Entangled in Romance discussion
This topic is about
33 Valentines
Edge
>
Q & A with Stephanie Monahan
date
newest »
newest »
What made you want to write about Valentines Day?33 Valentines was originally a novella, written for Entangled Publishing’s call for submissions for their Valentine’s Day anthology. The entire novella took place over the course of one Valentine’s Day. When I got contracted to expand the story into a full-length novel, one day became one month, and Sophie’s story became about more than just Valentine’s Day.
What research did you do for the book?
Well, I’ve never broken a bone before (excuse me while I go knock on wood), so I did some research on what that would entail. That’s about it!
Who is your favorite character?
Sophie is my favorite character. I love her growth throughout the novel. It might take her a long time, but eventually she figures out what she wants and goes for it. I admire her style—you won’t find me walking around the city in high heels—and her independence. I don’t think I have much in common with her apart from her sense of humor. I’ve been told I can be pretty sarcastic myself.
Will you be writing another book about Valentines Day?
No, I have no plans to, but you never know!
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on a book about a former mean girl whose past comes back to haunt her in the form of a Top 40 hit.
What books do you like to read?
I love to read all kind of books. I’m a big fan of women’s fiction. I love Margaret Atwood, Leah Stewart, and Amanda Eyre Ward. I am also a huge fan of YA—John Green and Sarah Dessen are my favorites, and I love the Obsidian and Divergent series.
What book are you reading right now?
I’m reading a biography of Sylvia Plath called Mad Girl’s Love Song: Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted. The Bell Jar is one of my favorite books of all time.
If your book was made into a movie who would you like to see playing the roles?
Oh, I just blogged about this! My dream cast: Rachel McAdams as Sophie, James Marsden as Sam, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Sophie’s dad, Ian Somerhalder as Dylan and Norah Jones as Megan. Did you know Rachel McAdams and James Marsden were in The Notebook together?
Which character are you like the most?
I’m probably most like Sam. We both knew from a very early age what we were passionate about in life, and we never wavered from that. We are also both pretty stubborn!
What was your inspiration for the setting of the book?
I moved to Massachusetts about three years ago and immediately fell in love with Boston. It’s such a beautiful city and so historic. I knew I wanted to set a book there, and so the very first project I started working on after I moved here—33 Valentines—already had a setting waiting for it.
What charities do you like?
I am a huge animal lover and I adopted my cat and my dog from shelters, so I’m typically drawn to giving to animal shelters and those types of charities. Although every time that Sarah McLaughlin song starts playing on the TV I have to turn the channel. I just can’t take looking at sick or hurt animals.
Favorite food?
Pasta and cheese. I could live on it (and sometimes I do).
Favorite hobbies?
Besides reading and writing I love road-tripping with my husband. We are big fans of the band Wilco and we’ve driven lots of places—Maine, Ohio, Toronto, to name a few—to see them play. I also love spending time with my dog and cat, and watching football in the fall. I’m currently obsessed with the TV show the Big Bang Theory and have been catching up on all the seasons I’ve missed. Oh and I also spend a lot of time thinking about how I should be exercising.
What is that Sarah McLaughlin song? I don't think I've heard it! (Thank goodness; I'd have to turn it off too!) Great questions!
Kathryn wrote: "What is that Sarah McLaughlin song? I don't think I've heard it! (Thank goodness; I'd have to turn it off too!) Great questions!"
Ugh, it is "In the arms of the angel" - as soon as the first couple notes start I know what's coming - pics of homeless and abused animals, etc. It is AWFUL! Maybe they don't play it in the UK?
Where do you see yourself as an author in 2 years?
Oh good question! Well I definitely want to have at least one other women's fiction book released. I've also been thinking about trying a young adult, since it's one of my favorite genres to read. Hopefully whatever I write, I keep improving and growing.
What YA book did you read last? What draws you to that genre?
The last YA I read was Saving June by Hannah Harrington. I loved it. Read it in 2 days because I couldn't put it down. I think the fact that the characters are all around 17-18 years old and that is such a huge important time in your life is what draws me in. When you're that age you're almost an adult but you're still a kid; you're about to leave high school and start something new and it's a time that's filled with choices and decisions and you're learning so much about who you are. Plus sometimes I really wish I was 18 again. LOL.
