Monday, May 24, 2010

Jill Mansell - Interview & Giveaway


If you stopped by yesterday, you know how much I enjoyed Rumor Has It by Jill Mansell. I am thrilled to welcome Jill to A Bookworm's World today. She was gracious enough to answer my questions!

Luanne - Tilly is yet again a character I just loved. Your main characters are always quirky but lovable and the situations they find themselves in are great fun. Do you use any of your own (or your friends) experiences as ideas or settings?
Jill: Hi Luanne, and firstly can I say it’s great to be back on your wonderful blog! I’m so glad you liked Tilly too. My daughter says my characters always sound and act like me, but these days I’m afraid I’m a bit older than my heroines – although I still feel that age in my head. I definitely use other people’s experiences in my books, and settings too. Roxborough is based on Tetbury, which is where I went to school. (Prince Charles and his sons live there now – it’s a beautiful little town.) I may be going back in September for a school reunion, which will be fun, and could spark off a couple of ideas for the next book…

Luanne - Where did the idea for Rumor Has It spring from?
Jill: many years ago I saw an ad in a magazine that said Girl Friday needed, fun job, country house. Just that, no other details, but I’ve never forgotten it – I was so intrigued and my imagination was caught. I’d love to know what that job was like!

Luanne - Have you ever found yourself playing matchmaker with friends or family?
Jill: I don’t know if I have! I know I always WANT to, because (as in my books) I like to be in control and tell everyone what to do. The trouble is, in real life people won’t always do as they’re told. It’s really annoying – don’t they understand I know best?!

Luanne - Missed cues and misunderstandings plague Tilly and Jack. Any dating misadventures you'd care to share?
Jill: Oh gosh, millions. Thankfully I’ve been with my partner for 24 years now, so all the misadventures have faded from my mind. But I do remember chatting to one boyfriend’s mother and saying cheerfully ‘What kind of sad person would iron their pantyhose?’ She gave me a frosty look and said, ‘Well I ALWAYS do.’ Funnily enough, I split up with that boyfriend shortly after that…

Luanne - Your writing always makes me laugh. What makes you laugh out loud?
Jill: Again, all sorts. When we watch Friends at home, we always laugh. And my son is very witty – he cracks me up all the time.

Luanne - Which of your books would you like to see made into a movie? Who do you see playing the roles?
Jill: I find it quite weird to imagine actors and actresses playing my characters – to me, it would be like looking in the mirror and suddenly seeing that your own face has completely changed. I would love Rumor Has It to be made into a film though. I’d flit around in the background doing cameo appearances like Alfred Hitchcock!

Luanne - Is the idea for your next book always there or do you ever suffer from writer's block?
Jill: I try not to think of the next idea too early, otherwise I’d want to get cracking on it before the current book was finished. I wait until I’ve written The End, then start frantically scouring magazines/TV shows/friends for brilliant ideas!

Luanne - How much of a plan do you have when writing? Does it change as the story progresses?
Jill: The plan is always very vague – trying to write it all down in detail at the beginning is doomed to failure because a better plot-twist is guaranteed to come along and knock the rest of it off track at a later stage. Far easier to just make it up as I go along.

Luanne - Do you ever re read your own books?
Jill: I never re-read my own books – or anyone else’s nowadays. Can’t do it any more, which is a shame. I used to love re-reading old favourites!

Luanne - Author signings are a treat for me. Any tales from the other side of the table?
Jill: It’s fun when the fans are enthusiastic. Sometimes people bring flowers and chocolates, which is wonderful, but it’s also lovely when they bring old well-worn and much-loved copies of my books for me to sign. It means the world to me that they’ve enjoyed them so much!

Luanne- And everyone always wants to know what an author is reading!
Jill: I’m just about to start The Help by Kathryn Stockett, which I’m hearing great things about. And I really loved Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall – an amazing book.

