It’s Monday again but to get you through those Monday Blues I am joined by Ella Harper!
So Ella can you tell us a little bit about If I Fall?
It’s about four friends who met at University and we then follow their lives in the present day. They all either have secrets or difficult issues to face. The reader will see a suicide note early on and it’s really about who spirals and needs saving…
Can you tell us about the characters in this book?
Jonas and Connie are married but they are both hiding dark secrets. He is a lawyer and she is a former journalist-turned-stay-at-home-mum. Layla is a therapist who would love to get married and have kids, but she has a sick mother to care for. And JJ, a personal trainer with a serious eye for the ladies, seems to have it all. But what pain is he hiding behind the happy veneer?
Who was the easiest to write?
Connie was probably the easiest to write because some of her lifestyle reflected my own and some of her actions and emotions really came from my own heart.
Who was the most difficult?
Probably Jonas because some of his behaviour is pretty abhorrent, but I don’t like to shy away from difficult subjects. He’s complex though so, therefore he was still great to write.
Do you have a favourite scene from this book? What is it and why?
My favourite scene in If I Fall is the scene set in Italy. I loved writing it because I adore Italy and felt as though I was there when I wrote it. It reminded me of the books I wrote under my own name (Sasha Wagstaff) because they were all set in glamorous locations and I loved describing the scenery and smells and vivid colours. It was also the hardest scene to write because of the content – but that’s also what made it enjoyable.
What is your favourite place to write?
I have an office in my loft, but I’ve never written in there! I tend to write in the lounge these days, on the sofa. Not wildly exciting, but it’s comfy and I can really get into my writing.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I teach Pilates! I teach three times a week and I really love it. It’s sociable and active – the opposite of writing! So I get the best of both worlds.
Chocolate or sweets?
Chocolate – and I have to be in the mood for it. I don’t really have a sweet tooth. I’m more of a cheese and crisps kind of a girl.
You have a free flight and accommodation to anywhere in the world where would you go?
The Seychelles. Hands down. Or Tahiti. Or Bora Bora. Somewhere with a gorgeous beach and peace and quiet.
What is your favourite season?
I actually love all the seasons for different weather and new clothing opportunities! But overall, I guess summer is my favourite season. I love sunshine – it really lifts me.
Who is your favourite author? Why?
I’m a huge fan of Lianne Moriarty as I find her novels easy to read, but they are also unflinchingly honest and tackle the most challenging of issues.
Have they influenced the way you write?
Yes, very much so. When I started writing as Ella Harper, I read piles of books to find my new voice and Lianne Moriarty really made my mind spiral off into new territory.
What do you love about writing?
I love having a blank page and turning it into a story that grows and grows. And I’m fascinated by people so I love developing characters and watching how they become real.
Is there anything you hate about writing?
Editing can be a bit tedious but it’s a very necessary part of the process.
You have a day off – no children/work/responsibilities…what do you do?
Great question! I’d go to the airport and grab a flight to somewhere cool in Europe and I’d have an amazing lunch somewhere. I’d do some sightseeing and then I’d go to a spa and have lots of treatments. If my boyfriend was free, he can come too and then we’ll get home and have dinner with the kids and all fall asleep together. Perfect!
If I Fall by Ella Harper Published by Canelo on 22nd January 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Love & Romance
Pages: 271
Goodreads
Amazon Kindle, Audible
Four university friends, four devastating secrets.
I’m really sorry for what I’m about to do…
It’s fifteen years since graduation, and Connie, Jonas, JJ and Layla have managed to remain close despite the odds. They’ve supported each other, but are some things too big for friendship?
Connie is desperate to maintain the veneer of perfect family life.
Jonas is feeling the pressure at work.
Layla’s career is unravelling thanks to her ill mother
JJ’s past is catching up with him.
When they stumble and fall, who will be there to catch them?
A truly powerful and unforgettable story of love, friendship, and real life, If I Fall is perfect for readers of Alice Peterson, Amanda Prowse and Lianne Moriarty.
About Ella Harper
Ella Harper learned foreign languages, and imagined she might eventually get a glamorous job speaking French. After climbing her way up the banking ladder, Ella started idly mapping out the beginnings of a novel on an old laptop. When she realised her characters were more real to her than dividends and corporate actions ever could be, she left her job to become a writer.
@canelo_co Thank you very much for having me. Fab questions! Xx