Today we are chatting with Laurette Long the author of Hot Basque: A French Summer Novel 2 (French Summer Novels)

Tell us something unexpected about yourself!

I once flew. Not in a plane, not in a dream. Like in the song: ‘We’re walking in the air’. It was midsummer, a very hot day. I was on holiday with friends on the French Atlantic coast. The beach was packed, families picnicking, people swimming, children playing. The perfect postcard scene. Suddenly there was a murmur, people stood up, started looking out to sea. In the distance, where the horizon was turning an ominous shade of black, you could just make out these funny pillar-shaped things, coming in fast across the sea. Everyone watched open-mouthed, then someone pushed me and yelled ‘Run!’ My friends-better runners-managed to get the kids to shelter underneath some arcades on the seafront. At last I caught up, but not in the usual manner. As the tornado hit, I was lifted up, flew across the square, and landed at their feet. Did someone mention Kansas?

What makes your writing stand out from the crowd?

During my career as a teacher my writing was work-related, a textbook for advanced learners of English, a translation of a work of literary criticism. Then in 2014 I wrote the first of a series of contemporary romances, ‘French Summer Novels', set in the French Basque country. Book 2 followed in 2015 and the third is due out this year. As an ex-pat, it’s interesting to see what happens when people from different cultures come together. This can add extra spice to a romantic plot, with its mix ups, misunderstandings, intrigue, misadventures, and other hurdles to overcome before the characters can get to their happy ending.

Readers seem to like the setting, the Basque country. It's very different from the usual French favorites, Provence, Paris, the Dordogne. I love the place. The idea for the series came to me years ago when I was on holiday there (before the tornado…). I’ve always been a fan of the ‘Romantic’ writers, and the importance of nature in their writing. I wanted to make the stunning natural beauty of this part of France, its dramatic landscapes and changing weather, an essential part of the plot development and actions of the characters.
People have also commented on the dialogue. Authentic-sounding dialogue is an important part of storytelling. I was in a theatre group for many years, so I usually ‘act’ out the scenes as I write them, until I get the right voice for each character. (Tip! Jumping up and pacing around is also good for getting rid of writer's bulge…) Also, as the characters are a mixture of nationalities, the question of how they communicate is fascinating, and allows me to develop a ‘lost in translation’ theme which hopefully readers find amusing. It also gives me an excuse to make exaggerated gestures and throw in lots of ‘Oooh là là's when I'm acting out the French characters 😉

What inspired you to write?

Stories. Listening to them, first. My father’s bedtime story was his version of ‘The Odyssey’. There was no shortage of material, it went on forever, plus he could make up extra details, sometimes involving my brother and myself, mysteriously transported from Yorkshire to the Mediterranean. Then I learnt to read. Oh boy, the key to wonderland, I was off. After that, like practically every other author, I started writing my own stories, creating my own imaginary worlds as soon as I could do joined-up writing. Is there a story-telling instinct, like the language instinct? I think so.

What is the hardest part of writing – for you?

Sitting down at the desk and lifting up my hands.

Where do you like to write – what is your routine?

We moved to the countryside five years ago, so I’m lucky enough to have a study with terrific views. Usually my chair is positioned facing a window opening onto a walled garden full of flowers. If I get too distracted by the lizards I move the chair to the other side of the desk, where I’m forced into an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with the 1000 books lining the back wall, interspersed with exhortatory slogans. My favorite, borrowed from David Hockney, is: ‘Get up and work immediately!’
I don’t have a fixed time of the day to write, but I have to be in ‘uniform’, i.e showered, dressed, a spritz of my favorite perfume, and the room has got to be ready for action, tidy, no mess, pencils aligned. Oh dear, that all sounds ominous…

What do you do when you are not writing – do you have a day job?

Now I’m retired. That means I don’t really have time to do anything. But I squeeze in some gardening, nothing like plunging your head into a lavender bush to get a sensual rush. And, being in France, I’m forced to bend to the cultural rules, socializing with the neighbors, aperitifs, long dinners, barbecues…it’s tough.

Do you work with an outline or just write?

Both. Inspiration often comes in the form of isolated flashes, a character, a scene, a place. Then I sketch in a bit of the picture. Then I try an outline. Afterwards, the characters take over and the outline sprouts branches and tufts and turns from a slender aesthetic poplar into an Ent.

What advice would you have for other writers?

Keep reading. Everything. Keep a notebook handy for when inspiration strikes in the supermarket or in the middle of the night. If you get blocked, remember how you learnt to walk. The motivation was there, a mysterious urge. Basically you knew you had to stand up and do it. One foot, then the next. Fall over. Cry. Sulk. Get up. Fall over and bump your head and vow to lie on the floor forever. Get up again. Keep going forward, you know that’s what you really want to do. If you’re lucky, you might break into a run.

How important is marketing and social media for you?

In January 2015 I stared a blog, that’s very exciting and liberating, you can write about anything and everything in whatever style you want, and connect directly with your readers. Because I know it’s critically important, I have joined Twitter, Linked In, Goodreads and have just started Facebook. All of these are pure torture. (Yes I know this is the wrong answer). I am constantly pressing the wrong button, copying and pasting the wrong stuff, breaking into a sweat that I’ve just published my laundry list to the entire world or uploaded that photo my nephew took of a close-up of my behind. Also there’s a terrible temptation to linger on these sites when you know you should be writing. Marketing? I’m hopeless. That’s why I’ve turned to the professionals 😉

What's your next step?

I’m in the final stages of a prequel to the two books already written. It’s in the form of a novella, a new venture for me, more experimental in style and with a different setting. Really interesting, but a challenge, so I’m bit worried and don’t want to cut the cord just yet. Then I’ll be returning to Basque country for Book 3, Villa Julia.

Hot Basque: A French Summer Novel 2 (French Summer Novels) by Laurette Long can be purchased here 

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