Saturday, January 17, 2015

Q & A With Susan Meissner & Giveaway

Susan Meissner is the multi-published author of seventeen books, including A Fall of Marigolds, named to Booklist’s Top Ten Women’s Fiction titles for 2014, and The Shape of Mercy, named one of the 100 Best Novels in 2008 by Publishers Weekly. She is also a speaker and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. She and her husband make their home in Southern California.

1. Susan, tell us where the idea for Secrets of a Charmed Life came from.
The story began first as an image in my head of an impoverished girl on the brink of adulthood sketching wedding dresses in the tiny bedroom she shares with a younger half-sister. I could see her in my mind’s eye imagining a life far different from the one she is living. She wants a fairy tale life where love and comfort and happiness are in abundance, and for her, that charmed life begins with a wedding dress worn on that blissful day a girl’s childhood dreams come true. I decided to set her in London at the start of the war because I knew that even for a young woman not yet sixteen, war is a crucible. It is a tester of dreams and desires and determination. I knew the London Blitz was an opposition that would bring out the very best and the very worst in this girl, as war so often does.
2. What is the story about, in a nutshell?
Like many of my other novels, Secrets of a Charmed Life is historical fiction framed by a contemporary layer that links to a story in the past. An American college student named Kendra, who is studying abroad at Oxford, interviews Blitz survivor Isabel McFarland just when the elderly woman is ready to give up secrets she has kept all her life – beginning with who she really is. The story then takes the reader to England in 1940. An unprecedented war against London’s civilian population is about to take place and half a million children are evacuated to foster homes in the countryside. Fifteen-year-old Emmy Downtree and her much younger sister Julia find refuge in a charming Cotswold cottage, but Emmy’s burning ambition to return to the city and apprentice with a fashion designer pits her against Julia’s profound need for her sister’s presence. The sisters’ lives are forever changed when—acting at cross purposes—they secretly return to London on the first day of the Blitz.
3. What drew you to include in your story the evacuation of London’s children?
Prior to researching for this book, I was only minimally aware of what London’s parents did to keep their children safe during World War II. I’d long ago read C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia and I knew the four children in those stories had been sent out of London into the countryside at the start of the war. But I didn’t know that for tens of thousands of children just like them that stay in the countryside lasted for the duration of the war. We’re talking five years. How difficult it must have been for the parents and their kids to be separated from each other – with just occasional visits – for half a decade, and during a time of fear, danger, and deprivation. From a storyteller’s standpoint, the emotional pull of this situation is intense. I knew I wanted to explore what this scenario might have been like for two young sisters.
4. Is this a book about sisters, then?
It is that, but it is also a book about mothers and daughters, and other family bonds as they relate to children. The universe of children is rather small – home and family are pretty much their world. They don’t always see how their decisions are impacted by the decision of others, nor do they have much frame of reference for war, which is an especially cruel teacher to a child.
5. What is the significance of Emmy’s wedding dress sketches?
Those bridal gown designs represent Emmy’s naïve notions about the happily-ever-after life that she believes begins for a girl on the day she wears a dress emblematic of bliss and perfection. Emmy sees her unwed mother as someone on whom fate has frowned and that she is somewhat to blame for that. Emmy’s vision for her future is to rise above the constraints of her mother’s unlucky life. But those sketches blind her at first to the larger forces at work. And there are always larger forces at work.
6. What were you most surprised by in your research for Secrets of a Charmed Life?
I think many of us who were born after World War II have a limited understanding of what England suffered because there were so many other more shocking situations, like the slaughter of millions of Jews, the occupations of nations like Poland and France, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the storming at the beach at Normandy, and the Bataan Death March, to name just a few. I didn’t realize the magnitude of what London suffered until I took a closer look. The city was never occupied by Hitler’s forces but it was bombed relentlessly. Seven of Christopher Wren’s beautiful churches were destroyed, as were thousands upon thousands of homes. More than sixty thousand civilians were killed in the whole of the British Isles. Those are staggering losses. And yet the British people were and are resilient. Their rallying cry of Keep Calm and Carry On (I truly can’t stand trivializations of this motto!) is truly the hallmark of that resiliency. You can go to London’s East End now and see street after street of 1950’s-era buildings, framed by a quiet horizon of much older buildings that the war did not flatten. London, Coventry and the other bombed cities rebuilt what was destroyed and moved on. The memories of the war aren’t in the streets but in the museums, and in national cemeteries, and sometimes, if you look closely enough, in the faces of those who survived it.

