Ask the Author: Libby Fischer Hellmann
Answered Questions (15)
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Hi, Teresa! Thanks for asking about Ellie. The truth is I don't know. There are now 5 -- I assume you read JUMP CUT, which came out in 2016, right? Since thena collection of World War Two novellas was published, and I'm now working on Georgia #5, which I hope will be out late this year. Ellie is so delightful to write, though, that I might go back to her -- it all depends on the story. And whether fans like you keep asking... :)
Update: It's now October, 2020, and I can safely say the answer is YES. The 6th Ellie Foreman book is VIRTUALLY UNDETECTABLE... and it features Rachel as the detective (Boy has she grown up) along WITH Ellie! I'm just uploading it now...
Update: It's now October, 2020, and I can safely say the answer is YES. The 6th Ellie Foreman book is VIRTUALLY UNDETECTABLE... and it features Rachel as the detective (Boy has she grown up) along WITH Ellie! I'm just uploading it now...
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Great question! Several come to mind -- Nick and Nora Charles... Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler... Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. That ought to do it. Why? Because in each couple, conflict is at the root of their relationship, and both partners needed to manage the conflict before they could have a relationship. With Nick and Nora, the conflict was the "case".. for Scarlett and Rhett, the conflict was temporarily lifted when Scarlett fell in love, and in Bennett-Darcy, both partners had to let go of their pride. For me that's what makes a relationship sparkle -- how they handle their conflict without allowing it to destroy them.
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Great question, Kristy:) My next book is a collection of stories about World War Two at Home. It includes "The INcidental Spy" About a German refugee who is forced to spy on the early years of the Manhattan Project in Chicago; "POW," A love triangle between a farm girl and 2 German POWS who work on her farm, and "The Day Miriam Hirsch Disappeared" about an actress at the Yiddish theater in Lawndale and her boyfriend, who may or may not have been a gangster. If any bloggers/reviewers read this and you're on NetGalley, here's the link: https://s2.netgalley.com/publisher/ti.... It will be released Feb. 28th.
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Sure, Karen. Go to my website... the tab farthest on the right will get you to my email... I'll be sure to get back to you. :)
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Hi, Karen. Thanks for asking. I grew up in Washington DC in the 1950s. Back then Batista was in charge, and the Mafia ran the casinos. My parents used to go to Havana for the weekend to gamble (no Vegas then). But then he was overthrown, and Fidel came to power. And he turned the island "COMMUNIST" -- our mortal enemy. And then there was the Bay of Pigs... and then the Missile Crisis. Cuba became the country I always wondered about. So close and yet so far. I kept wondering what it must be like to live there, grow up there, behind the Iron Curtain (albeit the Western version). Probably because it was off-limits, I had an intense curiosity about the place. So when I was talking to my sister, who had actually gone there, about what to write after I finished A BITTER VEIL (about Iran), she mentioned Cuba! That's all it took! I started reading... did my research... then went there with my daughter. HAVANA LOST is the result. Hope that helps. Btw, there's a movie, I think it's on Netflix, called "Honey for Oshun" that you should watch. It's about a young man's journey across Cuba to find his mother. Charming! And educational. Hope that answers your question.
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Hi, Jan. First off, thanks for reading. And writing. Actually, yes... the Zippo apparently did make one with the insignia of "The Drunk." I found it online somewhere (at least 15 years ago) when I was doing research for the book. I never had one, but I think I recall seeing a photo/sketch of it. Hope that helps.
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Hi, Teni. I feel that way all the time. I'm constantly second-guessing myself, editing, trying to make it better. You might want to read Annie LaMott's book on writing called "Bird by Bird." She suggests you give yourself permission to write really badly. In fact she has a whole chapter that is called. "writing shitty first drafts." Forgive the salty language, but essentially she says you cant edit what's not down on paper in the first place. It's okay to make TONS of mistakes, as long as you go back and fix them. That's why we edit. When I remember her advice, it makes writing easier. All I have to do is get it down on paper. Then I'll go back and make it pretty. Several times. Hope that helps!
Libby Fischer Hellmann
You're very welcome, Teri. FIngers crossed you like it!
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Hi, Miss M. It will be out September 20. (The publisher delayed the release, unfortunately-- because of illness ). It will be in print on Amazon at this link:
http://amzn.to/1HHvp0N
However it will go up on pre-order next month. The ebook will be on a website called StarkRavingPress.com
Thanks so much for checking in. Sorry for the delay.
http://amzn.to/1HHvp0N
However it will go up on pre-order next month. The ebook will be on a website called StarkRavingPress.com
Thanks so much for checking in. Sorry for the delay.
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Writers Block is a signal that something isn't working right. I might not know what it is, but if I back off for a day or two, I usually figure it out. It might be a character who isn't behaving in a credible way... a plot development that isn't credible, or even a description that is less than awesome. Whatever it is, I try to respect it and analyze why it's happening. Usually, when I'm completely honest with myself, I can figure it out.
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Having written. The process of writing is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I hate it. But I LOVE having written. It's amazing to hold a novel in your hands and think that YOU wrote it!
Libby Fischer Hellmann
I don't know who said this, but some wise person said, "I need to be inspired... and I make sure I'm inspired every morning at 9 am."
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Just started a novella that takes place in Chicago during the time that the U of Chicago was an important part of atomic research (1934-1942). I'm fascinated by World War 2 and all its implications for humanity and civilization, both then and now.
Libby Fischer Hellmann
The short answer: I read. And read. And read some more. Then I ask myself, "what if?" or "Suppose that..." Occasionally, I actually get some good ideas. The discipline to sit down and write... well, that's an entirely different matter.
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Great question. I knew I wanted to throw as many professional and personal conflicts I could think of at Georgia Davis, my PI protagonist, and I think I did. How she reacts to them is what created NOBODY'S CHILD, which is the 4th Georgia Davis novel. It's very dark, so be forewarned.
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