INTERVIEW: Pernille Hughes Says Find Your Writing Tribe

Welcome to the Tuesday Author Interview with Christina Boyd for the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

CHRISTINA: I love romcoms. Contemporary romance. Women's lit. British author Pernille Hughes first came on my radar when I read her novel Ten Years in 2023. Such a powerful read about love, friendship, and promises. I was thrilled when she agreed to this interview.

When did you first think you had a book to write, and how did you start? 

PERNILLE: I was writing short fictional columns for the Sunday Times Travel section, which in retrospect were mini-romcoms, when I saw a competition for a short-story anthology, Belinda Jones’ Travel Club -Sunlounger, offering three spaces for unpublished writers. I came runner-up. You can read that story, Fia McQueen’s Great Escape, for free via my website. That’s when I saw romcoms were where my voice lay. The next step was to write a full-length novel.

Lots of ‘chicklit,’ as it was known then, had titles that were puns on song or film titles. Breakfast at Tiffany’s was on, and I thought, what would the pun on that be? That’s how Sweatpants at Tiffanie’s came about (although it’s since been retitled as Punch-Drunk Love). I wondered what would happen in a story with that title; turns out it’s about a gym-shy woman who inherits an old-style boxing gym.

CHRISTINA: That's such a great origin story! It’s amazing how those short columns helped you discover your voice.

How do you decide on the ‘heat level’ for your books?

Pernille with her latest A COPENHAGEN SNOWMANCE.

PERNILLE: I write ‘fade-to-black closed door.’ Readers know where things are headed, but we don’t see the ins and outs, so to speak. It's where I naturally write, but also because my dad read my books and I wanted to be able to look him in the eye. He died last year, so it was something I questioned for this latest book, seeing as ‘spicy’ is currently popular, and I’d like to reach lots of readers. But I put the question to my newsletter recipients, and they replied they were happy with my spice level as it was. (Many of them know me, too, so said they could hear my voice as they read, and there are some things they really don’t need to hear me saying, which always makes me laugh.)

CHRISTINA: That’s such a thoughtful approach, and honestly, staying true to your natural voice is part of what makes your writing so authentic. It’s lovely that your readers connect with you so well.

Is there one of your characters you most identify with and why? 

PERNILLE: All my lead characters have something of me in them, as I'm usually trying to work something out about myself. (I’m clearly trying to save money on therapy.) In Punch-Drunk Love, Tiff has to see that only she gets to decide what she’s capable of, as she learns to ignore the naysayers. That resonated with me. In Probably the Best Kiss in the World, control-freak Jen learns she has to let go of some control to attain her dream. I had four children within five years, and control was the only way I thought I could manage it but came to see it isn’t for the best in the long run. In Ten Years, I was looking at grief, because I knew I’d be facing it sometime, and so I was examining different stances to it, as Becca and Charlie complete a loved one’s bucket list, despite hating each other. And in my new book, Anna learns to let go of hurts because they don’t help her.

CHRISTINA: I love how each of your characters reflects a journey. It makes their growth feel genuine. Using fiction to explore real emotions and life lessons is such a powerful (and creative) way to process things. I loved Ten Years. I thought about it a lot for days after.

What is your current project or latest release?

PERNILLE: My new book, A Copenhagen Snowmance, just came out this month. Can you guess what it’s about?  It’s my fourth book and first in three years due to brain fog, so I’m thrilled that it exists, really. I wanted to take readers back to a city I love (my second book, Probably the Best Kiss in the World, is part-set there, too, though the books aren’t related) and to share lots of elements of a Danish Christmas, and the hygge that it involves. It’s a romcom, about Anna, who once fled the city, who is forced to return for just one day, but is grounded by a snowstorm. It’s a story of second chances and snow and learning to trust again and snow and a Scotsman with a kilt and snow and pastries. Oh, and some snow!

Pernille's inspiration for A COPENHAGEN SNOWMANCE. Photo courtesy of the author.

CHRISTINA: Sounds absolutely delightful and so full of charm. Congrats on A Copenhagen Snowmance, especially after the brain fog.

Do you hide any secrets in your novels that only a select few might know?

PERNILLE: A Copenhagen Snowmance is absolutely stuffed with Easter Eggs for my family—it feels a bit like a love song to them. It might be a name or an action or a saying or a place. They’ll know. And in all of my books, there’s always mention of a dragon, which is for my sister, who’s mainly a fantasy reader, but makes an exception for my romances.

CHRISTINA: That’s so lovely. It makes the story feel even more special. I adore that there’s a dragon nod in every book for your sister—that’s such a sweet, playful touch!

So far, what is your greatest accomplishment as a writer?

PERNILLE: Probably the Best Kiss in the World got to number one in the Amazon Beer books chart. It’s about a woman who wants to be a brewster, so my publisher put it in the Beer category for a little while, and it went to number one. I don’t think my husband has ever been so proud of me.

CHRISTINA: Beer category? That's awesome. Hilarious.

Best advice for new writers.

PERNILLE: Find your writing tribe. Writing in isolation is lonely and very much only half the fun. With a group of the right writers around you, who understand the ups and downs of the industry and to cheer for you, is a joy.

CHRISTINA: Absolutely agree. Writing can be such a solitary process, but having a supportive writing tribe, a critique group, truly transforms the journey. There’s nothing like being surrounded by people who just get it and cheer you on every step of the way.

Thank you for your time to answer all my nosy questions. I love hearing about your inspiration and take on craft. Best wishes on this latest novel!

Pernille Hughes, author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pernille Hughes (pronounced Pernilla) has previously had three novels published: Ten Years, Probably the Best Kiss in the World, and Punch-drunk Love. Her writing has also been printed in the Sunday Times. She lives in Buckinghamshire, and while the kids are at school, she scoffs cake and writes stories in order to maintain a shred of sanity.

You can connect with Pernille via her website.