GIVEAWAY: The Midwife’s Confession by Diane Chamberlain
Dear Anna, What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear,…
Debut Authors & Titles: June 2011
Debut Authors & Titles: June 2011
Title: The Wedding Writer
Author: Susan Schneider
Available: June 7
Synopsis: Lucky Quinn writes up weddings for one of the hottest bridal magazines. And it wasn’t easy to get there. From humble beginnings, she outsmarted her way into the center of New York’s glamorous magazine industry – making up for her background with a sharp mind, whip-thin physique, and ceaseless ambition.
Then, in one day, her life is utterly transformed; two of the magazine’s major competitors fold, and Lucky is named Editor-in-Chief, replacing the formidable, but aging Grace Ralston, who had been at the magazine’s helm from day one. Grace taught Lucky everything she knows, but now it seems that she taught her too well…
As the ripples of Lucky’s promotion spread, the intricate lives of four women begin to unfold. Felice, Your Wedding’s elegant and unshakeable Art Director is now being shaken for the first time by troubles at home. Sara, the Fashion Director, is famed for her eagle eye for fashion trends and exquisite hair. But, for all her know-how, “the Angel of Bridal” has never come close to starring in a wedding herself – she’s picked the dress, but where’s the groom? Grace, recovering in the wake of her sudden, humiliating fall from power, must learn to accept herself – and love – after a life dedicated to fulfilling other women’s dreams. And, through it all, Lucky begins to discover just how lonely the top really is.
Title: Groundswell
Author: Katie Lee
Available: June 21
Synopsis: Sometimes the biggest ripples come from the smallest events. Like the day that Emma Guthrie walks into world-famous movie star Garrett Walker’s trailer. When she steps through the door, she’s a novice PA who’s just dropped out of college after losing her scholarship. When she walks out, she’s on her way to becoming Mrs. Emma Walker—wife of an A-list actor. Soon, Emma has made the transition from nobody to red-carpet royalty, trading jeans and flip-flops for closets full of Chanel and Birkin bags, swishing past velvet ropes to attend every lavish party and charity gala on both coasts. With her husband’s encouragement, Emma pens a screenplay based on her life, Fame Tax, which becomes a blockbuster sensation. Through it all, Garrett is her ally and her mentor . . . until their relationship is thrown into question by an incriminating text message that Emma discovers on Garrett’s phone the night of the Met Costume Institute Gala.
Devastated by her husband’s infidelity and hounded mercilessly by the paparazzi, Emma must flee New York City to get away from it all and clear her head. Her destination? A sleepy coastal town in Mexico where no one recognizes her and there is nothing but unspoiled beaches for miles. Here, she meets Ben, a gorgeous, California-born surf instructor, who teaches her about the healing powers of surfing, shows her the joys of the simple life, and ultimately opens her up to the possibility of love.
From Manhattan’s hippest restaurants to the yacht-and-celebrity infested waters of St. Barts, Katie Lee’s debut novel is an irresistible insider’s glimpse into a glittering world—and a captivating story about how losing everything you thought you wanted can be the first step to finding what you need.
Title: Laura’s Handmade Life
Author: Amanda Addison
Available: June 23
Synopsis: Laura Lovegrove is leaving behind her seamless life in London. Architect husband Adi has been relocated to rural Norfolk, a far cry from ultra-urban Ealing. Though Laura knew village life would be different, she didn’t foresee a pokey cottage, nosey neighbours, errant poodles, and even an ex turning up. Chris had been her big love at art college and seeing him again is utterly confusing. Is she really so different from the impulsive student who once trawled charity shops for vintage treasures? When a fire all but destroys Laura’s collection of vintage clothes, she’s heartbroken. And seriously lacking in outfits. But, salvaging what she can, Laura makes do and mends – sewing purses, bags, even dog leads (which should solve the poodle problem). Soon, she’s inundated with orders. But Adi is becoming more and more distant; it’s like there’s something he’s not telling her. Can Laura make a stitch in time and pull her family back together again?
