Jill Mansell’s Q&A for #BFILoveFest Virtual Romance Festival

As part of the BFI and HarperCollins Virtual Romance Festival 2015, authors were asked to participate in a Q&A. Bestselling author of THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU, Jill Mansell, was one of those contributors, and we thought we’d share the Q&A on Bookends, because, let’s face it, you can never have enough Jill!

Tell us about yourself…

I’m a Bristol-based novelist, addicted to TV, stunning stationery and Twitter.

Tell us about your latest book

THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU covers both sides of the organ transplant story, that of the donor and recipient. Hallie has Cystic Fibrosis and doesn’t have long left to live, unless she receives new lungs. But whose…?

When did you start writing?

Many many MANY years ago.

Which romantic book do you wish you’d written and why?

Well, I’ll say Riders by Jilly Cooper – but if I’d written it, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy reading it, so I’m actually glad I didn’t!

Which romantic film do you wish you’d written & why?

Four Weddings and a Funeral. It’s pretty much perfect. (Apart from the bit where Carrie says, “Is it still raining? I hadn’t noticed.” Bleurghh.)

Favourite romantic lead (film or book)?

In a book: Rupert Campbell Black. No contest.

When did you last kiss in a cinema?

Many many many MANY years ago.

Favourite screen couple?

Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin in It’s Complicated. God, I love that film. (Apart from the ending. Steve Martin? Nooo.)

Favourite romantic line from a film?

Don’t make me choose.

Which actress (actor) would play you in a romantic film about your life?

Julie Walters, please.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Roast potatoes.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Absolutely.

3 romantic books EVERYONE should read:

1. Rivals by Jilly Cooper
2. ONE DAY by David Nicholls
3. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

3 romantic films EVERYONE should watch:

1. Sleepless in Seattle
2. When Harry Met Sally
3. It’s Complicated… Four Weddings
4. Mamma Mia

Anything with Cary Grant and Doris Day… Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers… Sorry, can’t possibly narrow it down to just three.

Are you on social media?

I’m on Twitter too often, Facebook sometimes and Instagram when I’m tired of words and just want to look at photos.

Liked this? Why not read…

Our Q&A with Tracy Rees

Or this one with Katie Marsh