Alexandra Brown

Alexandra Brown lives near Brighton with her husband known as Mr B and their daughter fondly known as QT and Oscar, their very shiny black Ladrador. ‘Christmas at Carrington’s is Alexandra’s second book in the Carrington’s series.

1. Your latest book ‘Christmas At Carringtons’ is the follow up to the wonderful ‘Cupcakes At Carringtons’. What’s this story about?
   It’s about what happens when one ordinary woman is plunged into the real, but made up, world of reality TV – Georgie becomes a reluctant TV star when formidable retail guru, Kelly Cooper, arrives instore to film her new show. Georgie is shown in a far from flattering light, but worse is to come when Tom disappears with an ‘old flame’ and she’s left fearing this will be the worst Christmas ever.

   Ultimately, it’s a love story, about never giving up on love. It’s about friendship, loss and family too. It’s about overcoming adversity and following your heart….

2. As your latest book is a Christmas theme, what’s your favourite part of Christmas?
   Seeing my daughter’s face on Christmas morning after Santa has delivered her mountain of presents.
3. To the readers of the blog, that may not be familiar with you or your writing, can tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into writing.
   When I was 16 years old, I ran away to London with dreams of being an author. I’ve always loved writing, in fact it was the only thing, apart from music, that I was any good at as a child, but I quickly realised that I needed a proper job too and went to work in an office. I progressed from admin assistant to business development manager over a twenty year period, but I always felt as if I swimming upstream, that I didn’t fit in, I don’t think I was really cut out for the corporate world.

   It wasn’t until I met my husband that I was able to realise my dream of writing all day aswell as all night. Soon after I escaped office life, I won a competition to write the weekly ‘City Girl’ column for ‘The London Paper’ – a funny fictionalised expose of working life in the City of London. Six years later, I was lucky enough to meet my now editor and land a three book deal with Harper.

4. When writing your own stories, would you read books of a similar genre or do you find yourself staying away from reading?
   I love reading, especially crime and psychological thrillers. I’m a huge fan of Tess Gerritsen, Kimberley Chambers and Elizabeth Haynes.
5. Where do you get your ideas for your stories?
   Mainly from my own experiences, and earwigging other peoples conversations. I’m incredibly nosey, plus I seem to have a good memory for things I heard or saw years ago, it’s as if little snippets of conversations or situations are stored in my subconscious ready to appear on the page when required.
6. Do you have strange writing habits or routines
   Oh God yes! I’m VERY superstitious and probably a bit bonkers ¬ I can only write in my office and it has to be quiet. Before I start writing, I light a candle and spray the ‘book’s perfume’ and then I’m there, transported into another world with my characters.
7. What is your favourite book of all time?
   There are so many, I couldn’t choose just one, but Armistead Maupin’s ‘Tales of the City’ is a definite favourite, as is ‘Valley of the Dolls’ by Jacqueline Susann.
8. Who is your favourite literary hero or heroine?
   Carrie Bradshaw. I want that shoe closet!
9. If you were stranded on a desert island, which three books would you bring with you to pass the time?
   Assuming I had a bit of notice, I’d be very cheeky and load up my iPad with all of the books, because who knows how long I’d be stranded, and I’m a very quick reader.
10. What area do you suggest a budding writer should concentrate on to further their abilities?
    Their backside, as in glueing it to a chair and getting the book written. It’s imperative to be able to write to a schedule, I write two books a year plus short stories and other pieces, and unless my backside is on that chair every day, it would never happen.
11. When sitting down to write, what is the one item you need beside you
    My detailled synopsis, so I have a vague idea of what’s going to happen next.
12. And finally Alexandra, do you have any projects or releases on the horizon which you would like to share with the readers of the website?
    I’m currently writing ‘Ice Creams At Carrington’s’, to be published in June 2014.

Read more about Alexandra Brown online or follow her on Twitter Alexandra Brown