Novel Kicks Chats To Paige Toon

Paige Toon has worked at various magazines before becoming Reviews Editor at Heat Magazine. Her novels include The Longest Holiday and One Perfect Summer. Her new book, Thirteen Weddings was released in May. We chat with Paige about her book, her favourite word, Tom Cruise and Simon Cowell.

Can you tell us a little about Thirteen Weddings and where did the idea originate?

It’s about a wedding photographer who falls in love with a groom. The year before last I went to four weddings in one summer and I remember watching the wedding photographers and imagining what it would be like to be such an important part of two complete strangers’ ‘best days of their lives’ – I thought it would be an interesting subject for a story.

If Thirteen Weddings had a soundtrack, what songs would you include?

Love by Daughter – even Bronte listens to this song when she’s thinking about Alex. I also listened to a lot of Lana Del Ray while I was writing it – dark and moody yet totally beautiful.

What’s your favourite word and why?

‘Aah’ – I seem to say it a lot on Twitter when I’m conversing with my lovely readers!

Is there a fictional character you’d like to talk to and what would you talk about?

I’d *like* to talk to some of the male leads in my books, but I’m happily married so that might be tempting fate, ha ha.

Which three words best describe you?

Friendly, kind, determined

What sort of planner are you, do you edit as you go and how many words do you generally aim for?

I do edit as I go and I wish I didn’t because it wastes too much time – it’s a form of procrastination, I think! My books are around 110k words and in the last stages of a book I have written 10k words in a day – I’m so into the story by that point.

Is there a book you’ve read that has had a major impact on you?

Too many to try to pin down! Memoirs of a Geisha, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Watermelon by Marian Keyes and The Hunger Games – a bit of a mixed bunch, but these ones popped into my mind!

You’re hosting a fantasy dinner party. Who would you invite?

Edward and Bella from Twilight, Jace and Clary from The Mortal Instruments, and, do you know what, even though I’m not huge fans of them or anything, but I reckon Tom Cruise and Simon Cowell would be quite interesting to chat to! I am well aware that I have made a bizarre selection.

Paige’s Writing Space

Do you have any writing rituals?

Cup of tea, social media catch up, check online reviews, another cup of tea, attempt to write before daughter comes home from nursery!

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

Make sure you enjoy what you’re writing – if you don’t, chances are your readers won’t either. I’ve written a blog about how I got published which might help inspire people – www.simonandschuster.co.uk – Paige Toon Author Voice.

What’s your best writing moment so far?

I don’t think I’ll ever forget how happy I was to write Lucy in the Sky – I had just signed a two book deal and all of my dreams had come true.

You can find out more about Paige by visiting www.paigetoon.com

Follow Paige on Twitter: @PaigeToonAuthor

Read Paige’s tips for new writers.

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.