Interview with Emma Hart, Author of Frenemies

What can you tell us about your new release, Frenemies?

It’s a super fun romantic comedy about what happens when your old college booty call moves in next door—except he’s now got a three-year-old daughter. There’s a prank war, a naughty puppy, and a meddling Grandma who likes to read obituaries over breakfast.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always loved books and reading, but I didn’t start to write until I was at home with my daughter when she was a baby. My husband came home from work one day and said, “My God, why don’t you write a book instead of reading one?” So I did, and the rest is history. He’s never let me live that down.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Oh, gosh. This is cruel. If I just pick any five of the Harry Potter books, does that count?
If not, these are the ones that have stuck with me: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Sorcerer’s Stone for US readers), The Twins at St Clare’s by Enid Blyton, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and Mallory Towers by Enid Blyton.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Oh without a doubt: JK Rowling. I would ask her ALL the things about Harry Potter, the world building, the little nuggets that all tie in to something wonderful. But I’d probably cry first.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

That I’m creating a world that people can escape into. Good days, bad days, long days—the end product of all the hard work is a world where people can forget all their problems and immerse themselves into.

What is a typical day like for you?

Hectic! After my kids have gone to school and my kittens have been fed, I catch up on some emails/admin work. When my husband gets back from the school run, we discuss advertising and other data (he’s my ads/numbers guy, that stuff goes right over my head!) and then I’ll head out to my office and start writing. My assistant usually wakes up around my lunchtime since I’m in the UK, so I’ll check in with her on all things publicity, then get back to work writing or getting her some things that she needs to do her job. When my kids get home, it’s all about them until they head upstairs after dinner, and depending on where I am in a writing cycle, one off three things happens: write some more, do some graphic design work, or read/play Pokémon or The Sims to unwind.

What scene in Frenemies was your favorite to write?

Hands down the book club scene where Mason joins. I have a terrible habit of laughing at myself as I write, and this was one scene I found hilarious to put on paper.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I don’t have anything specific—I actually have an entire wall of quotes that I need to put up in my new office since we just moved, but I do believe that nothing in life worth having comes easily, and that if you can dream it, you can do it.
Also: wine always helps.

Emma Hart is the author of the new book Frenemies.

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