Stephanie wrote: "The last YA I read was Saving June by Hannah Harrington. I loved it. Read it in 2 days because I couldn't put it down. I think the fact that the characters are all around 17-18 years old and that i..."Stephanie wrote: "The last YA I read was Saving June by Hannah Harrington. I loved it. Read it in 2 days because I couldn't put it down. I think the fact that the characters are all around 17-18 years old and that i..."
ha!ha! Never 18--but 20's? Enjoy them;)
Why would you pick pick Rachel McAdams and James Marsden to play as Sophie and Sam. I love James Marsden, but just curious.
Have you ever read a book you could not finish? You don't have to name it of course.
Stephanie wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "What is that Sarah McLaughlin song? I don't think I've heard it! (Thank goodness; I'd have to turn it off too!) Great questions!"
Ugh, it is "In the arms of the angel" - as soon ..."
No, I haven't heard it here, in fact I don't think I've heard her music since we moved here!
Melody wrote: "Why would you pick pick Rachel McAdams and James Marsden to play as Sophie and Sam. I love James Marsden, but just curious."Hi Melody! Well I would pick James b/c I've had a huge crush on him ever since 27 dresses and looks like how I imagine Sam-blue eyes, dark hair, etc. I picked Rachel b/c she can do comedy & drama flawlessly. They'd make a good couple don't you think??
Kathryn wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "What is that Sarah McLaughlin song? I don't think I've heard it! (Thank goodness; I'd have to turn it off too!) Great questions!"
Ugh, it is "In the arms of the..."
It's a commercial. They play it nonstop on some channels here. Awful.
Stephanie wrote: "Melody wrote: "Why would you pick pick Rachel McAdams and James Marsden to play as Sophie and Sam. I love James Marsden, but just curious."Hi Melody! Well I would pick James b/c I've had a huge c..."
I love James Marsden, so I have no problem with him. That's funny, because 27 Dresses is the reason I have a crush on him too.
*Babs* wrote: "Have you ever read a book you could not finish? You don't have to name it of course."Oh yes, lots of them. I usually read about 50 pages or so and then if I'm not hooked I moved on. Sometimes it depends on my mood more than anything else, but I don't force myself to finish something I don't love.
Are you drawn toward books with an East Coast vibe? Or do you read 'around the globe'? ;)
I think I am! I do read widely but if the book is set in the northeast I'm definitely more apt to pick it up. Besides that I love books set in England - like Come Together by Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees. One of my all-time favorite romantic comedies.
Melody wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Melody wrote: "Why would you pick pick Rachel McAdams and James Marsden to play as Sophie and Sam. I love James Marsden, but just curious."Hi Melody! Well I would pick James b/c..."
That was such a good movie!
*Babs* wrote: "Do you find yourself a picky reader?"Only in the sense that it has to grab me right away. There are so many good books out there that I don't spend a lot of time plodding through something if I don't like it. That was what high school English class was for!
Do you read reviews before you purchase a book? If so, do the determine whether you will buy one or not?
Hmmm good question. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If it's an author I read before and liked, I'll usually read it even if the reviews are just OK. If I'm looking into a new author I might take it into account, but I still don't really base my decision on reviews. If it sounds good to me I want to formulate my own opinion. Everyone likes different things.
If you were going to write another holiday book, what holiday would you choose, and why?
Kym wrote: "If you were going to write another holiday book, what holiday would you choose, and why?"I think New Years Eve would be fun, with the idea of closing out a year and starting a new one. Halloween would be a good one too. I don't see myself going in this direction but you never know!
*Babs* wrote: "What actors would you want for book 2?"I haven't thought about this at all yet! I do know I'd have a mid-late 90s soundtrack though.
Hi! Chiming in a little late, but it's been fun reading all these questions and your answers, Stephanie! I'm a 27 Dresses and James Marsden fan, too. :) I'd like to know if you're a plotter or a pantser and do you set any writing goals, like daily word count, when you're working on a new book?
Hey Robin! Thanks so much for stopping by :) I usually jump in without an outline. Beginnings are the easiest part for me. Then after a couple chapters I usually stop and outline the rest. I write at least 1000 words a day when I'm working on a new book. It's been working really well for me so far! :)
Stephanie will be giving away a gift card to Barnes and Noble for $10.00
So please be sure to join us.