Ask the Author: Lynne Olson
Answered Questions (8)
Lynne Olson
I agree and will pass this on to my agent. So far we haven’t sold French rights. Fingers crossed!
Lynne Olson
I'd love to see it, too, Ricky. A film agent in LA is shopping it around, but nothing definite so far.
Lynne Olson
Hi, Diane -- I'm delighted your club is reading Citizens of London. Please pass on my best regards to the other members. Re discussion questions, here are some that a book group in Illinois came up with:
I:/Reference/Book Club/Citizens of London/Citizens of London Discussion Questions.doc/5-10-11/Jane Easterly
Discussion Questions for Citizens of London by Lynne Olson
1. Did you like the book? If yes, why? If no, why not?
2. How much did you know about the relations between the United States and England during the time period before reading the book? Did you learn anything new?
3. How did you find the pace of the book? Did the author’s method of unfolding the events make you feel you were living through the era?
4. What satisfaction can be derived from a nonfiction book like Citizens of London that cannot be found in novels?
5. Does anyone have a personal story connected to the events or people in the book?
6. Did the book trigger any emotions while you were reading it?
7. Does this book relate in any way to the current state of the world, international relations, the press, or celebrities?
8. Do you have unanswered questions? If the author were here, what would you ask her?
9. Are there any additional comments you would like to share?
I:/Reference/Book Club/Citizens of London/Citizens of London Discussion Questions.doc/5-10-11/Jane Easterly
Discussion Questions for Citizens of London by Lynne Olson
1. Did you like the book? If yes, why? If no, why not?
2. How much did you know about the relations between the United States and England during the time period before reading the book? Did you learn anything new?
3. How did you find the pace of the book? Did the author’s method of unfolding the events make you feel you were living through the era?
4. What satisfaction can be derived from a nonfiction book like Citizens of London that cannot be found in novels?
5. Does anyone have a personal story connected to the events or people in the book?
6. Did the book trigger any emotions while you were reading it?
7. Does this book relate in any way to the current state of the world, international relations, the press, or celebrities?
8. Do you have unanswered questions? If the author were here, what would you ask her?
9. Are there any additional comments you would like to share?
Lynne Olson
I've just finished my latest book, which will be published on March 5, 2019. It called MADAME FOURCADE'S SECRET WAR, and it's about Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, a beautiful young Frenchwoman who headed the largest and most influential Allied spy network in occupied France during World War II. She was the only woman to head a major resistance organization in wartime France. It's an astonishing story that reads like a novel, but one that very few people know about.
Lynne Olson
First and foremost, read as much -- and as widely -- as you can. Expose yourself to all different sorts of writing and writers -- fiction, nonfiction, essays, poetry, etc. Learn as much as you can from the writing of others. Treat writing like a full-time job, even if you already have a full-time job. Carve out a schedule to write, even if it's only for a few minutes a day. Writing is hard work, and self-discipline is absolutely essential.
Lynne Olson
There are a number of things I love about being a full-time author. First, the chance to research deeply and write in depth about historical subjects and characters I'm passionate about. I also really enjoy interacting with readers who care about history and are as interested in finding out about what happened in the past as I am. I often learn as much from them as they (hopefully!) learn from me.
Lynne Olson
I've only had real writer's block once. It happened when, after a year of research on a book, I tried to start writing and, for the life of me, couldn't get past the first few paragraphs. I figured out that I really disliked all the book's main characters -- the first time that's ever happened to me. I dealt with it by paying back the first part of the advance I had received from the publisher and found a new publisher for a book that turned out to be CITIZENS OF LONDON. I had no writer's block on that one at all.
oime. I dealt n the nit og gett couldn't figure out to do itstarted writing and gafter a year of research on a bookThe only time I've had writer's block is when I was working on a book and, after a year of resarabout a year into researching it, realized I s block
oime. I dealt n the nit og gett couldn't figure out to do itstarted writing and gafter a year of research on a bookThe only time I've had writer's block is when I was working on a book and, after a year of resarabout a year into researching it, realized I s block
Lynne Olson
Great question, Gail! On occasion, I've used freelance researchers to do some limited work for me, particularly in the UK. But overall I do my own research. Historical research is like a treasure hunt -- you never know exactly what you're going to find. Often, it's something totally wonderful and unexpected, and I'm not sure outside researchers would know the value of it as I would. I also should point out that since most of my books have focused on Britain and World War II, I've built up a personal storehouse of knowledge that makes doing research on a new subject much easier than it would be if I were a stranger to the period and the place.
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