10 Things You Didn’t Know About… Belinda Missen

 

10 Things You Didn’t Know About… Belinda Missen

 

1. If you could interview anyone, past or present, who would it be and what would be your lead question?
   I think anyone who knows me would assume the first name that pops to mind would be Benedict Cumberbatch. To be fair, they’d be right – I think. My first question? ‘When have you got time free, so we can make a film?’ And I do mean that with the best of intentions. His production company is churning out some great work, and I’d love for them to option one or one hundred of my screenplays. Hell, I’d write to order and for free just to see it happen.
2. Your most played song/band?
   As my parents will begrudgingly attest – Bryan Adams. Slightly obsessed as a teenager, and still a fan as an adult. My most played song would be a live version of ‘Summer of 69’, recorded at Wembley Stadium in 1992. The poor guy has the honour of helping me get through puberty without going completely off the rails, but I think a lot of u can relate to that. Having said that, I’m all for the 80s, and Foreigner’s ‘Say You Will’ is creeping up on that most played title.

3. Favourite genre of romance?
   I adore the rom-com contemporaries, anything from Love Actually, to Lindsey Kelk, Mhairi McFarlane, Cecelia Ahern. There are a couple of these types of films I go back to just for a bit of ‘comfort’ watching – Leap Year; Love, Rosie; This Means War; Set It Up; and I have a secret passion for Hallmark (would love to write a Hallmark film one day).
4. Favourite food?
   Ohhh, this changes daily. Right now, I’m loving scones with jam and cream. I’m a huge sweet tooth, which isn’t great for the old health, but when I get on a savoury kick, I’m unstoppable – all the cheeses. Is there a better lunch than a cheese platter with wine?
5. Favourite drink?
   Coffee is keeping me upright during rewrites – otherwise our local coffee shop Bean Squeeze, does a great banana and macadamia smoothie. A good espresso martini is a thing of beauty, too.
6. If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
   So many to pick from – there are way too many people in this world who need help, and far too many who look away. Can I just finger snap and make everything alright, in whatever form that is for others?
7. If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
   Probably something completely rad like finishing my law degree. One day, right?
8. Favourite quote?
   ‘All parades end’. It sounds like a bit of Debbie Downer, and I guess it kind of can be, but I see it proven so often. People will put on a show for others. Sometimes you can see it a mile off, and other times you can’t, but it will always come to a head.
9. Tell us something about yourself that most people wouldn’t know…
   I’m feeling incredibly vulnerable right now – releasing books is a scary business!
10. Most famous person you’ve ever met? Tell us about the meeting!
    I’ve had the incredible privilege of meeting some incredible people in my time. I’ve met my favourite singers, Bryan Adams and Chris Isaak. They were both lovely – Chris Isaak will make you feel like you’re the only person in the room.

    Then, there was Benedict Cumberbatch. I was lucky enough to snare the last ticket for a meet & greet dinner at OzComicCon in 2014, and spent twelve hours driving from country Victoria to Sydney. He was ridiculously lovely and intelligent, and exceeded my expectations of him as a human being. He also has a great capacity for memory – my friends and I were rapt when, the next morning, we ran into him and he addressed us by name. It’s the small things, but they’re sometimes the important ones.

    One of my biggest takeaways from the weekend was when someone at our table asked if he was ever worried about failing or acting not working out for him as a career. The arts are hard work, in whatever capacity you choose to work in them. Look how many people are struggling – it’s but a small few who reach huge heights. His reply was that no, he wasn’t worried. He knew that if he kept working, and working hard, everything would be fine. I’ve tried to apply that to my writing.

    The biggest and best part of the weekend?  I met two of my best friends at the event. That’s more than awesome. 😊

 

 

A Recipe for Disaster
Belinda Missen

Life’s not always a piece of cake…

Meet Lucy, master wedding cake baker, idealistic school canteen crusader, and someone whose broken heart just won’t seem to mend…

Lucy is quietly confident that she has made the right choices in life. Surrounded by friends and family in a small country town, Lucy can easily suppress the feeling that something is missing from her life.

But when a blast from the past arrives in the form of her estranged husband, international celebrity chef Oliver Murray, Lucy’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble beneath her like overbaked meringue.

Is Oliver’s return all business or is it motivated by something more?

A Recipe for Disaster starts long after most love stories would have ended, proving it is never too late to offer someone a second slice of cake or a second chance.

Perfect for fans of Carole Mathews, Mhairi McFarlane and Carrie Hope Fletcher.

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