November Book of the month: One Day in December by Josie Silver, Read and join our author webchat on Tuesday 4 December at 9pm

[RachelMumsnet]

After a couple of nail-biting reads, our November book of the months offers you something a little different and is the perfect book for curling up and reading on a cold winter's night.

Josie Silver's One Day in December follows three characters through 10 years of love, heartbreak and friendship. Find out more about the book and read or listen to an extract and then join us in reading in November before our webchat with Josie on Tuesday 4th December, 9pm.

Where did you get the inspiration for Jack's wedding speech? One of the most moving moments of the book in my opinion.

@bettyskitchen

I really enjoyed this book - a really fun, festive read.

Were you torn on how to end the book? I could see it going either way, what lead you to your final decision?

Hi bettyskitchen,
Thank you!
I didn't really waver from my initial plans for the ending of the book. Thinking back to the original brief (to aim for the feel good Christmas movie factor) it needed a really satisfying, romantic end. I see it in my head like a movie as I write it - it's the kind of ending I'd like to see on screen.

There are still a few more questions but before I forget, Josie - could we put to you the questions that we ask all our book of the month authors? -

What was your favourite childhood book?

What was the last book you gave to someone as a gift?

What was the last book you read?

Can you describe the room(s) where you wrote One Day in December? (Perhaps an elaboration on FernieB asking about where you write? :) )

@andadietcoke

How did you react when you found out Reese Witherspoon had chosen it for her book of the month for the book club? Was it a surprise?

I loved the book - I read it as an ARC and adored Laurie and Jack's story.

Hello Andadietcoke,

It was a totally brilliant shocker of a surprise!

I didn’t have a clue until a very excited email from my american editor landed in my inbox at about 9pm one Friday evening a couple of weeks back. It was one of those OMG OMG OMG moments - I never expected it would happen, I didn’t even know the book was on Reese’s reading radar. Things went crazy here on social media when it was announced on Saturday - I needed a really big G&T to calm down after trying to keep up on instagram / twitter / Facebook! It was the loveliest kind of shock though.
I STILL can't believe it when I look at the photographs of Reese with the book. Hollywood magic!

I could see Gunnar as Jack - definitely with dark hair though. Clare Bowen would be a good quirky Laurie too - though I know what you mean about it being a Brit (she's obviously good at accents though!) Maybe you could get the whole cast back together for it😀

(Apologies for the slight de-rail)

@yUMMYmUMMYb

Really enjoyed this book. Thanks! Similar to others I wonder whether you thought of an alternative ending? Do you have personal experience of a holiday romance / love at first sight or moving to another country for love? What book would you like to receive as a Christmas gift?

Hi yUMMYmUMMYb!
Ah, I wish I had a romantic transatlantic love story to tell at this point, but sadly not! Like many people, I met my husband through work.

Which book would I like to get from Santa? Def Michelle Obama's - she is one of the most fabulous women on the planet, isn't she!

Oh no! It's come around so quickly. I haven't finished the book yet as I've not been well. But I'm really enjoying it. So, thank you very much Josie :)

I am especially enjoying the friendship/flatmate relationship between Laurie and Sarah. It seems very real. Was that inspired by a real life friendship of yours?

@starlight36

Hi Josie, I really enjoyed the book. Like others I thought the description of the girl's ongoing relationship was as compelling as the love story. My question is whether the London setting was an important part of the story or could it have taken place anywhere?

Hi Starlight36,
For me, London is one of the stars of the book, right from that opening love at first sight moment on one of our iconic red buses.
Our capital so well known around the world and easy to imagine, whether your reading the book in the UK, the US, or in the latest country to buy it - South Korea! Having an instantly recognisable setting helps readers bring the story to life.
I think (hope!) it adds to the Christmas movie feel too.

If tge book is made into a movie (HI REECE!) who do you think would play Jack, Laurie and Sarah?

@FernieB

Thanks for answering my questions Josie. A couple more! Do you have a strict routine for writing (I know some writers get up with the sun and then write for a few hours before breakfast)? And where do you write? Do you have music on or silence?