Interview with Jessica Chambers
When did you decide you were really going to try to make it as a writer?
Actually, the deciding was the easy part! I knew way back when I was very young, around six or seven, that I wanted to be an author some day. Yet, while most kids grow out of their childhood dreams—to be an actor, firefighter, astronaut or whatever—mine has stayed with me. So, when I finished Voices on the Waves, finding a publisher was the natural next step.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Oh, it has to be creating the characters. I love inventing true to life people, complete with flaws as well as good points, who readers can hopefully identify with even if they don’t necessarily always like them. I especially love it when my characters change and develop in ways I hadn’t anticipated when I first began writing them.
Your first novel, Voices on the Waves, covers a multitude of characters. Do you have any favorites or anyone that you could really relate to?
I always love all my characters, however unsavory they might be, but the one I most enjoyed writing in VOTW was probably Karenza Jackson. Without giving too much away, though she shows a capable, free-spirited front to the world, she is in fact far more complex than that. In the space of the novel she demonstrates a range of traits from kindness and understanding, to cruelty and indifference, and even a great vulnerability, all of which made her head a fascinating place to inhabit.
Are you working on a second novel?
Better than that, my second novel is with a publisher as we speak. It’s called Dark is the Sky, and as the title suggests, it has a darker tone than VOTW. In a nutshell, it follows the Cameron family who are still coming to terms with the tragedy that tore them apart twelve years before. It’s a tangled web of lies, love and family secrets and I’m hoping it will be released later this year.
How did you find your publisher- Red Rose Publishing?
As with so many things in life, it was mostly down to luck. I may never even have heard of Red Rose if a fellow member of the online writing group I belong to hadn’t been accepted by them. While I was checking out her novel on the Red Rose website, I decided to take a look at their submission guidelines. It just so happened that one of the few genres they were accepting from first time authors was holiday novels. Well, why not? I thought. They can only turn me down. So I took a deep breath and emailed my manuscript, and the rest, as they say, is history!
When you were five, you were diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Can you explain what this is and how you overcame a vision impairment to go on and publish a novel?
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited eye condition affecting the retina, causing varying degrees of sight loss. It’s a gradually developing disease, and in my case I was able to attend a mainstream school until the age of nine. By then my sight had deteriorated to such an extent that my teachers felt they no longer had the expertise to provide me with the specialist help I needed, and so it was decided I should finish my education at Dorton House, a school for the visually impaired. Not only did I learn to read Braille and use a computer with speech software, both of which have been invaluable in so far as my love of reading and writing; I was also lucky enough to meet my wonderful English teacher, Mr. Barry, who gave me the confidence to pursue my dream.
What are your favorite genre’s to read? What are you currently reading?
I’m a total book addict and will read pretty much any genre of fiction, so long as it has an intriguing plot and strong, memorable characters. For example, I’m currently reading Melissa De La Cruz’s Blue Bloods series, and next on my to read pile are a Philippa Gregory, a James Patterson and a Catherine Alliott. For me, alternating between so many genres keeps reading fresh and exciting!
What are some of your favorite activities- besides reading and writing?
What? You mean other hobbies actually exist? Seriously, though, I have two dogs, a four-year-old Staffy and a twelve-week-old Staffy/Bull Dog cross, and I love going for long walks with them over the parks near my home. I’m also an avid soccer fan, victim to the rollercoaster ride of emotions that is life as a Liverpool supporter.
Where would be your dream vacation?
It would have to be somewhere hot. OK, so I’m a redhead and so shouldn’t spend too much time in the sun, but I can’t help it. Life just seems so much brighter when the sun’s shining! On the other hand, I’m not the sort of person who can spend all day every day lying on a beach. I love relaxing, but I also enjoy soaking up the local culture, visiting sights of historical interest. So anywhere where I can combine the two elements would be ideal. Suggestions, anyone?
