It's Happy Release Day to author Sarah Jio, whose charming book "The Violets of March" comes out today!
Sarah was sweet enough to take a few minutes out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about her writing and upcoming projects!
Sharon: At what age did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
Sarah: From birth! No, probably as early as the first grade. This is when I wrote my very first “book.” I’ll tell you the title, but don’t laugh, OK? Ready? The book was called “A Tug Boat’s Dream.” Back then, I thought that tug boats were pretty swell. Turns out, though, that this little book one me an award in a Young Author competition way back when on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. And, as crazy as this is, 25 or so years later, I’m going back to that same campus, to Garfield Book Company, where I’ll be reading from my very first novel, published this month by Penguin. Talk about a full-circle moment!
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| See the end of this post for your chance to win a copy of this wonderful book! |
(Here’s a link to the event info for Northwest readers - http://luteworld.plu.edu/ePOS?store=541&item_number=W47496&form=shared3%2fgm%2fdetail.html&design=541)
Sharon: At what point in your career did it finally sink in – “hey, I’m famous,” and did it make a difference in your writing?
Sharon: At what point in your career did it finally sink in – “hey, I’m famous,” and did it make a difference in your writing?
Sarah: Oh my goodness, I actually have the opposite experience. Instead of feeling famous, I have “imposter syndrome.” I feel so shy calling myself a “novelist” or even an “author”--like I’m 9 years old trying on my mom’s high-heeled shoes. I recently sold my second novel, The Bungalow, again to Penguin, so I figure the title is bound to sink in at some point. :)
Sharon: Who are some of your favorite authors? Who inspires you?
Sarah: I have a zillion favorite authors, as so many of us do. The great Maeve Binchy, as well as L.M. Montgomery have been lifelong faves, but I’d add Tracey Chevalier, Audrey Niffenegger, and Tatiana de Rosnay to the list, too. In terms of inspiration, the people who provide the most of it, for me, are my family members. It is in their smiles and stories that I find glimmers of new novels brewing.
Sharon: What do you have coming up in the future?
Sarah: My second novel, The Bungalow, will be out in April of 2012. I am so proud of and excited about this book, which is the story of a woman, who, at the very end of her life receives a letter that forces her to confront the haunting and bittersweet memories of her past in the South Pacific during World War II—particularly an unfinished love, an unspeakable tragedy and a mysterious beach bungalow at the heart of it all. I’m also at work on my third novel, which I just can’t wait to tell you more about. For now, I’ll just share that it’s my most emotionally gripping novel yet. The story is making me weep as I write it. I’ll be thanking Kleenex in the acknowledgement pages for getting me through.
Sharon: What advice would you have for anyone wanting to break into the writing biz today?
Sarah: My advice would be to only sit down to write a novel that you LOVE. In other words, if the story you’ve thought up/are trying to write doesn’t grab you and absolutely haunt you to your core, then it’s a.) probably going to be a big pain to write, and b.) readers will likely be able to tell that you didn’t love it (and if you didn’t love it, why should they?!). I’ve scrapped several starts to new novels because I didn’t fall in love with them the way I should have. For a writer, finding the right story is a little like dating. You kiss a lot of frogs before you find THE ONE. And when it’s love, you know. So when it comes to stories, don’t settle for less. Wait until magic happens. And, with patience, it will.
To read my review of Sarah's amazing book - http://sharonsgardenofbookreviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-violets-of-march-by-sarah-jio.html
GIVEAWAY!
To help Sarah celebrate her release day, I have one copy of "The Violets Of March" to giveaway to one commentor of this post!
Just leave your name and email address on a comment below, and I'll draw for a winner on Sunday, May 1st!
