Norfolk


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/book-hot-chocolatejpg.jpg" alt="All cosy reading book with hot chocolate and warm socks" class="wp-image-45753" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/book-hot-chocolatejpg.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/book-hot-chocolatejpg-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/book-hot-chocolatejpg-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/book-hot-chocolatejpg-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>With the promise of a full emersion into the magical side of Christmas and a total escape from reality, it&#8217;s no wonder there&#8217;s big demand for festive reads. <em>Sunday Times</em> bestselling author Heidi Swain, who lives just south of Norwich, has written eight Christmas books set in a fictional version of Norfolk, including her latest, <em>That Festive Feeling</em>, out now. Full of comfort and joy, with a promise of romance, it’s a great way to countdown to Christmas.  </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-inspired-you-to-write-festive-novels">What inspired you to write festive novels? </h3>



<p>My first Christmas novel, <em>Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market</em>, was requested by my publisher who thought a trip to Wynbridge in winter would delight my establishing readership and attract new readers, too. I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to write a festive book. I’m a huge fan of the season myself and the thought of a sparkly cover with my name on was too enticing to resist!&nbsp;</p>



<p>I’ve written eight Christmas-themed books now, set in Wynbridge, Wynmouth and Nightingale Square, and as with all of my titles, you don’t have to read them in publication order as they each feature different main characters and a complete story in their own right.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What will readers enjoy about&nbsp;<em>The Festive Feeling</em>?</h3>



<p>Before writing <em>Mince Pies and Mistletoe</em> I undertook some ‘reader research’ and discovered that readers wanted books set over and around Christmas to properly feature the celebration, so I always include traditions, trips out, food, drink and parties which encapsulate the season, and <em>That Festive Feeling</em> has all of those in abundance.</p>



<p>The strong sense of community in Nightingale Square really comes through in this book and the plot features not one, but two new and fun-loving canine companions to get to know, along with their owners.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/heidi-swain-christmas-books.jpg" alt="Author Heidi Swain" class="wp-image-45635" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/heidi-swain-christmas-books.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/heidi-swain-christmas-books-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/heidi-swain-christmas-books-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/heidi-swain-christmas-books-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Fay Esme Photography</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">It’s described as being cosy, joyful and feel-good. Is that the general mood of your books or do you ever deviate?</h3>



<p>These are exactly the emotions and feels I’m always aiming to inspire, whether in a series setting or a standalone read. I haven’t deviated yet and I can’t imagine I will. It’s wonderful to know that I’m providing an escape from reality in the fictional worlds I create and providing some feel-good vibes along with it.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">You write two titles a year &#8211; a summer book and a Christmas book. How do you get yourself into the festive frame of mind?</h3>



<p>Fortunately, the first draft of both books is written around the right seasonal time. I always begin writing the Christmas first draft at the beginning of January, so I’m still feeling fairly festive then. By the time copy editing and checking proofs happens it is out of season, but I’m so immersed in the book, I don’t notice if the sun is beating down or vice versa.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/red-christmas-tree-book-mark.jpg" alt="Red Christmas tree bookmark" class="wp-image-45754" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/red-christmas-tree-book-mark.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/red-christmas-tree-book-mark-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/red-christmas-tree-book-mark-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/red-christmas-tree-book-mark-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What is it about Christmas that makes a good backdrop for fiction?</strong></h3>



<p>One of the things I love most about Christmas writing is being able to use all the wonderful elements and traditions Christmas and the other mid-winter celebrations carry with them and plot my festive stories around them. Christmas markets, stir-up Sunday, present buying and extra special food, to name just a few, all make for wonderful extra detailed world building.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The cosy warmth of being indoors in winter in a room lit by fairy lights, snow-studded landscapes, marshmallow-topped hot chocolate and, of course, those big chunky knits, all make Christmas utterly irresistible!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Tell us a little about your other book published this year, <em>The Book-Lovers&#8217; Retreat</em>?&nbsp;</strong></h3>



