Loving this series!
Today, I am incredibly excited to have a fantastic author and interweb friend of mine, Gillian Harvey, over for the second time, this time to talk about her latest release, Midnight in Paris
Hello, and welcome to But I Smile Anyway, Gillian! Let’s get you set with a drink, first.
What would you like to drink? All the hot beverages are available to you, as well as my trusty masala tea!
A coffee please, Ritu.
And what would you like to eat? I’ve been making fairy cakes and cookies, but also fried up some fresh pakoras, too!
I’ll try a bit of everything!‘Midnight in Paris’ has one foot in France and the other in the UK (Cambridge), which has created a nice balance. My next is set in a small French village, but I’m working on something set firmly in the UK as well! So a bit of both.
So lovely to have you back here, Gillian! And a change for you since we last spoke. You’ve moved back to the UK – How is that going for you with your writing?
We loved our time in France, but it felt like the right time to move back to the UK. We’ve landed in a lovely seaside town in Norfolk, and it’s been a great experience so far (albeit exhausting)! The writing is going great – I’m feeling really creative and the words are flowing! Sounds lovely, and yay for the words!
Last time, we spoke about how much France had inspired your writing recently. Will that country always feature in your novels, or will we get more UK-based stories, or even based in far-flung destinations?
Midnight in Paris’ has one foot in France and the other in the UK (Cambridge), which has created a nice balance. My next is set in a small French village, but I’m working on something set firmly in the UK as well! So a bit of both. Exciting for us readers!
I know I asked this last time, but obviously, you have uprooted yourself since then, so do you now have your writing room/area in your new place? Or are you visiting cafes, perching for hours, consuming coffee, and typing away?
Right now, we’re in rented accommodation while we look for a forever home. It’s a lovely house, but a little on the small side – especially as my kids keep insisting on growing at an alarming rate! This means, right now, my desk is in my bedroom which isn’t ideal. Especially as I seem to create chaos around my work area. But I’m hoping within the next year I’ll have my own office to work in, fingers crossed. As for cafes, no. I love going to them, but I’d be too shy to work in one! Too many people asking me what I’m up to (at least, in my imagination)! Oh, I do hope so, for your sake, and you are right. These kids don’t half grow fast!
Are you planning to go to any author/book-related events this year? I am attending the MeetCute festival in June!
One of the things I really looked forward to about moving to the UK is the fact that I’ll be more able to travel to book festivals – I had serious FOMO looking at author pics on Instagram after some of the bigger events. But right now, I haven’t got anything in the diary. I think that moving has been so tumultuous I’m still catching my breath. But I’m determined to get out and about more this year – and may well see you in June. Oh, I do hope so, it would be awesome to see you!
It’s time to talk about the book in question, Midnight In Paris. Oh my goodness, this was an emotional read! Where did the inspiration for this story come from?
Often my stories come to me as a ‘snapshot’ of a moment. This story built from the idea of the bridge and all it signifies in the story and went from there. Paris is also quite special to me – my husband and I went to Paris for a trip away when we were first seeing each other. It was a real budget event, using coupons from the paper! We went again for our honeymoon in rather more lavish style. Although our room had room service, we actually kept ordering tea and biscuits – so I suppose you can take the Brit out of Britain… but some things are hardwired. I have to agree, my tea is so important, too, but then again, I am Indian, living in Britain, with Kenyan influence, so Tea was always going to be a thing, lol!
Were you intending to write a tear-jerker?
I knew that there would be an emotional element in the book due to the bridge scene, but I think the eventual book went a little deeper than expected. I wanted to write really meaningful characters that the reader connected with, so I hope that’s been the case! I haven’t been through anything like the characters in this book, but I have had an emotional year with the move and other ups and downs, and I think sometimes that channels into a book. Basically, it was a therapy session! I’m really proud of this story. And so you should be! It was beautifully written!
The story touches on trying to start a family. Is this something you wrote with any personal experience? I know how hard that can be, having done the same with my latest novel.
Yes, my husband and I were told we’d never be able to conceive naturally. It took two rounds of IVF before I had my daughter, then another for my sons. Then we had two unexpected pregnancies afterwards – I guess doctors don’t always get it right. That’s a whole novel in itself… Tell me about it! I have PCOS and spoke to a friend who was diagnosed as a young girl. She was told she would never have children, and when it came to marriage, she stated this fact to whoever her suitor was, as she didn’t want any comeback, then she she was happily married, settled and devoid of any inclination to have a family, she ended up with four kids! It gave me some hope!
And, finally, please let us know what we can expect from you next!
I’m just working on a novel right now. It’s set in France and really focuses on the importance of friendship. I’m hoping to create an emotive experience for the reader, while injecting some upbeat, humorous moments too. I’m also working on a side-project that I’m really excited about. But it’s all very hush-hush for now. 😊 oo
Ooohhh! Secret side project! Now I am even more intrigued, lol!
Thank you so much for popping over for a visit, Gillian!
Thanks for having me, Ritu!
The Blurb
Ten years. Two people. One last visit…
Sophie and Tom first visited Paris together as students. During their weekend away in the world’s most romantic city, falling in love – with the place, and each other – was simply inevitable.
They resolved to return every summer and kept their word, until something happened that changed their world forever.
Five years on, Sophie’s travelling to Paris alone to meet Tom again in their special place, on the Pont du Carrousel at midnight.
Because life has torn them apart. And now Sophie has something to tell Tom. Something that will change everything…
The most heartbreaking, uplifting and powerful novel you’ll read all year. Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Kristin Hannah and The Notebook.
Midnight in Paris by Gillian Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my goodness, Gillian Havey! What are you doing to me?
I’ve always loved the author’s books, especially the stories set in France, but this was something else. Not as light hearted, but as much of a good read as the others, if not more.
The emotional rollercoaster I went on as I read was unbelievable.
Tom and Sophie have a place in Paris that has become their place, and they have visited it over the years. This last visit is so poignant, and its reason is heart-wrenching. I shall give nothing away, but I was in bits.
It is a more serious tale, detailing hard-hitting issues, but in a nuanced, sensitive way.
A true page-turner of a book, I loved it.
I think it’s my favourite so far!
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/midnightinparis
Author Bio
Writer Journalist Author
Freelance writer and author Gillian Harvey lives in France with husband, Ray and their five children. She regularly pens articles and short stories for UK magazines including Woman’s Weekly and People’s Friend. She also writes opinion pieces and has been published in Independent, Guardian, Metro.
Gillian started her career in the teaching profession working at secondary school level. After moving to France in 2009, she started freelance writing for publications in the UK, France and the US.
Gillian has written a monthly column in Writing Magazine since 2020. She has previously been columnist for Prima Baby and Living France magazines.
Gillian’s first novel ‘Everything is Fine’ was published worldwide with Orion in May 2020. Her second, ‘Perfect on Paper’ was published in UK May 2021. She has since moved to Boldwood Books where she published the best-selling ‘A Year at the French Farmhouse’ and, most recently ‘One French Summer.’
And click below to find Gillian on Social Media!
Social Media Links
https://linktr.ee/gillianharveyauthor
Facebook: @GillianHarveyAuthor
Twitter: @GillPlusFive
Instagram: @GillPlusFive
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/GillianHarveyNews
Bookbub profile: @gillplusfive
But I Smile Anyway... 