What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write 12 Tropes of Christmas: a collection of festive romcom stories?
I liked the idea of getting some of my romance-writing friends together to write a romantic comedy collection of Christmas stories and had it knocking around in my head for a while. Tropes, especially romance tropes, seemed to be all the buzz on Instagram and Booktok and among book-loving friends. I loved the idea of each author taking a different trope and writing a story around that trope, as it really wasn’t something I’d seen done anywhere else. When I met up with some fellow romance authors for lunch last year, I threw it out there and was shocked by how enthusiastic everyone was. A relatively simple idea very rapidly became a dozen friends with a dozen unique ideas and a dozen awesome romcom stories – collaboration has wrought the perfect, festive, feel good vibes!
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of 12 Tropes of Christmas: a collection of festive romcom stories, what would they be?
This isn’t for the main character because there are too many, however, I jokingly call the authors in the anthology my ‘super tropers’, and the song that always springs to mind isn’t actually a Christmas one, it’s ABBA’s ‘Super Trooper’. When it comes to Christmas anthems for this anthology, I’d choose ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ by Chris Rea.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love romantic comedy both to read and write because it gives me that double whammy of feels: the laugh out loud and the happy ever after. I think that’s the joy of romcom. Having said that, I also love straight contemporary fiction, romantasy and historical fiction. You might say, I’m a bit of a genre slut; if the story is compelling, I’ll read it.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
It’s more of a mountain than a pile, but top of the TBR right now is Anne Freeman’s ‘Me That You See’. She’s a terrific writer and I can’t wait to get stuck in.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The opening and the ending. I always get excited when I start a new story – there’s so much I want to get down on the page and so much potential – and the ending because it tugs on the heartstrings when I finish knowing I’ve put my all into it and have to say goodbye to the characters … unless I’m writing a series. Then the opening excitement starts all over again!
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I do my best work in bed 😉
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
If you’re not dead, don’t give up! I also picked this up somewhere and think it’s a great philosophy to live by: Live without pretending, love without depending, listen without defending, speak without offending.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I hope readers remember the laughter, the joy and the love. I hope by the time they put the book down they feel so beloved they tell everyone else about what a great time they had reading our fun Christmas stories.
Anna Foxkirk on behalf of super tropers: Anne Freeman, Heidi Catherine, Sandy Barker, Megan Mayfair, Davina Stone, Jodi Gibson, Nicola Marsh, Louisa Duval, Cassandra O’Leary, Ida Brady, Sharyn Swanepoel is the author of the new book 12 Tropes of Christmas: a collection of festive romcom stories
Connect with Anna Foxkirk on behalf of super tropers: Anne Freeman, Heidi Catherine, Sandy Barker, Megan Mayfair, Davina Stone, Jodi Gibson, Nicola Marsh, Louisa Duval, Cassandra O’Leary, Ida Brady, Sharyn Swanepoel
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