A Chat With Paige Toon

Paige Toon is one of my favourite authors. She writes chick-lit novels that make it an obsession to turn the next page to delve into the worlds she creates. She awesomely answered a few questions I had, so here we go!

1. What were your goals in writing when you first started?

I always wanted to write, ever since I can remember. When I got a book deal to write Lucy in the Sky, it was easily one of the best days of my life. I loved writing it so much and I hoped that if my readers could feel what I was feeling when reading it, then they'd love it to. They did – and that's been my goal ever since: to make sure I'm enjoying what I'm writing in the hope that my readers will enjoy it too.

2. Are any events in your novels inspired by something you've experienced?

I grew up between England and Australia (and America too for a little bit). When I went to university and met my husband-to-be, my parents moved back to Australia. I felt very torn between the two countries and I wrote about that in Lucy in the Sky

3. Who is your favourite character out of the novels you've written and why?

I find this very difficult to answer because I'm so deep inside their heads when I'm writing my books, that I feel very connected to each and every one. Often the heroine in the book I'm currently writing feels like my favourite, so that would mean Bronte from next year's Thirteen Weddings. I love her! I really loved Jessie from The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson (out in Jan) too. Looking back at my books, possibly Lucy or Lily, from Pictures of Lily.

4. How do you go about writer's block?

I had a nasty case of writer's block for a week in the run-up to my deadline for Thirteen Weddings, which was tough! I asked for an extension to my deadline so that took the pressure off a bit, then I went for some long walks until my characters started talking to me again!

5. Who are your favourite authors?

Marian Keyes will always be a favourite of mine, but I also love YA sci fi so Suzanne Collins, Stephanie Meyer and Cassandra Clare and current faves.

6. What's your favourite book that you've read this year?

The Immortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare - I was hooked!

7. What's the most nerve-wracking thing about writing?

The final page proof stage when you read it through for the final - and usually about the fifth - time. I start to have doubts then that it's any good, but it's usually because I've read it so many times!

8. What's your favourite thing about writing?

Losing myself in the parallel universe of my heroes and heroines. It's like being inside my own personal movie.

9. When you're naming your characters, does a name you consider ever sound "wrong" in your mind?

Often. I change names quite a bit and often they will have already appeared on a synopsis on Amazon, which is very confusing for my readers!

10. What would your number one piece of advice be for aspiring writers? Enjoy what you're writing - if you don't, how can you expect your readers to enjoy reading it? Also, check out a blog I wrote about getting published on www.simonandschuster.co.uk - search for Paige Toon Author Voice!


I, of course, must say a huge thank you to Paige Toon for taking the time to answer my questions. I really enjoyed reading her answers. If you have any questions for her, you can tweet her HERE. Keep an eye out for her 2014 novels. I can just tell they're going to be perfect.

Stardust & Sunflowers,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

One Perfect Summer review
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