Lily Joseph
Author Interview - Lily Joseph
Author of The Near Miss
Nick and Wren are meant to be. But Nick and Wren have never met. And now, fate is about to change everything…
Wren just wants a quiet life with no surprises. But one day, when she steps out of a bookshop, a sheet of glass falls from a window above and shatters at her feet. Walking off and not looking back, she doesn’t see the handsome sandy-haired man in the scruffy overalls who dropped it. Little does she know that he could change her life forever.
Nick is still reeling from a devastating breakup and just wants to keep his head down. But while restoring a bookshop, he drops a plate of glass from a window, just missing a young woman with beautiful brown hair and a bag full of books. He rushes out to apologise, but by the time he’s on the street she’s gone.
Luckily, over the next few months, he’ll run into her again. And again. And again.
But every time they cross paths something always gets in the way of sparks flying. Will they stop playing it safe and take a chance on love? Or are they destined to always be a near miss?
Author Interview - Lily Joseph
Author I draw inspiration from:
An author I draw inspiration from is Sophie Kinsella. 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' was my first introduction to feel-good, funny fiction aimed at women, and I loved the character of Becky Bloomwood so much. Still do!
Sophie is wonderful at writing characters that are sweet but slightly chaotic, and I really enjoy creating people like this in my books. Flaws can be a great source of comedy in a novel, but the real joy is seeing a character develop and deal with real emotions along the way.
Author Interview - Lily Joseph | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
I read every night in bed, but after doing this my whole life it's now a strong trigger for sending me to sleep! I'll usually manage a few pages then that's it, and I have to figure out where I dropped off when I get back to it the following night.
So my favourite place to read would have to be curled up in an armchair in a nice country hotel, maybe with a pot of tea or a glass of wine. It would be even lovelier if I was sitting by a fire with snow outside and someone was bringing me snacks so I didn't have to tear myself away from reading!
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I'd like to be stuck in an elevator with Jo March from 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott. I don't think a person could get bored with Jo, she would probably be able to make up a story on the spot, or perform it as a play to keep me entertained. If I didn't already know about her, I'd be fascinated to hear about her sisters and Laurie, and all of her dreams and ambitions. I don't think she'd be too shy to tell all! Also, she wouldn't take any nonsense - if I started to feel panicky about being in an enclosed space I imagine she'd have no problem telling me to pull myself together!
Author Interview - Lily Joseph | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I knew I wanted to be an author from about the age of 9 or 10 when I began to write short stories. I remember starting to write a 'novel' when I was around that age - it was about some evacuees in wartime Britain being taken to live in a haunted castle in the Scottish Highlands. I wrote about three chapters, with a cliffhanger at the end of chapter three (the ghost had finally shown itself), then got bored of it, much to the irritation of my family who wanted to read some more. I think that gave me the bug to write for other people, not just myself.
Also, in high school we were asked to write a fictional day-in-the-life about ourselves, and I wrote about a typical school day but with some affectionate jokes about the teachers thrown in. I remember the teachers sharing it around and thinking it was funny, and that's when I knew I wanted to write things that made people laugh.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardbacks feel special to me, and I usually only get them when I ask for them as a birthday or Christmas gift. I especially love ones with sprayed edges and beautiful endpapers, and I rarely get rid of them. The only downside is they're heavy, so not very good for travelling!
I think my favourite would be paperbacks, although I buy too many and have piles of unread ones. Saying that, I have some that I've read so many times that they're falling apart, but I quite like that - it shows they're loved!
Ebooks are for bedtime or my handbag - the lit up screen is great for reading my two pages before I fall asleep, without having to have the light on disturbing my partner. I like to have my Kindle in my bag too, so I don't get bored if I'm at a loose end.
Controversial opinion - I don't really like audiobooks! I've listened to a few and find I can't concentrate, especially if I'm doing something else at the same time. So it's the written word all the way for me.
The last book I read:
The last book I read was 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas. I'm really late to the Sarah J. Maas party, and I love it - I've bought the rest of the series already. I wasn't sure if I'd like them as I'm not a huge fantasy lover, but she really brings the characters to life. It reminds me a little of reading A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, thinking it wouldn't be for me, but being pleasantly surprised by how relatable it can be, despite the faeries and dragons!
Author Interview - Lily Joseph | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
When I'm coming up with ideas I always start with pen and paper. I find it really hard to get into that headspace without having a pen in my hand, so I write down my thoughts as they come and hope they branch off into useful ideas for plot and characters. Thinking while I'm driving or on a walk doesn't really work for me.
When I start a first draft I like to work in the mornings, as that's when I'm most productive - I have some coffee and breakfast while I read what I wrote last time to catch up. Then I try to write at least a thousand words, and maybe take my laptop to a cafe if I start to run out of steam. A change of scenery always helps!
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I think I could be best friends with Annie from my Christmas novel, 'Stuck Together'. It's an enemies-to-lovers story where she has to share a shop with an angsty musician, but she is more of a perky Golden Labrador type of character. I like her because she's really resilient and resourceful, and cares so deeply about her family and friends. She's the kind of person who would do anything for anybody, but also takes no prisoners. She'd have my back whenever I needed her and would make me laugh like a drain while doing so.
Author Interview - Lily Joseph | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
When I'm not writing I work part-time as a dentist, which couldn't be more different as a career. Dentistry is very analytical and practical, whereas writing is so creative and requires a completely different way of using your brain. In fact, I often struggle to write after my day in the surgery as I seem to need a night's sleep to reset. But dentistry is also quite social and I meet such a wide variety of people that it's great for understanding people and writing unique characters.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
My favourite fashion era would be the 1940s. I love the tailored outfits, the perfectly styled hair, everyone wearing a hat when going out. It seemed like a time when people wanted to look their best, and although it looks like a lot of effort I kind of envy being that poised and polished.
Place I’d most like to travel:
Although 'The Near Miss' is set partly in Italy I've never been, so I'd love to go there. Google Images did a lot of heavy lifting in my research!
I'd want to go to all of my locations, such as Naples, Sorrento and Capri. In the novel, Wren and Nick have a near-disastrous visit to the Blue Grotto on Capri, where the water glows blue when the sunlight enters the cave. It would be amazing to see that, as well as to try some delicious Italian food.
My signature drink:
My signature drink is a glass of red wine. Preferably consumed with a book in hand in a country hotel, as I said!
Favorite artist:
My favourite artist is Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese artist who works with various media like sculpture and performance art. I saw an exhibition of her work in the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and I love how she uses bold colours and slightly unnerving images.
Number one on my bucket list:
I'm looking forward to visiting Saint-Tropez this summer. I'm going on a Mediterranean cruise which stops at the south of France, so I'm planning a day trip to see how the other half live! I hope it lives up to my expectations and if I were to see a celebrity there that would be a bonus. And maybe it could be good inspiration for another romantic comedy novel.
Find more from the author:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lilyjosephwriter/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LilyJosephAuthor/
Website: www.lilyjosephauthor.com
About Lily Joseph:
Author Interview - Lily Joseph
Lily Joseph is a romantic fiction writer from North East England, a setting which appears regularly in her writing. Her work has been shortlisted for the Lindisfarne Prize, an award for northern authors, and her first novel The Near Miss was a runner up in the Joan Hessayon Award. She lives in North Yorkshire with her partner, two teens and two cats, none of whom are interested in books whatsoever. At least the cats have an excuse.