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Study your craft. Most of us, unless we happen to be a literary genius, won’t write a publishable novel on the first attempt. Read every book you can lay your hands on about creating believable, unforgettable characters and how to weave page-turning plots. Join a writing critique group, whether online or face-to-face, to get feedback on your progress that will help you improve. Most of all, love what you do and write the sort of novels you would enjoy reading!
In My Mailbox: Week of May 15
In My Mailbox: Week of May 15
Title: Priceless
Author: Nicole Richie
Received: From Cristina @ Simon and Shuster
Synopsis: Tall, blond, and willowy, this twenty-two-year-old seems to have everything going for her—she’s rich and gorgeous, a talented singer, and has just returned to her Park Avenue penthouse after a year studying in Paris. But since her mother’s tragic death years ago, her father, an extremely successful financier, has been her only family—and if she’s being honest, her only true friend.
All that changes when Jacob Williams is arrested on charges of fraud, and the SEC freezes the family’s bank accounts. With her father in jail and her partying pals suddenly scarce, Charlotte escapes Manhattan and heads to the one place she doesn’t think anyone will come looking: New Orleans.
Determined to rebuild her life, Charlotte moves in with her beloved former nanny and finds a job in a local restaurant. Between trying to make ends meet and hiding from her past, she meets Kat, a fellow fashionista who introduces her to the best of the Big Easy’s bohemian style. With Kat by her side, Charlotte begins to haunt nightclubs, securing singing gigs that soon begin to heat up—as does her friendship with a local boy, Jackson.
But Charlotte’s being followed by an angry stalker who wants nothing more than to destroy her for her father’s crimes. And with Mardi Gras just around the corner, the masquerade has only just begun . . .
From the stylish avenues of Manhattan and dark clubs of the French Quarter to the bright lights of Los Angeles, the multitalented Nicole Richie’s scintillating tale shows that the very life you run from is the one that won’t let you hide.
Title: Phone Kitten
Author: Marika Christian
Received: From Julie Smith @ BookBnimble/CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: Marika Christian’s PHONE KITTEN introduces an absolutely unique, first-time-ever kind of female sleuth—a totally lovable, intelligent, downright hilarious down-home girl who happens to earn her living as a phone sex worker.
Shy, slightly overweight Emily would die if she had to talk dirty face-to-face—especially to her hot cop boy friend. She sure didn’t set out to do phone sex—she wanted to be a writer. But when her BFF framed her for plagiarism, she got in a tiny financial hole and saw this ad for “phone actresses”… Hey, it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds. No pantyhose or pantsuits, no regular hours, you’re your own boss, and lots of people to talk to. Guys, that is. But here’s the odd thing—lots of them want to talk about more than Emily’s imagined attributes; they start to think of her as the best friend they’ll never have to meet. Next thing you know, one of her customers gets killed and Emily knows a lot more about it than she should. But she can’t tell the nearest cop, who’s also her own true love, because then he’ll find out about her secret life. What’s a phone kitten to do? Solve the murder herself, of course—because wouldn’t it be a great story for the newspaper that wrongly fired her? It’s her ticket back to her real life—if it doesn’t get her killed.
PHONE KITTEN is your ticket to hours of giggles—so long as you’re not looking for raunch. Because this is so not it. Somehow, first-time author Christian manages to handle a potentially smokin’ subject with such sly wit, authentic detail, and clever writing that you’ll wonder why this subject was ever considered taboo.
Title: A Pug’s Tale
Author: Alison Pace
Received: From Erin @ The Penguin Group
Synopsis: Hope McNeill is a New York City gal who finally has it all—an amazing boyfriend, an adorable pug named Max, and a great job in the restorations department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In fact, when a wealthy society woman and a major benefactor of the museum takes an interest in her and Max, Hope is thrilled and flattered.
Unfortunately, things take a wrong turn at work—a painting has disappeared from the museum and Hope’s boss is desperate to keep it quiet. Since the painting was in Hope’s department when last seen, she feels it’s up to her to get it back. Along the way she receives some surprising help from an enigmatic detective and her own intuitive pug.