Hi again FernieB,
I'm lucky enough to write full time, so I get the kids off to school and then start work from my sofa. I'll work until they come home again, and often again later at night too. I'm a bit of a night owl so I prefer to work late nights than early mornings.
I love music as I work, I always have a playlist that suits the manuscript on in the background. Never TV or radio though, I find it too distracting.

Oh yes. I need to add Michelle Obama to my santa list.

A lovely read for a cosy evening. Thanks!

@ButDoYouAvocado

Where did you get the inspiration for Jack's wedding speech? One of the most moving moments of the book in my opinion.

Ah, thank you ButDoYouAvocado! That scene went through several re-writes, I had that fabulous speech from Four Weddings & a Funeral in my head and kept deleting it.
In the end I had to forget everyone else and focus on Jack. I knew him pretty well by that stage so I had to dig deep into his head to pull out what he might want to say. I have a huge soft spot for him, I wanted him to really come good for Laurie and melt hearts.

@MrsDeaconClaybourne

I could see Gunnar as Jack - definitely with dark hair though. Clare Bowen would be a good quirky Laurie too - though I know what you mean about it being a Brit (she's obviously good at accents though!) Maybe you could get the whole cast back together for it😀

(Apologies for the slight de-rail)

Am sitting here trying to find a part for Deacon in my head now!

@SorchaMumsnet

There are still a few more questions but before I forget, Josie - could we put to you the questions that we ask all our book of the month authors? -

What was your favourite childhood book?

What was the last book you gave to someone as a gift?

What was the last book you read?

Can you describe the room(s) where you wrote One Day in December? (Perhaps an elaboration on FernieB asking about where you write? :) )

Hi Sorcha! Here's my answers...

Favourite childhood book - I was a big Enid Blyton fan as a kid. The Famous Five, The Naughtiest Girl in the School, her Fairy Story Collection, I devoured them all.

Last book I gifted - Caitlin Moran's How to be a Woman - I’ve given this book out to pretty much all of my friends now, it’s hilarious but so tenderly observed too. It made me cry, and then made me cry laughing! Another book I often gift (mostly to creative people) is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s full of great advice for writers, artists, anyone creative really on how to capture your inner magic and make things happen for yourself.

Last book I received - I’m always buying books, it’s an addiction! So I’ll share my most recent amazon spoils instead - The Cactus by Sarah Haywood, You by Caroline Kepnes and The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. I’ve yet to read them; I’m on a tight deadline for my next book so I'm saving them as rewards!

Room I wrote the book in - We recently moved house, so One Day in December was the last book I wrote in my old office. I’m the only female in my house so my office was a much defended feminine space. My new office would be best described as a ‘work in progress’ - full of boxes and junk. I’m sure I’ll find time at some point to organise it, but until then my office involves headphones, my laptop and the sofa!

@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo

Oh no! It's come around so quickly. I haven't finished the book yet as I've not been well. But I'm really enjoying it. So, thank you very much Josie :)

I am especially enjoying the friendship/flatmate relationship between Laurie and Sarah. It seems very real. Was that inspired by a real life friendship of yours?

Hi LesieKnopeDo!
I'm really lucky to have some truly fab ladies in my own life who definitely inspired and informed the friendship between Laurie and Sarah. I actually enjoyed writing their relationship as much as the romantic ones in the book.

And that brings us to the end of the webchat. Thanks so much for your thoughtful answers, Josie and to everyone for joining the webchat this evening. Best of luck with your next book - we look forward to reading it. Plus watching the film featuring as many of the Nashville cast as possible...

The winner of the draw for next month's book is… MrsDeaconClaybourne. Congrats! PM with your details and we'll get a copy of The Woman in the Window sent out to you asap.

Until next time :)

Thank you so much for coming on. I am very much looking forward to your next book!

(Also just to say, Big Magic is a personal fave of mine too. Highly recommend, especially to those pursuing creative paths!)

That was fun, and went by in a blink!
Thanks so much for inviting me and making me so welcome, and especially for reading One Day in December.
Wishing you all a truly fabulous Christmas!
Love Josie xx

That's so exciting! I never win anything usually. Thanks MN and Josie - it's made my night