Say Goodbye, Misty Day follows a charismatic film star in the 1940s who is found dead in a Yorkshire hotel, leaving those still alive to explore questions about the cost of ambition and success. What first drew you to Misty Day as a character, even before her death?

The idea of Misty Day was born in a museum in Baku, Azerbaijan. There in the museum was a collection of the most exquisite dolls, which were handmade. It was from a doll that her basic character was created. I never saw her as a victim, she was a beautiful, strong young woman, who did not quit but fought back. The women I had in mind were Diana Dors a beautiful and talented actress. then the singularly talented actor that was Marilyn Monroe. These actors and of course Misty Day were not allowed to break free from their social structure. Misty Day was subject to hate mail and death threats and then out of jealousy was murdered. However, she was the triumphant one the end. Did she win the Oscar?

Misty is both central and absent. Do you think Misty is more a victim, a catalyst, or a mirror for the other characters?

I certainly do not consider Misty Day as a victim. Because the label stops the reader from seeing her worth. Nor is she a catalyst for the tragedy of others. She is a young woman who wanted to be something more than what she started out as. The dance that Hedda Pulse creates toward the end of the book shows us a power that has reached great heights, and she got there without stepping over others or hurting them. She is the mirror. It shows us what dreams are made from and what sacrifices you give up along the way in order to reach success. For Misty, she was determined that she would stay true to herself and that is the reflection that she would want people to see.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

You are right when you described some of the themes as raw! especially the death of the baby. It is partly biographical, my mother had a little girl who died, before she even had a chance to live. It was the same with Michael. He struggled to life and then his death was hard to write and I recognise that it is also a difficult chapter to read. Another compelling theme was that of domestic violence and how it is dealt with. For Petal it is the constant emotional and physical abuse that oftgen reduces her to the shadows. What I did not want was that the male character, the abuser should dominate and feel that their actions can be justified. In the case of the Petal and Frank they are eventually brought back together when they realise that both of them had been played.

The nicer themes of dance and comic elements give the book a sense of Britishness and character. The names were important and I think believable because, the story is believable. 

How do you hope readers think differently about fame after finishing the book?

For me fame was never the most important aspect of the book. I wanted Misty to succeed because she needed to achieve. the most important aspect that a reader can take from the book are the characters. Grace Ful, the owner of the hotel. Geoffrey and Bertha Goodegge, staunch supporters of Grace. The Schnitzel sisters and their rise and fall and eventual rise again.

The focus on the Russian theme and the joining together of a family once more after the trauma of the fall and rise of family caught in the politics of change, under a regime that hated its people. I wanted that to be powerful and joyous.

What I want the reader to take from reading the book is the joy I had in writing it. I want them to believe in the characters. I leave the ending up to you the reader, does Misty Day win the oscar? well that is up to you. For me, I have already won something by the fact that I have had some excellent reviews. I believe in this book and believe that is should be read by as people as is possible.    

Author Links: GoodReads | Website