Blog Tour: Interview With Ann Burnett Author of Festival Fireworks

Today I am part of the blog tour for Festival Fireworks bu Anne Burnett. Today I have an author interview to share with you and if you like the sound of that, you can click here to order Festival Fireworks now. Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews.

Here's what it's all about...

Aussie Jill arrives in Edinburgh at Festival time, at the start of a gap year. Unfortunately, her boss at the temporary job she's taken turns out to be her grumpy neighbour, Andrew, aka Mr Bossy. As the Festival fireworks explode over the city every night, they start to fall in love. Then Jill has to return suddenly to Australia. Can their budding romance survive or will the fireworks fizzle and die?

Here's that interview for you...

First question-bit of a cliche-how did you get into writing?

I've always written. Even as a child I was writing poems and stories. I even entered a writing competition when I was about 10 or 11 - didn't win. But the seed was always there and it wasn't till I was in my early 30's and expecting my first son that I joined a writing class. The tutor, a redoubtable single lady, was not impressed when I wanted to give it up and concentrate on being a mother, and insisted I join the local Writers' Club which I did. Best thing ever as I received loads of encouragement and help there as well as making many good friends.

Do you write full time & if so, have you always done this?

No, I grab what time I have. I've always had to have a day job and even after I retired, I had caring responsibilities for family members.

Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer to write?

Agh! I'm a bit of a butterfly as regards what I write. I think I've tried just about every type going. I started off as a children's writer - I wrote Postman Pat stories for a children's comic for 5 years and then I scripted children's programmes for BBC Radio and TV. But I was also writing short stories, articles, drama and poetry. Novel writing came later.

How do you develop your characters as you write, are any of them based on real people?

I try not to base them on people I know though I do use elements of their characters. I like quirky characters with good points and bad, flaws and idiosyncrasies. I 'see' them behaving in my mind's eye and they'll often suggest aspects of themselves as I write.

What was the inspiration behind your book?

Partly to see if I could do it. I was used to writing far shorter pieces though projects like a TV series require a lot of time and effort but in a different way. I like the challenge of trying something new.

What is your writing process-do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?

I'm a seat of the pants writer. I know where I want to end up but how I get there can be an interesting journey with a few dead ends and wrong turnings. I write in short, sharp bursts, often only 500-1000 words at a time if it's going well but I need the break to think about what I've written and what the next part should be about. Also, my time can be quite limited.

How much of you is reflected in your writing?

Er... not a lot I hope. However I think that the writer must creep into the story regardless and certainly I make use of life's experiences to flesh out the story.

What kind of research did you have to do before/during writing behind your book?

I know Edinburgh pretty well. The flat Jill stays in was the flat my older son lived in at one point in Edinburgh, Andrew's office is set in the street where the BBC used to have its studios and which I visited several times and I've walked often up and down the Royal Mile and along many other city streets.

I used to live in Australia and have been back many times since, so Jill's family's property and lifestyle there is typical of many properties I visited and barbecues I've enjoyed.

How much attention do you pay to the reviews that you get?

I'd like to say I don't bother with them, but of course all writers do and they can make or mar a day. But what people like or dislike in a book is so varied that you can't expect everyone to have the same opinion. I know I can read a book that has had glowing reviews and just not like it. However an astute reviewer can pick up on something that can help a writer in the future.

Are friends and family supportive of your writing?

Yes, though I don't think they read it much. My husband, bless him, manfully ploughs through my efforts though it's not what he normally reads.

How do you feel leading up to your publication day?

Excited and a bit anxious that it will go well.

Which other authors inspire you or are there any you particularly enjoy reading?

I read a wide range of books and have recently enjoyed Michelle Obama's autobiography, Becoming. Ann Cleeves is another favourite as are Anne Tyler, Peter May, Maggie O'Farrell and Linda Gillard. I also like to read books that friends have written - Rosemary Gemmell, Joan Fleming, Anne Stenhouse, Michael Malone, Wendy Jones, Catherine Czerkawska and many more Scottish writers. Apologies if I've inadvertently omitted you!

Finally...what are you working on right now?

Not what I should be. I have two more books that I want to revise before I republish them but instead I'm blogging about lockdown topics like jigsaws and my vegetable garden!

About the Author

Ann Burnett has been writing for many years and covers many genres. She wrote Postman Pat stories for a comic for five years, adapted Moomin stories as picture books, and scripted over 100 programmes for BBC children's TV and radio. She also writes short stories and articles and has even tried poetry and drama!

Her latest writing is a contemporary romance, Festival Fireworks, for Ladybug Publications.

She was once almost sold to a Masai warrior for two cows but was only saved because her husband wouldn't have been able to get the cows on the plane home!

Her website and blog about writing is at annburnett.co.uk