Title: Night Road
Author: Kristin Hannah
Received: Unknown/Unsolicited
Synopsis: For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows—her twins, Mia and Zach—are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.
Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm’s way. It has always been easy– until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.
On a hot summer’s night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget…or the courage to forgive.
Interview with Laura Dave
Q: Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
Always. My father used to read to me every night when he came home from work, and it made me fall in love with books and writing. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to write myself.
Q: Do you have a certain writing routine?
I’m actually pretty disciplined. I go to the same coffee shop every weekday morning, put on my headphones, and write for 4-5 hours. Then I take a lunch break. When work is going well, I will sometimes have a night session also. The quirkiest part of my writing routine is that I always listen to music while I’m working–and usually the same song on repeat. The song changes with each book. For The First Husband, I listened to The National quite a bit.
Q: What is the hardest part for you during the writing process?
Starting a new project is always the hardest part. I will often write and re-write the first 60 pages of a novel for months and months. Then something will click and I can finish the book in less time than those first 60 pages took to figure out. That is the exciting part for me: When I finally know where I want to go with a story, I really start to enjoy myself.
Q: Where does the inspiration for your stories come from?
It always comes form a question I can’t stop thinking about often deriving from events in my life, and the life of my friends. With my first novel, London Is The Best City In America, the question was: how do we choose a life? With The Divorce Party, The question was: how do we forgive? And with The First Husband it is: how do we find the place we belong?
Q: How did you find your agent?
I met my agent at an amazing writer’s conference in Tennessee called The Sewanee Writers’ Conference. I highly recommend writers conferences as a place to personally connect with agents, editors, and other writers. They can be invaluable
Q: If you hadn’t been a writer, what career would you be doing?
I love music, so I’d like to say a soundtrack producer on a television show or for the movies. That’s an alternate fantasy of mine.
Q: Can you describe your latest novel, The First Husband, in twenty words or less?
When a woman’s longterm boyfriend leaves her, she marries a new man three months later in reaction. Heartbreak (and happiness!) ensue.
Q: How important do you think social media is these days for authors?
I think it can be very important. It allows you to be in conversation with your readers which is priceless. And, for me, very enjoyable. I love hearing my readers’ stories and thoughts, and hearing what they thought about mine. Social media provides a platform (like we’ve never had before) for all of that.
Q: My favorite magazine, Cosmopolitan, named you a “Fun and Fearless Phenom of the Year” in 2008. What does an achievement like that mean to you?
It means so much to me! To be honored among such inspiring women still feels like a dream come true. And I adore Kate White, Cosmopolitan’s Editor in Chief. So getting to spend time with her was special for me.
Q: What is your best advice for aspiring writers?
Commit to your writing. This could mean going to a writing program, or it could mean giving yourself two hours before work of uninterrupted writing time. The key is honoring the commitment. The same way you brush your teeth, or exercise, you should decide it is something that you just do. No excuses. And, once you are used to doing it, give yourself a word count to reach. It can be 500 words a session, it can be 250. But nothing makes you feel more like a writer than actually seeing your progress.
Q: Where would be your dream vacation?
My fiance and I took a trip to Italy last year that I could do every year happily, forever. I fell madly in love with Italy’s Amalfi Coast, and can’t wait to go back.
On Trend: Lace and Sheer
I have been browsing the racks, both in-store and virtual, the past few weeks searching for my fabulous spring and summer wardrobe additions. Two trends kept popping up: lace and sheer. And I love both! Designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Roberto Cavilla showcased these looks at recent fashion shows, and clothing catalogs like Victoria Secret and Venus have their take on the trend. Dresses, shirts, skirts, and even swimsuits are celebrating the light and feminine style of sheer and lace. If you are looking to add some essentials to your closet, check out a few of my favorite pieces below.
