It’s my pleasure today to welcome USA Today
bestselling author Emilie Richards to Thoughts in Progress to talk about
her new dynamic family drama releasing this month, A FAMILY OF STRANGERS
(MIRA Books; June 25; $15.99 U.S).
Perfect for fans of Brenda Novak and Diane
Chamberlain, A FAMILY OF STRANGERS presents a suspenseful, emotionally
complex story about the dark shadows of sisterhood, and needing to work
together with your family when you hardly know them at all. Emilie,
renowned for her “intricate, seductive” storytelling (Publishers Weekly)
and her realistic, yet unforgettable characters, tests the boundaries of family
as a crime reporter tries to clear her estranged sister’s name of murder.
Wendy and Ryan are sisters, 17 years apart, Ryan living all her
life in Wendy's shadow. Now, as adults even Ryan’s successful career as a crime
reporter pales in comparison to Wendy’s picture-perfect life. But when Wendy
randomly reaches out to Ryan to plead for her help after being accused of
murder, Ryan steps in only to realize that Wendy is not who she seems to be. Is Wendy, who always seemed so perfect, just a
perfect liar—or worse?
Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Emilie,
who stopped by to answer some questions for us. Welcome, Emilie.
The age-old question, what inspired this story?
Emilie:
This idea
began to percolate years ago after reading a news story about a young woman
convicted of murder. She was an exemplary student in high school, from a
respected family, and there seemed to be no signs she would later murder
somebody "just for fun." I began to wonder how well we ever know the
people we love. Do we discount signs they might not be what they seem? Is
loyalty the virtue that keeps families together? Do we take what our loved ones
tell us at face value or do we dig deeper, keeping an open mind? And is an open
mind possible under those circumstances? I wanted to examine those questions
and did in A
Family of Strangers.
Do you have a ritual that you follow when you are
writing - certain place to write, certain time, drink, music, etc.?
Emilie:
I am
happiest writing at my desk in the quietest room in my house. I start early and
finish around five, but, of course, these days lots of that time is spent on
promotion, research, and staying in touch with readers. I've learned that what
I write on days when I'm not in the mood is as good as what I write when I am. So,
I stay and I work whether I feel like it or not, but I've been known to bribe
myself with peanut M&Ms.
What was the most difficult aspect of writing this
story and what was the easiest?
Emilie:
Great
question. The relationship between sisters Ryan and Wendy and their mother,
Arlie, is highly nuanced and in many ways unusual. Showing why it was
complicated as well as revealing secrets long held took a lot of planning and
editing. So that was the most difficult part. The easiest part was the premise.
How well do we know the people we love? Can we be loyal to them and still keep
an open mind?
What question do you wish readers would ask that
they never have?
Emilie:
I've been at
this for a while, so honestly, I think I've been asked everything. I do love
it, though, when readers start any questions with "This was such a
fabulous book, can you tell me...?"
Are you currently working on any new projects?
Emilie:
I'm working
on the idea for my next Mira, which includes doing research. Last week I spent
a day in Tarpon Springs, Florida, where I plan to set the book. As I watched a
diver demonstrate searching for sponges wearing the same historic diving suit
used for much of the twentieth century, I decided that writing is similar. We
dive deep, and we weed through a multitude of useless ideas until we find the
one with value. That's me right now, sorting trash from treasure.
 |
| Author Emilie Richards |
Now for those of you
who aren’t familiar with Emilie, here’s a bit of background on her.
Emilie Richards’ many novels feature
intricate characterizations and in-depth explorations of social issues, a
result of her training and experience as a family counselor, which contributes
to her fascination with relationships of all kinds.
Thanks for stopping by today. What are your
thoughts on the complex relationship between sisters and daughters and their
mother?
