Chrissie Harrison
Romantic Comedy & Contemporary Romance Author

The initial inspiration for the book came from a scene—or rather a small story strand—in one episode of the TV series Grey’s Anatomy. In it, a character hears a voice in a lift and wonders what’s going on. Quickly, there’s a relatively mundane explanation. However, I debated whether the initial idea could be taken beyond 3 minutes of screen time and evolved into the catalyst for a story.

Whilst many of my past stories have been influenced by or homaged films and TV, I think this is the first time I actively thought, “What if?” Usually, it’s the case that ideas, scenes—or even something as fleeting as an expression, line of dialogue, or shot—get lodged in my mind and emerge (sometimes years) later, often without conscious thought. On this occasion, sometime in 2022, I actively pursued the “voice in a lift” concept and it quickly became the bedrock of a potential romance novel.

I wanted the concept to be underpinned by a solid foundation and believable backstory. I didn’t want it to be a clever idea just for its own sake. I was also keen that if a romance was to be catalysed by a lift voice, it needed to go beyond simply the inciting incident. It needed to have legs. I was determined to keep the two romantic leads apart for as long as I could stand—or at least as long as they could!

One of my key aims was to put comedy front and centre. I believe that romcoms should absolutely major on those two strands. If a book categorised as a romcom struggles to even make me smile, I think it’s being mis-sold. I believe comedy = laughter, and I’m often drawn to think of films like Notting Hill and When Harry Met Sally. These aren’t romances. They’re romcoms… because they are funny, sweet, touching, and romantic and all the other things we want from a good love story.

I think “Floored” could have been much more one-sided if I hadn’t let Hannah carry the verbal humour. She would have been too timid and insular, easy to regard as the “love interest”. In fact, the book is arguably more her story than it is Drew’s.

Drew carries the situational comedy, the sometimes hapless fool who can be his own worst enemy when it comes to getting the girl. He’s there for the pratfalls, misunderstandings, and to be the figure of fun. Of course, both have their crosses to bear, the “bitter” in “bittersweet”.

A theme that crops up in my writing is anxiety and social awkwardness. This is due to it being a condition close to my heart, and it will be something I’ll shine a spotlight on in future books. I don’t go into great detail about Hannah’s condition—she may have what used to be called Asperger’s Syndrome—but all the markers are there. She also has traits I like in my heroines—brains, steel, and a quick wit. Of course, underneath, she’s still soft, vulnerable and wants to be loved and appreciated.

Of course, Floored is Drew’s story, too, and there’s a symbiosis in how they help each other overcome their fears, wounds and emotional baggage. Drew is typical of my heroes—arguably a bit rubbish, often bested by the heroine in words and deeds, but underneath it all, he is a good egg. If there’s a touchstone, it’s probably Hugh Grant’s often-essayed charming yet awkward do-gooder—two left feet, both often in his mouth.

Is there a story behind Drew’s elevatophobia—does it mirror any of my own fears? No—it’s simply a necessary character trait to make his life and story more complicated than it would otherwise be. Where’s the fun in Drew hearing a voice in a lift he travels in daily? None. He’s already way out of his comfort zone before things start to get weird… or interesting… or unbelievable… or scary… or adorable.