Author Spotlight with Ali Fischer

Get to know Ali Fischer in this exclusive interview.

Ali Fischer, lives in the UK with her husband and her two sons. Currently she is a Finance Manager by day, and a hopeless romantic by night. She believes there is nothing better than curling up with a good book, and a gin and tonic! She makes sure she doesn't take herself too seriously, which reflects through her writing style, ensuring her characters are down to earth and relatable. Her debut novel Imogen's story is part of the Book Club series, following the paths that four young ladies take to find true love. Imogen's story will make you laugh, cry and sit on the edge of your seat with suspense. The novel comes with a recommended playlist to enable the reader to get a full immersive reading experience. Ali hopes that one day she can hang up her spreadsheets to become a full time author.

Ali! Do you know how excited I am to have you here? Thank you so much! How are you?

Hello! Thank you for having me! I am well thank you, busy juggling the demands of motherhood, a full-time job and writing the second novel in the Book Club series.

Let's talk about your debut novel! We all know how much I loved it, and want to scream from the rooftops, we have also spoke in depth about the inspiration for writing this, can you share to your readers why you decided to write this type of genre?

My path to true love was quite a rocky one. Some of my experiences have been hilarious, and some, not so. My mother always said that you have to kiss a few frogs to find your Prince, and I have found my Prince, that’s for sure. He’ll kill me for saying this, but he was my inspiration for Cameron. I believe very strongly that there is not enough focus, at an early age, on the difference between a loving, caring relationship, and an overly controlling one. I know so many woman that now recognise earlier relationships as toxic, but at the time they thought it was normal. What starts out as seemingly caring can quickly become controlling, but sometimes, you’re in too deep to realise. Imogen’s Story is my way of showing what a bad relationship can look like. But it also shows that you can have hope, and you can escape it, and true love is out there. I love a romance novel, but I also love a crime/thriller, so I decided to combine the two. I read a lot of romance novels where I’m left feeling like it was all about the steam and not a lot of plot. Sometimes, that’s all you want out of a book, but I wanted to write something that gave me both.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? What made you decide to start writing?

I’ve always been a creative person. I like to draw and paint and I even owned my own cake company at one point. In 2015 I decided I ‘had a book in me’ and downloaded a book onto my Kindle about how to write your first novel. I thought about it for years but it wasn’t until the covid lockdown that I decided to write. I formed a romance novel book club with two of my friends and I mentioned what I wanted to write about. They encouraged me to write it, and here we are now.

I loved the fact you put a playlist at the start of the novel, it was a fantastic touch to my reading experience and I'm sure for many others too, as a mother how did you find the time to write this book as well as working a full-time job?

Thank you! I decided to add the playlist as I would be listening to music while working a song would suddenly grab my attention as it made me feel how my characters were feeling in the chapters I was writing, so I decided to put the playlist together. The lockdown helped me find the time to write. I saved up the money and bought my own laptop. I carried it everywhere with me once I had finished work for the day. Every evening and weekend was spent tapping away at the keyboard. My youngest son said the other day that when he hears a keyboard tapping sound he thinks of me writing my novel. Now that life is pretty much back to normal, I am struggling to find the time, so every spare moment I get, I write. If I’m not working or writing, I’m reading, for research purposes of course! That’s in-between the school runs, kids parties, swimming lessons etc.

Do you have any advice for those starting out?

Yes. Don’t doubt yourself. Just start writing and don’t get too hung up on all the writing advice out there on how to write a book. Go with what feels good for you. I have a general idea of what I want my plot to be, then I start tapping away and the characters come to life in my head. Then I go back and change things as I get to know the characters more. Just write whenever you get the urge. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time around, the second or even the third. Expect to read your book, all the way through at least six times. Get your book read by someone else, and make sure you know they are going to be honest. It’s no good having a family member tell you it’s awesome because they love you, if it’s actually in need of some editing. Get yourself an Editor, and get the front cover designed professionally. If you get the cover right, and the content at least grammatically correct, then you’re already half way there to a success.

