Ella Kingsley will be a new author to most – having just published her first novel Confessions of a Karaoke Queen, but Ella is actually a (well known, most likely) Chick Lit author. Mind you, it’s a major secret and although I have my ideas over who she is based on her biography in the book, I’m still not sure who she is! However, whomever Ella is, whether we’ve already interviewed her on the site, we bring you an interview with Ella Kingsley! (Oh, and if you have any guesses over who Ella is, please let me know!)

1. Can you describe Confessions of a Karaoke Queen for us in 5 words?

Remember Bros.? You’ll love this.

2. What inspired you to write a novel about karaoke? I presume you must be a karaoke fan, so what’s your go-to song on karaoke? (On the rare occasion I ever do karaoke – which has happened about three times – I do ‘Dancing Queen’ by Abba or ‘Whole Again’ by Atomic Kitten…)

I like your style! Karaoke is one of those things that always generates a reaction in people, whether it’s sheer delight or downright horror. I wanted to capture the spirit of the karaoke booth, from the excruciating to the exhilarating, and all the life dramas that play themselves out through the songs we warble after a glass or five of wine: a book with a movie soundtrack, if you like. As for my go-to song, it’s no secret that I know ALL the words to ‘Ice Ice Baby’ and am not afraid to show it. (I’m not afraid, but you should be.)

3. Your author biography tells me “Ella Kingsley” is a pseudonym, why Ella Kingsley?

E and K are the initials of my first and middle names, so it feels kind of like an extension of me. Ella is also similar to my first name.

4. I don’t want to talk too much about your pseudonym (even though I’d love to just say “Who are you?” because I’m really, really nosy like that), but I just wonder what it feels like to essentially start over? You’re already a published author, so what’s it like to not rely on that with this new venture? Is it fun, or is it harder than you expected?

Haha, I’m nosy, too. This is a great question. The other books I write are quite different to this one, so I wanted to have a stab at this style of writing because a) I think these books are great, and b) to see if I could. It’s freeing to start a new project from scratch, no expectations and no limitations, and it’s always fun to have a pseudonym because your author becomes a character as much as the girls and guys you write about. If I had all the time and talent in the world I’d love to have a go at every genre I enjoy. One day I’d like to write a ghost story!

5. In Chick Lit we seen lots of fads, for lack of a better word, food, cupcakes, shopping, do you think karaoke will be the new “thing” for Chick Lit?

Invasion of the karaoke queens!!! Imagine the pink and the glitter . . . terrifying. Well, you never know. I agree about the fads, they do come and go, but some things tend to endure: friendships, love, relationships, struggles and rewards of the heart . . . and I think that’s what chicklit is about and always will be, whatever the setting. It does surprise me that karaoke hasn’t been targeted this brazenly before as I do think the karaoke booth is a stage to more than just (bad) singing: it’s a kind of club, isn’t it, where after a bad day or a bad boyfriend you can hang out with the girls and drink cocktails and sing the songs you love and feel better. Kind of like reading a chicklit novel, actually!

6. Maddie was very naive when it came to Evan, and that kind of annoyed me if only because obviously I knew Evan’s game, so I wanted to bash Maddie over the head to make her wake up, did you merely write her like that, write her to trust Evan like that because that’s what a normal person would do? Is that because she’s the type of person who just sees the good in everyone? (I really hope it’s the second because I feel the first one says I’m not a “normal” person…)

I see your point. Maddie is the type of girl who wants to see the best in people, and who more importantly wants to do the right thing by those she loves. Her motivation to go with Evan is borne out of panic but also her longing to do something good for her parents. She’s also been told she’s boring, the backstage kind who never takes a risk, so there’s a bit of a middle finger up to that as well. Plus, media types can be so . . . persuasive: things happen, decisions are made, at a hundred miles an hour in that world – I wanted to tap into the blindsiding nature of reality shows, where contestants, or participants, don’t always get what they’re promised. I like Maddie and I think she has a good heart. (And as Feargal Sharkey said in 1986, a good heart these days is hard to find.)

7. Was there a method to Maddie’s real name? Or did you just cobble together lots of different names?

Maddie’s name was never meant to be that ridiculous. She was only supposed to have one silly middle name and then the rest just . . . fell out. I wouldn’t put any of it past Pineapple Mist.

8. Will we be seeing a second Ella Kingsley novel at any point and would you ever do a sequel to Confessions of a Karaoke Queen?

I think Maddie’s definitely got more stories in her. She grew up a lot in Karaoke Queen and she’ll carry this into her next adventure . . .

9. What do you think of the term Chick Lit? Yay or nay? (If nay, I’d love to know what term you use!)

I’m a yay. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the term chicklit: it’s a celebratory label for a type of story we’ve adopted as our own and which we cherish. People do use it dismissively, as in, ‘Ah, but that’s just chicklit, it’s a waste of time,’ forgetting that these are properly developed, considered and crafted novels, with equal merit to any other commercial genre, but I don’t think we should let this derogatory context sully it for us. I’m a feminist and I believe we shouldn’t cower behind the term but instead hold it aloft and be proud!

10. What books do you like reading in your spare time?

Bonkbusters! Anything by Jackie Collins or Jilly Cooper for a vintage great, and by Tilly Bagshawe, Victoria Fox or J J Salem for something more contemporary. I love the sex, scandal and escapism.

11. Finally, what are your top 5 tips for writing a novel?

1. Start writing – it sounds silly but it’s amazing the number of people who talk about writing and never actually write.

2. Keep going – you’ll hit so many walls: as well as plot knots, crises of the motivational and self-disciplinary sort, but you have to flog on till you type ‘The End’ and don’t dare stop until you get there.

3. Keep positive – even if you think much of what you’ve written before ‘The End’ is terrible, remember that to reach this stage is no mean feat and you’ve now got something entire that you can show and edit. This is a crucial step.

4. Get over the fear – every writer has to show their work, even if it feels like walking into a room full of people completely naked (that’s you that’s naked, not everyone else, but whatever freaks you out)

5. Knockbacks make you stronger – whether it’s your first rejection or your fiftieth, they all sting. Try to remember that every suggestion you receive is only going to make your ms stronger in the long run. Persevere, work hard and never give up.

Thanks so much Ella!

Ella Kingsley is the pseudonym of a women’s fiction author. Confessions of a Karaoke Queen is her first novel.