Samantha Vérant
Author Interview - Samantha Vérant
Author of The Secret French Recipes of Sophie Valroux.
Author I draw inspiration from: I read across so many genres, so it’s hard to pick just one author. But I thought long and hard about this notion and the answer hit me. About twelve years ago, I became quite obsessed with Dorothy Parker. Known for her wit and way ahead of the times with her hilarious snark, her collection of poetry and short stories, THE PORTABLE DOROTHY PARKER, is a book I oftentimes refer to. As for the others, there are far too many amazing authors to list.
Author Interview - Samantha Verant
Favorite place to read a book: I usually read in bed with my enormous cat, JuJu, by my side.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Well, it wouldn’t be Patrick Bateman from AMERICAN PSYCHO, that’s for sure. Perhaps, Jason Bourne, because he’d know how to get us out, or Tita from LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE so we could talk about the magic of food. As for non-fictional characters: hands down Julia Child. After all, she was quite the character. We’d talk about French cooking and life in France. Plus, she’d probably have a bottle of wine (and maybe some snacks) in her bag. A few quotes from Julia:
“I enjoy cooking with wine. Sometimes, I even put it in the food.”
“The best way to execute French cooking is to get good and loaded, and whack the hell out of a chicken. Bon appétit.”
Author Interview - Samantha Verant
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: As a child, I was an avid reader (thank you, Shel Silverstein, E.B. White, Roald Dahl, and Frances Hodgson Burnett, to name a few), and, throughout the years, my love reading for grew. But the writing bug didn’t bite until sometime in 2007, when I’d suffered severe burnout syndrome while working as a creative director in advertising. Writing gave me a way to express myself and create from the heart. I started with middle grade, connected with other writers, and, after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, I threw my hat into the proverbial ring. Although I’ve changed genres, I haven’t been able to stop bringing ideas to life with words since I wrote my first crazy manuscript way back when.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Whatever I can get my grubby hands (or ears) on.
The last book I read: I received an advance copy of HOW TO FAIL AT FLIRTING (December 2020) and fell in love with this wonderful contemporary romance by Denise Williams. Her writing has heart, heat, and humor, which I adore. I have a huge TBR pile loaded on my iPad, and I don’t know which author I’ll be reading next. Ahhh, decisions, decisions.
Author Interview - Samantha Verant
Pen & paper or computer: Computer for writing. Paper, pen, and a printout for editing.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Bridget Jones. We’d probably get into a LOT of trouble together, but we’d have fun.
Author Interview - Samantha Verant
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: A chef, telling stories with food.
Favorite decade in fashion history: The roaring 20s! I’ve always wanted a flapper dress.
Place I’d most like to travel: The Maldives
My signature drink: Aperol Spritz (Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water, served with an orange wedge).
Favorite artist: Frida Kahlo
Number one on my bucket list: I’m an adventuress. I want to dive with the giant Manta Rays in the Maldives.
Find more from the author:
Website/Blog: http://www.samanthaverant.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamanthaVerant/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/samantha_verant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantha_verant/
Author Bio: Samantha Vérant is a travel addict, a self-professed oenophile, and a determined, if occasionally unconventional, at home French chef. She lives in southwestern France, where she's able to explore all of her passions, and where she's married to a sexy French rocket scientist she met in 1989, but ignored for twenty years.
Author Interview - Samantha Verant
