Welcome to Tea with Mrs B, an author interview series. Here to share a pot of tea and to chat about her brand new book, An Impossible Thing Called Love, is Belinda Missen.
Author and sometimes foodie, Belinda is a ridiculous romantic who met her husband after being set up by a friend two states away. It went so well, they were living together shortly after their first date.
Residing in country Victoria, surrounded by books, cat-fur, and half-eaten cake, Belinda divides her days between writing rom-coms, baking, and indulging her love of comic books.
Hello Belinda. It is my pleasure to welcome to you my blog, Mrs B’s Book Reviews. Thank you for joining me for Tea with Mrs B, an author interview series. To set the mood for our tea infused interview, what is your preferred beverage, tea, coffee or other? And side accompaniment, scone, cake or other?
Ohhhh . . . I’ll take a lovely hot coffee, and a scone – fresh from the oven!
Can you tell us what genres you write for and how many books you have had published?
At the moment, I’ve got two books published (A Recipe for Disaster and An Impossible Thing Called Love). They’re both romantic comedies – one set in small town Australia, the other in bustling London.
An Impossible Thing Called Love, your latest novel, has just been released in ebook and paperback format. Can you describe the book in just a sentence?
A funny, flirty, feel-good romance about second chances, Contiki tours, and life’s gems: red-headed boys.
What came first in the creation of the novel – the title, plot, characters or setting when you first set out to write An Impossible Thing Called Love?
Good question – this book has been brewing for a long time. It was originally released as a self-published book titled Red in 2015. I think William (Red) was the first character to pop up. He was very loud and insistent, and told me exactly what was going to happen.
How long did it take you to write An Impossible Thing Called Love?
It’s hard to say exactly, because this has been spread across a few years now. I found the editing process difficult for this one, too. I was so stuck in the old story that it was a little hard to climb out and look at it from different angles, so drafts took anywhere from six to ten weeks. I guess, all up, probably a good six or seven months – from first draft, to edits, to final product.
Did you need to undertake any research to bring An Impossible Thing Called Love to life? How did you incorporate this research into your book?
Lots of research! My characters begin their travels in Edinburgh before dallying with Sydney and London. Thankfully, I’ve been to each of those cities, but minor details about Hogmanay, and William’s life as a doctor came from discussions with friends, the Google Machine, and a great editor who picked up on bits that were, frankly, ridiculous (and probably the product of late nights + not enough coffee!).
What character did you most identify with in An Impossible Thing Called Love?
That would probably be William. He’s a little left of centre and off-beat. Anyone who knows me well enough knows that it’s not far from the truth. I think, as a character, William has a great mix of about four or five people I’ve encountered in life all rolled in to one.
What ingredients do you feel are necessary to compose a successful romance based narrative?
This is interesting – because it’s so different for everyone, I think. For me, I need the light-hearted stuff, the bone-dry humour, and something that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I love the work of Lindsey Kelk and Mhairi McFarlane. I find that both these ladies write fantastic humour, and real to life characters who have jobs, strange friends, and ridiculous families. So many times I’ve read one of their books thinking, ‘Yes, me, too! I know!’
What was the most challenging and rewarding aspects of writing An Impossible Thing Called Love?
The most challenging aspect was definitely the rewriting process. I’d read this book so much before I self-published that I knew it inside out and back to front, so it was really quite difficult to both reimagine the story, and the characters. They’re a world away from what they were – and for the better, but it was certainly painful getting there.
As for the most rewarding aspect? I think simply having the book out there in the world is reward in itself. Not everyone will read it, and not everyone will love it (like all books), but to have it out there is pretty sweet.
What do you hope readers will take away from reading An Impossible Thing Called Love?
Perseverance is key in anything. In life, in work, in love. Things get tough, there’s no denying it, but sometimes what seems impossible (love), is totally doable – and worth it!
Can you tell us about your journey to publication?
My journey to publishing still feels like a massive pinch me moment, and a comedy of errors at the same time. I started self-publishing books in 2015 but, by mid-2017, I felt a little dry and worn out, and was considering scraping the whole thing and finding full-time work (those pesky bills). I hadn’t written anything that year. There were a few rough ideas were bouncing around, but nothing that stuck.
A friend contacted me in mid-2017 to say that HQ Digital were having a Twitter pitch session, and that I should get on there and give it a go. I had nothing to lose, so I pitched a couple of books (A Recipe for Disaster, An Impossible Thing Called Love, and another that’s not yet contracted). They liked each of those ideas, and asked for a sample.
I had nothing suitable as a sample. I hadn’t started Recipe, and knew An Impossible Thing was a hot mess. So, on a week away in Sydney, I spent my mornings holed up in a hotel room bashing out the first few chapters for A Recipe for Disaster.
