** BLOG TOUR ** Keep Your Friends Close by Paula Daly ** AUTHOR INTEVIEW **

Keep Your Friends Close by Paula Daly was published on 13 March 2014 by Bantam Press (Transworld). I adored it, and raved about it on my blog on publication day.  If you haven't read my review yet, please check it out.

Keep Your Friends Close kept me reading until well into the early hours of the morning, it's extremely addictive - one of those books that you HAVE to keep reading ..... just one more page ... and one more ....

I am thrilled to be taking part in the MEGA Blog Tour for Keep Your Friends Close today, and welcome Paula Daly to Random Things.   

Paula Daly was born in Lancashire. Before beginning her first novel JUST WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU? she was a self-employed physiotherapist. She lives in the Lake District with her husband, three children and whippet Skippy

Do you read reviews of your novels? Do you take them seriously?  

Yes and yes. If someone has taken the trouble to write a review then of course I will do the reviewer the courtesy of reading it. Often I learn something new and will take note because I do want to please the reader. Although I am aware that you can’t please everyone and must ultimately write the book you want to write.

How long does it take to write a novel?     

Paula Daly

For me, around six months. I spend 3 months dreaming and planning first before I begin typing so I’ve got a good idea of how it’s going to go. Then I try to get down 800 -1000 words a day.

Do you have any writing rituals?

I clean my laptop first – ridiculous, I know, but I find finger marks on the screen distracting. Then I unplug the wi-fi and won’t turn it on again until I have at least 500 words. Also I do lots of the plough position (from yoga – turning upside down basically) to return the blood to my head. I sound crazy, don’t I?

  

What was your favourite childhood book? 

Anne of Green Gables.

Name one book that made you laugh?  WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE? by Maria Semple 

Name one book that made you cry? 

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

Which fictional character would you like to meet? 

Jack Foley from Elmore Leanord’s OUT OF SIGHT. The sexiest character in fiction in my opinion.

Which book would you give to your best friend as a present? 

I adored sending THE HELP to my best friend and sister. But recently have bought THE HUSBAND’S SECRET by Liane Moriarty for lots of people.

Are you inspired by any particular author or book? 

Douglas Kennedy’s THE BIG PICTURE had a huge effect on me. It’s a thriller about an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances and I read it and thought that’s the kind of book I want to write.

What is your guilty pleasure read?    

If I like something, I like it. I don’t feel guilty just because someone else might think it’s substandard. To truly find what you like in life without any influence from other people is wonderful. If a book resonates with me I read it.

Who are your favourite authors? 

Kate Atkinson, Douglas Kennedy’s early thrillers, Nicci French.

What book have you re-read? 

All of the books mentioned above as well as The Talented Mr Ripley, To Kill a Mockingbird, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.

What book have you given up on?

Loads. I start around three new books a week and will finish one. If I don’t fall in love with the author’s voice I don’t continue to read. Life is too short and there are too many good books out there. I wouldn’t finish a film if I wasn’t enjoying it, same goes for books. 

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions Paula.  Wishing you lots of luck with Keep Your Friends Close, and really looking forward to your next book!