Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose 14th book is due to be released later this year. Heidi is an auto buy author for me, you are guaranteed a gorgeous feel good read. Her books take pride of place on my bookcase so I was over the moon when she agreed to do this interview so thank you so much to Heidi for answering my questions.
1. Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview Heidi. Please can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and when you started your career as an author?
Hello Kelly! Thank you so much for offering to interview me. This is my first interview of 2022 which is a special year for me as I turn 50 in April. Eek!
So, as you know, my name is Heidi Swain and I live in Norfolk. My free time (what there is of it) revolves around taking as many walks as I can to admire nature and green things growing, lots of reading, some knitting, writing in my journal and cooking and baking.
I’ve always been a writer, with ambitions to be published, but my career really took off in 2014 when I submitted The Cherry Tree Café to the Books and The City #oneday open submission day after joining the Romantic Novelists Association New Writers Scheme (a must for ambitious new romance authors). The BATC team loved it and I signed my first contract with them by the end of the year. The eBook was released in 2015 and I’ve been writing two books a year ever since.
2. You are well known for writing fabulous feel good romance. What made you gravitate towards this genre and have you ever thought about branching out into different genres?
Thank you! I’ve always been an avid and enthusiastic reader and when I plucked up the courage to write my first book (something I’d always wanted to do), it felt both logical and natural to tell the kind of story that I loved to read. I wanted to see if I could create that feel-good spark that my favourite authors ignited in me.
Setting has always been important to me so creating the kinds of places I’d love to move to was a total indulgence and the feel-good romantic genre perfectly lends itself to the kinds of places I love. I would happily live in either Wynbridge, Nightingale Square or Wynmouth! And it’s the same with lots of my characters jobs. I’d love to run a crafting café, a community garden or a Christmas tree plantation, but as I haven’t got the time or skills, writing about them comes a close second.
I haven’t so far thought about branching into a different genre, but never say never!
3. Where do you get your character & plot inspiration from? Are your characters ever based on people you know?
It varies from book to book. I’m currently writing my fifteenth book and one thing I’ve finally grasped is that the creation, planning and writing process has been different for all of them.
Sometimes a character from a previous novel might stick in my head and demand to take the lead in another book. Both Ruby and Hayley, who are Wynbridge characters, did that.
Another time, I might feel inspired to explore an extension ofone of the settings I haven’t yet visited. The shops in the street just beyond Nightingale Square for example and the primary school in Wynbridge have both taken centre stage in books which have been written after the initial areas had been covered.
Once I’ve decided where I’m going, I’ll start to think about who is going to be there, and why. If it’s a new resident, have they arrived with a secret, have they run away from something, do they already have a connection to the place or is their arrival completely random? It sometimes takes a while to figure new characters out and the process can’t be rushed. For me, the inspiration involves asking a lot of questions!
That said, in the case of Hayley and Ruby, I knew them already so it was a case of exploring their back story and working out what they’d been doing in the time since we met them in a previous book.
I don’t base characters entirely on someone I know as I would find that too limiting. However, there might be traits, sayings or quirks that a character displays that I have come across in someone I love.
4. Are there any authors that gave you the inspiration to start writing? Is your writing style influenced by any other authors?
I suppose all of the books I have read by authors I love gave me the impetus to sit down and give it a go myself.
In terms of personal connection, in the early days of my career I had some truly inspiring conversations with Mandy Baggot, Milly Johnson, Carmel Harrington and Miranda Dickinson, to name a few. They were so kind and encouraging which was a real boost when my confidence was at zero. That’s one of the best things about this genre, the authors support each other tirelessly and that makes a huge difference.
I don’t think my writing style is influenced by anyone else. It’s important to find your own voice. No one else will be able to tell the story you love, like you and it’s essential to embrace that.
5. Do you have a favourite out of the books you've written?
Did you see my shoulders slump when I read this question? This is such a difficult one to answer! I love them all for different reasons, but, if you’re really putting the pressure on, I’ll name two.
The Cherry Tree Café has a very special place in my heart because it was the book which set me off on this incredible journey. I’ll be forever grateful to Lizzie and Jemma and their crafting café ambitions. Which of course, is now quite an empire!
Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair is also right up there. Not only does the book introduce us to the wonderful Connelly clan and their home Wynthorpe Hall, it also made number five on the Sunday Times Bestseller list and that was the most amazing Christmas present ever and the realisation of a long-held dream.
6. Can you let us know what you are currently reading and the book you always recommend to others?
I’m reading two books at the moment. This is something new for 2022. I’m enjoying both a fiction and non-fiction title at the same time.
The fiction title is The Staycation by Cressida McLaughlin which publishes on January 31st. I’m really enjoying it and totally in love with one of the characters!
The non-fiction title is A Year of Living Simply, by Kate Humble which is really making me think. I’m also almost at the end of The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater, which I read every year.
I’m always recommending A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I read it every December 1st but its message is relevant at any time of year.
7. If you weren't an author, what job would you most like to have?
Many, many years ago, I was a gardener and I loved working outside. If I could do anything, I think I’d like to get back out there, most likely in a woodland setting, working for an organisation such as the Woodland Trust.
8. Finally, are you able to give us some sneaky info on your next book release?
My next release, publishing on May 12th, is The Summer Fair. This will be the fourth book set in Nightingale Square and I’m going to be taking you beyond the community garden and row of shops and into a setting where you might not expect to find fun and a hint of romance!
I’m so excited about this one and we’ve literally just finalised the cover, which is always the cherry on the cake. I’m going to be arranging a reveal very soon so keep your eyes peeled. I know you’re going to love it!
All of Heidi's books are available to purchase on Amazon.
Follow Heidi on Instagram and Twitter @heidi_swain
Blog Post and Interview By Kelly @bookwormblogss
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