Today I'm thrilled to welcome debut author Lindsay Eland! I will be interviewing her about her upcoming novel Scones and Sensibility, her thoughts on playing cupid, and delicious baked goods!
Let's get started.
In Scones and Sensibility, Polly Madassa reads authors like Jane Austen and wishes she were born in a more romantic time. One where gentlemen were gallant and fell in love with intelligent women of beauty and charm. Do you ever wish you could live in a different time period like Polly does? What era would you want to travel to, and what would you do when there?
Umm yes…just about everyday! Don’t get me wrong, I love the present day with cars, computers, the Internet, and espresso machines, but I’d LOVE to live in Regency England with all the elegant dresses, accents, society, food, candlelight, and horses. Of course, my daydreaming never includes annoying and constricting undergarments, snooty and unbearable society, or stepping in horse poop, so I know I over-romanticize that time period. But still, the dresses! The dresses!
What gave you that first initial spark to write your book? Do you remember the first words you wrote and are they still in Scones and Sensibility?
The spark for Scones was probably two-fold. A lot of middle grade/tween girl main characters seem to be a tad on the tom boyish side. This is wonderful and I’ve written characters like this as well. But obviously not all girls are tom boys, right? What about the girls who love ribbons and bows and adore fancy and elegant things? Thinking about this was what made Polly first come alive for me. Her “voice” came to me next one afternoon when my daughter’s best friend was over playing. Her friend is very dramatic and expressive and hilarious and charming all at the same time. I imagined Polly speaking to her best friend (much like my daughter’s friend does) with her hand upon her heart declaring they were “kindred spirits forever.” Thus, Scones was born! And though I can’t remember the very first words I wrote for Scones, writing the novel was so much fun and was the easiest thing I have ever written. I just couldn’t wait to get back to my computer to find out what Polly was going to say or do next!
After reading Pride & Prejudice, Polly believes her true calling is to play matchmaker to young lovers in the small seaside town in which she lives. Have you ever tried to play cupid with anyone you know and if so, how did it work out?
Thank God I haven’t. There have been times I’ve thought mischievously to myself, “I think that he would be perfect for her” but I’ve seen enough of my imaginary matches play out unsuccessfully to know that I’m not good at it at all!
Scones and Sensibility has a lot to do with pastries and yummy baked goods. In your opinion, what is the best pastry or bakery item in the world?
Definitely chocolate éclairs, though chocolate croissants are a close second and pumpkin bread following in third. Gosh…I’m making myself hungry now.
Polly’s summer job is to deliver baked goods for her parent’s bakery. When you were a teenager like Polly, did you ever have any summer or after school jobs? If so, can you tell us which one you liked the best and which one you liked the least?
My parents never let me or my sisters have jobs during the school year so I was very lucky in that respect. Summers were a different story and we were expected to find something to occupy ourselves with. One of my summers in high school I traveled to India for two months, which was absolutely wonderful and heartbreaking and amazing at the same time. Another summer I worked for my dad at his dental office helping with developing x-rays and preparing the rooms for patients. And another summer I worked at a small clothing and shoe shop called Moshoo in my town. Obviously the best job I had was having “no job” at all, but I really enjoyed all those summer jobs and didn’t really not like any of them. Besides, every experience for a writer is material for a book!
You have four young children – how do you find the time to write with what must be a very hectic schedule?
My kids are very close in age (the farthest a part is between my second and third and they are about 17 months a part) so they were all pretty young when I first started writing. Every day since I started writing, which was about six years ago, my kids have all had a rest time in the afternoon from around one o’clock to four o’clock. That hasn’t changed now that they’re older. They’re all really close friends and so around one or so, they all go upstairs, downstairs or outside and I get to have a good two-three hours of writing time. Obviously some days are less, other days are more, and some days there is no time at all…but I make do with what I’m given that day and at least a little bit gets done one way or another.
Do you have any rituals when you write (such as a favorite cup of coffee to drink, music to listen to, or cozy nook to tuck yourself away in, etc)?
Yes! I love rituals. I always have my notebooks, reading glasses, my favorite pens (Helix architecture 0.5), and an iced mocha sitting beside me. Also, there has to be some kind of chocolate somewhere in the house that I can reward myself with!
When you found out Scones and Sensibility was going to be published, what did you do to celebrate?
Me and my husband ordered some food in from one of our favorite restaurants and…drumroll…I got to go down to Denver and pick out my brand new laptop which I adore!
If Scones and Sensibility were to be made into a movie, who do you perceive playing Polly?
