Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!
When I was offered to showcase a special 20x Question Interview with an author I’ve been curious to start reading for this lovely blog tour, I couldn’t wait to sort out the questions I wanted to ask Ms Baggot! I loved the concept of hosting 20 curiously interesting questions to ask an author whose celebrating their 20th release in publishing! It is quite the wicked awesomesauce milestone for Ms Baggot – the honour was doubled for me to not only host her during this special release blog tour but to have the chance to ask questions I might not normally ask whilst hosting a blog tour of its nature!
I truly decided to have a bit of fun with what to ask & as you will tell by her responses – she had an equally delightful time in crafting her replies! I liked how throughout the conversation you get to see a bit of her personality & you get to learn a bit about her craft of writing stories – one thing which shines through is her avid love & admiration for *Greece!* I could definitely understand her passion for setting stories in this country just by how she was addressing my enquiries and how her responses link back to a country which has taken over a piece of her heart. You can see why she likes to set her stories there – I would imagine it is both self-renewing as a writer to spilt her time there as much as it is a soul lift to be amongst people who truly embrace the epitome of friendship and community.
It was my hope if you’ve become a long-time appreciator of her stories and/or if you’re a newbie to her style of Contemporary Romances (such as I am!) – there is something for each of us to enjoy by reading through an interview which moves from topic to topic and yet gives you unique takeaways about the author as you might not have seen her previously! I look forward to your reactions in the comments – as we celebrate Ms Baggot’s 20th release.
I am so very appreciative of the time Ms Baggot took in responding to this interview and the joy she gave me as a host to be featuring this during the blog tour’s final day!
Be sure to brew your favourite cuppa and enjoy this delightful convo we shared!
My Greek Island Summer
Subtitle: A laugh out loud summe romance
by Mandy Baggot
Two weeks. One unforgettable trip to Corfu. A chance to change her life.
Becky Rose has just landed her dream job house-sitting at a top-end villa on the island of Corfu. What could be better than two weeks laying by an infinity pool overlooking the gorgeous Ionian waters while mending her broken heart.
Elias Mardas is travelling back to Corfu on business whilst dealing with his own personal demons. Late arriving in Athens, Becky and Elias have to spend a night in the Greek capital. When they have to emergency land in Kefalonia, Becky's got to decide whether to suck up the adventure and this gorgeous companion she seems to have been thrown together with or panic about when she's going to arrive at Corfu...
Finally reaching the beautiful island, Becky is happy to put Elias behind her and get on with her adventure. Until he turns up at the villa...
Genres: Contemporary (Modern) Fiction (post 1945), Contemporary Romance, Romance Fiction
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 978-1838933432
Also by this author: A Perfect Paris Christmas
Published by Head of Zeus
on 4th June, 2020
Published By: Head of Zeus (@HoZ_Books)
Available Formats:
Ebook released 2nd April, 2020!
Trade Paperback releases 9th July, 2020!
Converse via: #MyGreekIslandSummer, #Contemporary #WomensFiction
Whilst celebrating the release of your 20thNovel in 2020 what immediately comes to mind as you reflect back over the last twenty stories which led you to this lovely milestone? Any top characters percolating back to mind, locales of where you wrote the stories or any ‘behind-the-book’ secrets not yet shared with your readers?
Baggot responds: Each and every story has been a milestone along the way. I can’t quite believe I’ve reached 20 books. I have to say my novels set in Corfu are collectively the most special. Having fallen in love with this beautiful Greek island I am lucky enough to also own a home there. Being able to visit and write about summer romances as my job is the best thing. My novel, Truly Madly Greekly helped my writing career really take off so that book means a great deal to me.
You’re an actively bookish, foodie and holiday social writer – what do you love most about socially sharing snapshots of your life via Insta, Twitter and other platforms such as your Book Club group on Facebook? What are the highlights of joy for you on them?
Baggot responds: I pretty much love to share everything that’s going on in my life with the world in general. I love reaching readers on social media and giving them a taste of my life as an author. From my terrible cooking attempts to me getting sweaty at the gym, I like to think I share the stuff of dreams – my home in Corfu – as well as the ordinary – school run mum who loves a bargain. My Mandy Baggot Book Club on Facebook is a place where readers who enjoy my books can come and find out exclusive news but, also can share the books they are reading (not just my books) and on Friday evenings we all have fun sharing photos of our drinks in What Are You Drinking Friday!
What was it like auditioning for the X-Factor and what can you share about the experience from “behind-the-scenes” of what it’s like to be on a show of its kind?
