Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Interview with Jill Mansell and Giveaway!

I am beyond thrilled to have Jill Mansell as a guest on The Book Chick today! I've been reading her books for many years now, and yesterday I reviewed her latest, Rumor Has It (if you missed my review, you can read it here). Now she has taken the opportunity to answer a few of my questions:

The Book Chick: What inspired you to start writing chick lit?
Jill Mansell: I started writing so many years ago now that chick-lit hadn’t even been invented then! I just decided to write the kind of book I would be excited to find in a bookstore, with humour and romance and drama and laughter and tears…and featuring the kind of characters I’d like to have as my own friends. It literally went from there and turned into my first novel. I’d found my natural writing style and it really hasn’t altered very much since. (Plus, I wouldn’t have the first idea how to put together a murder-mystery!)

TBC: I’m a huge fan and own most of your books (14 at last count). If I had to choose a favorite, it would probably be Nadia Knows Best, because that’s the book I read that made me fall in love with British chick lit in the first place. If you had to choose a favorite out of all of your books, what would it be?
JM: Such a hard question, because I always strive to make each book my favourite while I’m writing it, but each one has bits I particularly love. In Nadia Knows Best, the idea of being stranded by snow and having to spend the night with strangers was a great starting point. In Rumor Has It, the setting is Roxborough, but it’s based on Tetbury, where I went to school. And the final couple of chapters really did it for me - shades of James Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life…

TBC: You’ve written many books, and all have multiple characters. How do you come up with character names?
JM: Character names are getting more difficult, the more books I write – especially hero names. I use a Baby names book, and various sites on the internet, but I’ll also keep an eye out when the credits roll after movies or TV shows. Good names will be stored in a notebook. Then when I’m starting a new book, I’m careful to choose a new cast of characters whose names all ‘fit’ well together.

TBC: In Rumor Has It the character of Jack Lucas is a real ladies man, with women following him everywhere that he goes. Was he inspired by someone you’ve met in real life?
JM: I didn’t base Jack on anyone, but I may have been slightly inspired by George Clooney. I feel sorry for him - it must be hard work going through life being so irresistible…

TBC: What is your favorite color?
JM: My favourite colour is…diamond! Or black. Or silver.

TBC: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one snack with you, what would it be?
JM: This is SUCH a hard question! OK, if it was only one snack, it would have to be potato chips. (We call them crisps.) Just plain ones though – I hate all those weird fake flavourings. I like my potato chips to taste of potato.

TBC: Do you function best: in the morning or at night?
JM: I’m more a middle-of-the-day person nowadays. When I worked in the hospital I used to write late at night. Some of my writer-friends like to get up at 5am and work flat-out until midday. I prefer 10am-4pm. First thing in the morning is my worst nightmare!

TBC: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
JM: I wanted to be an artist – I spent all my time drawing and painting. Art meant everything to me, then I got a bad result in my school art exam and lost my confidence. Just think, maybe if that hadn’t happened, I would never have tried to write books. Fate works in mysterious ways.

TBC: Is there a TV show that you hate to miss?
JM: We never tire of watching Friends in our house. I so wish it would come back. People have compared my books to Friends, so if any TV producers need any inspiration they could try one of my novels…

TBC: What books are on your nightstand right now?
JM: Interestingly, someone on Twitter last week was recommending Nora Ephron’s book Heartburn, which I’d never read before. I ordered it, and am loving it so much – I can’t believe it’s passed me by for so long. It’s truly brilliant and now it’s my turn to recommend it to you!

Thank-you for taking the time to answer my questions. I’m so excited that you decided to be a guest at The Book Chick!

Now, courtesy of Sourcebooks, I have two copies of Rumor Has It to give away! To enter:

1. Tell me if you've ever read a Jill Mansell book before! Please leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win. No e-mail=no entry!

2. *Bonus Entry* Become a follower of this blog, and leave me a seperate comment letting me know that you now follow. Current followers are eligible as well, just leave me a seperate comment letting me know that you already follow!

3. *Bonus Entry* Spread the word about this contest in some way: blog about it, add it to your sidebar, Facebook it, or Twitter it. Leave me a seperate comment letting me know what you did, and how you did it!

This contest will run until June 2, 2010 at midnight. Winners will be chosen after this date and will be notified by e-mail. This contest is open to US and Canadian residents only, no PO Boxes please! Good luck!

81 comments:

  1. I am embarrassed to say I haven't read any of her books. But, if they are anything like Friends, I'd love them!
    fourkidsrgreat@gmail(dot)com

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  2. I'm a follower.
    fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

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  3. I've never read any of her books, either, but am also looking for new authors to read. Based on your interview and review, I think I would enjoy Jill Mansell's books.

    k2reader@gmail.com

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  4. I am already a follower.

    k2reader@gmail.com

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  5. Thanks for this lovely giveaway. I have not read a book by Jill Mansell but your wonderful post and review has definitely made me consider her books interesting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I've not read any of Jill Mansell's books yet, but all the rave reviews I have read, seems a great place to start.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  7. Already a GFC follower.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  8. tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/13855735131

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  9. I haven't read any of her books yet but do have Millie's Fling on my shelf. Rumor Has It sounds great - I would love to read it!

    leenbeen2001 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  10. I am a follower :)

    leenbeen2001 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  11. I haven't read any of her work yet.

    teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

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  12. I am a follower.

    teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

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  13. I wish I could say that I have read some of Jill Mansell's books but unfortunately I cannot. I would love to win a copy though.


    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  14. I am also a follower of your blog.