First off, that would be so incredibly wonderful! And secondly, I’d love for Dakota Fanning to play her role. Did I mention that would be so exciting?
What can we look forward to next from the very talented Lindsay Eland? Can you give us any inside scoop on what you are currently working on?
Well, I’m currently working on two manuscripts right now. They are both humorous middle grade/tween novels and I’m having fun writing both of them. The first has to do with omelets, monks, and the Virgin Mary and the other is about food because…well, all my books seem to have some kind of a food theme in them. I’m also whipping up an outline for a sequel to Scones in hopes that everyone will love it so very much I’ll need to write another!
Thank you so much for having me!
In Scones and Sensibility, Polly Madassa reads authors like Jane Austen and wishes she were born in a more romantic time. One where gentlemen were gallant and fell in love with intelligent women of beauty and charm. Do you ever wish you could live in a different time period like Polly does? What era would you want to travel to, and what would you do when there?
Umm yes…just about everyday! Don’t get me wrong, I love the present day with cars, computers, the Internet, and espresso machines, but I’d LOVE to live in Regency England with all the elegant dresses, accents, society, food, candlelight, and horses. Of course, my daydreaming never includes annoying and constricting undergarments, snooty and unbearable society, or stepping in horse poop, so I know I over-romanticize that time period. But still, the dresses! The dresses!
What gave you that first initial spark to write your book? Do you remember the first words you wrote and are they still in Scones and Sensibility?
The spark for Scones was probably two-fold. A lot of middle grade/tween girl main characters seem to be a tad on the tom boyish side. This is wonderful and I’ve written characters like this as well. But obviously not all girls are tom boys, right? What about the girls who love ribbons and bows and adore fancy and elegant things? Thinking about this was what made Polly first come alive for me. Her “voice” came to me next one afternoon when my daughter’s best friend was over playing. Her friend is very dramatic and expressive and hilarious and charming all at the same time. I imagined Polly speaking to her best friend (much like my daughter’s friend does) with her hand upon her heart declaring they were “kindred spirits forever.” Thus, Scones was born! And though I can’t remember the very first words I wrote for Scones, writing the novel was so much fun and was the easiest thing I have ever written. I just couldn’t wait to get back to my computer to find out what Polly was going to say or do next!
After reading Pride & Prejudice, Polly believes her true calling is to play matchmaker to young lovers in the small seaside town in which she lives. Have you ever tried to play cupid with anyone you know and if so, how did it work out?
Thank God I haven’t. There have been times I’ve thought mischievously to myself, “I think that he would be perfect for her” but I’ve seen enough of my imaginary matches play out unsuccessfully to know that I’m not good at it at all!
Scones and Sensibility has a lot to do with pastries and yummy baked goods. In your opinion, what is the best pastry or bakery item in the world?
Definitely chocolate éclairs, though chocolate croissants are a close second and pumpkin bread following in third. Gosh…I’m making myself hungry now.
Polly’s summer job is to deliver baked goods for her parent’s bakery. When you were a teenager like Polly, did you ever have any summer or after school jobs? If so, can you tell us which one you liked the best and which one you liked the least?
My parents never let me or my sisters have jobs during the school year so I was very lucky in that respect. Summers were a different story and we were expected to find something to occupy ourselves with. One of my summers in high school I traveled to India for two months, which was absolutely wonderful and heartbreaking and amazing at the same time. Another summer I worked for my dad at his dental office helping with developing x-rays and preparing the rooms for patients. And another summer I worked at a small clothing and shoe shop called Moshoo in my town. Obviously the best job I had was having “no job” at all, but I really enjoyed all those summer jobs and didn’t really not like any of them. Besides, every experience for a writer is material for a book!
You have four young children – how do you find the time to write with what must be a very hectic schedule?
My kids are very close in age (the farthest a part is between my second and third and they are about 17 months a part) so they were all pretty young when I first started writing. Every day since I started writing, which was about six years ago, my kids have all had a rest time in the afternoon from around one o’clock to four o’clock. That hasn’t changed now that they’re older. They’re all really close friends and so around one or so, they all go upstairs, downstairs or outside and I get to have a good two-three hours of writing time. Obviously some days are less, other days are more, and some days there is no time at all…but I make do with what I’m given that day and at least a little bit gets done one way or another.
Do you have any rituals when you write (such as a favorite cup of coffee to drink, music to listen to, or cozy nook to tuck yourself away in, etc)?
Yes! I love rituals. I always have my notebooks, reading glasses, my favorite pens (Helix architecture 0.5), and an iced mocha sitting beside me. Also, there has to be some kind of chocolate somewhere in the house that I can reward myself with!