The novel comprised of some naughtiness!...Not some...LOT'S! Is this your favourite genre to read?

Yep. I love a romance novel. The Crossfire series by Sylvia Day are my favourites, especially the first two books in the series. I hope I can write as well as her. I love a romance that has a really good plot, then I feel you get the best of both worlds.

Who was your favourite author as a child? Has this changed as you got older?

I loved to read growing up. My favourite book is Goodnight Mr Tom, but over the years I would read all the Sweet Valley books, then I moved on to Point Horror books, then I moved on to Jackie Collins, I loved Lucky Santangelo! I think that might be where my love of a romance really began. Then came the world of Riders etc. Then when I was introduced to Gideon Cross, that’s when my love for a steamy romance really took off.

If your book was turned into a film, who do you think you would like to play your characters you created?

That’s a really good question. Ian Somerhalder, with some stubble could be a good Cameron Black. Chris Hemsworth would be good for Tom. I’m not sure on the ladies though. I’ll have to give it some thought. I would love it turned into a film, I already have the soundtrack after all. Which came first in 'Imogen's Story' the plot or the characters?

The plot came first. Originally it was going to be one book but my friends said I had so much to say that I should split it into a series. That’s where the Book Club part came in. Each novel in the book club will follow main character of that book on their path to self discovery and true love. With plenty of steam and crime along the way. Imogen’s Story focuses on the element of finding strength to know you deserve more.

How do you like to unwind, and what are your hobbies?

I love to sit with a Gin and Tonic watching movies with my husband and two boys. I love to go for country walks, there is nothing better than walking under tree canopies with the sound of leaves crunching under foot. I’m a reader, I will always have a book near me in one form or another. I have the kindle app on my phone, I have a kindle and physical books. If I don’t have the hands free to read a book, I’ll listen to an audio book. I’m the type of person that see’s a delay sat in a waiting room as the perfect place to read, so I’m often disappointed if I get called through to an appointment on time!

Can you tell us something that nobody knows about you?

I really wish I could be a tough-as-nails FBI agent, or something similar. Gun-toting, black-belt woman that people know not to mess with.

After reading this novel, I desperately want to read a next one! Are you planning to do a second book after 'Imogen's Story?'

Yes, panic not! I am currently writing Lucy’s Story. This will cover Lucy and Tom. Prepare yourself for this one, the windows will steam while you read it and there might well be a mafia plot line. Then it will be Sarah’s Story, followed by Jess’ Story. I’m also writing a series of short stories that accompany each main novel. Once all four short stories are released, they will become one whole novel in its own right.

What does literary success means to you?

If I’m being honest, I think I have reached it. There was a point to Imogen’s Story, and I really wanted people to see it, and not think it was just another steamy romance novel. When you first wrote your review on Instagram, and messaged me, you hit the nail on the head. Someone ‘got it’ and that meant I did my job. Of course, I’d also like to be a best-seller and be recognised as an author, to a point where I can give up the day job.

What are your goals for the future, that you can share with us?

I want to get the next three main books published and the series of short stories. Then I can start on the next series that I have forming in my mind. I would love for the Book Club to be turned into a movie, and so I am looking into this. Thank you for taking the time to read my novel. It’s very personal to me, a lot of it comes from experience, and so to have someone appreciate it, and shout from the rooftops for me, is amazing. Many thanks, from one strong woman to another. I am strong. I am deserving. I am enough.

Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to take part in this interview, I really appreciate it, I think you are an incredibly strong woman and you inspire many people. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your book. Stay safe and take care!

To follow Ali on social media: Instagram: @alifischerauthor To buy her debut novel: Amazon: Imogen's Story: Book 1 in the Book Club Series: Amazon.co.uk: Fischer, Ali: 9781739730802: Books (Paperback) Imogen's Story: Book 1 in the Book Club Series eBook : Fischer, Ali: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store (Kindle)