Book: Lifestyle Manners To Drive Success
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Thanks for inviting me. I’d describe myself as a conflicted extrovert/introvert who can act up as the life and soul of the party but, like most writers, really appreciate solitude. When I’m with people, I always make them laugh and fancy myself as a stage-shy comedian. I’m cursed with a sense of the ridiculous and always look for the mischief in formality.
I retired from my job in pharmaceuticals a couple of years ago and moved to a very small hamlet in Norfolk. I spend my days wearing jeans and country boots, but with good makeup, hair and jewellery. I grew up with horses and dogs in the countryside of Buckinghamshire and now love the big skies and coastline of Norfolk and Suffolk. My first love is my two weimaraners and they were huge inspiration in my move here.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Lifestyle Manners To Drive Success’ book?
When I was writing Lifestyle Manners to Drive Success, my key challenges were keeping it accessible to everyone without appearing superior or elitist. Because the phrase ‘Mind your Manners’ has a bossy overtone to it, I challenged myself to make the book fun to read and hopefully a little bit insightful. My challenge was always to express my playful side by referencing little elements of humour without undermining the key messages.
The other challenge was to translate embedded good manners that would be transferrable across our fast-paced and often digital presence.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
When I was 11 years old, I was given The Handbook of Etiquette by Barbara Cartland. I immersed myself into it, thinking I would need to know how to manage visiting dignitaries and avoid being vulgar at all times. It devotes chapters on dining with or without staff and gave me hilarious expectations of how my adult life would become. It inspired me to write a more contemporary and relatable interpretation.
The authors I really admire are Howard Jacobson for his exquisite grammar and intellect, Terry Hayes (I am Pilgrim) for his ability to write such intricate and flawless plots and Paula McLain (When the Stars Go Dark) for her visceral emotional investment into her characters. It is humbling and inspirational to read their work and they influence me to work harder at my other projects.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
It’s hard for me to recall one favourite spot I like to visit in my own country but I love the soft landscapes of Chichester and Goodwood.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
My internal dialogue is far more extensive and complex than my external dialogue so writing is the perfect outlet for me. My books are my way of emptying my mind of thoughts.
For novels, I have to map characters’ ages before I start writing or they age at different rates throughout the book.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Lifestyle Manners To Drive Success’ book?
It took me around six months to write Lifestyle Manners to Drive Success because I constantly criticise everything I write and re-write it multiple times.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Lifestyle Manners To Drive Success’ book to buy?
Lifestyle Manners to Drives Success can be bought from Amazon or ordered from bookshops.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Lifestyle Manners To Drive Success’?
I can’t take credit for the book cover. I knew I wanted pale blue with white writing but the image was suggested by my friend, Helen and I liked it on sight – simple and clean looking.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I try to keep things fresh for myself and my readers by exploring common threads of conversation on social media, social observations and constant rewriting to stay relevant.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
I think the biggest secrets in the book are influenced by some of the people I know. I suffer moments of clarity when I wonder if they’ve worked out that I was referring to them.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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