Victoria Connelly

Victoria Connelly is the author of the Austen Addicts series. Her latest book, Happy Birthday, Mr Darcy? is available now. 

Can you tell us about your new book, Happy Birthday, Mr Darcy?

Happy Birthday, Mr Darcy, is a light-hearted romantic novella. It’s the fifth book in my Austen Addicts series and takes place during the summer of 2013 when Warwick and Katherine are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice by getting married. But can Katherine put aside her fears about the future and can Warwick put down his pen long enough to actually make it up the aisle?

What superpower would you like to have?

I’d choose to be able to fly so I could soar above the beautiful English countryside. Oh, and never have to use public transport again!

What’s your favourite word?

‘Piacere’ – it’s the Italian word for ‘pleasure’ and is pronounced ‘pia chair rah’ which I think is gorgeous!

What makes you laugh?

My hens! Most of them are ex-battery hens and they get up to all sorts of mischief. They always make me laugh when they shake after having a dust bath or when they sneak into the house and stick their heads in the bag of corn. They are a constant delight.

Do you get writers block and if so, how do you deal with it?

I’m not sure I really believe in writers’ block. I sometimes think you can work too hard at a project and need to move away from it. I had this experience with my novel about a young woman who marries a duke and goes to live in his haunted home. It’s called Three Graces and I’d written about three-quarters of it and came to a complete standstill. I took a break and wrote two children’s novels and then went back to Three Graces and sped on through to the end. I just needed some time away from it.

If there was one point of history you could visit, where would you go and why?

I would love to travel back to the Tudor court and get a look at Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. I’m fascinated by their tempestuous relationship and would love to know what they looked like and how they acted around each other.

If a film was being made of your life, who would you like to play you?

I adore Reece Witherspoon. Do you think she’d take me on?

What are your TV/Music guilty pleasures?

I don’t believe in ‘guilty pleasures’ – you should never apologise if something has entertained you. But my favourite TV programmes include ‘Supernatural’, ‘Dexter’ and ‘The Walking Dead’ – all a rather wonderful antidote from writing romance! And I never miss ‘Escape to the Country’ but I probably spend more time watching films than TV. Favourite music – I’m a huge Chris Isaak fan – that voice, that guitar … and I’ve recently discovered The Pierces and think they’re fabulous.

Do you have any writing rituals/habits?

Each new novel has a new A4 folder in a cheering colour and I always begin by making a spider diagram of my characters so I can see them all down together and work out their relationships to one another. I don’t think I have any other rituals or habits. I can write pretty much anywhere as long as it’s warm and quiet. I hate the cold and I hate noise!

What’s the best piece of advice about writing that you’ve ever been given?

Someone once said, ‘Don’t get it right – get it written’ and my grandpa told me that you can’t correct what you haven’t written. I like that! Just write – get something down even if it isn’t perfect. You can rewrite it later.

Victoria’s Website. 

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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.