A Slice of Cake With... Lizzie Chantree

Today I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Lizzie Chantree.

International bestselling author and award-winning inventor, Lizzie started her own business at the age of 18 and became one of Fair Play London and The Patent Office’s British Female Inventors of the Year in 2000. She discovered her love of writing fiction when her children were little and now works as a business mentor and runs a popular networking hour on social media, where creatives can support each other. She writes books full of friendship and laughter, that are about women with unusual and adventurous businesses, who are far stronger than they realise. She lives with her family on the coast in Essex. 

What kind of books do you write?

I write books about self-belief, falling in love and following your dreams. If my books make my readers smile, then I’m happy. My characters are often up to all kinds of shenanigans, so writing books is also a lot of fun!

Can you describe your writing why?

I’m motivated by my family and creativity. I love them both! I have a compulsion to write and am often chatting to characters in my head. I sometimes work on more than one storyline and write the first 20 thousand words of my books by hand. I enjoy the excitement of a pen gliding across the paper and it helps the words flow. I also sit and write in coffee shops quite regularly. Nothing to do with the cake…

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

Movement caught her eye on the promenade below and she recognised the young woman from one of the breakfast places along the beach. She was looking mutinous, even from this distance, stalking back and forward and muttering to herself. Her hands were bunched into fists and she was brandishing one of them at a very innocent-looking bush, before she swung a kick at a plant pot and then hopped about holding her toes. Ada couldn’t help but smile. She had met the girl and her parents a few times and exchanged pleasantries, but Ned hadn’t really wanted to eat out. She’d only been there alone, when the isolation had got too much for her. Perhaps she’d go there today and try and chase away her demons. If Genie – she remembered the girl’s name at last – was in a bad mood, then they could be grumpy together. She might even have a little chat to the hedge as she walked past, too. It wouldn’t answer back. She was pretty sure everyone in her building thought she was an eccentric recluse, so no-one would bat an eyelid to see her talking to a plant.

I enjoyed writing this paragraph from, The little ice cream shop by the sea, as it is about a pensioner called Ada and Genie, the woman who kicked the plant pot. They become very important in each other’s lives and their friendship crosses social boundaries between their age and backgrounds.

Tell us about your latest project

My latest book is called, The woman who felt invisible and is about a 41-year-old computer expert who is working in a pen cupboard, as the stationery supervisor, for an Information Technology company and looking after two internet-famous delinquent dogs. Her father has recently passed away and she's lost her way after being fired from two other recent jobs. The story is about her grabbing back her self-confidence, jumping headfirst into a new love and finding an exciting best friend, who changes her life forever.

What is your favourite cake?

Coffee and walnut. Yum! 

You can connect with Lizzie at the following places:

Website: www.lizziechantree.com

Author page: https://www.viewAuthor.at/LizzieChantree

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lizzie_Chantree

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizzieChantree/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7391757.Lizzie_Chantree

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzie_chantree/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LizzieChantree/pins/

FB Groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/647115202160536/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lizzie-chantree

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lizziechantreeauthor

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnCop-RlAcGqggZG3JfE-Mw

Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Dafni Mathioudaki. 

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Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.