![\"iuykqev6zgjaeempfstswhbszrzq0qrjvlykmzlozd7tjk5m.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&v=2\"](\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/iuykqev6zgjaeempfstswhbszrzq0qrjvlykmzlozd7tjk5m.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&v=2\")
<\/p>Interview with our founder - International bestselling author, award winning businesswoman and writing mentor, Lizzie Chantree.<\/p>
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1)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Can you share with us the first story you ever created?\u00a0<\/p> My first story is about a shy entrepreneur wo is thrust into the spotlight, when her business becomes famous. Someone is trying to sabotage her business, Babe Driven, and she takes her sisters and friends to an exotic island, away from prying eyes, to try and find out who the culprit is. She doesn\u2019t bank on a group of sexy rock stars who are staying in the villa next door, or a resort owner who is set on taking over her business and her life!<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> 2)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>When and how did you become a writer?<\/p> I ran my own retail and wholesale businesses, selling products I designed for over fifteen years, but my daughter became unwell (she\u2019s fine now), which meant I wanted to be at home with her. I started writing my first book to keep myself awake at night and then I hid the manuscript for five years until her health began to improve. I published my first book, Babe Driven, about a chauffeur company with gorgeous drivers, when I was forty. I believe in chasing your dreams and when you catch them, creating new ones.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/p> 3)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>How do you find inspiration for your stories?<\/p> My stories are all about entrepreneurs, so it might be an idea from running a business in the past, or by seeing how people interact with each other. It can be as simple as a few words spoken or a fleeting glimpse of a gesture. With my book, The little ice cream shop by the sea, the story grew from seeing an elderly lady crying in a caf\u00e9 and a young waitress helping her. After the older lady had left, I asked the waitress if her friend was ok. The waitress said they\u2019d never met before that day. It made me think about the kindness of strangers and the whole story grew from there. In my book, Genie and Ada are strangers at the start of the story, but despite their age difference and backgrounds, they become each other\u2019s lifeline.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/p> 4)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Do you have favourite brainstorming and\/or productivity tips you\u2019d like to share with us?<\/p> I would advise setting out separate writing and marketing time, so that they don\u2019t overwhelm you. Writing time has to come first and setting boundaries can be really helpful with that. Simple tick lists for social media planning can also simplify tasks that can at first seem daunting.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> 5)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>What\u2019s your favorite genre to write? Why?<\/p> I love romance and women\u2019s fiction. If I was standing in front of a packed bookcase, I\u2019d always turn to the romance books first. They are so uplifting and they ease stress and help us relax for a while.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> 6)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>What genres do you like to read or watch? Can you share some examples?<\/p> I read all sorts of genres. I\u2019m lucky to have met lots of authors in my writing career, both in person and online and I really enjoy jumping into one of their books for a good read. I don\u2019t mind the genre and I will read anything from magical realism to mysteries.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> 7)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>What\u2019s your favourite novel that you wrote?<\/p> I don\u2019t have a favourite, but my first novel, Babe Driven, is very special to me. Writing the book helped me through very dark times. I filled the book with exotic locations and sizzling men and women, to try and balance the worry and anxiety I was feeling. I also hoped that the book might also make another person smile one day and help them find some lightness and laughter too.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> My other most recent book, The little ice cream shop by the sea, is set in Essex, which is where I\u2019m from. That was a lot of fun to write too.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> 8)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>What are some of your favorite books from other authors?\u00a0<\/p> I love books by Heidi Catherine, who writes magical stories. I am always drawn to books by Katie Fforde, Jill Mansell, Heidi Swain and Isabella May.\u00a0<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> 9)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>What are you working on right now?<\/p> I\u2019m currently working on the second book in a three book romance series. It\u2019s about four friends from school and three devilishly attractive brothers who used to live across the street.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> 10)<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Where can we follow you on social media?<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> Social media links:<\/span><\/strong><\/p> Website:\u00a0 <\/u><\/span>www.lizziechantree.com<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Author page:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.viewAuthor.at\/LizzieChantree<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> TikTok: <\/span>https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@lizzie_chantree<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Twitter<\/u>:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/twitter.com\/Lizzie_Chantree<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Facebook:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lizzie.chantree.3\/<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Fb Page: <\/span>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LizzieChantree\/<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Goodreads: <\/span>https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/7391757.Lizzie_Chantree<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Instagram:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lizzie_chantree\/<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Pinterest:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.pinterest.co.uk\/LizzieChantree\/pins\/<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> FB Groups: <\/span>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/647115202160536\/<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> BookBub: <\/span>https:\/\/www.bookbub.com\/profile\/lizzie-chantree<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> LinkedIn: <\/span>linkedin.com\/in\/lizziechantreeauthor<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> YouTube: <\/span>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCnCop-RlAcGqggZG3JfE-Mw<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> TikTok: <\/span>https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@lizzie_chantree<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Book links:<\/span><\/strong><\/p> The little ice cream shop: <\/span>viewbook.at\/IceCreamShopByTheSea<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> The little cupcake shop: <\/span>viewbook.at\/LittleCupcakeShopBySea<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> My Perfect Ex: <\/span>viewbook.at\/MyPerfectEx<\/span><\/a><\/p> The One That He Wants: <\/span>https:\/\/mybook.to\/TheOneThatHeWants<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> The Eternal Bachelor: <\/span>https:\/\/mybook.to\/TheEternalBachelor<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> If you love me, I\u2019m yours: <\/span>mybook.to\/IfYouLoveMe<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Babe Driven: <\/span>viewbook.at\/BabeDriven<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Love\u2019s Child:\u00a0<\/span>viewBook.at\/Amazon-LovesChild<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Finding Gina: <\/span>viewbook.at\/FindingGina<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Shh\u2026 it\u2019s our secret: https:\/\/www.bhcpress.com\/Books_Chantree_Shh_Its_Our_Secret.html<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p> Ninja School Mum: viewbook.at\/NinjaSchoolMumRomance<\/span><\/a><\/p> The woman who felt invisible: <\/span>viewbook.at\/InvisibleWoman<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p>![\"xtxfgtmhngtaa37nneqbamiy5pg13xqr34jhhnkvvgv28q8w.jpg.jpg?w=1140&v=2\"](\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/xtxfgtmhngtaa37nneqbamiy5pg13xqr34jhhnkvvgv28q8w.jpg.jpg?w=1140&v=2\")
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