What inspired you to write The Grimm Legacy?
I worked as a page at the New York Public Library’s grand research library when I was in high school. It was a magical place and I always thought it would make a great setting for a novel. I always loved fairy tales, too—as a child I spent a lot of time imagining what I would do if I found a magical object like the ones in the stories. The Grimm Legacy combines those two ideas.
I just finished writing The Wells Bequest, the next Repository novel. It has the same setting as The Grimm Legacy, but it involves objects from science fiction instead of fairy tales, and most of the characters are new. It will be published next summer (2013).
How long did it take you to write The Grimm Legacy?
About two years, from the time I started until the time I finished, but I wasn’t working on it that whole time. I spent some time writing part of another book that I ended up abandoning, and I also work as an editor at a science magazine.
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
I was a voracious reader as a child—still am. I especially loved books about magic: C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books, novels by E. Nesbit and Edward Eager, Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea trilogy, George Macdonald’s The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie, and any fairy tales I could find. Diana Wynne Jones’s books came out when I was a little past childhood, but they’re among my favorites.
My ambition is to write stories that give readers the kind of intense pleasure those books gave me—books that make you stay up too late reading under the covers with a flashlight and miss your bus stop.
If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
Julie from Enthusiasm. She’s a kind, loyal friend and we have a lot in common—we’re both crazy about Jane Austen.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
I love independent bookstores, so that’s what I would try first. If your local independent bookstore doesn’t have my books, you can ask them to order them for you. If you don’t have an independent bookstore nearby, you can try a chain store like Barnes & Noble. Or you can order my books online from a bookstore or from Amazon.com.
Read the Reviews!
What a great author interview, my thanks to both yourself and Polly. A book I've heard quite a lot about, I'm away to add it to my wish list.
ReplyDeletePetty- Thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed the interview. It is a fun book. :) ~L
DeleteI read this book over the summer! It's AWSOME!
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SE- How cool that you have read this one! I loved it, too. Can't wait for the next book in the series. :) ~L
DeleteThat is such a cool cover! I love it. And you had real life experience to use as research. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteKelly- I LOVE this cover! It is so beautiful. I loved hearing about Polly's experiences that helped her come up with the ideas for this book. ~L
DeleteI have this...I have to read it now!!! It looks so good!!!
ReplyDeletePatty- Happy reading! Can't wait to hear your thoughts. :) ~L
DeleteIt must have been amazing working at the library in NYC. I loved going there when I lived in those parts.
ReplyDeleteLove the way you thought of modern days and the need for an invisibility cloak to fly. Clever.
M. Pax- I agree with you that it must have been amazing to work at the library in NYC. Thanks for stopping by. :) ~L
DeleteVery cool story premise! And title. And cover! And book video, too! :)
ReplyDeleteCate- I totally agree! :) ~L
DeleteI've heard great things about this one and even more in the comments here! Obviously, I must read this.
ReplyDeleteCleemckenzie- Thanks for stopping by and checking out the post and comments. The Grimm Legacy is a great read. :) ~L
Deleteso interesting! I so enjoy these interviews...
ReplyDeleteAnnmarie- Thanks so much! Glad that you enjoy them. It is always lots of fun to learn more about authors. :) ~L
DeleteIt would be a dream come true to work as a page at the NYC library. Wow, no wonder you have such an imagination. I probably would have been dismissed for reading!
ReplyDeleteHeather
Heather- I am right there with you. What an awesome job and I would have been in trouble for reading. :) ~L
Deletelol - I so love her magical possessions. Clever. The book sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteC.S. Lewis Narnia is one of my favorite reads.
Donna- Her magical possessions are well thought out. It is a great book. I love Narnia, too! I may reread the series before school starts. :) ~L
DeleteLove that trailer!!! Polly sounds like a sweetie, and I can't wait to read The Grimm Legacy :D
ReplyDeleteM.A.D.- The trailer is fantastic! I hope you enjoy The Grimm Legacy when you get a chance to read it. :) ~L
DeleteThe Grimm Legacy sounds like a fascinating read! Excellent trailer!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen- Thanks so much for stopping by. The Grimm Legacy is a terrific book. I love the trailer, too! ~L
DeleteHeidi- I am right there with you. Fairy tales are such fun. I still can't get over the beautiful cover. :) ~L
ReplyDeleteThe NYC library is such a cool inspiration. The thoughts that must have swirled around in your head in a place like that. It's so cool that fairy tale influences are bringing forth such wonderful new stories.
ReplyDeleteLeslie- I couldn't agree more! Such a fabulous place to draw inspiration from. :) ~F
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