7. What would you especially like readers to take away from Secrets of a Charmed Life?
The title of this book, which I love, is meant to cause the reader to wonder if there really are secrets to living a life that has happily-ever-after written all over it. The title seems to suggest there are hidden truths to being able to have everything you’ve always wanted. But in actuality, and what I hope readers will take away, is that a happy life is not made up of what you have chased and achieved, but rather who you have poured your life into, who has poured their life into yours, and the difference you’ve made in the lives of others. Most of the dreams we pursue don’t have intrinsic worth, but people always do.  It’s not a perfect world, and we can only play our own hand of cards – if you will – but if we play the hand as best we can with love for others as the motivation, I think we can rest content.   

8. What are you working on right now?

My next book is set primarily in Hollywood’s golden age, specifically in 1939 when a treasure trove of timeless movies was released, including the most iconic movie of all time, Gone With The Wind. Two studio secretaries who become friends on the set of this movie forge a tale of love, desire, and survival that hints at the dynamic between the characters Scarlett and Melanie. The contemporary thread features a woman whose vintage clothing shop specializes in updated designs of classic Hollywood fashions. When her version of the infamous Gone With the Wind curtain dress is photographed for a local newspaper, a surprising delivery comes her way that ushers the reader back to old Hollywood and the two studio secretaries who, like Scarlett O’Hara, must decide what they are willing to do to get what they want most. The novel will release in February 2016 and is tentatively titled Stars Over Sunset Boulevard. I’ve always loved the movie Gone With the Wind; the sound track alone can stop me in my tracks. It has been a wonderful experience researching the details of how this film came to be made. Like most unprecedented endeavors, there was plenty of drama!

******************************
Now for the giveaway...

Susan has graciously offered to supply an autographed copy of Secrets of a Charmed Life to one of my readers who leaves a comment on this post. So please see the rules below.

1. Giveaway is open to US and Canada

2.  No PO Boxes please.

3.  Answer my questions below for one entry - +1..

4.  For extra entries you may do one or all of the following & be sure to mention it in your      comment:
    -- become a Google Friends Connect follower of my blog +2
    -- become an email subscriber +1
    -- invite a friend to become a follower of my blog.  If they become a follower & mention your name, you will both receive 5 extra entries

5. Include an email address where I can reach you if you are selected as the winner of this giveaway.  Please enter your email address in this format    winner[at]yahoo[dot]com

To make sure your entry counts, please answer the following questions:

What is your favorite book set during WWII

Do you have a favorite author for the WWII time period?
Have you ever heard about the London Blitz before?


Giveaway will run through February 3rd (release day), and one winner will be selected to win an autographed copy of Secrets of a Charmed Life. Good luck! It is an awesome book!


Smiles & Blessings,


  


29 comments:

  1. I liked The Butterfly and the Violin.
    Kristy Cambron is the author.
    No I don't recall having having heard about the London Blitz until I read about Secrets of a Charmed Life.. I would enjoy reading this book..
    I follow by e-mail & GFC :) dkstevensne[at]outlook[DoTCOm]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Deanna, I liked The Butterfly and the Violin as well. Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
    2. I'm thinking Google does not want my comment, but third times a charm, right? Susan is a great author, and I'd love to win. The Butterfly and the Violin was lovely. I had heard of the London Blitz but did not know so many children were sent to the country. I follow by email mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom and GFC

      Delete
    3. You are so right Marianne. Susan is a wonderful writer and I loved The Butterfly and the Violin. Sarah Sundin also writes some fantastic WWII fiction. Good luck in the drawing~

      Delete
  2. My favorite book set in WWII is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. I love the description of Susan's new book, it is going on my wish list!
    I'm a follower via GFC-Merry
    I'm subscriber.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Merry. I have heard The Guersey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a good book. I will have to check into getting a copy. Good luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  3. Currently my favorite WWII book and author is Butterfly and Violin by Kristy Cambron. Amazing!
    I have heard of the London blitz as my grandmother was from UK and lived there during the war.

