Interview with Sibel Hodge and book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Sibel Hodge and discussing her debut novel "Fourteen Days Later." Sibel has dual citizenship, both British and Turkish Cypriot, which I think is quite unique, and pretty cool. She divides her time between North Cyprus and Hertfordshire. For ten years she worked for the Hertfordshire Constabulary. (From Amy: I had no idea what "Constabulary" was till I looked it up. It's their police station.) Sibel then moved on and become a sports and massage therapists, and a personal trainer. She has written, and continues to write, freelance feature articles on fitness, health, and a variety of lifestyle topics.

"Fourteen Days Later" was highly praised by the Yeovil Literary Price in 2009. It was also short listed for the Harry Bowling Prize in 2008. She also wrote "My Perfect Wedding" and "How to Dump Your Boyfriend in the Men's Room" (and other short stories).

"Fourteen Days Later" is a combined "read" of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "P.S. I Love You. (or per her answer to if one of your books were to be made into a movie, "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"). Sounds like our kind of book.

Sibel has three e-books of "Fourteen Days Later" to give to some lucky readers anywhere in the world! (The format is the winner's choice.)

You can learn more about Sibel by visiting her on Facebook, Twitter and her website.

MP: What is your usual writing routine?
SH: When I'm working on a novel I usually write about ten hours a day. Half the time I don't even hear my hubby talking to me. He'll say something and about an hour later he gets a "What?" from me.

MP: How do you like to spend your time when you are not writing?
SH: Reading, swimming, doing Yoga, although a lot of the time I've still got my head buried in the laptop promoting, marketing, or generally interacting with readers and other authors.

MP: Do you ever encounter "writer's block?" If so, what do you do to push through it?
SH: It's weird because I've just started on a new novel and for the first time I've had it! I don't normally plot very much in advance because I find that hinders my creativity. Half the time I don't know what I'm going to write until the words tumble onto the page, and it seems to work. But with this one, I started it, but it wasn't flowing very well, and then I decided to start the story earlier in the characters life. So maybe I've written the ending before the beginning this time!


MP: What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a writer?
SH: Getting people to notice your work and want to read it. When you consider there are 900,000 books on Kindle, that's pretty daunting, but so far (fingers and legs crossed), it's going pretty well.

MA: If you could choose one of your books to be made into a movie, which would you pick and who would you cast in the lead roles?
SH: I think my romantic comedy "Fourteen Days Later" would make a great film. It's Bridget Jones's Diary meets My Big Fat Greek Wedding with lots of quirky characters. I'd pick someone like Sandra Bullock for the leading female, Helen, because she plays comedy really well, and for the lead male, I'd pick Tamer Hassan, because he's Turkish Cypriot, just like the character Kalem, and he's pretty hot, too.

MA: What do you do to stay motivated?
SH: Read a lot.

MP: You divide your time between Hertfordshire and North Cyprus, what is your favorite thing about each place?
SH: Well North Cyprus beats the British Weather any day, and the lifestyle is more laid back. It's great for writing because it's peaceful, and I've got a fantastic view from my villa across a ravine to the sea and mountains. My favourite thing about the UK is my friends and family (although I don't miss all of them!).

MA: What was your most recent laugh-out-loud moment?
My sister and co. came out to stay with me in Cyprus recently and, after a few too many wines, we had an impromptu fancy dress party. She ended up as Gloria Estefan, hubby ended up as George Michael, and I ended up as Lady Gaga. I'm still laughing at the pictures.

MA: What is your guilty pleasure?
Red wine.

MA: Who was your celebrity crush when you were growing up?
Paul Weller. I had posters of him all over my bedroom wall. I was convinced I was going to marry him when I got older. Bummer!

Thanks to Sibel for visiting with us and sharing "Fourteen Days Later" with our readers.

How to win "Fourteen Days Later":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: If you could have dual citizenship, which other country would you choose and why?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends September 26th at midnight EST.