INTERVIEW
October 2010
JILL MANSELL
Bestselling author Jill Mansell has written about 20 women’s fiction novels since 1991, including her latest Take a Chance on Me. She lives in Bristol, England, with her partner and their children. For more information, you can follow her on Twitter @jillmansell or visit her website: http://www.jillmansell.co.uk/ (Interview by Angela Smith)
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1. What inspired your latest novel Take a Chance on Me?
I was at a famous horse riding event and saw the work of a wire sculptor who had created stunning larger than life-size sculptures of horses. They completely captured my imagination and sparked off the original idea for the book. Shortly afterwards I was being driven in a limo by a chauffeur and he told me so many fascinating stories I knew I had to have a chauffeur featuring in it too. That was the start of the story.
2. What made you want to be a writer?
I was looking for a way to make some extra money and supplement my meagre hospital-worker’s salary. Then I saw an article one day in a magazine, about women becoming best-selling novelists, and thought I’d give it a go. And guess what? It worked...!
3. What other careers did you undertake before becoming a writer?
For 18 years I was an electroencephalographic technologist in the field of Clinical Neurophysiology. I tested people’s brainwaves in a neurological hospital. Loved it.
4. What can we expect from your 2011 novel To the Moon and Back?
It’s set in glamorous Primrose Hill in North London and features a young widow learning to rebuild her life with the help of friends old and new. It will hopefully make readers laugh and cry. Apparently it’s very moving but still funny as well.
5. What are you working on now?
It’s set in Bath and features a girl returning to her home town after 18 years away, with her 18-year-old daughter in tow. It’s time for her ex-boyfriend to get the surprise of his life…
6. Out of all your titles, do you have a personal favourite?
I like different aspects of different books, so it’s almost impossible to choose a favourite. My readers all like different ones too – there’s no clear winner. Every time I start to write a new book I try to make it my best one yet.
7. Is it true you always write your books by hand, rather than use a computer?
Absolutely true, I just can’t write onto a computer at all. It’s hard enough answering these questions. I use a Harley Davidson fountain pen and wouldn’t want to use anything else.
8. What are your crucial ingredients for a romantic comedy?
Sparky humour and sizzling chemistry. And lots of it!
9. Which of your characters would you most like to befriend?
I love my main female characters, but my daughter (who now types up my manuscripts for me) says that they’re all exactly like me, personality-wise, so that would be like befriending myself. Which would be quite weird!
10. Which other authors inspire you?
Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella, Jilly Cooper.
11. Are you happy to have your books labeled chick lit?
I don’t mind at all, although I wouldn’t want people to think I only write about girls in their 20s. I have a wide age-range of characters in all my books – something for everyone!
12. What is your favourite rom-com movie?
Four Weddings and a Funeral, I think. Perfect in every way. But I also love When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle. If you like those films, you’d like my books…
