‘Didn’t want it to end.’
‘Hazel Osmond is a new talent to get really excited about.’
‘A new slant and a fresh approach [on romantic fiction]’
‘A real page turner.’
‘You will finish it a few sittings.’
‘Highly recommended.’
‘Could not recommend this more.’
‘Laugh out loud funny.’
‘Osmond is an author to watch.’
…okay, I’ll stop there but you get the idea. These are just a sprinkling of quotes from readers and by the sounds of it, newly-dedicated fans of debut author Hazel Osmond. The book they’re all raving about?
The phrase ‘Not just a pretty face’ springs to mind. Not only is this contemporary romantic comedy beautifully presented but the content is pretty special too. Curious as to how and why this new kid on the block has caused such a stir, I interviewed Hazel Osmond hoping to get an insight…
What should readers expect from Who’s Afraid of Mr Wolfe?
To be kept on their toes by the plot and moved by the situations that the characters face. I wanted to write a romance that had all the traditional elements – Alpha male, gay best friend, etc. but with several twists that shake up the story and the reader’s expectations.
Why should readers choose Who’s Afraid of Mr Wolfe? over any other book on the same shelf?
I think what sets it apart is the humour – I believe that humour, even in difficult circumstances, adds to the poignancy of a situation – it’s almost a mark of bravery in a character, being able to laugh when things are going awry.
How did the idea of Who’s Afraid of Mr Wolfe? come about?
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of people who are hiding things. It probably comes from reading Jane Eyre when I was a girl. I have a thing about wolves too, especially lone ones. So I wanted to create a hero who combined both of these elements. What gave me the nudge was writing fan fiction based on Richard Armitage’s portrayal of Guy of Gisborne in the BBC TV series – he had wolf’s head clasps on his jacket and did a lovely line in prowling.
If Who’s Afraid of Mr Wolfe? was made into a film, who would you have play the characters of Ellie Somerset and Jack Wolfe?
Well, Richard Armitage obviously for Jack… second choices, Hugh Jackman or Jake Gyllenhaal. Ellie I see as Amy Adams from Enchanted or Jemima Rooper from Lost in Austen – with a bit of padding though… Ellie’s all curves.
Where can we find Who’s Afraid of Mr Wolfe?
Apart from Amazon it’s at WH Smith, Asda, Tesco, Waterstones and Eason & Son in Ireland.
As a debut novelist, how do you cope with seeing your name in publications, getting your work reviewed and all the other things that come with having a novel published?
I’ve been lucky that I’ve had a gradual introduction to seeing my name in print, having won the Woman & Home Short Story Competition (sponsored by Costa) in 2008. I’ve also had positive reviews, to date. I think the important thing is to connect with your readers or potential readers in anything you do as far as publicity is concerned… in a way it’s not about you, it’s about what you can offer them. Thinking that makes it much less scary!
Where do you find your inspiration for characters and storylines?
Life, I guess, is the answer to that as far as characters go, and once I’ve got the characters right, the storylines suggest themselves somehow. In Mr Wolfe a lot of the characters are based on the types of people I’ve come across in twenty years of advertising.
Are there any authors whose writing has particularly inspired or influenced your own style?
I’ve been inspired by all kinds of writers, but it’s the humorous ones who stick in my brain - like Dorothy Parker, Alan Coren, and David Sedaris.
When did you first begin writing, and when did it become a career rather than a hobby?
Well I’ve always written for a living, but I guess the first time I got a real buzz from writing was when I started on the fan fiction. Writing in instalments and getting regular feedback was a total turn on creatively and something clicked into place. That was really only four years ago. I still balance my short story and novel writing with my advertising copywriting.
Who were your favourite writers as a child?
Richmal Crompton of the Just William books –she has a way of moving a narrative along and is masterful with slapstick and wry, witty scenes. I read Jane Eyre quite early on too and some Dickens and I liked AA Milne – but not particularly Winnie the Pooh… I preferred his nonsense poetry.
What is the last book you read that you could not put down?
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I love the mix of magic and history, the sheer excitement and sweep of the action and the heart-breaking love story that runs through it. Jonathan Strange is one hell of a hero.
What can we expect next from Hazel Osmond?
I’m currently doing revisions on my second novel set in Northumberland. It’s another romance with plenty of twists and turns, and it explores the way in which people get judged on how they look. I’m tinkering about with a children’s story too called Sushi Baby and still writing short stories for women’s magazines and competitions.
Thanks to Hazel, my curiosity is temporarily settled. If you’d like to find out more, visit http://www.hazelosmond.co.uk/. Now there’s just the wait for Book Two to come out…
No comments:
Post a Comment