    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  15. I have not read one of her books before. But I think this looks like a great one to start with.

    Thanks for the chance.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  16. Im already a follower

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  17. tweet - http://twitter.com/DonnaS1/statuses/13883369353

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  18. I've never read one, but would love to

    jpetroroy at gmail dot com

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  19. I also became a follower

    jpetroroy at gmail dot com

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  20. Have never read one of her books, but would love to.

    JHS
    Colloquium

    admin at jhsiess dot com

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  21. Just became a follower on Google.

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  22. No I have never read one of Jill's books. But I am looking forward to it now:)
    Thanks!
    bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

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  23. I am a follower of the blog
    bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

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  24. I tweeted http://twitter.com/bangersis/status/13950655144
    bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I haven't read any of her works yet but I've heard great things about them.

    toothybooks@gmail.com

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  26. I'm a follower

    toothybooks@gmail.com

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  27. I've read An Offer You Can't Refuse, and I remember it being a fun read.

    akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  28. I have not read a Jill Mansell book yet! This looks like a good one to start with! Thanks for the chance to win.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. I haven't read any of her books yet, but I am very intrigued!

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  30. I have read several books by Jill Mansell and loved them! I would love to read this one!

    belle2211(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  31. No I haven't had the chance to read any of her books.

    topwinger17(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  32. I am a follower

    topwinger17(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  33. I hven't read any of her books, but after reading a couple reviews, I'm planning on it!! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

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  34. I have not read any of her books yet but i would love to!

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

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  35. no, i never have...would love to read this one :)


    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  36. Nice interview! I read PERFECT TIMING and really enjoyed it. I'd love to read more of Mansell's books, so thanks for the chance to win one!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

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  37. I'm a Follower.

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

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  38. I haven't read her books yet, but there's always room for new authors in my life!

    mbamster0720@gmail.com
    http://chicklitcentraltheblog.blogspot.com

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  39. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  40. I'm following you too!

    mbamster0720@gmail.com
    http://chicklitcentraltheblog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I just posted a blog where I mentioned this contest!

    mbamster0720@gmail.com
    http://chicklitcentraltheblog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I have never read Jill Mansell's books but I am very interested. Thanks for the great contest :)

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  43. Blogged about this giveaway here: http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/2010/05/not-my-giveaways.html

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I have not read any of Jill Mansell's books but they look great and I would love to.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  45. I follow.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  46. I follow.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  47. I've never read any of her books :$, but I'd love to read this one ! :)

    jo.tee35(at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. I follow your blog!

    jo.tee35(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I haven't read any of her books but I've read so many good reviews for Rumor Has It. I'd love to win a copy.

    meah56(at)gmail(dot)com

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  50. I'm a follower

    meah56(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/bookfanmb/status/14615245638

    meah56(at)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I haven't yet read any of her books but this one sounds so good...i really hope to win!!

    vivaglampink@yahoo.ca

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  53. I have not read any of Mansell's books but I keep seeing great reviews. Unfortunately, my library doesn't carry even one and I'm on a spending freeze, so I really need to win one!

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  54. Since I have been an avid reader for over 55 yrs you would think I had read at least one of Jill's books, but sad to say I have not. Bad girl. lol
    Great interview. I would love to win this book. I have Jill on my new author list and am adding this book to my wish list.
    Thanks for hosting and pls count me in the giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  55. I am a follower via GFC


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Follow via twitter(@misskallie2000

    tweet

    misskallie2000 http://book-chic.blogspot.com/2010/05/interview-with-jill-mansell-and.html
    less than 5 seconds ago via web

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I have not read any of her books... hence why Id love to win and dive into her world!

    papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I am a follower on GFC

    papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I have not read any of Jill's books but this one looks really good. thanks

    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

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  60. I haven't read any of her books but I love finding new authors and this sounds like a good read.
    djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

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  61. I haven't read any of Jill Mansell's books but I sure enjoyed the interview and reviews on this book and would love to read it.

    Please enter me for this giveaway.

    archanaskorner(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thanks
    Arch

    ReplyDelete
  62. I have read three of her books and I would love to read Rumor Has It.

    klmickelsen at gmail dot com

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  63. I am a follower on my Google Reader.

    klmickelsen at gmail dot com

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  64. I've never read a Jill Mansell book before. But this one sounds really good and I would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  65. I haven't read any of her books yet. So, I'm hoping to win a copy! :p

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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  66. I have not read any of her books, I think I am missing out! Thanks for the great info and chance to win.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I'm a GFC follower.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Please enter me...I really want this one. Thank you for the great giveaway!

    debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I just became a follower of your blog on Google Reader.

    debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Unfortunately, no I have not read any of Jill Mansell's books yet. I will be though!! Thanks for the chance. bekki1820cb at gmail

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  71. Follower of the blog.
    bekki1820cb at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  72. I haven't read a Jill Mansell book yet.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  73. Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  74. Tweet! Tweet!
    @NancyeDavis

    http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/15092108634

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  75. I have not yet read any of Jill Mansell's books but would love to have the opportunity to do so. Based upon your interview, this is a book that I could really enjoy reading.

    Thank you,

    Christine
    womackcm (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  76. I am a follower of your blog.

    Thank you,

    Christine
    womackcm@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  77. I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/15266951310

    Thank you,

    Christine
    womackcm@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  78. I just started reading my first Jill Mansell book.

    myshewasyare@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Tweeted about your contest. http://twitter.com/myshewasyare/statuses/15296103875

    myshewasyare@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete