‘A lifetime of endings, a million goodbyes. None of them right. It’s funny what you remember when you’ve got nothing else to think about. All those things you should’ve said while you had the chance. You never learned, did you? You never, ever learned.’
Belle has a habit of losing things. Her friends. Her lovers. Her mind.
Everything ends eventually, or at least that’s what life has taught her. But what if everything she lost came back again? What if she got a chance to finally have her say? To face her past. To put things right.
Second chances aren’t easy when memories are all you have. So, when Belle invites the nightmares of her past back in, is she willing to deal with the consequences? Because maybe, just maybe, this time she’s getting what she deserves
Q&A
1. Do you always take a book/e-reader wherever you go?
I always have a physical book with me whenever I’m travelling anywhere – on a train or a plane, but not a car or boat because I’m travel sick on those! I don’t get much time to read during the day unfortunately, as I work full time, but whenever I get the chance, I’ll read a book. I don’t actually have an e-reader. I much prefer the feeling of turning pages in an actual book. And books also smell amazing!
2. Say someone asks if they can use your name in a book. Would you rather be the ‘good one’ or the ‘bad one’?
The good one. That may be a bit boring, but I’m super soft in real life and care too much about not upsetting people in real life to identify with the bad one!
3. Where can I find you when you are reading?
Tucked away in a sunny corner of my back garden or tucked up in bed.
4. Where can I find you when you are not writing/reading?
When I’m not writing or reading, I’m usually either at work or studying (I’m currently taking a course in proofreading/editing). I also have two teenage children, so they keep me busy! I’m lucky enough to live in a beautiful part of the world too, the Lake District, so I love to go for walks surrounded by mountains and lakes. Nature is very therapeutic. Oh, and not forgetting painting and drawing. Art is definitely another love of mine, and I can lose myself in painting a picture for hours.
5. Can you walk past a bookstore without going inside?
That’s easy… no!
6. What are you most proud of?
My children make me immensely proud every single day. They’re such awesome little humans. I’m also proud of the fact that I actually wrote a novel! It may have taken me nine years, but I got there in the end and turned a negative period of my life into a huge positive.
7. What goes through your mind when you hold your new book in your hands for the first time?
I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face; I was so in awe of it! I actually slept with the box full of books beside my bed that first night because I just wanted to constantly look at them!
8. What piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?
It would definitely be to just do it. I don’t think there’s ever really a good or right time to start writing, you just have to take the leap. And, most importantly, don’t give up. Some days you’ll love writing; other days you’ll have the worst writer’s block and won’t be able to get a thing written, and on those days you’ll be so frustrated. There’s no denying writing is tough, and you’ll pour your heart and soul into your work. Just keep going. Keep up the momentum. Have patience and you’ll get there. And trust me, it’s the best feeling when you do.
9. Who would you like/have liked to interview?
This is a tough one. The first person who springs to mind is Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, because he was pretty much my idol when I was a teenager with rock star aspirations (I was the drummer in a band).
10. When and where do you prefer to write?
I sit on my armchair by the window, with my laptop resting on a cushion on my knee. It’s quiet and there are minimal distractions (well, apart from the kids!) I’ve tried using my laptop outside, but it’s never really worked for me. I’ve also discovered that I’m pretty much a winter writer; I’m too eager to get outside in the summer so writing tends to be a little less productive in the warmer months. I much prefer shutting myself away on cold, stormy days and writing while I’m all cosy in the house. Although, with our wonderful British weather, that sometimes happens in the summer too!
Thank you, Carla Christian and Love Books Group
About the author
Carla Christian lives in the Lake District in the North of England. A busy working mum of two teenagers, she has a passion for writing, art and travel, and these interests have been a part of her for as long as she can remember.
Constantly inspired by both the good and the bad in the world around her, she spends much of her time creating in one way or another; be it painting canvases for the blank walls of her new home, sketching pictures to capture memories of the many travel adventures she’s been lucky enough to go on, baking fantastical cakes with her daughter, or writing endless beginnings to a million unfinished stories.
The Things I Want To Say But Can’t is her first novel.
Author Link
Book Link
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08882Y9J5/?ref=exp_kellysloveofbooks_dp_vv_d
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