Author Q & A with Christie Barlow

When Kitty inherits Bluebell Lodge from her grandmother, a farm in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, it’s time for fresh air and a fresh start. Up to her elbows in chickens and ponies, Kitty soon realises there’s an awful lot to learn about farming. Still, at least the locals seem friendly, not least her handsome neighbour Tom…

Title:               Kitty's Countryside Dream
Author:           Christie Barlow
Published By: Bookouture
Date:               25th Feb 2016
Link:               UK: Amazon US: Amazon

Author Q & A with Christie Barlow

Welcome to the blog today Christie, can you tell us;

What was the inspiration behind this novel?

Kitty’s Countryside Dream would never have been written if it wasn’t for a local farmer who sold me my very first chicken over eight years ago. Since then he has taught me everything I need to know about rearing and breeding chickens. Chickens have become a way of life in our house and it was my feathered friends who provided the little spark of inspiration for this story.

Did you always want to be a writer?

At school my favourite subject was always English Literature. I loved to read anything and everything. From an early age I would write down my thoughts in a diary every day and I still have all those diaries bundled up in the loft. However, my writing career came as somewhat a surprise when I decided two years ago to write a book to teach my children a valuable life lesson and show them that they were capable of achieving their dreams. I was a mum who wrote a book to prove to my children whatever you want to do in life go for it. The book I wrote to prove a point became an amazon bestseller #1 in the UK and USA. I now have a publishing deal and I am a full time writer. I love it! It’s the best job in the world.

What other jobs have you had?

I worked in the Civil Service for over fifteen years and was the manager of a Jobcentre in Cheshire. After having my children I went on a career break and opened up my own wedding business. I landed a job with the BBC and became their wedding planner on a program called the Bank of Mum and Dad. For the past twenty years I have also been a piano teacher which I absolutely adore.

How did it feel when your first novel was published?

It felt like I’d just won the lottery! It was so surreal seeing a book I’d written with my name on the front. My jaw ached due to my constant smiling!

Have you ever had writer’s block?
Not yet!

Do your characters moods ever affect your mood and vice versa?
I’m always in a good mood! My first two books A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother and The Misadventures of a Playground Mother are funny feel good comedy about the school gates. I often spent my time howling at the computer while writing about the characters antics. They were such fun books to write. Even though the characters were completely off the scale, I loved them, faults and all. Kitty’s Countryside Dream is a feel good romantic comedy about life, love and friends. I have without a doubt enjoyed every second of writing this book. This book was filled with friendship and genuinely lovely characters. Kitty Lewis and Tom Drew became my new best friends. Every character in this story was full of such love and warmth and my day would fly by when writing this book.

What three pieces of advice would you give an aspiring author?
My advice would be go for it! The dream is possible! If it happened for me it can happen for you.

Write a little every day, that way there will always be continuity.

Never stop believing and never stop creating.



Which authors inspire you?
There are so many! I simply love Carole Matthews, Marian Keyes and Cathy Bramley. Their books always have a good feel read about them.

What are you reading at the moment?
At the moment I am reading Conditional Love by Cathy Bramley.

If your book was made into a film what song would you choose for the opening credits?

For the Playground Mother series, it would have to be, I will survive by Gloria Gaynor!

Who would you choose to play your favourite character in the film of your book?
I know you asked character but they are all my favourite characters in The Misadventures of a Playground Mother and I have actually thought about this! I would love to see the series made in to a sitcom or a film and here are the actors I would love to cast!

Penelope Kensington –Renee Zellweger
Rupert Kensington – Hugh Grant
Botox Bernie – Katie Price
Mrs. Camilla Noland – Katie Hopkins
Rachel Young – Jennifer Aniston
Matt Young – Gerard Butler
Melanie Tate – Cameron Diaz
The Farrier – Richard Rankin

What is your next book about?

It’s about a character called Kitty Lewis who inherits Bluebell Lodge from her grandmother, a farm in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, it’s time for fresh air and a fresh start. Up to her elbows in chickens and ponies, Kitty soon realises there’s an awful lot to learn about farming. Still, at least the locals seem friendly, not least her handsome neighbour Tom…
But just as Kitty is beginning to find her feet, and the possibility of love, the discovery of a long-hidden diary, by a mysterious character called Violet changes everything. Who is Violet and what is her message for Kitty? As Kitty fills in the lost pieces of her family jigsaw and discovers some shocking revelations, will her countryside dream and blossoming relationship fall to pieces? When it comes to life in the country, nothing is ever quite as it seems …

Kitty’s Countryside Dream is published on 25^th February 2016.

Thanks Christie and good luck with the book.

If you would like to read our reviews of Christie's books please click on the links below

Kitty's Countryside Dream

Misadventures of a Playground Mother

Sincerely
Book Angel x

About the Author

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother and Kitty's Countryside Dream. She lives in Staffordshire with her husband, four kids, horses, chickens and a mad cocker spaniel. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. She is a Mum who wrote a book to prove to her children whatever you want to do in life go for it. The book she wrote to prove a point is now an Amazon #1 bestseller in the UK and USA.

Christie loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via her website www.christiebarlow.com Twitter @ChristieJBarlow and Facebook page Christie Barlow author

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother and Kitty's Countryside Dream. She lives in Staffordshire with her husband, four kids, horses, chickens and a mad cocker spaniel. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. She is a Mum who wrote a book to prove to her children whatever you want to do in life go for it. The book she wrote to prove a point is now an Amazon #1 bestseller in the UK and USA.