A Portrait of Emily Price
What inspired
you to write your book? The idea for my new novel, A Portrait of
Emily Price, came to me while reading C.S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces.
There is a powerful scene near the end of the story when the main character,
Orual, brings her case to the gods and justifies all she has done. Yet, within
the very act of articulating her case, she realizes she hasn’t got one. It
falls at her feet as she sees everything differently. I wondered, in our world and in our time, what
might it look like for a young woman to be challenged by another way of
thinking, believing, living? What could be so enticing, and joy-filled, as to
make her yearn for something new and perhaps something better? What might
compel her to drop her guard, surrender control, and let in love? … And there
began A Portrait of Emily Price.
What is it
about? The one-liner I created
for A Portrait of Emily Price reads: After a whirlwind romance and marriage,
Emily Price heads home to Italy with her new husband to find that life at its
richest is found only when she accepts its chaotic beauty. And that’s what
I wanted to create, a whirlwind that would knock this young woman off her feet
and entice her to experience something new before reason or fear scared her
away from the adventure. And, of course, I made it more alluring for her by
offering up Italy. It’s such a sensory country – and holds that promise of
beauty, the unknown, and a rich artistic history that I knew would appeal to
Emily, and to all of us.
What do you
hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? Hope and joy. My wish is that the story
brought them an journey outside their own lives and their own towns – to come
away, as if from a lovely vacation, fully believing that one such as Emily
exists and that Italy is all they dreamed it could be.
What advice do
you have for writers? Keep writing. It sounds so simple, but it’s true.
Craft, voice, every aspect of writing is honed through the process of writing…
and writing… and more writing. I’d also add – don’t give up. The world didn’t
give your passion/desire to write so don’t let it take it away with
discouragement. It can be a very long journey – but that’s the important part,
the journey, so enjoy it!
Where do you
think the book publishing industry is heading? I think it will continue to crack open and
more good stories will reach readers. That’s what we’re seeing now – an
explosion of avenues to publication, distribution, format, and medium.
What
challenges did you have in writing your book? The challenges faced writing each and
every story are different. This was my first novel set in a town or country in
which I haven’t lived. I’ve traveled to Italy extensively, especially when we lived
in London for a few years, but I wasn’t “on the ground” during writing. I look
forward to returning, though – now more than ever.
If people can
only buy one book this month, why should it be yours? As winter comes, it’s a lovely time for
an escape – an escape into a beautiful story, set abroad, and populated with
beloved books and relatable characters that show you that you aren’t alone.
Life is complex and often messy, but joy exists… It seems that would be a good
way to spend one month’s book money.
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