Release Day & Author Interview : Lisa J. Hobman

Meet Lisa! She's got a new contemporary romance releasing today! 

Author, Lisa J. Hobman

 
Tell us a little about yourself...

Okay, where to start?  Well, I am a 40 year old mum of one.  I relocated to Scotland last year with my family and our two dogs.  I adore books and have a new found passion for reading since relocating!  I am crazy about music (I used to be a singer) and I love crafts too. 

Tell us about your debut novel (yay!)...

Bridge Over the Atlantic is a contemporary romance novel for readers of adult age and is set between Yorkshire and the Scottish Highlands mainly.  It tells the story of Mallory, a curvy girl who is quite unlucky in love.  The only serious relationship she's had was with a guy who loved his car more than her!  Not a great romance :-)  Things change rapidly for her as you will discover.

What was the querying/agent/publisher search process like for you?

It was quite stressful simply because I am a complete newbie!  I did a lot of internet searches and found places to submit to that way.  It was a learning curve, too.  The rejections were hard but I persevered and finally got my dream...a contract!!

Is there another genre you would like to try at some point?

I have given this a great deal of thought and to be honest I am a romantic at heart so I think I may stick with contemporary romance.  Although who knows as things pr0gress...never say never!

Do you have a writing ritual or a certain way you like to get ready to write?

Do you know what?  I think I must write most of the day!  I have a break to read at bedtime but my day is usually taken up with writing, writing, writing (and a bit of house cleaning in between...although not as much as I should do!)
 

Tell us about one of your characters you loved writing and why you are attached to them:

My absolute favourite character is Mallory.  I wanted to write a story about a curvy girl (being one myself) and wanted to show her insecurities but also her beauty.  She is a little crazy but very sweet, too. I think she is the kind of girl I could be friends with.  She has had a rough time but still puts others first.  

Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? If so, what changed?

I never wanted to give up as such but I did go through phases of doubting my abilities when I got a couple of rejections through.  I think what I tried to bear in mind is that publishers/lit agents get so many manuscripts a week that they can really only take on so many at one time.  Getting my contract was a huge boost and fueled the fire for more writing.  I think I will only give up now if I run out of ideas!

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Stick with it.  Don't give up!  Get out there on social network sites and talk to people.  Listen to advice but most of all remember WHY you are writing.  For me writing is a passion - it's not about money - it's just about me doing something I love and hoping that others love what I write.  If that happens then you've achieved something amazing!

What are you working on now/what can we expect from you next?

Oooh, well my second novel goes off this week for consideration so I am very nervous right now!  I am hoping and praying that it's contracted.  I am working on two others right now also.  They are all stand alone novels and all contemporary romance.  I'm hoping to maybe try my hand at a series at some point too!  So hopefully I will have other books out there soon!

What is your current obsession (absolutely anything)?

Without a doubt it's writing!  I can't seem to stop!  And if I am not writing I usually have a book or my Kindle in my hand!

Readers can find more about Lisa on her website www.lisajhobman.co.uk , Twitter @LivingScottishD and Facebook 


And now a little bit about Bridge Over the Atlantic

Life can literally throw you off balance when you least expect it...

Mallory Westerman is a full-figured, successful, young business woman living in Yorkshire, England. Though very career minded, she is extremely self-conscious about her ample curves and so her love life tends to pay the price. Concentrating solely on her business, she has almost given up on finding someone to love.  That is until she literally trips into the arms of a stranger who becomes her Knight in shining armour.

The immediate sexual and romantic spark that blossoms into love and the events that follow, irrevocably change Mallory’s life-path and self-image forever, but only go to prove that the road to true love is never smooth and that things don’t always turn out how you expect…

Thanks for being here Lisa and congratulations on your release!!