Natalie was a fashion PR for 30 years, looking after everyone from Victoria Beckham to Jimmy Choo to Net A Porter over the course of her career. She is based in London and has two teenage children (one who is at University in St Andrews), and a patient husband!
Feeling exhausted and wanting to change the pace of her life, Natalie took a sabbatical in 2020 pre-Covid and decided to do the Curtis Brown Novel Writing Courses and learn how to structure a book. As a PR, you are always writing – press releases, interviews, show notes etc. – but never in your own voice.
Now that Don’t Believe the Hype is in the world, Natalie is back working but just not as maniacally. She has recently finished a six-month project consulting on the Freddie Mercury auction at Sotheby’s, and she works with the artistic director of jewellery at Louis Vuitton on a variety of projects.
Meet Natalie Lewis
Questions on Writing
What was the hardest part of writing Don’t Believe The Hype?
Taking my real-life experiences and fictionalising them. Sometimes it was hard to not come across as memoir, and so I redrafted and redrafted until it was truly a work of fiction.
What have you learnt about yourself when writing?
That I like deadlines!
Do you make yourself write everyday/regularly, or only when inspiration strikes?
When I was writing Don’t Believe the Hype, I wrote all day everyday because I was on sabbatical and was fortunate enough to have the time. Like Forrest Gump, I just kept on going. Now I’m back working, I can only write when I have the time. So when I think of something for book two, I jump on the laptop quickly.
What does literary success look like to you?
Just having my debut published was a momentous feeling of accomplishment. Sadly, in my limited experience as an author, I have learnt that we then all feel like we are waiting for something else to happen. The highs are short lives…I have had the screen rights for Don’t Believe the Hype taken in America, and now that the writers’ strike is over, we are back on track. In these times of global omnichannels, for a book to be adapted for TV or film feels like an extra level of success and reach.
How much planning/world building do you do before writing, and how much comes along as you write?
For Don’t Believe the Hype, I had Frankie fully formed as a character first and her world came after. I didn’t plan at all. Once I had her, I put her in different scenarios and she led the story as I was writing.
What was it that sparked the idea of turning your reality into fiction?
I have had an incredible career and been very fortunate to have done amazing things and travelled the world. But when I would come home from a trip to Asia or somewhere, and was putting a chicken in the oven, and started relaying the ridiculous things that had happened, my family would all say “seriously?” And as I regaled them with more and more stories over the years, my daughter kept telling me I really should write a book. In fact, it’s working title was “Seriously?” – which I loved but got overruled by the powers that be.
How do you celebrate when a book is published?
I had a very quiet day. Lunch with my agent and publishers. Then I just sort of carried on until friends took it in hand and organised an amazing launch lunch party about a month after publication.
Questions on Books and About You
Firstly, the most important question, what books are currently ‘on your bedside table’?
I’m reading The Square of Sevens which I am loving, and I’m listening to Empire of Pain on Audible. I always read fiction and have one non-fiction on audio to listen to when I’m driving or doing housework etc.
What children’s book would you suggest every adult read?
If you have a daughter, I would say Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. It’s seminal reading that’s stood the test of time.
What does your writing space look like?
I have a desk which is a total mess and on the wall infront of it I have hundreds of post it notes stuck all over hte place with ideas, scenes, characters, etc.
How many books do you think you own?
Hundreds! But that’s from when I could actually read from a physical book. Now my eyesight is so appalling that I only read on Kindle so I can use the largest font.
Who is your literary icon?
Audra in Standard Deviation. The most wonderful character who I wish was real and I could meet.
If you could own one rare/1st edition copy of a book, which would it be?
Rebecca. Just so I could read and reread that first line.
Is there an author who you always read?
Katherine Heiny. Like ‘Audra’, all her characters are so phenomenally portrayed and she makes me laugh and cry and basically want to be her best friend so I can ask her how she does it.
And finally, are there any plans for any new books? If so, what teasers can you give us?
Yes! It’s a book about a group of five very different women, a ridiculous book club, absurd breakfast TV, and a disastruous love affair.
Thank you Natalie😊I can’t wait for the next book. It sounds very intriguing…
Natalie Lewis’ Books
Books By Your Bedside 