A Q&A with Katie Kirby

1. The Seriously Epic Holiday of Lottie Brooks sees Lottie completely out of her comfort zone, swapping KitKat Chunky’s for the ski slopes! What excites you most about this new adventure for Lottie?

Lottie is skiing for the first time, and the big question is, how will she do? I really hope readers find the adventure of this one really fun.

What I also hope readers will enjoy seeing is that it’s really interesting to see how going away with a friend can affect their friendship.

2. Did you do any research for the skiing scenes, or draw from personal experience?

I went skiing for the first time at 45! I’ve been twice now, and going again in March. I’ve got the bug!

3. Amber’s return to the Queens of Eight Green feels like a huge moment. How does this ski trip shift the friendship dynamic compared to school life?

Lottie and Amber have quite an intense week together, it’s just the two of them, and it’s make or break for their friendship. They’ve got this time together to try and properly fix their friendship. Will Amber have changed, will she continue to be nice to Lottie, or will it be back to the old Amber?

4. How does it feel to know this story has become a cult favourite all the way over in Australia?!

I’ve been completely blown away by how many people relate to Lottie. I wanted to write something that would have helped me through those tricky tweenage years, so it’s amazing how many people have found a friend in Lottie. I’m so blown away by how popular it is in Australia and across the world. Crazy!

5. Comedy is such a huge part of the series. When writing embarrassing or chaotic moments (of which there are plenty!), how do you balance cringe with heart? Do you model Lottie’s response to life’s embarrassments off your own from her age?

It’s so important to have a bit of both. It’s there’s no heart in the comedy it can feel a bit one dimensional. You need to understand Lottie’s thoughts and emotions, so you can understand her actions and relate to her. It’s important to show that life has ups and downs, life is sometimes hilarious and sometimes also tricky. It’s important to show all sides of Lottie, as a full person.

6. Lottie often laments that fate is conspiring against her. Do you think she’s truly unlucky, or just wonderfully dramatic?!

She’s definitely unlucky! If anyone has gone through those moments in real life that’s a lot! People ask if she’s based on a real person, she’s based a little on me. And Lottie’s a typical young person, she loves being dramatic and making a big deal out of some things. I do remember being like that.

7. If Lottie could give one piece of advice to readers about trying something new (even if it’s terrifying), what would she say?

Lottie does so many things she’s scared of. I think she’d say if you don’t try, you won’t find the things that you really love. And if you try something new and love it, you get a massive sense of achievement and learn something about yourself. And also, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it again!