A: They have great positive energy, they're all about books, and we love them both!
Today, they're here with an exclusive interview they did together and we're excited to share it with you. Emily also has THREE copies of her latest novel, When We Fall, for some lucky US readers! (And Jennifer is doing a US/Canada giveaway for this book, as well!)
Introduction and interview by Jennifer Tropea O'Regan
Emily Liebert is an award-winning author and TV personality. Her debut novel, You Knew Me When (Penguin), published exactly a year ago to rave reviews! Her first non-fiction book, Facebook Fairytales, is available across the globe.
Emily's second novel, When We Fall (Penguin Random House), was just published yesterday! At its heart, this poignant novel examines the complex bonds between women—mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. I sat down with my dear friend for an exclusive interview for CLC. Toting her addicting charm, vivacious smile, and new book (which I devoured in two days!), Emily dishes out her real life story... a bestseller in and of itself.
Visit Emily at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
Tell us the story behind the story. How did you come up with the plot for When We Fall?
The plot follows two leading ladies—Allison and Charlotte. Allison has recently moved back to her hometown in the suburbs of New York over a decade after her husband died, which was just two weeks before she found out she was pregnant with their son Logan. Charlotte, on the other hand, is someone who seems to have it all—a devoted husband, a beautiful little girl, and enough financial security to never have to worry. But behind her “perfect” façade lie a strained marriage and a fractured relationship with her sister.
Both Allison and Charlotte are loosely based on women in my own life. That’s the well I draw from—I also happen to live in a suburb of Manhattan, so I know a thing or two about the world they live in.
As far as the plot, I typically build that around the characters I create. With this book, my goal was to develop real, flawed “people” who readers would love, love to hate, and identify with all at the same time.
I wanted to be very respectful in handling the concept of loss, especially the gut-wrenchingly profound loss of a significant other at such a young age. I did a lot of research and, I can only hope, I got it at least somewhat right.
What is the message you want readers to take away from your novel?
That they’re not alone in the things that they go through in their relationships with significant others, friends, and family members. And that, at the end of the day, you have to remain true to yourself and not allow other people or circumstances to stand in the way of your happiness.
You have two BEAUTIFUL young boys. How do you balance writing and motherhood?
Thank you! But, balance? What’s that? I do the best I can. My kids are my first priority. Though, sometimes work does get in the way. There’s a lot of “mom guilt!!” That said, it also nourishes me that my kids know I have a career I’m passionate about. And that it’s a career that allows mommy to pick them up from school and take them for ice cream on any old Tuesday. (Except book launch Tuesday!)
What books are on your nightstand currently?
ALL FALL DOWN by Jennifer Weiner and BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarity
You and I have dished about being reality TV junkies. What’s your guilty pleasure? What are you recording on your DVR currently?
Here’s where it gets real. Let’s do this…I’m always recording whichever Real Housewives seasons are on (Orange County rules!). This, naturally, comes with Watch What Happens Live (obsessed with Andy Cohen). Not to be forgotten, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, E! News, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Food Network Star, and Top Chef…I could go on, but I’ll spare everyone. I also watch Homeland. And the news. Does that redeem me?!
How do you maintain your incredible physique?
I’m not sure it’s incredible, but you’ve just been upgraded to my best friend in the whole wide world! I do work at it; I’m not going to lie. My rear end is in classes at Pure Barre Westport about six days a week. “Lift, Tone, Burn” (LTB). I should tattoo it on my posterior. And I play some tennis when I can. Mainly because I love my little Nike tennis dress. Watch out Serena!
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, whom would you choose?
My maternal grandfather at my age. Now there’s a brain I’d like to pick. Not to mention that I’d give anything for one last chance to spend time with him.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about his or her work?
Don’t do this to me! I have to say four. The first is Jane Green. Unfailingly, she creates the most true-to-life characters. She’s never disappointed me, even fifteen books later. Jennifer Weiner. I wish my brain took me the places that hers does (I think!). She’s a phenomenal storyteller. Emily Giffin because her books make me want to stay in bed all day long, reading from start to finish. And she’s amazing with dialogue. And, last but definitely not least, Sarah Pekkanen. There’s something so unique about her style. Her books stay with you. The characters are people you know.
What are your current projects?
I’m in edits on my fourth book, THOSE SECRETS WE KEEP, which will publish in June 2015. And I’m about to start writing my fifth book which will come out in Spring 2016. You keep on reading…I’ll keep on writing!
