An Interview with Scott Bissett

I’m a husband, dad, grandfather (and dog dad to Soozie the cockapoo) from Glasgow, Scotland. I’m also a rom-com devotee. I love a good cheeseburger, a piece of cheesecake, and a nice glass of red wine.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

This will be my fifth book and I’m always trying not to write the same story twice. They all deal with love, but not necessarily the same kind of love. I’ve written about love triangles, estranged best friends, cheating husbands, mid-life second-chance glow-ups, and separated childhood sweethearts, and I’m always trying to think about different angles to look at it from. This time, I wanted to take one of my favourite tropes as a reader (grumpy x sunshine) and see what I could bring to that.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I had originally envisioned it just being called The Man of My Dreams, but it felt a little bit too literal. The title I eventually settled on is also the title of one of my favourite Bruce Springsteen songs – actually written about a close friend who had passed away – so the sentiment is very different to my story, but it’s a gorgeous song and the title fit perfectly.

Describe your dream book cover.

That’s a fantastic question. I have a design background in one of my previous lives, and I love the challenge of coming up with cover concepts which not only fit the story but hopefully grab the reader’s attention and make them want to pick the book up. That’s an art in itself.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Music has played a massive part in my books – particularly my second, Love Will Tear Us Apart, which literally has its own Spotify playlist full of eighties and nineties indie/alternative songs. My debut, You, Your Girlfriend & Me takes its title from a line in a Soul Asylum song, and I’ve already mentioned the Springsteen connection to the new book. I’m a massive music nerd and my taste varies wildly from modern pop to really dark, extreme metal. I always have music playing when I write to help me get into whatever mood I’m trying to capture.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I generally don’t read while I’m working on something – I think it’s a thing of not wanting to subconsciously absorb anything or be influenced. When I finish working on a book, that’s the point where I take a break and just binge my TBR pile (which never seems to shrink!). I’m pretty much exclusively a romcom/romance reader and I’ve got a nice pile of physical books that I’ve picked up from indie authors at book fairs awaiting my attention and a lot of Kindle books lined up. My favourite author is Mike Gayle, and I’m looking forward to his new book coming out in the summer.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

My day job is in IT and has been for almost twenty years now, but I’ve previously worked in bars, call centres, and repair workshops. I studied graphic design for publishing in the early nineties because I used to dream of being a writer and art editor for a music magazine!

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

Mike Gayle, without a doubt. In the nineties and toward the turn of the millennium, there was the whole ‘lad lit’ genre with guys like Nick Hornby and Tony Parsons writing these more reflective and introspective books, but Mike Gayle was the first one for me who really tapped into writing women well and showing that men can write with sensitivity in a genre that traditionally speaks to women. It’s an incredible skill, and I can only dream of getting to that level one day – I always say that I try to portray women’s experiences with empathy, honesty, and care while steering clear of lazy stereotypes or slipping into that dreaded tone of uninvited authority or outright mansplaining. If I succeed, it’s thanks to the amazing women in my life who have entrusted me with their stories, their insights, and their honesty. If I ever fall short, the fault is entirely mine, but I promise, I’m always listening and learning.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I’ve got a cosy little office setup at home where I can work my day job and write at night. I always seem to be able to come up with my best ideas in the dark!

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Just be honest. Write from your heart, not what you think people will necessarily want to read – that way, you’ll find the audience who’ll connect authentically with you.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I mean, obviously I always hope that they enjoyed the book as a whole, but I really hope that they’ve cared about the characters, because the people are the soul of my books. I don’t write stories which are action-packed. They’re angsty and slow-burning and hopefully honest and engaging and all I want is for people to connect with these figments of my imagination and love and care about them as much as I do.

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