Baggot responds: Ha! It really was an experience being in X-Factor and one I wouldn’t repeat. It is literally nothing like you see on the TV. My first audition was at the Millennium Stadium in Wales where I waited all day outside with 10,000 other people for the chance to sing in a small booth by the side of the football pitch. If you were successful in that audition you got a golden ticket and had to find a hotel for the night to come back and audition the following day. I got a golden ticket. We stayed overnight and we had to come back the next morning wearing the same clothes for continuity purposes. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it through the next round. There are three rounds before anyone sees the celebrity judges.
What drew to you settling your holiday home on Corfu? Was it the allure of the sea, the community itself or something else which led your heart to this locale? What are your favourite moments to spend there?
Baggot responds: Oh, my lovely Corfu! Where do I start? We first visited Corfu in 2003 on a self-catering holiday and loved it so much we came back the next year. After that we decided to settle down and have children so foreign holidays took a back seat until we went back to Corfu and stayed at the Mareblue Beach in Agios Spyridon. This hotel was the backdrop for my book, Truly Madly Greekly and it literally changed my life. Because of that book we could afford to visit Corfu more often and as we were going back to the same place time and time again if made sense to look at a holiday home there. Our little ‘spiti’ (house) in the hamlet of Pelekito overlooks the sea at Spyridon and the mountains of Albania. It’s a tiny Greek community that has embraced us with open arms. I have the most amazing neighbours and we all help each other out. We are given Greek treats and bring over English chocolates and toys for the children and it’s a real harkening back to simpler times which is one of the main reasons I love it here so much. It’s the peace and tranquility as much as the gorgeous views and the warm climate. And of course the food!
How would your cat(s) describe you and what do you think they intuit about us overall as we definitely live with cats rather than the reverse!
Baggot responds: I lost one of my cats late last year – Kravitz – but her sister Springsteen is coming up to 17 years old and she knows me pretty well. I think Springsteen would describe me as a little crazy but warm and loveable and always there for a cuddle. She definitely knows when I’m upset and has been known to climb into bed under the covers and snuggle up.
Being a Foodie – what is your top favourite dish to eat and does it differ from your top favourite dish to cook (or bake)?
Baggot responds: I am definitely an eater rather than a baker! At home my favourite dish to cook is a chilli and I’ll have this on rice, pasta or with my much-loved and favourite food, mashed potato. My favourite dishes to eat are Greek ones – there’s nothing like a hearty beef stifado or a simply-cooked swordfish at one of the lovely tavernas in Perethia, Harry’s.
Whilst travelling – what is one food which took your soul and gave you a wicked good eat you were not expecting in that moment?
Baggot responds: For me it’s always the humble pita gyros. Yes, I’ve eaten a lot of them, but when you’re in the UK and haven’t had one for a while it always catches me by surprise exactly how fantastic they are! What’s not to love about hot pork slivers with chips, salad and tzatziki in a pita bread? I’m salivating right now!
What are the top choices you make when sorting out what to throw in your bag whilst travelling and what would surprise your readers about your choices?
Baggot responds: This is funny! My last trip to Corfu in March we only booked a rucksack each and mine was full of gifts for my neighbours! I took underwear, two tops and a pair of jeans plus my laptop and Kindle (I never go anywhere without books!). Having a house in Corfu means I can leave clothes and essentials here so I really can travel light.
You love writing about Greece and you love holidaying there as well – of the stories written thus far, which story and character stand out as a favourite?
Baggot responds: This latest book, My Greek Island Summer is special because it’s my 20th novel but also it’s quite a personal book. Some of the things that happen to Becky along her journey are a retelling of events that actually happened to me. That’s the great thing about coming to Greece and writing about Greece, inspiration is everywhere.
What is your favourite part of Greek culture and the communities you frequent?
Baggot responds: There is so much to love about Greece. Their hospitality is second to none. As I was writing this Q&A my Greek neighbours came round and gave me eggs from their chickens – that says everything about community here. Mostly I love the simplicity of life here. It’s the walking up to our local taverna and sharing fantastic home-cooked cuisine and ouzo with friends, it’s the festivals with Greek dancing and bouzouki playing, it’s how Greece still keeps those traditions going and how important they still are to their lives.
How do you first start writing your Contemporary Romances and what renews your muse to find new stories to write?
Baggot responds: I’ve written romance stories for as long as I can remember. Even when I was at school – say, aged 10 – my stories always had some element of romance in them, usually involving a TV heartthrob. I love to write about every day lives and the ups and downs of them – real issues, but given a humorous twist and, obviously, always a happy-ever-after. Luckily enough, so far, I am always struck with plenty of ideas for new characters and stories. I always make sure I listen and I look up, as that’s all there is to it, suck in real life at every opportunity.
