I am over the moon today because one of my favourite authors, the utterly fabulous Lily Morton, is here to talk about her brand new release Gideon, which is out right now!
1. Can you share something with us about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
Gideon doesn’t feel real or connected to anyone. For all of the people who surround him, he’s incredibly lonely. However, he’s accepted that as being part of the price of fame. But then he meets Eli and finds someone who sees all of him and wants him despite the bad bits. The book is about someone finding the courage to be honest about who they are.
2. What did you edit out of this book? Or really want to include but it just didn’t fit?
I actually edited more out of this book than I normally do. I don’t usually have any excess material. In the middle of the book the couple are separated and the entire chapter was originally made up of the letters that they wrote to each other. However, it slowed the momentum down so I took them out. I’ll share them at some point with my readers’ group, Lily’s Snark Squad.
3. What or who (or both) has influenced you most as a writer?
I think having a deep love of reading made me want to write. I always had a very vivid imagination and would constantly make up stories in my head. It was my husband who pushed me to go for it because he’s always believed in me. It’s down to him that I went full-time as a writer too.
4. What sort of challenges did you face writing this book?
I think probably that the main character was Gideon. Quite a few people didn’t like him at all in Milo and he was seen as a bit of a villain. However, I loved him as soon as he came into my head. He’s grumpy and acerbic but very vulnerable. I adore that type of character.
5. If we made Gideon into a movie, who would be your dream casting for Gideon and Eli?
Ooh, I think Gideon would be Richard Armitage and Eli would be the late and very wonderful Heath Ledger.
6. This is the third book in the Finding Home series, do you have any plans for more stories in this series or are you planning something new?
There won’t be any more books in the Finding Home series. I’m writing a standalone at the moment. However, I always say that and invariably it turns into a series!
7. Your writing always has a distinctly British feel and flare, was that a deliberate choice or just something that came naturally to your writing?
It’s completely natural. I am British so the humour and the language are all me.
8. As an experienced author, what do you have any advice or tips for new authors who are just starting out?
I would say to make friends with other authors in the community. Writing can be a lonely business so it’s lovely to be able to bounce ideas off friends, share tips or just chat. They’re the only people who will understand fully what you do.
9. What is your favourite childhood book?
The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien. I loved the whole book but I was absolutely fascinated by the description of his house for some reason. I’d read that over and over again and was quite disappointed when he left it to go adventuring.
10. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Do you have a secret passion or hobby that we don’t know about?
I’m a voracious reader. I try to walk every day because it helps to clear my mind. I also love the cinema and travelling with my husband.
11. Finally, what’s your favourite dinosaur?
Diplodocus. Very cute and a vegetarian
Thank you Lily! I’m so happy to find another Diplodocus fan (they’re always and forever my favourite), and I can’t wait to see what you have planned for us next.
Gideon is out now and you should definitely add it to your reading list!
You can find Lily on Bookbub, Twitter and Instagram, plus her website and her Pinterest page, where you can see all her book inspiration. You can also join her Facebook Group: Lily’s Snark Squad for more fun things too.
