Jon Rance

Hello,


I'm pleased to have a very special guest back on my site for the third time. He's a man who needs no introduction, but I'll give him one anyway. He's the award losing author (twice) of eight best selling romantic comedy novels, and he's written about life, love, and relationships for The Times, Guardian, The Sun, and for a number of magazines including Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle, and Glamour. He lives in London and previously worked as a lifeguard and an I.T. headhunter, before realising that writing novels was a far better use of his time. Any guesses? Of course, it's the brilliant, funny, and talented Mr Matt Dunn, and he's talking about his latest novel, 'What Might Have Been'. 

Mr Matt Dunn

A couple of years ago, I read a book called “The Seven Basic Plots”, which outlines the seven story lines that every book/film/play can be summarized by. As a writer about to embark on his eighth novel, this was more than a little concerning.

Fortunately, another old writing maxim, ‘write what you know’ came to my rescue. Years ago (oh, the shame), I was involved in a ‘love triangle’ (no, that’s not a Fifty Shades-type perversion involving Dairylea cheese) – I started seeing a girl who already had a boyfriend. In my defence, she didn’t tell me, and whether she began seeing me to test her feelings for him, I’m not sure, but one thing I knew – I was mad about her.

Unfortunately, I was even madder when I found out, so I did the decent thing and walked away. And ever since*, I’ve wondered what might have been had I stayed and fought for her (*until I met my lovely wife, of course, if you’re reading this, sweetheart).

And that struck me as a great premise for a novel; the idea that someone was so scared that they’d once turned their back on the love of their life that they’d do anything – risk everything – for another chance.

Evan McCarthy’s such a person. Knocked off his feet by Sarah Bishop, he’s convinced the two of them are meant to be together. So why she’s marrying someone else is beyond him. But Sarah’s sure she’s doing the right thing. Or at least she’s managed to convince herself she is. Until Evan arrives back on the scene. A week before her wedding.

Normally, I’d end that paragraph with ‘...and hilarity ensues’, but while What Might Have Been (for that’s the title of the book) is still a rom-com, it’s perhaps a little more serious than my seven previous novels - perhaps because the subject matter’s a little darker. Or maybe because I’m getting older. Or maybe – just maybe – because I’m still wondering what might have been. 

Pick up your copy of 'What Might Have Been' at Amazon

Cheers Matt. I've read nearly all of Matt's books and they're always funny, always entertaining, and always keep me turning the page. So pop on over to Amazon and get your copy today - you won't be disappointed.

Follow Matt on twitter: @mattdunnwrites
Matt's website: www.mattdunn.co.uk

Until next time.

Hugs,

Jon X