Luanne - Anything else you'd like to share with us?
Jill: Just thank you again for your wonderful enthusiasm, Luanne. And if anyone want to catch up with me on Twitter, which I love, I’m there as @JillMansell

Thank you so much for stopping by Jill! Can't wait for your next North American release. And thanks to Sourcebooks, I have two copies of Rumor Has It to giveaway! Simply comment to be entered, open to Canada and the US, no po boxes please. Ends Sat. June 26 at 6 pm EST.

99 comments:

  1. LOL, probably a good thing she broke up with the boyfriend whose mother ironed her pantyhose. :D I'd love to win this book!

    meah56(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Great interview! Loved hearing more from this author.

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  3. I'd love to enter. The interview was great.

    janezfan(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. Thanks for the great interview. Loved learning more about Jill. I'd love to read her new book.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

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  5. The author, Jill, seems so interesting and funny. I'm sure that'll reflect in her book which I really want to read!

    Sophia Lee
    mashimaro401[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  6. I have been wanting to read this book for sometime now...please enter me into the contest...love the interview with Jill!!!!

    ktulanko AT aol DOT com

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  7. The interview was great. I would love to read the book.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  8. What a fun interview! RUMOR HAS IT sounds like a great read ~ please enter me in this giveaway.

    hawkes(at)citlink.net

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  9. Such a fun interview! I'd love to read this book :)

    jo.tee35(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. This looks like such a good book!! I really hope i win!!!

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

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  11. This look like such a great book!!! Total chick lit right up my alley! I would love to win!!!

    vivaglampink@yahoo.ca

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  12. No need to enter me, lady (dratted PO Box). I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

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  13. I'd love to win this book.

    chey127 at hotmail dot com

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  14. I would love to read this!!Count me in!
    d.alexandra2@yahoo.com

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  15. This looks like a great book!

    spazsss@yahoo.ca

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  16. I've never lived in a small town, so I have always enjoyed the escape of reading novels set in small towns.

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  17. Great interview! I would love to read this :)
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  18. Interesting interview. Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

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  19. I've recently read a couple of rather "dark" books, and I'm really in the mood for something light and funny. Thanks for giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. Sounds like great read.

    tiredwkids at live dot com

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  21. This sounds like a great book. I'd love to win it. Loved the interview.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

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  22. I have read several books by Jill Mansell and enjoyed them...I would love the chance to read this one!

    belle2211(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. Nice interview! This sounds like a fun book, please enter me for it!

    I follow

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  24. Sounds delightful. I'm in! :-)

    JHS
    Colloquium

    admin at jhsiess dot com

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  25. Great interview. Ironing pantyhose, that's what I call anal

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  26. Sounds like a fun book!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. This looks fun! Please enter me!

    I love that she doesn't re-read either. Too little time, too many books!

    bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com

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  28. nice interview! Love hearing about the writers!

    frogz60@hotmail.com

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  29. This sounds like an interesting book that I'd like to read. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

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  30. this sounds like a great read thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

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  31. Sounds great. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to getting the chance to read it.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  32. This sounds like a fun summer read. Please enter me!

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  33. What a lovely interview! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I've only read one of Mansell's books so far, but I want to read more. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

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  34. Would love to read this. Have never read any of her books before

    rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

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  35. I've heard such good things about this author, I'd love to read this book!

    jlsemon at gmail dot com

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  36. I love Jill Mansell's books. I just finished one last night. I would love to have a chance to win Rumor Has It. I loved the interview. Thanks for sharing.

    klmickelsen at gmail dot com

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  37. Great interview! I'd love to read her work!

    Tarah
    tarah716[at]ymail.com

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  38. I think my wife would like this book

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  39. What a wonderful interview. Jill sounds like an amazing lady. I don't recall reading anything of hers but I am certainly looking forward to this one. Please enter me!

    debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

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  40. I'd love to read this. please, enter me in this giveaway.

    gcpeach17 at aol dot com

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  41. Sounds great!! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

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  42. Count me in! Thanks

    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

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  43. I would love to read this book.

