Beach Read meets Sweetbitter in this laugh-out-loud and ultimately heartwarming debut of a good friend’s very bad decision and the summer job that stands to ruin or make her life.
We chat with debut author Lizzy Dent about The Summer Job, writing, settings, what’s next, and more!
Hi Lizzy! Congratulations on the debut of your first novel, The Summer Job! How are you feeling?
I am feeling pretty lucky! It’s been an absolute dream!
How did the idea for The Summer Job come about?
A mixture of looking back at my own crazy time working in hospitality in Scotland, and wanting to do something with a high concept that sets the reader up for lots of giggles. Oh, and wine. I always wanted to write about fancy people who talk about wine in this super pretentious way, gatekeeping the pleasure somewhat for us peasants.
Like some readers, I’m sure, I know next to nothing about wine and this was a little daunting at first, but I loved that you made it so easy for anyone to read and empathise with Birdy. Did you have to do a lot of research or are you already a wine connoisseur?
I enjoy a glass of wine – but I’m not a connoisseur AT ALL. That said, I do enjoy a vineyard tour and a tasting session. There are some romantic aspects to wine I love – especially in the great French regions where they stick to some traditional wine making techniques. But, who the hell can afford a vintage Burgundy at 100 bucks a pop?
Birdy was such a fun, witty character. Was her personality inspired by anyone or multiple people you know in particular?
I watched a lot of the TV series LOVE when I was writing it, as well as The Good Place. I really wanted to write a character that was not always a good person. It’s funny to me when some readers are indignant about Birdy’s behaviour and they cannot get past such a selfish person and enjoy the book. I believe absolutely everyone makes mistakes and bad decisions and hurts people they love – EVERYONE. There is nothing more insipid to me than a female character who is just so pure of heart, only thinks of others and never makes any mistakes; unless she makes really cute mistakes that endear her to a love interest. No thanks.
I loved the way the book touched on some more serious topics related to wine and alcohol; was that difficult to write? And what would you recommend to aspiring authors who want to incorporate those more sensitive topics in their novels?
I just think it is unrealistic to write about working in hospitality and not talk about the massive alcohol consumption that goes with it. If aspiring authors want to talk about more sensitive topics, they should do their research and write from the heart. I spoke a lot to a therapist when I was creating Birdy, for example, because I wanted to make sure that her background would be a clear cause of her behaviour.
What got you into writing? Have you always written and/or read books?
No, I wasn’t a big reader until I started writing books. My background is TV, so I am a total junkie for a good TV series. Now I read or listen to 2-5 books a month, and my TV viewing is starting to wane somewhat!
Scotland looks so beautiful, not just in photos but in your writing! What made you choose this particular location?
I worked in Inverness in my teens and twenties, and I didn’t want to set it exactly there because it would be difficult for Birdy to rock up there and pretend to be someone else. An isolated hotel in the west coast sounded more plausible. Also, the greatest drive I ever took was around that area, stopping for squat lobster on a coastal port. It’s breathtaking!
What is your writing routine like?
I’m chaotic. I try to be structured but I juggle a lot in a week and have to grab time when it becomes available. But I’m absolutely an early morning writer. I love it.
What are three tips you would give to young aspiring authors to help them on their writing journey?
Enjoy it! Don’t be afraid to share your work. And, don’t compare your journey to others – you’ll never get past GO. (plus, everyone’s journey is MUCH HARDER than it looks on twitter)
Thank you so much for your time! What can we expect from you next? A sequel perhaps?
I’m writing a book about an insecure, anti-social woman who is pushed into a grand scheme to find THE ONE by a pregnant fortune teller. Another ticking clock, panicked plans and very badly behaved heroine.