<p>I had such fun writing this, my first standalone title (my second, <em>The Holiday Escape</em> will be out in April) and it was a joy to work on from start to finish. Set in the stunning Lake District, <em>The Book-Lovers&#8217; Retreat</em> tells the story of three friends who have been entranced by a book since their teens and which has been made into a blockbuster film. When the opportunity to stay in the very cottage which was the main setting for the film comes along, they can’t resist making the trip, but of course, their summer adventure doesn’t all go according to plan!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/wells-next-the-sea-beach-huts.jpg" alt="Beach huts at Wells-next-the-Sea" class="wp-image-45755" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/wells-next-the-sea-beach-huts.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/wells-next-the-sea-beach-huts-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/wells-next-the-sea-beach-huts-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/wells-next-the-sea-beach-huts-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Where are your favourite spots in Norfolk to write?</strong></h3>



<p>I write at home, but there are a couple of places I head to when looking for inspiration. I love spending time in Wells-next-thenSea and a few days spent there earlier in the year were hugely influential when it came to writing <em>The Holiday Escape</em>. Anyone local who picks the book up will be able to identify which bits within the first few pages.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What do you love about Norfolk, why do you live here? </h3>



<p>I grew up in the Fens, right on the Norfolk border and went to school in Norfolk. Simply put, it feels like home. I love the landscape, the wildlife, the coast &#8211; all of it. Before returning well over 20 years ago, I’d also lived in Dorset and Scotland and, as wonderful as they were, my heart was still in Norfolk.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s your favourite hidden gem in the county?</h3>



<p>Holkham beach, on a bracing day! I’m not a fan of the heat, so a blustery walk along the deserted beach is bliss to me.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Are there any local spots in Norfolk that help inspire you? </h3>



<p>I love Norwich and the city features heavily in the Nightingale Square series as that is where it is set, but the coast features, too. Readers are always trying to guess which town influenced the creation of Wynmouth. It’s an amalgamation really, made up of bits of Cromer, Wells and Blakeney.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How do you overcome bouts of writer’s block?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Fortunately, I’ve never had it. With two titles a year to complete I couldn’t squeeze a bout of block into my schedule. However, in terms of keeping the words flowing, I always end my writing day knowing what happens next. I might write the first paragraph of a new chapter which makes it easier to pick up the next day. And after I’ve signed off for the day I always spend time thinking about the next scene, making notes and playing it all out in my head so when I start again, it’s all there waiting to be written.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Do you feel pressure after writing bestsellers for each book to perform as well?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>No, I focus on telling the story I’ve fallen in love with and want to write, rather than thinking about performance and sales. My readers and their enjoyment are always at the forefront of my mind, so my attention is honed on them.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Who are your favourite authors &#8211; local and otherwise?&nbsp;</strong></h3>



<p>I’m a huge fan of north Norfolk resident, Rosie Hendry. Her saga writing cleverly transports me back in time every time I pick up her books and I’m a huge Trisha Ashley fangirl, too. I have every book she’s written in every format. When we did an event together in Liverpool a few years ago, I spent as much time hanging on her every word as I did answering the questions I’d been asked!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/books-christmas-present-2.jpg" alt="Books as Christmas present" class="wp-image-45756" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/books-christmas-present-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/books-christmas-present-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/books-christmas-present-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/books-christmas-present-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s been your number 1 read of 2024 and what&#8217;s on your wishlist for xmas?</h3>



<p>Gosh, that’s a difficult question to answer as my year has been filled with fabulous fiction – some already published, some about to be.&nbsp;</p>



<p>That said, there is one I’m still thinking about even though I read it months ago. I was delighted to be asked to quote for Helen Fisher and sent a copy of <em>Joe Nuthin’s Guide To Life</em>. I described it as ‘extraordinary’ and I stand by that. It’s been published now and I’m urging everyone to read it!</p>



<p>I’ve only added one gift to my wish list and I’m pretty sure my wonderful mum has obliged but don’t tell her I’ve guessed! It’s Elly Griffiths&#8217; <em>Norfolk</em>. I’m a huge fan of the Dr Ruth Galloway series and I’m hoping the book will help me track down my very own Cathbad!&nbsp;</p>



<p>My other wish is to have my family with me on Christmas day and hopefully beyond with no stressful travelling involved in reaching our beloved home county.</p>



<p><strong><em>That Festive Feeling</em> by <a href="https://heidiswain.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heidi Swain</a> is published by Simon &amp; Schuster</strong></p>


Muddy meets: local author Heidi Swain

You may also like