Crunch! Yoga Body Sculpt Review
I am all about saving time, and that extends to my workouts. I knew I was needing to add another Yoga DVD to my collection, but I wanted Yoga with an oomph. I found Crunch Yoga Body Sculpt from Crunch Fitness, a brand that I have tried before and I really loved. I purchased the DVD, which promised to not only give me all the great benefits of yoga, but also tone, sculpt, and strengthen my body. Bethany Lyons, who is an AFAA and Power Yoga certified instructor, leads you through a series of yoga moves combined with sculpting moves, and it all has a very flowing feel towards it. This workout is aimed more at the beginner or intermediate levels, so I found it challenging but too much where I was frustrated. I did learn a few new moves which I enjoyed, and the ending in pigeon for a hip opener was a nice stretch. I will say that if you are a beginner, you might become confused on your breathing. Breathing is huge in yoga, and Bethany never really explains the importance or how to do it, so that would be tough. For me, I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years now so that wasn’t a problem, but I thought that should be pointed out. I also did have trouble keeping my palms together during sun salutations, but that was never a big problem. I usually ended up just separating them anyways. I thought the sculpting sessions for the buns and thighs were tough and I definitely felt it the next morning, which is always a positive sign! Overall, I thought it was a really great DVD if you are looking for some challenge in your yoga routine.
[Rating: 4]
In My Mailbox: Week of May 8
In My Mailbox: Week of May 8, 2011
Title: With Just One Click
Author: Amanda Strong
Received: From Amanda Strong/Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours
Synopsis: “Reluctance is matched with a pit in my stomach; once I joined, anyone could randomly find me … did I really want to be found?” Chloe, a successful movie reviewer and serial dater, is added as a friend by her first love … the one who left her standing at seventeen with a note in her hand as he simply walked away. Faced with a decision to confirm or ignore a person she once hated, resented … and cared for, will she risk opening old wounds and allow him back into her life? Morgan, a loyal stay-at-home mother and wife, is blindsided one day with a discovery … one of her husband’s friends is his single and very flirtatious ex-girlfriend. Overcome with jealousy and obsession, a once confident wife turns into a paranoid woman on a mission. Will she hunt for the truth at any cost and risk her once solid marriage?
Brynn, a lonely mom to two distant teenagers and workaholic husband, becomes immersed in Facebook … the one place she finds solace, hope, and herself again. When she revisits the past with one of her friends, her world is turned upside down with regret and indecision. Will her deception ultimately destroy her family?
Three lives changed forever with just one click. Confirming a friend isn’t as easy as it seems … but do these women have more in common than just Facebook?
Title: Riversong
Author: Tess Hardwick
Received: From Katherine @ BookTrope
Synopsis: When Lee Tucker’s husband commits suicide, he leaves her pregnant and one million dollars in debt to a loan shark. Out of options, she escapes to her deceased mother’s dilapidated house located in a small Oregon town that, like her, is financially ruined, heartbroken and in desperate need of a fresh start. Lee’s resilience leads to a plan for a destination restaurant named Riversong, to new chances for passion and love, and to danger from her dead husband’s debt as her business blooms.
Author Tess Hardwick assembles a colorful cast of endearing small-town characters and takes you on a journey that will make you believe in the possibilities of life – even in the face of overwhelming adversity and unimaginable grief. Lee Tucker is the kind of woman you find yourself rooting for long after the last page is read.
A surprising mix of romance, humor, friendship, intrigue and gourmet food – Riversong entertains while reminding you of life’s greatest gifts.
Title: A Proper Charlie
Author: Louise Wise
Received: From Louise Wise
Synopsis: Charlie Wallis has everything a girl could wish for. A loving boyfriend, a nice flat and a fantastic job as a journalist for London Core. Trouble is, Charlie’s boyfriend’s a waster, her job title really reads ‘clerk’ and her flat, at the top of a high-rise, isn’t that nice after all. Her new boss, Ben, is a huge bear of a man. A gentle giant, with chocolate brown eyes that hold a secret.While London Core investigates the murders of local prostitutes, Charlie wants in on the action, deciding that dressing as a hooker and walking the streets is good research.Bumping into Ben was the last thing she expected.A story of opposites not only attract, but ignite!
