also important to be flexible. As I developed the characters I changed my mind as to how I wanted them portrayed or how I though they would react to different situations.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Alice Shaken and Definitely Stirred’ book?
I had the idea for many years but it was the very first lock down back in March 2020 that gave me the time to focus on writing the story. I found it very therapeutic. None of my boys lived with me at the time so it was very hard not to actually see and hug them and spend time with them. Writing kept me focused and was a big distraction from COVID and the strange world we all entered into. I wrote it in about four months.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Alice Shaken and Definitely Stirred’ book to buy?
They can order it from all book stores and Amazon. I have a link on my own website: paulatheauthor.net and there is also a link on Goodreads.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Alice Shaken and Definitely Stirred’ ?
My book is full of dream sequences and in one of them Alice the main lead, dreams about three James Bond actors turning up in her hotel room: the late Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. I thought aboutt their iconic drink ‘a martini shaken and not stirred’ and played around with this to end up with the title ‘Alice, Shaken and Definitely Stirred!’.
The book cover design was by Charlotte Mouncey who does lots of covers for The Conrad Press and other big publishers. She is a very talented lady who turned my husband’s idea of a front cover into reality.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Many reviewers of the novel have commented how much they enjoyed the dream sequences with many of Alice’s screen idols such as Aidan Turner, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant etc so It allowed me to throw in lots of humour and how the dreams helped move the story along and keep an element of surprise in the book.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Well Alice is pursued by three men and she definitely ends up with one of them! As her Aunt Betty says ‘men are like buses, dear, there are none on the horizon and then three turn up all at once’.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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