I hit the submit button, thinking nothing more would come of it, but was surprised to find a request for a full manuscript waiting in my inbox the next morning. It was a frantic few weeks finishing off the book – especially because I had no idea what was actually going to happen, only that there was a happily ever after.
It took a few weeks to write, and then there was a six week wait to hear back from them, but I was very surprised to be offered a contract that covered not only A Recipe for Disaster, but my five self-published novels.
So, now, we’re just working through those one by one, cleaning them up from the piles of hot mess that they were, and re-releasing them.
How do you balance life with writing?
That can be hard sometimes. I’m a mad keen workaholic, but I still feel like I’m the laziest person I know. If I’m away from the computer, I feel guilty. Then, sometimes, if I’m at the computer, my brain doesn’t want to cooperate anyway, so it’s a bit of a Catch 22 situation. How do I balance it? I’m not sure I do a great job of it. I’m making a conscious effort this year to read more, to refill the creative well. I’m trying to get out of the house, away from the desk, and get some inspiration. That part seems to be working so far – a whole new book came to me yesterday and, in the space of an hour, the synopsis was done and out the door to the publisher. But, who knows. I do my best.
Can you tell us about your creative working space, where do you write and is there anything vital you need to get started?
First thing’s first – coffee. Then comes the iPod and headphones. I need as little distraction as possible, so I have the music on and up, a cup of coffee. My diary normally has a to do list for the day that I like to tick off, and that’s all that sits on my desk – apart from my computer.
Something that’s absolutely vital is a mid-afternoon nap. I can feel my brain winding down, and I know when it’s time to switch off the lights for an hour. It helps me come back fresh, and chances are I’ve mulled over a scene as I’ve drifted off to sleep, so that helps, too.
Aside from writing, do you have any interesting hobbies?
Here’s where we learn that I am a complete dork. I’ve been researching my family tree since a school project when I was ten years old. My tree stretches back to thousands of people, all of them with crazy stories. I think the coolest find was Jane Austen on my maternal grandmother’s side. It’s a wonderful thing to know where you’re from and from what you’re shaped.
My family history has taken me on travels through Sheffield. My grandmother was born there before migrating to Australia after WW2, and it’s one of those places I feel a huge affinity with. On my first trip there in 2015, I found very little need for a map. I could wander around aimlessly and be where I needed to be. I feel a very strong connection to Sheffield. I’d love to spend a few months there and write a book.
Also on Belinda’s Strange Hobby List: Coins and stamps. It’s something that’s just grown over the years. Again, the stamp thing started around the same time as the family tree thing. The coins have been a more recent thing that my husband and I do together. One of the coolest parts about our 2018 holiday was a visit to the French mint in Paris, and the UK mint in Pontyclune.
What is next on the horizon for Belinda Missen? Do you have any writing projects you would like to share with us?
My next book, Lessons in Love, should be out in May 2019. You’ll get to meet Marcus and Ellie, two overly sarcastic teachers who are not as opposite as they think they are.
What 2019 book releases are you most excited to read?
Both Mhairi McFarlane and Lindsey Kelk have new books out this year, so that’s going to be RAD. Mhairi’s is Don’t You Forget About Me, and Lindsey’s is I Heart Hawaii. Aside from that, I’m looking forward to smashing through my TBR pile this year. It’s so out of control right now . . .
Finally, wrapping up our tea themed interview, who would you most like to share a pot of tea with?
I’m always torn between Reese Witherspoon and Benedict Cumberbatch on this one. I’d love to work with both of them in the future – their production companies are doing some wildly fabulous work, and I want to be part of it!
Thank you for taking the time to visit Mrs B’s Book Reviews for Tea with Mrs B Belinda. Congratulations on the publication of An Impossible Thing Called Love!
Don’t miss the new delightfully uplifting book from the author of A Recipe for Disaster!
A second chance at love…
When globe-trotting Emmy first fell for first-aider William on a freezing New Year’s Eve, she really believed that their love would go the distance.
But when she returns to Australia, her letters start to go unanswered and her emails bounce back unread, Emmy decides it’s time to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and start afresh in London.
So she’s shocked when William walks in on her very first day at her new job! Even worse, he’s hotter than ever. But why did he disappear for so long? What has he been hiding? And could this really be their second chance at falling in love…?
Perfect for fans of Carole Mathews, Mhairi McFarlane and Carrie Hope Fletcher.
An Impossible Thing Called Love by Belinda Missen was published on February 18th 2019 by HQ Fiction.
Purchase links:
HQ Fiction
Amazon UK
Connect with Belinda here:
Website
