BookSparks University presents Guest Professor #3, Emily Liebert author of When We Fall.

Happy Homecoming week, Sparks! We are so thrilled to include Emily Liebert as one of our guest Professors for #FRC2014! Here, she answers 20 questions about her inspirations, writing experience, and a little about her self…

 

1.  What was your biggest inspiration while writing your book?

I wanted to make sure that the characters were true to life and relatable, so my inspiration came from real women and men; people who were going through the same ups and downs as so many of us do in our personal and professional lives.

 

2.  What is usually on your nightstand?

Books that I’ve been asked to blurb by fellow authors. Books that I want to read for pleasure, but rarely get the chance to! And trashy magazines. Guilty pleasure!

 

3.  Which character in your book is most like yourself?

There’s a bit of Charlotte, Allison, and Elizabeth in me, but none of them are based solely on me.

 

4.  Which authors have most influenced your writing?

Judy Blume, Jane Green, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner, and Sarah Pekkanen

 

5.  What is your favorite scene in your novel?

The big throw down scene at the gala toward the end! I’m all about the drama!!

 

6.  What do you think is your lead character’s best trait?

Allison’s best trait is being able to stay true to who she is.

 

7.  Are any characters in your book based on a real person?

Yes, Charlotte and Allison are both based on friends of mine.

 

8.  What’s something your readers would be surprised to know about you?

I love taking long motorcycle rides with my husband (I sit on the back!).

 

9.  Where is your favorite place to write?

My home office, preferably when no one else is in the house!

 

10.  What did you want to be when you grew up?

A journalist and writer. Mission accomplished!

 

11.  What is your favorite book of all time?

Charlotte’s Web. Hands down.

 

12.  When is your birthday?

May 28th. Gemini baby! And, yes, I definitely do have two personalities.

 

13.  What is your dream vacation?

As a former travel writer, I’ve taken some rock star vacations, so I’m going to go simple here. Someplace warm. With fruity cocktails. And, although I love them dearly…without my kids! That said, I’m not someone who can lay on a beach or by a pool all day and neither is my husband, so it would also have to be someplace with enough activity, great food, and an interesting town to meander through.

 

14.  Describe your writing style in three words.

Concise, authentic, character-driven

 

15. When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?

I don’t think about the meaning of the actual name itself, but I do tend to pick names of people I admire (or don’t!). Since I have two sons, most of my female characters’ names come from my “girls list” when I was pregnant and didn’t know the sex yet!

 

16. What is your main character’s favorite song?

“Hey Jude” by The Beatles. It’s not in the book, but I just know.

 

17. Any recent works that you admire?

Sarah Healy’s House of Wonder

 

18.  If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be?

I could never co-write a novel, but I would LOVE to co-write a cookbook with Jane Green.

 

19.  How have your personal experiences affected your writing?

In every way possible. I write about what I know, my own experiences, and the experiences of my friends and family.

 

20.  What is your writing process?

When I’m in writing mode, I’m at my computer 4-5 days/week for about 4-5 hours/day from the mid-late morning to the early afternoon. I develop an outline before I start a book, but it’s become less detailed over time. As long as I know who my characters are and what their plot trajectories will be, I’m good to go.

 

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