Christmassy :: Q&A :: Angela May George

Hello friends and merry Christmas Eve! It’s just after 10pm here in Canberra, so very close to the big day, and I have one more Christmassy chat to share. I have really loved doing this, and am hoping to be able to keep bringing some behind the scenes chats with authors all through next year. Tonight my guest is Angela May George.

Hi Angela! Thanks so much for joining me on my blog! One of my favourite things I’ve done over the past few months was joining you on Words and Nerds podcast to celebrate the release of your latest novel Step Up, Shine On, a contemporary story for readers from late primary age up.

I really enjoyed our podcast too! Thank you for joining in!

I loved the book and getting to know your protagonist Kat! Can you tell us a bit about the book, and what inspired you to tell Kat’s story?

Kat is reluctantly smart and funny and talented. Flying under the radar keeps her ‘safe’ from having a heap of pressure dumped on her by her parents, people at school and her soccer mates.
But as her friendships start to fall apart as well as family drama galore Kat begins to realise the only way out of her hot-mess-of-a-life is UP! She is forced to STEP UP AND SHINE ON!
I honestly believe that Tall Poppy Syndrome coupled with the pressure of Teen Life can force kids to want to ‘dumbify’ themselves. I have three children… I see it all the time… I hope Kat encourages readers to live more fully and be confident to shine as they were meant to!

Do you like to read seasonal books, and do you have a favourite Christmas story or book?

My favourite seasonal book is Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding. It’s a ridiculous look at the way we try to take stock of our lives at the end of every year and vow things will be different the next year! This book helps keep me from setting unrealistic, societally pressured goals! We all need a bit of Bridget to keep us grounded.

Is there a particular book you’d love to find under your Christmas tree this year?

I would LOVE to find a leather bound Pride and Prejudice with the fancy gold leaf coating on the edge of the pages. So decadent! And I secretly want bits of the gold leaf to rub off on my clothes and furniture…like a little trail of Jane Austen around my house.

Do you have a favourite book you’ve read this year then you’ll be recommending (or giving as a Christmas present!) to everyone you know?

I found Untamed by Glennon Doyle to be a total brain shake up. It made me REALLY THINK about my role as a woman in this world, and I love that! Plus, Glennon is a soccer mum. I am too! Both our daughters play at a high level. And my protagonist, Kat, plays soccer! I’ve already bought it as a gift for a few friends.

Can you share a favourite Christmas tradition or memory, or recipe?

Each year my children and I make gingerbread people and we decorate them. They usually look ridiculous and we think of funny names for them. Last year we made a dumpy little gingerbread woman and called her Aunty Stavroula. We ate her last because she was our favourite!

Finally, are you working on something new and can you tell us anything about it?

I am working on something new and I’m keeping it closely guarded! But wait until it’s released…you won’t be able to shut me up!

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Big thanks to Angela, and to all the lovely authors and small business people who joined me over the past six weeks or so to chat about Christmas with me – I have loved getting a peek into people’s traditions, and I’ve discovered some new favourite recipes too!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe, and happy Christmas!

xo Bron
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Step Up, Shine On by Angela May George – on Goodreads