    I follow via email

    I follow via GFC

    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Amy, The Butterfly and the Violin was amazing. It resides on my "keeper shelf". Good luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  4. Hello. Hard to say I have a favorite author or even story, I love the WW ll era for my oldest brother, two brothers-in-law, and other relatives and family friends served in that war. I remember a lot tho I was only 9 or 10. Listening to my folks and the radio. Guess I would say The Love Letters by Susan Sundin and The Danforths of Lancashire series by Murray Pura. #1 Ashton Park, #2Beneath the Dover Sky, and #3 London Sky. And, yes, I have heard about the London Blitz. Was a rough war. Would love to win. Maxie
    > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Maxie, I haven't read any of the books you have mentioned so I guess I'll be scanning the bookshelves to pick up a copy. I love reading books set during WWII. Good luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  5. I read a powerful book Saving Amelia last year that was set in the WWII era. It was my number one book of 2014 This book cover is captivating and the story sounds intriguing. I've enjoyed this authors others books very much. I've never heard of the London Blitz! Thanks for entering my name in the drawing norafindinghope@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nora! "Saving Amelia" was a powerful book. Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
  6. I haven't read many books set around this time period. And don't know much about the London Blitz.
    I did enjoy the Zion Covenant and Chronicles series by Brock & Bodie Thoene. and are set around this time period.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patty. I have yet to read any of Brock & Bodie Thoene's work. I'm going to have to read one of their books in the future as I hear they are wonderful authors.
      Good luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  7. I remember learning about the London Blitz after reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" (love that series)! Recently, Sarah Sundin's "With Every Letter" comes to mind --she writes amazing WWII fic!

    Thanks for the chance to win! Secrets of a Charmed Life sounds great!

    jafuchi7[at]Hawaii[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jafuch17, I love Sarah Sundin's work too! All of her books are well written with vivid historical detail. Good luck in the drawing. "Secrets of a Charmed Life" is vivid in detail as well and an enjoyable read.

      I hope everyone who doesn't win will be sure to go out and pick up a copy. It is that good!

      Delete
  8. Cindy, I forgot to say I am on your blog and do subscribe to your newsletter. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Maxie. I noticed that you did. Good Luck!

      Delete

  9. What is your favorite book set during WWII?
    Having just completed Murray Pura's LONDON DAWN, that's the 1st fav coming to mind :)

    Do you have a favorite author for the WWII time period? Murray Pura would be a fav male author for the time period for sure - liking his perspective & descriptive battle scenes.

    Have you ever heard about the London Blitz before?
    Yes. and Murray Pura writes it in llifelike colour!

    +2 GFC - yes - Faith Hope Cherrytea
    +1 email subscribed
    Also, I Pinned your Giveaway
    +?
    I Appreciate the interview background and the giveaway opps to be included - TY!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. faithhopecherrytea [at gmail.] com email is on my blog profile
      tea's on if you'd like a cuppa :)

      Delete
    2. Oh, and Faith, thank you so much for pinning the giveaway!

      Delete
  10. Over the past few years I have read several books set in WWII but I don't recall any specific names other than a non-fiction book titled "The Bedford Boys". At the time I read it I thought my father may have been in the D-Day invasion. Since then I have learned he was probably somewhere in Northern Italy at the time. I have enjoyed all the books I have read on WWII but can't recall any specific author that I liked better than the others. I have heard of the London Blitz but can't remember the details.
    grandaddya[at]comcast[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for posting Edward. Good luck in the giveaway.

      Delete
  11. Thank you for sharing this wonderful interview and giveaway, Cindy!

    Although I love reading about the World War II era, I can't name a favorite book. I do love Sarah Sundin's books and have Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin on my TBR list. I'm afraid I don't know much about the London Blitz.

    I have subscribed via email and invited a friend to follow as well!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Britney. Thank you for inviting a friend to follow! You will LOVE The Butterfly and the Violin. It is a powerful book. Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
  12. Hi Cindy! Thank you so much for this great interview and giveaway. I have subscribed via email and I was invited to follow by a friend, Britney Adams.

    The WWII era is such a fascinating time to read about and Sara Sundin's books really bring that time to life. I have heard great things about The Butterfly and the Violin so I hope to read it before too long.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melanie. You will LOVE The Butterfly and the Violin. It is a powerful book. Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
  13. Favorite WWII books are like everyone else The Butterfly and the Violin & Saving Amelie - they were both wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by Sharon. Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete