Spotlight on Guest Author Fiona Ford

My guest this week is another member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association. Fiona Ford was born in Cornwall and grew up in Bath. As well as having a thirst for books Fiona had a huge interest in history and adored listening to her grandfather talk about his time in the navy during World War Two. Together they spent many a happy afternoon poring over the large collection of photos he had taken travelling the globe, somehow managing to perfectly capture life during wartime.

Although Fiona went on to develop a successful career as a journalist, she never forgot her passion for the past.

Now, Fiona has combined her love of writing with her love of days gone by in The Spark Girl, the first in a series of wartime sagas.

I asked Fiona some questions.

What made you want to write a wartime saga?

I have always had a fascination with World War 2. Ever since I was small and I could sit and talk to my granddad about his experiences in the navy on board the HMS Illustrious, I felt fascinated. The idea of people coping with the threat of attack at all times for so long, but most of all living their lives, finding time to love, laugh and carry on in the most extraordinary circumstances has always gripped me. When I felt ready to write my own book, I knew there was only one genre for me.

How is the heroine of the book like you?

I don’t know that Kitty is like me particularly. She is far more romantic than I think I ever am and she’s a lot more positive in the face of adversity. I think I would struggle with all the challenges that are thrown her way.  She is however immensely loyal and I like to think I am the same, I am also full of grit, and despite my mother insisting that I am and always will be a soft southerner (she’s a northerner and very proud) I like to think I’ve got my own bit of grit just like Kitty.

If you had to choose a cast for the film of The Spark Girl which actors would take the leading roles?

Oh, that’s a really good question. I think if I could choose anyone it would be the greats like David Niven, Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers but sadly those stars are no longer with us.

So, if we’re talking 21st century, which I think we must, I’m sure Rooney Mara or Saoirse Ronan would make a brilliant Kitty. For Di, I think Rebel Wilson would be fab or Jennifer Lawrence. Mary would perhaps be Keira Knightley or Lily James and Peggy would be great played by Carey Mulligan or Emma Watson. Elsie meanwhile would be brilliantly captured by Emma Stone. Otherwise, I quite like the idea of Taron Egerton as Arthur and Tom Hardy as Sergeant Hopson, he’s got the perfect amount of angst and brooding!

What can we look forward to in the future?

I have just finished The Spark Girl’s Promise which tells the story of Peggy who we meet in The Spark Girl. January 1941. Posted to Swansea, she is dedicated to her job as a driver to the Major Colonel of the barracks. But when Peggy meets and falls in love with pilot Jim Hudson, her heart is broken when he becomes missing in action. Fearing the worst Peggy has no choice but to keep fighting for her country, but a shock promise made long ago, threatens all she holds dear. Can she keep her word while the bombs continue to fall?

Thank you for some interesting answers. If you would like to contact Fiona you can use the following links.

Website: www.fionaford.co.uk

Twitter: @fionajourno

Facebook Page: facebook.com/Fionafordauthor

Instagram: @folowrites

Blog: fionafordcouk.wordpress.com

Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. My novel The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available from all ebook platforms – Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.