NK Chats To… Eliza J. Scott

Hi Eliza, thank you for joining me today and for inviting me onto your blog tour for A Cozy Countryside Christmas. Can you tell me about your book and what inspired it? 

Well, without giving too much away, A Cosy Countryside Christmas centres around Ella Welford and Joss Campion. The couple were childhood best friends, until Joss left the village rather abruptly. When he returns, sparks fly but neither of them are keen to do anything about it. When they find themselves thrown together in an unexpected drama high on the snowy moor top… I’m afraid to say anything further would give too much away!

How long does it typically take you to write a book and what’s your process like? 

It can take between three to four months per book. As for my writing process, I tend to start by drafting character profiles, jotting down as many details as possible. Then I set out a rough draft of the outline of the story so when I start to actually write it, I have an idea of the journey I’d like my protagonists to take. Having said that, I tend to let them take the lead and see what challenges they face on the way to their happy ending. I’m a mix of plotter and pantser – plotty pantser or pants plotter; I’m not sure which is applicable!

Which fictional world would you like to visit and why? 

I loved The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe books when I was younger (actually, I still do), so I’d love to slip through the back of the wardrobe and visit Narnia. Can I be cheeky and name two? I’d love to have a wander around Enid Blyton’s Enchanted Wood too – and maybe have a quick scramble up the Faraway Tree.

Which songs would make up a playlist for your book? 

Great question! I think it would have to include:

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Michael Bublé

All I want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

Sleigh Bells – The Ronettes

Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Michael Bublé

Winter Wonderland – Ella Fitzgerald

White Christmas – Bing Christmas

Let it Snow – Michael Bublé (I’m a huge fan!)

What’s your favourite word and why? 

Ooh, this one got me thinking! I reckon it would have to be chocolate, for obvious reasons!

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered since you started writing? 

It’s not a surprise as such, but it’s heart-warming to see just how friendly, welcoming and supportive the writing community is. I’m so glad to be a part of it as I’ve got to know some wonderful people.

What are you currently working on? 

I’m currently working on my new seaside series. I’ve written the first book and am currently writing the second. Like the Life on the Moors series, it’s based on a group of friends, each one with their own story to tell.

Which book have you read that you wish you could forget, so you could discover it again? 

That’s easy to answer: Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. I adore that novel.

If you could tell your writing self one thing, what would it be? 

Hmm. I think I would tell myself to structure my day so I always manage to fit in some writing time, even if it’s just an hour. That way you won’t lose momentum.

Any other advice for aspiring writers? 

As well as to write every day, I think I’d recommend keeping a notebook handy at all times. You never know when an idea or that perfect plot twist might pop into your head. You can guarantee, if you don’t write it down, you’ll forget about it!

Thanks for having me on your blog, Laura. I’ve had lots of fun.

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.  Happy reading!

NK: And you, Eliza. 

About Eliza J. Scott: 

Eliza lives in the North Yorkshire countryside with her family. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her kindle or working in her garden , fighting a losing battle against the weeds.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming romance stories with relatable female characters. Her books will always have happy endings.

Say hello on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bookbub, Amazon Author page UK, Amazon Author page US or via her website. 

About A Cozy Countryside Christmas: 

Ella Welford’s done with love. After having her fingers burnt, she’s been resolutely single for the last year and has sworn to stay that way.

Joss Campion’s still reeling from a messy divorce and has vowed never to open his heart to love again.

Growing up in the picturesque village of Lytell Stangdale, with the North Yorkshire Moors as their playground, Joss and Ella were best friends. The pair were inseparable.

Until the day something happened to ruin their friendship and Joss moved away.

An urgent telephone call summons Joss back to the village. His father’s been rushed to hospital and he’s needed to run the farm. When he returns, with his loyal canine companion, Sid, in tow, it isn’t long before he realises things aren’t as they seem. Why is his brother, Rich, being so evasive? And why does he get the impression the farm’s in trouble?

Teaching Assistant, Ella, has just broken up for the Christmas holidays and is looking forward to spending more time on her parents’ farm, tending her variety of rescue animals and recharging her batteries.

It isn’t long before the pair run into one another and sparks of attraction begin to fly – not that either of them will admit to it. But, just before Christmas, they find themselves thrown together in an unexpected turn of events as a fierce snow blizzard rages around them.

Could this be the moment that changes everything? Or is their past too big to ignore?

One thing’s for certain, life’s never dull in this little corner of the North Yorkshire Moors.

Join Ella and Joss – and all the usual Lytell Stangdale characters – for a heartwarming festive read.

Click to buy A Cozy Countryside Christmas on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.