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. Don't think I have ever read any of her books, but it sounds as if this one is just the kind of light funny one that goes very well with relaxed reading!

    cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

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  45. Hi, this author sounds like a great read. I've just reserved a book by her at the library. Thanks for the opportunity to win! Luanne in Montana lafinmt at hotmail dot com

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  46. Sounds intriguing :)

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

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  47. I loove the cover!!

    julie102794@gmail.com

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  48. I comment, therefore I am.

    Cheers!

    waxtheknob@gmail.com

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  49. I need a good summer read... Thanks for the giveaway.

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

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  50. this looks like a great read for summer.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

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  51. I love reading! Thanks for the chance.

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  52. sign me up love hearing all this from this author, my kids read like no tomorrow, and we'd are a house hold who'd love books and when we're done we'd pass them along, also

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  53. Would love to read this.

    Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

    bloggyig at gmail dot com

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  54. Great post! Please enter me in the giveaway. thanks

    lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

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  55. I loved the interview. Please count me in.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  56. Some women actually iron their pantyhose?!! Yikes!
    I'd love to win a copy :)

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  57. Looks like a great read. Nice interview! Thanks for the chance to win this book!

    cc932005[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  58. sign me up its will get lots of use here with all my kids thanks

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  59. Please count me in.

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

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  60. Thanks for the interview and for hosting the giveaway.

    sharonaquilino at hotmail dot com

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  61. Great contest, please count me in!

    kittenlover03@sbcglobal.net

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  62. Great interview. Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9(at)verizon.net

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  63. It's interesting to read the words from the author. thanks for the interview. Please enter me for the book.
    jwatkk at comcast dot net

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  64. Would love to read this. Thanks for the great giveaway.

    tdlsfm(at)gmail(dot)com

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  65. Terrific interview. Would love to read the book!

    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

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  66. Would love to have a chance to read it! Follow me back!
    six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  67. Dounds like a good book. great interview with the author

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  68. Great interview. Fun sounding book

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

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  69. I would love a chance to win. thank you.

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  70. I'd love to read this book. I just finished "An Offer You Can't Refuse" & really enjoyed it. Please count me in!
    Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

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  71. I'd love to read this, thanks for the chance!

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

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  72. Great interview! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the contest! This book sounds great!

    sweepyhead at gmail dot com

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  73. The ironing one's pantyhose line is priceless!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  74. would love to read this book. thanks, have a great day

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  75. Thanks for the chance at what looks like a good read.

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  76. I think reading this book would make me smile :)

    motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com

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  77. This book like a fun relaxed read for the summer days. Had not heard of this book until your review. Want to read and wouldn't mind winning!!!!!


    lknott@partnercom.net

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  78. sounds great
    gothicdaymares@aol.com

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  79. Thanks for the great interview-I would love to win this!

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  80. Great interview and sounds like a great read!

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  81. I enjoyed the interview. The book sounds very interesting. garrettsambo@aol.com

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  82. I would love this book! Please enter me!

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  83. Interesting interview, sounds like a good read
    diane baum
    esldiane@gmail.com

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  84. Please enter me in the giveaway. This one looks great!

    justpeachy36@yahoo.com

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  85. I've been looking for a great Summer Read!

    Cassandrap
    cassandrap83 (at) gmail (dot) come

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  86. Great interview! It sounds like a great read. I've been looking for something to take on vacation.

    Cassandra
    cassandrap83 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  87. Oh, I'd REALLY love to read this! Sounds great!

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  88. Sounds like a great summer read. Please count me in.
    edyta_c01@yahoo.com

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  89. i would love to read this one

    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

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  90. Sounds like a fun book.
    ncschools at yahoo dot com

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  91. I would love to win this book. Jill seems like such an interesting person. I'd love to have a conversation with her.

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  92. Interesing interview-can't wait to read the book-
    Diane Baum
    esldiane@gmail.com

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  93. I enjoyed the interview very much.
    George Ferris
    k1n2@sweeps.ws

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Thank you for stopping by - your comments are much appreciated!