Beatriz Williams takes us on a canoe ride overseas, plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Gail Allison


**Giveaway is now closed**

In the spring of 1992, Beatriz Williams took a college course on turn-of-the-century Europe that sparked an interest in the First World War. Fast forward to summer 2007, where she suddenly met (in her head) a dashing WWI infantry officer who has dark blond hair and plays the piano. A couple years later (summer 2009) she finished up a frantic six week writing jag that ended in the first draft of “Overseas.” Fast forward again to present day, and we’re excited to see “Overseas” being published this month! Oh...in and around all that writing stuff? Beatriz completed an MBA at Columbia, worked as a corporate and communications strategist and had four children. We’re so glad she could find some time to sit down with us!

Thanks to Penguin, we have THREE ARCs to give to some lucky readers in the US and Canada.

Visit Beatriz at her website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

Did you learn anything from writing your book? If so, what was it?
I learned a lot of things! Don't be afraid to draft quickly and let the story carry you along; you can always edit later. And don't be afraid to make your stories and characters larger than life. That's what fiction is for. Lastly, with the right amount of coffee, I can physically function on four hours of sleep, but the walls will need re-plastering.

In one sentence, what was road to publishing like?
Long and meandering, with sudden drops and breathtaking vistas, and plenty of breakdowns along the way!

If "Overseas" were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
This is a tough question for me! As a mom of four, I don't get out to see a lot of movies, and even my television is pretty limited. Kate's your girl-next-door, but with a certain timeless grace -- maybe someone like Rachel McAdams. And Eddie Redmayne, who was in My Week With Marilyn and the BBC adaptation of Birdsong, would make a gorgeous and believable Julian, though he'd have to do a little bulking up in the gym!

First chick lit novel you ever read:
"The Nanny Diaries," by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Favorite chick lit novel that's not your own:
"Twenties Girl," by Sophie Kinsella

Chick lit novel that is most like your life:
Oh, you know, the one about the mom of four who wears eight-year-old shoes and drives a minivan littered with empty juice boxes and...what's that? You say there isn't one like that?

Chick lit character you'd be best friends with:
Rachel, from "Something Borrowed." Except I'd be all hot for Dex, which is so awkward.

Would you rather have too much time or too much money?
Definitely too much time! I know at one time I used to be able to stroll around the city for a lazy afternoon, but the memory is so old it's tinted in sepia.

What is the strangest or craziest date you have ever been on?
I once went out in a canoe on the mouth of the Connecticut River with this guy who was captain of the Dartmouth heavyweight crew back in college. I figured I was safe. But first he accidentally tips the canoe over as I'm getting in, dunking me in the water. Then it turns out he hadn't factored in the tide, so we're paddling frantically back to the dock and not making any headway. For a moment there, I thought I was a goner. But I ended up marrying him, so all was not lost.

Special thanks to Beatriz for a fun and entertaining chat and to Penguin for sharing "Overseas" with our readers.

How to win "Overseas":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Which chick lit novel is most like your life?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends May 13th at midnight EST.