Wednesday 10 December 2014

Festive Guest Post: Xmas Q&A with . . . Author Jenny Hale


When she graduated college, one of Jenny's friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to her.
Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t.
While she didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, Jenny completed a novel that she felt was worthy of publication. The result was Coming Home for Christmas - a heart-warming story about friends, family, and the magic of love at Christmas.
Other books by Jenny Hale are Love Me for Me and A Christmas to Remember. Jenny is currently at work on her next novel.


Q) When do you normally get in the Festive spirit?
On the fourth Thursday of November, we celebrate Thanksgiving with a giant family get-together and dinner. While this holiday is known for its harvest-like decorations, sometimes, if we’re going to have a ton of family over, we may decorate for Christmas so the house is all done up for everyone. Other times, (and traditionally) Christmas decorating begins the day after Thanksgiving. No matter when we decide to decorate, the festive spirit begins around Thanksgiving!



Q) What is a favourite tradition you like to have or do at Christmas?
We have a ton! One in particular is making a gingerbread house with my kids. I don’t spend all day baking or anything; it’s usually a store-bought kit. Part of the fun is attempting to keep all four walls up at the same time and having enough candy to actually decorate it once it’s up, as the kids like to dip into the supplies. It isn’t meant to be a perfect Christmas decoration, but, rather, a time to spend with each other and make memories.



Q) How do you feel when you’re writing your Christmas books in Summer?
I’ll be honest, it’s weird! I wrote/edited A Christmas to Remember most of the time under an umbrella on my deck in hundred degree (38C) heat. Now, here it is getting cold and I’m writing about beaches. Usually, once I get into the story, I can tell it without being there, but it would be easier to write about cold with my big, fuzzy socks on rather than barefoot or in flip flops.



Q) Do you love buying/wrapping gifts and seeing everybody’s faces on Christmas Day?
I love the faces on Christmas day. I do not enjoy shopping. I usually buy everything online and wrap the freight boxes! (They are always perfectly shaped and make lovely presents under the tree!) I enjoy the hustle and bustle of Christmastime if I’m having dinner out or getting coffee, but I’ll skip standing in long lines and carrying loads of heavy bags to the car.



Q) What do you normally do on Christmas Day?
We wake up at the crack of dawn because our kids get us up to see what Santa has brought. We eat something small to see us through the unwrapping of presents, and then, once all the toys and goodies are spread all over the living room, we make a big breakfast and lots of coffee! Once our bellies are full, it’s Hubby’s turn to work. He usually sets in getting toys out of their boxes, finding batteries, and putting them all together. I watch and have more coffee. ;)



Q) Do you like decorating your Christmas Tree?
 
I love decorating my tree! My children do too! They have their own very tiny Christmas trees in their rooms that they can decorate while I’m doing mine but they end up helping me too. :)



!! Festive Giveaway Time !!

The so lovely Jenny Hale is offering two lucky winners an e-copy of A Christmas to Remember
Enter Here:


3 comments:

  1. A special delivery by Clare Dowling x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amy silver - All i want for Christmas is you

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  3. Lovely Q & A from Jenny Hale. It's hard to pick a favourite but I loved A Winter Flame by Milly Johnson

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