Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: The Art of Letting Go (Anna Bloom)

One year. One woman. One Diary. One question: can you ever stop history from repeating itself and if you could what would you do to stop it?
When Lilah McCannon realises at the age of twenty-five that history is going to repeat itself and she is going to become her mother—bored, drunk and wearing a twinset—there is only one thing to do: take drastic action.

Turning her back on her old life, Lilah’s plan is to enrol at university, get a degree and prove she is a grown-up.
As plans go, it is a good one. There are rules to follow: no alcohol, no cigarettes, no boys and no going home. But when Lilah meets the lead singer of a local band and finds herself unexpectedly falling in love, she realises her rules are not going to be the only things hard to keep.
With the academic year slipping by too quickly, Lilah faces a barrage of new challenges: will she ever make it up the Library stairs without having a heart attack? Can she handle a day on campus without drinking vodka? Will she ever manage to read a history book without falling asleep? And most importantly, can she become the grown-up that she desperately wants to be.With her head and her heart pulling her in different directions can Lilah learn the hardest lesson that her first year of university has to teach her: The Art of Letting Go?

Find the book: Goodreads

Anna Bloom is a contemporary romance writer who writes about life as it happens. Combining a busy schedule of looking after two small children whilst working in a local school and completing The Uni Files series she also spends a lot of time imagining kissing hot guys – all in the name of her art.

Find the author: 

Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter |GoodReads

1. What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

The inspiration half came from an old diary of mine I had from University. Whilst none of my antics at Uni were exciting enough to make it into the book I really loved the idea of following a whole academic year from beginning to end. The diary format came much later and it was working the story like that which made the whole idea fit together

2. Who is your favorite character in the book?

This is quite tricky because I feel I should say Lilah but I want to say Ben. So I am going to say Ben. Lilah has a long way to go before the story is finished with her but Ben is grounded and beautiful already. I love the way he just completely loves her and would give up anything for her. Lilah will get there eventually but it’s going to take a while.

3. Which came first, the title or the novel?

The novel. I decided on The Art of Letting Go as a title about half way through the writing process when I knew where I was going to take the characters. The Art of Letting Go…. Can you learn it?

4. What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

For me it is the scene set at Trafalgar Square. For me that is the most romantic but not just that. It was writing this scene that I knew I was going to see my ideas right through until the very end.

5. Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

Don’t give up and be prepared to be a very stressed / anxious / self-doubting bunny BUT one person will love your book and then another and then another and hopefully so on!

6. What do you like most about the cover of the book?

I love the fact Shirer my designer completely grasped the idea of making it look like a diary with the handwritten element but we were still able to get romantic picture on their too. It’s unique and one of a kind – a bit like the book.

7. What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2013?

Karli Perrin’s April Showers No#2 – I loved the first book which came out earlier this year and I know she won’t disappoint with the second.

8. What was your favorite book in 2012?

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer – I completely obsessed about this book and read this book about three times in  a row which was very distracting for my own writing!

9. What’s up next for you?

The Saving of Benjamin Chambers is going to be released in time for Christmas. This is Ben and Lilah’s first encounters retold from Ben’s POV. I really enjoyed working on this novella.

The second year of The Uni Files: The Art of Keeping Faith is in editing at the moment and will hopefully be releasing in early 2014.

Finally I am working on a standalone project (at least I think it is standalone – that may change) called Home and it is based in Cornwall. It is completely different to The Uni Files and as such has been both a challenge and a delight to write.

10. Is there anything that you would like to add?

I always just want to thank the people who have read the book ad support me. Writing is a truly isolating experience and there is nothing more rewarding than having people enjoy your work.

So thank you.xx