Lisa Heidke makes good with us by sharing her latest novel!

Introduction by Gail Allison

**Giveaway is now closed**

Lisa Heidke grew up in Brisbane, Australia, and has worked in book and magazine publishing in London and Sydney. She currently lives on the north shore with her husband and three children. One New Year’s Eve at an alcohol-fuelled party, she found herself exclaiming to anyone who would listen, “I could have written that!” about a newly published novel. The next morning, her husband reminded her about her bluster and bravado the night before, and pointed her in the direction of the computer. Lisa was completely confident that by the next New Year’s Eve party she attended, she’d have a novel written and well on its way to publication. That was ten years ago. She certainly has something to show for it, however. Her fourth novel, "Stella Makes Good," was published yesterday, which is nothing short of impressive!   

Lisa is giving away THREE copies of "Stella Makes Good" to some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

You can visit Lisa at her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Check out the trailer for "Stella Makes Good":

Who are two authors who have inspired you and why?

Marian Keyes: I love her sense of humour, her take on modern life and her first person confessional tone of writing. I think she is a very funny and clever writer. I have read all of Keye’s books and admire her down to earth nature and generosity in talking about her setbacks and personal demons she’s had to conquer during her life. I also admire her ability not to take herself too seriously. She’s fabulous. 

Stephen King: I haven’t read much of his fiction, when I read On Writing which is part memoir, part tutorial, on the craft of writing, it all clicked for me. I’ve always loved story writing but King’s book really opened my eyes to the craft. His anecdotes and personal struggles as well as his practical advice on writing have been invaluable to me. At least once a year, I’ll go back and reread On Writing and I always learn something new. He’s an inspiration.

What is your usual writing routine? 

In a perfect world, after I have cleared away the detritus from the previous night’s toga party, tortured the children, loaded them in a cannon and shot them to school, I write for four hours every week day during the school term. I try not to write on weekends or during school holidays. Of course that’s not always possible. Reality has a way of interfering with my perfect world. 

Those days when I do write? If the writing is going well four or five hours can zoom by and at the end I might have 2500 words that I’m relatively happy with. If the writing’s not flowing, say I’m stuck on a scene and can’t move forward, I can easily fritter hours away on FB, twitter, celebrity gossip sites and staring out the window. Not productive! Then I’ll panic because I’m thousands of words behind.

What is one piece of advice you have for future writers?

Write what you know (but don’t take that to mean from my current book that I’m a raging swinger). Keep writing. Completing a manuscript takes time, persistence and dedication. Trust yourself...okay so that’s more than one.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

The feedback from readers when they tell me reading my book brightened their weekend. I remember one particular woman contacting me after reading Lucy Springer Gets Even saying that the book helped keep her sane while she was going through a bitter break up.

If "Stella Makes Good” were optioned for film, who would play Stella, Jesse, Louisa and Carly?

Good question:                         

                        American                                      Australian

Stella         Reese Witherspoon*                 Rachel Griffiths      
Jesse          Drew Barrymore                         Isla Fisher                   

Louisa       Eva Mendez                                  Toni Collette

Carly         Kristen Wiig                                  Naomi Watts

 *She’ll need to dye her hair darker 

What is the strangest, craziest or most "out there" New Year’s resolution you have ever made? 

The one where at a party I told everyone I could write a book. ‘Piece of cake!’ Yeah, right! And then there was the time I promised myself I would never again apply make-up whilst drinking tequila shots. You end up looking like a freakish clown.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Hands down, chocolate!

If you could take us on a tour of the town you live in, where would we go first?

I live in Sydney, Australia and visitors are always telling me they’re dying for great views, so I’d take them to Waverley Cemetery, which for the living, has spectacular cliff views of the harbour and surrounds.

Then I’d take you on the harbour bridge climb where we’d get a brilliant overview of Sydney, followed by drinks at the Opera Bar, next to the Sydney Opera House!

What empowers you the most?

The ability to use my imagination for good!! Actually, it’s probably knowing that despite the whinging I do when I am starting a new novel, I have done it before so deep down, I know I can do it again. Often it’s a leap of faith, but generally, I believe in my ability to write an entertaining story.


Special thanks to Lisa for answering our questions and sharing her book with our readers!

How to win "Stella Makes Good":
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: What is the strangest, craziest or most "out there" New Year’s resolution you have ever made? 
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 January 9th at midnight EST.