NK Chats To…Susan Buchanan (Plus a Giveaway To Win A Copy Of A Little Christmas Spirit)

Hello Susan, thank you so much for joining me and for inviting Novel Kicks onto the blog tour for your book, A Little Christmas Spirit. Could you tell us a little about your latest novel, A Little Christmas Spirit and what inspired it? 

Hi, thanks for having me. Well, it’s the third in the series, and the main character, Lara, who pulls everyone together in this story, is now 9 years old. It has been a long time since the last Christmas Spirit book (2015) so I specifically ensured Lara was the right age for everything to happen organically. We’re back at the Sugar and Spice café, now owned by her mum Tabitha and her uncle Jacob. Because of Lara’s age, and her key role in the novel, a great part of the book is set in her school, with all the Christmas events that throws up.

Which songs would make up a playlist for your novel?

This is a tough one, as I’ve never really thought about it. How about ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey. ‘Merry Christmas, Everyone’ by Shakin’ Stevens. ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ by Paul McCartney. You’ve got me on a roll here, now! ‘Step Into Christmas’ by Elton John, and ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham.

What’s your typical writing day like and do you have any writing rituals, for example, writing in silence, needing coffee? 

I don’t have a typical writing day as every one is different and I don’t write every day. When I do write, sometimes I write a lot, like 12,000 words, to finish a book. As I also edit other authors’ books, sometimes it depends on my workload, and in the run-up to launch of a new book, I have a lot of business things that need doing: admin, processes. However, with regards to the actual writing, yes, I need silence and lots of coffee. Apart from that, I just lose myself in my world!

From idea to finished book, what’s your process like? How do you approach editing and when do you know when you’ve done enough preparation/research prior to starting? 

Every book has been different. I wrote A Little Christmas Spirit in a very short space of time as I wanted my readers to have something this year. For various reasons, I hadn’t released a book for 2 years, and that was 2 years too long. So, I basically spoke to no one, told the kids and my husband to leave me to it, came down for cups of coffee, had a few middle of the night shifts and wrote solid for a few weeks, completely immersed in Lara’s world. As for editing, I am an editor, so I treat my own manuscripts (now) in a similar way to I do my clients’. I make notes in the margin as I go along, to check things later, and then after I type The End, I leave it a few days, longer if possible, then start rereading those comments, fixing things, researching and double-checking. Even though I wrote A Little Christmas Spirit quickly, I had much of it in my head (I definitely do my best thinking in the shower, or when I’m walking the dog!) for quite some time, then I use a programme called Plottr to help me plot out approximately what’s going to happen in each chapter, and then I start writing! I usually do 2 rounds of edits, sometimes 3, then send it to 5 or 6 beta readers, make some changes, then it goes off to my copyeditor.

Which authors do you admire? 

How long have you got?! Maeve Binchy was the original one for my genre. Carole Matthews, Jill Mansell, Patricia Scanlan, Cathy Kelly, then more recently Jessica Redland, Milly Johnson, Leonie Mack, Julie Caplin, Shelley Wilson, Joanna Penn, many of my lovely author friends at the Romantic Novelists’ Association. I did say how long have you got!

What type of scene do you find hardest to write?

Sex scenes, so I don’t usually do much by way of open door and there certainly aren’t any in A Little Christmas Spirit!

Do you have any advice to overcome writers block? 

Write something entirely different, unrelated to your work in progress; go for a walk; have a coffee with a friend; do anything that is unrelated to what you’re supposed to be doing!

What are you currently working on? 

I’m actually having a tiny writing break as I have 4 books ready to go, having worked my little bottom off for quite some time. That said, I will be starting work on a new series set in Scotland, before the end of the year.

Which fictional character would you like to meet and why?

Hercule Poirot – I think I’d like to offer him some help on his cases, exercising my little grey cells!

Any other advice for aspiring writers? 

Whatever path you decide to go down, whether traditional publishing or indie publishing, give it your all. I’d say initially, don’t spread yourself too thin. Make a decision, stick to it and have a plan, a strategy. It’s a business. It’s romantic to think it’s about the writing, but if you want people to buy your books, then you need to think about the business side of being a writer, too. Split your time between writing and writing craft and learning about the business of being a writer.

Would you rather –

Have the ability to see into the future or be able to visit the past?

Visit the past

Have the ability to move things with your mind or read minds?

Read minds

Sing or dance to your favourite song for the rest of your life?

Dance – you don’t want to hear my singing!

Have money or power?

Money, not too much, just enough to constantly travel round the world!

Have an endless summer or winter?

Summer, cos we never get one in Scotland

Drink tea or coffee?

Coffee. I drink about 7-10 cups per day!

See the movie or read the book first?

Always the book!

Read a Paperback or eBook?

Paperback, given the choice. Reality, Kindle app on my phone.

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There’s a chance to win a copy of About A Little Christmas Spirit below but first, here’s a little about the novel – 

Can a sprinkle of magic heal broken hearts this Christmas?

With Jacob now at the helm at the cosy Sugar and Spice café, it’s the perfect opportunity for Christmas Spirit Lara to weave her magic.

Fraser is floundering in his new role as headteacher as he grapples with guilt over having to place his beloved mother in a care home, leaving him feeling lost and alone during what should be a joyful time.

Meanwhile, school janitor Paul is torn between his desire to feel needed and the pressure from his wife to retire, dimming the season’s sparkle.

Valerie, overwhelmed by the demands of newborn twins, feels she’s not giving her other daughter enough attention. She needs a bit of me time and for her husband to realise the responsibility for the kids falls to both of them.

And Bella, heartbroken after her husband’s shocking request for a separation just a year into their marriage, longs to escape the memories of last year’s perfect Christmas.

Can Lara help them rediscover joy, connection, and the true spirit of the season?

A heartwarming journey filled with friendship, community, and a dash of holiday magic that promises to transform the lives of those in need of hope this Christmas.

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WIN A COPY OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT – 

Would you like to win a signed copy of The Christmas Spirit along with a bookmark?

If you’re in the UK, it’s as simple as clicking on this link to enter.

Open to the UK only on this occasion.

Here’s the legal bit AKA, the terms and conditions. 

 UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box above. 

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner.

Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  

I (Novel Kicks) am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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About Susan Buchanan –

Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship and community.

Her books are Sign of the Times, The Dating Game, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit and Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn.

As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador.

When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out, and she has recently discovered a love of writing retreats.

Say hello to Susan via her website, Instagram, Facebook, X and Threads.

A Little Christmas Spirit is book three in The Christmas Spirit series and was released on 12th November 2024. Click here to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones. 

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.