When you found out Scones and Sensibility was going to be published, what did you do to celebrate?
Me and my husband ordered some food in from one of our favorite restaurants and…drumroll…I got to go down to Denver and pick out my brand new laptop which I adore!
If Scones and Sensibility were to be made into a movie, who do you perceive playing Polly?
First off, that would be so incredibly wonderful! And secondly, I’d love for Dakota Fanning to play her role. Did I mention that would be so exciting?
What can we look forward to next from the very talented Lindsay Eland? Can you give us any inside scoop on what you are currently working on?
Well, I’m currently working on two manuscripts right now. They are both humorous middle grade/tween novels and I’m having fun writing both of them. The first has to do with omelets, monks, and the Virgin Mary and the other is about food because…well, all my books seem to have some kind of a food theme in them. I’m also whipping up an outline for a sequel to Scones in hopes that everyone will love it so very much I’ll need to write another!
Thank you so much for having me!
Thank you Lindsay for taking the time to talk with us and I know we're all looking forward to Scones and Sensibility!
About Scones and Sensibility-
Polly Madassa is convinced she was born for a more romantic time. A time when Elizabeth Bennet and Anne of Green Gables walked along the moors and beaches of the beautiful land, a time where a distinguished gentleman called upon a lady of quality and true love was born in the locked eyes of two young lovers.
But alas, she was not.
This, however, does not stop our young heroine from finding romance wherever she can conjure it up. So while Polly is burdened with a summer job of delivering baked goods from her parents bakery (how quaint!) to the people in her small beach town, she finds a way to force…um…encourage romance to blossom. She is determined to bring lovers, young and old, together…whether they want to be or not.
SCONES AND SENSIBILITY will be released December 22nd 2009! Click HERE to pre-order the book!
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20 comments:
Hi :)
Thanks for having a great interview with a terrific author. The book sounds intriguing and the character of Polly sounds great. I'm definitely going to read this book.
Love From Canada
twitter.com/RKCharron
xoxo
This sounds really good and FUN! I may need to keep this one on my radar!
Congratulations on your first interview. NICELY DONE!
Thanks guys! Lindsay was great to interview and a lot of fun! I'm also really looking forward to this book! :)
What a great interview! She is my hero, four children and still finding the time to write an amazing book! I need some of her energy. I defintely need to read this book as it sounds very unique and fun. Thanks for the info!
Awesome interview! I will definitely need to check this book out. :)
Your interview with this author sounds cozy and wonderfully down-to-earth. Love the image of her rituals for writing—the iced mocha, etc.
BTW—love the look of this site!
Dude that was a really really good interview!!! She seemed really easy to talk to which makes it even more awesome!!!
Jenn
This interview was so fun to read! I'm definitely going to get myself a copy of Scones! Thanks so much for posting!
Sophia
This was a wonderful interview, Kim! You asked all the right questions so much that I'd love to read this book myself. I am big fan of this era as well and look forward to reading Ms. Eland's books. Great job!! :-)
~Tricia
Great interview. Your questions were thoughtful and we got to see some of the author's personality come through!
Wow, that was a great interview! I feel out-done, lol. You asked some amazing questions, and I loved the answers. This book looks like it's going to be really good, and I honestly have to add it to my wishlist.
Jenni@Falling Off The Shelf
what a wonderful interview. I always love it when authors sound so down to earth and fun. i'm gonna have to check this book out. it sound so cute and clever. love and pastries...you cant get better than that!! :)
Great interview! Who would have thought it was your first? Not me. :)
Thanks everyone! I appreciate all your positive feedback and I agree- Scones & Sensibility looks so great! Definitely on my wish list!
What a wonderful interview. Lindsay Eland seems to have a lot of fun writing her books. She's an exciting author with worthwhile reads!
Great interview! And I think Lindsay is my long lost fraternal twin. I have 4 little kids close in age and I write with an iced mocha by my side too! And of course, I have a matchmaking book too but with coffee. Spooky huh?
I can't wait to read Lindsay's book!
Kim, excellent job! You should do this full time. You are great at this. Love ya, Dad
Kim -- Great interview. This sounds like a great read and what a fabulous cover!
Hi everyone, thanks for all the positive feedback! I'm really excited for this book and can't wait to see her future ones as well!
Kristina--I think it's so ironic how many similarities you guys have! :)
Kim thank you for a great interview! I am really looking forward to reading and reviewing this book now! This is my first visit to your blog and I have to say, I'll be lurking for a while, you have some great stuff here!
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