Interview with Emily Giffin
INTERVIEW WITH EMILY GIFFIN – TRANSCRIPT
Question: I heard in an interview last year that you said that you had a speaking part for Something Borrowed written into your contract. I was wondering if you made it into the movie at all?
Emily Giffin: I did. I don’t think it was a speaking part if I said that. I was incorrect about that, but it’s a cameo. There’s a little scene where I can be found on a park bench reading my book. It was a lot of fun to be on set.
Question: Was there a scene from the book that you knew absolutely had to be in the movie?
Emily Giffin: I felt very strongly that there should be flashbacks that we were able to see since the movie starts the night of her birthday party, and in books you can write flashbacks so easily.
I wanted to see into the night where things change and how Dex ended up going for Darcy instead of Rachel, and I wanted to see a feeling of how all of them got to this point in their lives.
They’re actually my favorite parts of the movie, those moments. Because I think we all have moments in our lives that we would look back to as a fork in the road or a turning point where we say that we took, you know, we broke up with that guy that night or we said this or we took this job or went to this school.
And so I really like that they capture the strong emotions of these moments.
Question: Are you Team Rachel or Team Darcy? Who are you pulling for?
Emily Giffin: I’m pulling for Rachel in this movie. And with this book, I’m pulling for Rachel because it’s her story. It’s really about her art and her learning to stand up for herself and go after what she wants. And so I really pull for her in that respect.
I think that there are a lot of stories where there’s definitely one person who you’re pulling for and there’s another person who you’re not supposed to like.
But I don’t feel that way about mine. I didn’t felt that way as I wrote the book, and I don’t feel that way as I watched the movie. It’s much more complicated than that. And even though I’m more on Rachel’s side, you know I don’t hate Darcy.
Question: I was really excited to talk to you because back in the day this book was passed around among all of my friends. We all read it. And I was really, really pleased with the casting from the movie.
Are you happy with the casting?
Emily Giffin: I loved the cast – the cast is fabulous. I mean, they’re so perfect. Ginnifer Goodwin, with her face and her expression and her hair, is so much like the Rachel I imagined. And John Krasinski, though a bit taller than Ethan, has that sort of original face that I had imagined for Ethan, but yet he is still very good looking. And then Dex is gorgeous! Colin Egglesfield is so beautiful that he’s actually a little better looking than the Dex in my mind. He really is often such a nice guy and that comes through. His performance is very sincere, and that was important to me.
And then Kate Hudson knocks it out of the park. She taps into Darcy like no other actress could. Hilary Swank says this, and I’m right there with her. She is the only one we wanted for Darcy. And that’s true even though her hair is the wrong color. Darcy is a brunette instead of a blonde. And yet, you forget about the physical characteristics as soon as you see her in that very first scene.
Question: I have a question about the other novels that you’ve written. You often come back and revisit characters from previous books. Had you always planned on doing that and how you are able to incorporate them back into the story?
Emily Giffin: I think in the beginning it was because I wrote the sequel and then there was a sense that there was going to be a series. I never intended to even write a sequel let alone a series. So part of it is just that I like to make my readers happy. And I like to give them updates of what’s going on with these characters that they love. And sort of answer questions like, “What do you think? Do you think Claudia and Ben had a baby? Or, do you think that Dex and Rachel still happy?” and so forth.
And so I think that’s really why I do that. And then a nice little by-product of that is to show the interrelatedness of the people. I like combining these different worlds.
Question: I have seen on Facebook that Something Blue is kind of in the works for possibly being made into a movie, and I was wondering if that one is already going to be going into production at some point in the near future?
Emily Giffin: That’s really the plan. They’re already working on the screenplay. Everyone’s on board, and Kate mentioned it yesterday. I anticipate that that will happen.
Question: What was the most exciting part about making the book into a movie?
Emily Giffin: Just seeing these characters brought to life is as thrilling to me as it is for I think my readers, and the fact that they kept this world right.