Thanks to Jennifer and Emily for this awesome interview! Thanks also to Emily for sharing her book with our readers!
How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
US only. Giveaway ends September 8th at midnight EST.
39 comments:
This is probably one of my favorite interviews in a long time. I am really looking forward to reading Emily's new book. My favorite guilty pleasure from a favorite decade would have been in the 80s (since you got me thinking about it with a previous post) are the movies of the 80s and also the fun music (which I still listen to today).
I would say the late 70s and early 80s were some of the best times for me--attending college, graduating from college and marrying my husband. Lots of adventures.
bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com
I think the 80's! It's the decade I remember as being fun and carefree!
Probably the 70's were my most unbridled and unthinking fun years. oops. :)
My guilty pleasure from the early 80's was Sonic drive in onion rings- yum
The 80's. No responsibilities. Graduated high school and college, also got married. Enjoying life and loving it.
What a great interview! I have nostalgia for 80's music, movies, and food....brings back happy memories!
My favorite....late 60's, early 70's..."definitely the music!!!
mauback55 at gmail dot com
Thanks, everyone! Such a privilege to interview the exquisite Emily and pay a visit to my book sisters, Melissa and Amy! :)
Living in Chicago - Ed Debevic's - yum!! Guilty to the point of no return!!
My favorite decade was the 60s. I had so much fun being a teen then.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Late 80s early 90s. Right after I graduated high school and I started college. I blossomed into my young co-ed body and could actually wear a bikini. I had always been plump and awkward as a teen so this was a good turn of fate for me at the right time.
I eat too much chocolate, but it does make me feel better when I am blue
Cyndi Lauper and other 80's music
Wonderful post. My favorite was the 1950's, simple, beautiful, easy and the most wonderful.
I guess the 90's when I was in middle school and elementary school. I just miss being a kid and having no worries. Good times.
My favorite nostalgic decade would have to be the 60s. Peace, love and good vibes, man.
You can guess the guilty pleasure. I'll give you a hint, it's legal in Colorado.
When I was on a cruise several years ago, I had the first martini of my life. It was a lemon drop martini and was absolutely delicious. Since then on special occasions, I enjoy ordering one when we go out. Yummy!
My favorite would be the 60's, the music was great.
My guilty pleasure is watching my soaps (GH and Y&R ).
Started watching them in the 70's with my mom and still watch them everyday!!
like the music from the 80s
Chocolate is my ultimate guilty pleasure
My favorite would be the 70's, it is when I met and married my husband. Thanks for having the giveaway.
My favorite guilty pleasure is watching Teen Titans Go. I'm hoping that this will be my favorite decade.
The 80's were a lot of fun.
I enjoyed the late 70's early '80's. I remember my freshman year in high school, at lunch we would leave the school and walk into town where the local pharmacy actually had a soda bar. They made the greatest hot fudge sundaes ever!!
I love all my music from the '80s new wave bands. Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Smiths, Pet Shop Boys, etc. I listen to it on Sirius XM 1st Wave whenever I'm in the car. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
Suzy
My guilty pleasure is the tv of the 90's: melrose place, beverly hills 90210 and THIRTYSOMETHING! Maybe Allie McBeal as well: I remember watching these shows and then calling my friend to discuss (on a land line!).
I was born in 1991, so are little kids allowed to have guilty pleasures?
I would say my guilty pleasure was my huge collection of Barbie dolls. I had so many and it could entertain me for hours playing with them.
fishiegirl22@yahoo.com
For sure the 80s! I grew up in the 80s and I loved it!
I would say I LOVE the movies from the 80s! Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Sixteen Candles, I could go on!!
The 60's -- so much was going on then and I like music. I love listening to 60's music on Sirius
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Love old movies and music like from the 40's!
Loved the music of the 70's. Billy Joel, Elton John, and the like.
watching Y&R after high school in the 90's
Late 70's early 80's. This was the end of high school and pre mommy hood. Life was simple and full of possibilities!
I would choose late 60s/early 70s. I love the music of those years and I was married and became a mother during that time!
As a child of the 80's, I still have a soft spot for the music of the decade, whether top 40 hits or techno. I have iPod playlists featuring lots of my favorite artists from that era, though I do stay current and can be found singing along with all of today's hot tracks played by my local top 40 station or blasting EDM.
Post a Comment