Ask the Author: Barbara Delinsky
Answered Questions (25)
Barbara Delinsky
I get the ideas from life, Gloria! Life changes and evolves, and that gives me fodder for one new book, then another. BEFORE AND AGAIN, which comes out in June, is partly about the fallout of a distracted driving incident. This is a problem we didn't have ten years ago, but we sure do have it now.
Barbara Delinsky
Sarah, wow. It's been a while since I wrote FOR MY DAUGHTERS, and without going back to search through the book, I'm guessing that the wild flower you mention would be Rosa Rugosa, or beach rose. I may have included lupines in the book as well, but these would grow more on a hillside or meadow. Hope this helps! And thanks SO much for remembering this book of mine. It's one of my favorites.
Barbara Delinsky
What made me want to write in the first place? Well, the first book I wrote as a challenge. After that, I grew to like the whole creative endeavor so much that I can't imagine stopping.
As for my thoughts when I was writing each book, having written (and published) 82 books now, I fear you'll have to be more specific. The only though that is perhaps common to each book I write is whether I have the ability to make this one good. It's the old inferiority complex rearing it ugly head. Always.
As for my thoughts when I was writing each book, having written (and published) 82 books now, I fear you'll have to be more specific. The only though that is perhaps common to each book I write is whether I have the ability to make this one good. It's the old inferiority complex rearing it ugly head. Always.
Barbara Delinsky
"Gone with the Wind", yes. "Titanic," no. This probably dates me vis a vis Charlotte and Nicole. But these two movies are such classics, by any measure, that I figured they would be game. Thanks for thinking so of my books, Charlotte.
Barbara Delinsky
No, I'm so sorry. It's fictitious! A devotee of Maine, I've visited many of the little islands along the Maine coast. Quinnipeague is an amalgam, taking a little from this one, a little from that one. I'm delighted you liked the island in my book well enough to want to visit it, especially since it much be far away for you!
Barbara Delinsky
It's all of the above (less the struggle). More to come ...
Barbara Delinsky
I will pass it along! Name of store???
Barbara Delinsky
Hey, Crumb, you are SO good to ask this. It's way too early for promo plans to be made, but I'll tell my publisher you're interested. Where are you in MD?
Barbara Delinsky
Claire and Jamie, from OUTLANDER. Totally aside from the chemistry between them, Claire is a rare feminist in the mid-18th century and Jamie, in loving her, comes to respect that.
Barbara Delinsky
I live. That's it. Since my books are about the twist life throws us, all I have to do is to look around and, bingo, there's another topic!
Barbara Delinsky
Sharon, the next one is MAKING UP, and it's about ways in which we try to escape the past. I'm nearly two-thirds of the way done with the writing. Look for it in 2018.
Barbara Delinsky
If you loved NOT MY DAUGHTER, you'll also love my book, THE SECRET BETWEEN US, which focuses on the way a teenage girl struggles after telling a lie. You'll also love the book I'm writing now, which deals with teenage hacking, but you won't be able to buy it until next year. It's called MAKING UP. Make note!
Barbara Delinsky
BLUEPRINTS is the most recent, Sharon. It's about a mother and daughter who are pitted against each other when the mom is told she's too old for the job they both want. Two great love stories here. I'm currently working on MAKING UP, which asks, "Can we ever really leave the past behind?" This question has haunted me all my life!
Barbara Delinsky
Rose, ahhhh, Rose. I've totally neglected her. I had initially planned to do 4 Lake Henry books, and Rose would have had her story. But too many other plotlines and settings got in the way. That said, I haven't totally given up. I do love Lake Henry. So keep watch on my website and my other social media sites, and I'll let you know when it happens! In the meanwhile, thank you SO much for your readership.
Barbara Delinsky
Easy. Click on https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh.... Then click on "Enter Giveaway." OK?
Barbara Delinsky
Good question, Elizabeth. The simple answer is that I love Vermont. My family has vacationed there for years, so when I think of this state, I instinctively relax. When I'm writing, I'm there. Trust me, it's easier to climb the stairs to my office each morning if I like where I'm going.
On a personal note, I had a big birthday last summer. To celebrate, my sons and their families joined my husband and I for a long weekend in Woodstock, VT, and it was the very best birthday of my life, which adds to my love of this lush, green, crystal-clear-eyed state.
Besides, New England has always been my home. I try to rotate between the states here when I write. "Escape" was my last Vermont book, so it's Vermont time again.
On a personal note, I had a big birthday last summer. To celebrate, my sons and their families joined my husband and I for a long weekend in Woodstock, VT, and it was the very best birthday of my life, which adds to my love of this lush, green, crystal-clear-eyed state.
Besides, New England has always been my home. I try to rotate between the states here when I write. "Escape" was my last Vermont book, so it's Vermont time again.
Barbara Delinsky
Ooooo. I would love that! Samantha is one of my favorite secondary characters. I find her strong and sassy. Writing a book about her would be lots of fun. Right now, though, I've started a whole other book with its own cast of characters. But Samantha remains front and center on my radar screen, so perhaps after that? Thanks for the vote of confidence in Samantha's charm!
Barbara Delinsky
Asking my favorites is like making me pick between my kids. Each of my books (like my sons) is different; I love each and every one of them, albeit for different reasons. For instance, I love FOR MY DAUGHTERS because it evokes memories of my mother; I love COAST ROAD because the heroine is in a coma through 9/10 of the book, which made it a challenge to write; I love BLUEPRINTS because of Caroline's Dean. I could go on and on, but you get my drift.
As for my own reading, my tastes are eclectic. I have favorites only until the next one comes along. Same with authors. I like reading both veterans writers and debut ones. A well-written book, regardless of the author, is a joy.
As for my own reading, my tastes are eclectic. I have favorites only until the next one comes along. Same with authors. I like reading both veterans writers and debut ones. A well-written book, regardless of the author, is a joy.
Barbara Delinsky
There's a saying that 99% of inspiration is perspiration. This is no truer than when writer's block hits. I struggle, but push on. I write something, anything, knowing that what I'm writing may not work but that I'll be able to edit it later.
Here's the thing. I've come to realize that, for me at least, it's about feeling a scene. If I've been focused on writing one event and suddenly have to move on to the next one, I may not be emotionally ready. It may take me a day or two (or three of four) to get there. But I'm not wasting a writing day. So I put down some words. I delete them and put down other words. I keep editing and adding and thinking about this new scene. In time, when I reach the point of emotional readiness, the words suddenly work.
Isn't it the same about dieting? You can try and try and try. But it's only when heart, mind and body are all finally in it that it works.
Here's the thing. I've come to realize that, for me at least, it's about feeling a scene. If I've been focused on writing one event and suddenly have to move on to the next one, I may not be emotionally ready. It may take me a day or two (or three of four) to get there. But I'm not wasting a writing day. So I put down some words. I delete them and put down other words. I keep editing and adding and thinking about this new scene. In time, when I reach the point of emotional readiness, the words suddenly work.
Isn't it the same about dieting? You can try and try and try. But it's only when heart, mind and body are all finally in it that it works.
Barbara Delinsky
The best thing about being a writer? My readers. No question there. When a reader writes to say what a particular book of mine has meant to her, it's THE best. Readers have put me where I am today. I will never forget that. I write for them. Period.
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