For example, when I saw the set of Rachel’s apartment and then when I actually saw the scenes, that’s exactly what her apartment looked like. And some of the details were even in a box. She was also wearing an apron at one point that I never described, but if I were going to buy an apron for Rachel for her birthday, it would have been that one.
So, that was a lot of fun to see that world brought to life in a much more visual way than it can be in a book.
Question: As a writer, I’m really fascinated by your books. You kind of go into taboo areas, and I think you’re very brave as we all think about these things. For instance, there’s Something Borrowed. I mean everyone’s thought about getting together with their best friend’s boyfriend or whatever. But you also go on in some of your other books, admitting that maybe it’s not so happy-go-lucky to be a mom, etc.
Have you had any trepidation or any fear about having some of these things out there? Like, I’m fascinated by how you were brave enough to put out stuff that maybe women wouldn’t want to hear.
Emily Giffin: Right. You know, I think I tried to create their world with multidimensional, real characters. Even though some mothers say, “I love being pregnant. Life is so rosy, and my husband and I never fight” I just don’t think that it’s realistic, and I think it’s unrealistic to think that our friends are never going to make us mad.
And we’re not going to never make mistakes and there’s never not going to be dishonesty between people. I think the trick is that we don’t abandon our friends. We would probably abandon our friends if they slept with our fiancée or our husband, but, for being imperfect, we don’t sort of get rid of those friends.
And we forgive people and we expect to be forgiven and so I like writing about this things. And then capturing the shades of gray of relationships. And people aren’t all black and white, and good people do some hurtful things. And people who are very obnoxious like Darcy can be redeemed. They can change.
I believe people can change and so at the same time that I write about all these missteps and mistakes and these unsympathetic tasks, I believe in redemption and hope and change. And I really believe in the forgiveness of our selves and of others.
And I think at that the theme of forgiveness has emerged in many of my books.
Question: You books are very dialogued. You have a lot of dialogue between your characters. I’m an editor, and it seems like I’m always trying to make a dialogue better. I just wondered if you have any tips on how to create great conversations between your characters?
Emily Giffin: I think that as writers we all have weaknesses as well as things that we’re good at, and dialogue is just something that I don’t really necessarily work that hard at. I feel like I have an ear for it. And I like it, so they just appear as these conversations in my mind. For me, it is harder to describe a room. Describing settings is something that I struggle with.
Questoin: This is sort of a silly question, but with the royal wedding coming up, we wanted to know if there was something that you would give to Kate as her Something Borrowed, for her wedding. What would you recommend?
Emily Giffin: I don’t think I have anything that Kate, a princess, would want to borrow. That’s a tricky one. I would like to get her that jelly bean though of her likeness. Did you see that on Yahoo? Some man found a Jelly Belly with a design on it that looks like her.
Google “Jelly Belly,” and it’ll return with Kate. And it’s going for $800 on eBay. It’s crazy. So I would get her the jelly bean as a gift.
Question: At this point, do you think that after Something Borrowed and Something Blue are produced, the other books will go into production?
Emily Giffin: Hopefully, yes. Four of them have been optioned. Hilary Swank and her partner, Molly Smith, also bought Heart of the Matter. So, we’re starting to talk about that script and that movie. So, yes, that’s the plan.
Question: Going back to the idea of writing about uncomfortable topics…did you have an impetus that caused you to start to write Something Borrowed? Did something happen in your life?
Emily Giffin: The story is not autobiographical at all. And all the characters, including Hillary who isn’t in the movie, aren’t based on anyone I know. I think one of the broader themes of this book is learning to follow your heart and go after what it is that you want. And for Rachel, it was telling Dex how she felt. And sort of being true to her heart in the context of a friendship and her feelings for Dex.
And for me, it was upon turning 30, I quit my job as a lawyer, moved to London and wrote this book. That was my dream and the things that I were going for the most and so, I could very much relate to the feeling of turning 30 and not being happy. What can you do to get happy? And what do you need to do to fix it? I had to take that risk. So that was more of how I related to Rachel. That and hating being a lawyer.
