Beware of Falling Coconuts by Gillian McNeil @GillyMcneill @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours
Buy Link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/
Author Interview
1. What
would you consider to be your Kryptonite as an author?
2. If
you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Let
your words flow freely. Shut down the inner critic which stifles creativity.
3.
What book do you feel is under-appreciated? How
about overrated?
Mine
😂. / 50 shades of grey
4.
Favorite childhood memory involving books?
Reading
famous Five and feeling excited , frightened and totally absorbed in the
adventure.
5.
If you could dine with any literary character,
who would it be and why?
Elizabeth
Bennett
6. Did you want to be an author when you grew up?
No
7.
If you had to describe yourself in three words,
what would they be?
Honest
, chatty and Menopausal,
8.
What is your most unusual writing quirk?
Write
with a pen and paper. Not computer.
9.
What’s one movie you like recommending to
others?
Anything
with Bette Davis.
10.
If you could own any animal as a pet, what would
it be?
Obviously
my poodle Maggie.
Would
also like a Shetland pony and an orangutan.
11.
Have you ever met anyone famous?
Was
at drama school with Alan Cumming, Bobby Carlisle and David Tennant.
Proudest
moment working with the Krankies!!!
All the Disney stories in one heartbreaking manual.
14. How do you select the names
of your characters?
I see a picture of them in my head and try and find a name to suit.
15. What creature do you
consider your "spirit animal" to be?
A swan
16. What are your top
5 favorite movies?
The Godfather,
Grease, The Notebook, Whatever happened to Baby Jane, Goldie Hawn in anything.
17. If you were the last person
on Earth, what would you do?
Light a fire pour a wine and escape into an exciting book.
Patsy stone
19. Do you have any advice for
aspiring writers?
Don’t overthink it. Just do it.
20. Tell us 10 fun
facts about yourself!
Still got my
security blanket
Swallowed a Kirby
age 5 and it stuck in my ribs.
Got one boob.
Olivia Newton John
said hi to me !
A pantyliner fell
out of my face mask during a funeral.
I used to do pointe
work in clogs
Princess Anne
stopped to pat my pony and speak to me.
I am useless with computers
and social media
My poor wee hamster
exploded in the oven.
Had a house rabbit
called Mabel who loved naan bread.
21. If you could
live in any time period, what would it be and why?
Post covid when we
are free to travel and live life to the full
22. What is your
favorite genre to read
Thriller/crime
Author Bio
Gillian was born and brought up in Monifieth. After graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Gillian worked as an actress in theatre, radio and television. She is probably best known for playing the character of Lynne McNeil, in the long running soap opera Take the High Road, for Scottish Television.
After living in London, and then Australia for several years, she returned to Glasgow where she currently lives with her husband Alan, daughter Molly and Toy Poodle Maggie.
Gillian began writing and performing shows for children when Molly started school. These proved to be very popular amongst the early years audiences and gave her a taste for writing and creating her own work.
BEWARE OF FALLING COCONUTS is her first book.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and successfully treated, she wanted to do something to help others. Having previously lost her own mother, mother in law, auntie and friend to the disease, she understood only too well, the fear receiving a cancer diagnosis brought.
“I didn't want Molly growing up scared. I wanted to give her a positive message. If I could laugh it allowed her and others to laugh with me. After all I had the easy job, I just had to take the drugs and stay positive, it was far tougher for Alan and Molly. When I started writing Beware of Falling Coconuts, I was terrified. I didn't want to revisit that place in my head. I was scared to go back….I wasn't sure if it was a play, a book, or just a lot of nonsense. I wanted to do this not just for Molly, but for all the brave women and men who hadn't been as lucky as me.”
Gillian was inspired by the courage of people she met, who showed her that there was humour to be found even in the most bizarre situations. From losing her hair to losing her memory, there was one clear message:
“I lost my boob not my sense of humour.”
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