Getting to know you Thursdays with Andrea Grigg

Please join me in welcoming Australian Author Andrea Grigg. I have Andrea's debut book and waiting to read it. I am still not reading as much as I would like but am improving.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in NZ but moved to Australia when I was 25. I met my husband in Sydney, and we moved to the Gold Coast where we have raised our 3 children, all of whom are in their twenties. Time goes so fast!  Apart from writing and reading, my other passion is music.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

I loved The Famous Five by Enid Blyton. I read them all by the time I was about eight. (Jenny here I also loved Enid Blyton. I loved The Magic Faraway Tree series as well as Mr Gilliano's Circus and also The Famous Five but was older when I read them.)

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?

Women’s fiction, especially romance.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

Apart from Enid Blyton J I enjoyed K.M. Peyton’s Flambards trilogy, and as I grew older, I read Catherine Cookson and Daphne du Maurier. Funnily enough, all these authors are British. I’ve only just realised it now as I’ve answered the question. Something to do with the history in those books, I think.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I had an inkling when I rewrote the ending to ‘Little Women’ when I was eleven.  I was not happy when Beth died. I didn’t write seriously again until I was almost fifty. Once I’d completed my first chapter of my first draft, I was hooked.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

I figured that if I’d completed a first draft, I could call myself an author. Becoming a published author was a different thing altogether. To get to that stage, I researched the internet, picked people’s brains and followed the steps as they appeared in front of me – and edited, edited, edited! When I signed a contract, then the editing really started.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

A backing vocalist for someone famous.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?

Be with my husband and family; socialise with my friends; watch movies; teach; laugh a lot.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?

I’d love to go to Europe and see some really old places. Australia and New Zealand are so young!

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

Francine Rivers – to talk about writing

Darlene Zschech – to talk about music

Joyce Meyers – to talk about anything!

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will
be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.

My first book, ‘A Simple Mistake’ was published in April, by Even Before Publishing. (Big thanks to Rochelle Manners).  Here’s the blurb:

When teenage sweethearts Nick and Lainey meet again after more than a decade, so much has changed. Nick is now a famous celebrity and Lainey is the girl he left behind. As a member of a highly successful band and with an emerging acting career, Nick can have any girl he wants. Now he wants Lainey back.

Despite Nick’s promise to keep in touch when he left to seek fame and fortune, Lainey never heard from him. Now that so much time has passed, she has moved on from what she felt. Or has she?

After discovering what kept them apart for so long, they tentatively rekindle their past romance. The feelings are just as strong as before but can Lainey accept Nick’s lack of faith? And can their new relationship survive Lainey’s secret? 

I’m currently working on three books, one of which is a sequel. I’m not sure which it will be, but the plan is to complete one by the end of the year.

You can find me on the web at www.andreagrigg.com