Thursday 5 February 2015

Author Interview ~ Helen Lederer.

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the blogger's party to celebrate Helen Lederer's upcoming debut novel, Losing It, which will be published this time next week. I'm delighted to be a part of the blog tour for Losing It and Helen has kindly answered some of my questions to tell us all a bit more about the book.




Can you briefly tell us what your novel, Losing It, is about?

It is about Millie who is in middle years – in debt, divorced and desperate – who rather mortifyingly discovers some desire in her ‘silver bowl area’ along with being asked to be front woman for a new herbal diet pill. If she can lose 3 stone in 3 months she will get £20,000 – but it turns out it’s not really about the weight.

What inspired you to write your debut novel?

I wanted to write a story that would make people laugh out loud, that would be plausible and have an authentic voice behind it.

Losing It is called a 'Mid-Lit' novel. Who are you hoping it will appeal to?

I’m hoping it will appeal to people like me and younger people and older people and men as well… so that’s quite a lot I hope.

How do you think your readers will relate to the protagonist, Millie?

I’m hoping they will connect to her disfunctioning inner voice and also see that being troubled can be touching and connecting as well.

Which scene in Losing It did you find the most fun to write?

Oee - the one in the hotel room when Eugene is using his… err… skills to excite her in spite of Millie knowing she shouldn’t be having these impulses. The tantric sex workshop was fun as well –with the ‘straddle’ .

And the most challenging?

The relationship between Millie and Mary – the complexity of total love along with the spats the mother and daughter go in for.

Losing It is very entertaining and very funny but how does writing something funny compare to presenting it in stand-up comedy?

There is more space to explore inner thoughts and attitudes of the characters. Stand up has to be out there and immediate and keep the audience following the story with no extra words to distract them from connection. I found the novel a way to visit lots of places in peoples’ brains and observations about places which was wonderful (for me!)

What's the best book you've read lately?

Elizabeth is Missing – a haunting tale told in brilliant prose and up for the Costa award no less

Are there plans for you to write any more novels?

Yes please. I can’t wait to do the next one – its already banging at the door to be let out!


Title: Losing It.
Author: Helen Lederer.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan.
Publication Date: February 12, 2015.

Purchase: Amazon UK

Millie was at one time quite well known for various TV and radio appearances. However, she now has no money, a best friend with a better sex life than her, a daughter in Papua New Guinea and too much weight in places she really doesn't want it.

When she's asked to be the front woman for a new diet pill, she naively believes that all her troubles will be solved. She will have money, the weight will be gone, and maybe she'll get more sex.

If only life was really that easy. It doesn't take her long to realize it's going to take more than a diet pill to solve her never-ending woes...





6 comments:

  1. Great interview. You were very lucky to meet her.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well done, Sophie. Good one!

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  3. I enjoyed reading this interview, and it was great to meet you at Helen's bloggers' event.

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