Are you a traditionalist writing by hand with pen and paper, or by typewriter or have you gone high tech with computers and writing apps?
Baggot responds: I mainly write on my Macbook – it’s the best thing for me as I’m a touch typist (I don’t have to look at the keys) as I was a secretary for many years before I wrote full-time. I do also love to write with a pen and paper though, as it forces your brain to work a little more slowly and sometimes that difference in style can be a refreshing change.
Do you find any of your characters to be challenging to write about or to develop? If so, which ones surprised you the most?
Baggot responds: My characters mainly write themselves and I really do mean that. I will give them a basis and their goal and then they take over. I’m not a planner. I start with a very sketchy outline and I have no idea where the book and its characters will take me. I couldn’t write to a strict plan as I think I would be bored knowing exactly how each scene was going to play out. In My Greek Island Summer the character of Petra was never meant to be in the book, she simply arrived on that plane to Athens and took the reins. And she is an AMAZING character. I’m so glad she jumped right in!
Of all your secondary characters – which ones still draw your curiosity and were fun to write about?
Baggot responds: I loved Heidi in One Last Greek Summer. She was my first openly gay female character and such a blast to write. I have so many friends and family in the LGBTQ+ community and I always want to make sure that the real life I write about is the real real life we all know. Heidi gets her own love story alongside the main character, Beth, and I loved her happy ending!
Most of your stories have “One” in the title – was this a choice of yours for sequencing and branding or was this an idea your publisher had? I was curious how your titles are chosen and what your thoughts are about your cover art? As each of your covers tells a miniature story and starts to set the scene immediately!
Baggot responds: My first ‘one’ book was ‘One Wish in Manhattan’ and that was completely my choice of title. After that, as no one else was going for the ‘one’ vibe I did sort-of take it on as my branding. I do realise it might get a bit much if I carry on all the time with it, so this year’s books are ‘My Greek Island Summer’ and ‘A Perfect Paris Christmas’. I wouldn’t rule out more ‘ones’ to come though.
I love my covers as they do give an immediate flavour of the story. Some have couples on, others a single woman, but all of them say ‘romantic comedy’ to me and I hope the readers also get the feel for summer getaways or cosy Christmas.
If you could only stream 5x of your top favourite tv series what would be your immediate choices?
Baggot responds:
Stranger Things (my number one!)
Ozark
How To Get Away With Murder
AJ and the Queen
The Umbrella Academy
Can’t I have more?!
If you were driving past a karaoke night at a local pub, restaurant, bar, etc – what would you sing if you dashed in on the fly and decided to join the fun? What are your top favourite songs to sing? And, why?
Baggot responds: Eek! Um… maybe Adele ‘Someone Like You’ as I do like to sing that one. But that’s quite a sad song so I’d maybe have to do ‘Don’t Put Dirt on My Grave’ from Nashville to follow up. For the X-Factor I sang Bon Jovi’s ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’.
Do you consider yourself a planner or a spontaneous adventurer?
Baggot responds: I don’t plan my books but I do plan my trips. We usually head to Corfu though, so not that spontaneous!
If you could spend a day doing nothing but what gives you blissitude how would you spend it and where would we find you?
Baggot responds: You would find me in Corfu just looking at the fantastic scenery and when I was done with looking at the view in the sunshine I would definitely be reading my Kindle.
If you were to conceive of a note to write yourself before you published your first novel whilst reflecting on your 20th novel being released this year – what would you tell yourself and how has your perspective changed or grown since then?
Baggot responds: I would tell myself to never give up. That the grit and belief and determination I have to be a published author is absolutely well-founded. I would say ‘you can do it and you will do it. And you will do it so well there will be readers all over the world reading your stories’. I probably wouldn’t have believed myself back then though!
About Mandy Baggot
Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer. The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK's Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016.
Mandy's books have so far been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Hungarian. Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1's Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.
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NOTE: Similar to blog tours wherein I feature book reviews, book spotlights (with or without extracts), book announcements (or Cover Reveals) – I may elect to feature an author, editor, narrator, publisher or other creative person connected to the book, audiobook, Indie film project or otherwise creative publishing medium being featured wherein the supplemental content on my blog is never compensated monetarily nor am I ever obligated to feature this kind of content. I provide (98.5%) of all questions and guest topics regularly featured on Jorie Loves A Story. I receive direct responses back to those enquiries by publicists, literary agents, authors, blog tour companies, etc of whom I am working with to bring these supplemental features and showcases to my blog. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them: I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers. Whenever there is a conflict of connection I do disclose those connections per post and disclose the connection as it applies.
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