Ask the Author: Laini Giles
Answered Questions (13)
Laini Giles
Hi Roberta, thanks for writing!
I have several right now who are vying for my attention, but chances are that Helen Lee Worthing will be the next one that will be finished. A fascinating and VERY sad story (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_L...). Sorry, but Marie Dressler isn't on the list. I've considered Mabel, but probably won't, as John Boorstin beat me to it: https://www.amazon.com/Mabel-Me-Novel...
Take care!
Laini
I have several right now who are vying for my attention, but chances are that Helen Lee Worthing will be the next one that will be finished. A fascinating and VERY sad story (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_L...). Sorry, but Marie Dressler isn't on the list. I've considered Mabel, but probably won't, as John Boorstin beat me to it: https://www.amazon.com/Mabel-Me-Novel...
Take care!
Laini
Laini Giles
Hi Betty--
Hmmmm... you know, I don't remember the exact impulse that told me she would be a good topic. I have a feeling it was while thumbing through my very worn copy of Michael Ankerich's Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels. Anytime I run across a gal's story that is poignant, possibly funny in places, and with an interesting glimpse of theater and/or Hollywood...I'm intrigued. Even more so if it has a "what might have been" quality to it.
I LOVE the research! Part of the fun for me is running across facts that others may not have discovered or that can make these people leap off the page! :) I'm so happy you're looking forward to the next book! I'm busy trying to make it a winner. I wish it didn't take me so long between them. Although the research is what I LOVE, it's also VERY time consuming! Thanks for writing.
Hmmmm... you know, I don't remember the exact impulse that told me she would be a good topic. I have a feeling it was while thumbing through my very worn copy of Michael Ankerich's Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels. Anytime I run across a gal's story that is poignant, possibly funny in places, and with an interesting glimpse of theater and/or Hollywood...I'm intrigued. Even more so if it has a "what might have been" quality to it.
I LOVE the research! Part of the fun for me is running across facts that others may not have discovered or that can make these people leap off the page! :) I'm so happy you're looking forward to the next book! I'm busy trying to make it a winner. I wish it didn't take me so long between them. Although the research is what I LOVE, it's also VERY time consuming! Thanks for writing.
Laini Giles
I'm not really much for fictional worlds. I've never been a big reader of fantasy or sci-fi. Instead of Narnia or Bag End, I think either Paris or Hollywood in the 1920s would be the biggest thrill! Getting to see The Garden of Allah or the Hollywood Hotel, or L'Enfer in Paris-- there's a reason why I LOVE "Midnight in Paris." I could hang out with Scott and Zelda at Bricktop's, or get to meet Man Ray and Da-LEE.
Laini Giles
Not sure why I'd buy another after spending a mint for the one I already have, but thanks for the offer!
Laini Giles
I'm gonna have to say Gretchen Griner and Lobo from Sarah Bird's "The Boyfriend School."
It's one of my favorite books of all time. I loved it so much and laughed so hard while I was reading it, that I wanted to duplicate that feeling in all of my own novels.
Gretchen is a reporter who works for a shoestring weekly paper in Austin, and she's sleeping with her boss, who's a trust fund douchebag. When she travels to Dallas to cover a romance writers' convention (the Luvboree), she decides she wants to write a romance novel. And suddenly, her life begins changing in strange and hilarious ways, thanks to her new acquaintance, Lizzie.
Count me as one of those who was completely annoyed that the movie "Don't Tell Her It's Me," completely changed the location, the main character's name, AND left out Juanita, one of my favorite characters. But it was still cute, and I think Shelley Long did a good job as Lizzie. And Steve Guttenberg is surprisingly hot with blue contacts and a bad permed blonde-ish mullet.
It's one of my favorite books of all time. I loved it so much and laughed so hard while I was reading it, that I wanted to duplicate that feeling in all of my own novels.
Gretchen is a reporter who works for a shoestring weekly paper in Austin, and she's sleeping with her boss, who's a trust fund douchebag. When she travels to Dallas to cover a romance writers' convention (the Luvboree), she decides she wants to write a romance novel. And suddenly, her life begins changing in strange and hilarious ways, thanks to her new acquaintance, Lizzie.
Count me as one of those who was completely annoyed that the movie "Don't Tell Her It's Me," completely changed the location, the main character's name, AND left out Juanita, one of my favorite characters. But it was still cute, and I think Shelley Long did a good job as Lizzie. And Steve Guttenberg is surprisingly hot with blue contacts and a bad permed blonde-ish mullet.
Laini Giles
After writing The Forgotten Flapper, I was grieving pretty hard. Since I'd written in first person as Olive for around 5 years, I didn't know what to do with myself when I was finished. I hadn't originally planned a series, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to keep going. When I thought about other flappers to write about, Clara Bow was the first person who came to mind.
But when I began thinking about what POV to use, I knew that Clara wasn't the brightest bulb, and I wondered how I could tell her story the best way. I considered writing it in straight ahead 3rd person, but then the idea of her secretary, Daisy, came to me, and after the dramatic conclusion of their relationship, it seemed like an ideal voice to use. Especially after I found out the personal baggage she had with her family's bootlegging history. SCORE!
But when I began thinking about what POV to use, I knew that Clara wasn't the brightest bulb, and I wondered how I could tell her story the best way. I considered writing it in straight ahead 3rd person, but then the idea of her secretary, Daisy, came to me, and after the dramatic conclusion of their relationship, it seemed like an ideal voice to use. Especially after I found out the personal baggage she had with her family's bootlegging history. SCORE!
Laini Giles
Hi Dianne- Sorry for the delay in answering. For some reason, Goodreads JUST showed me your message. Clara Bow is my next subject, as seen through the eyes of her secretary, Daisy DeVoe. :)
I'm working on a few new projects, but I like to keep my cards close to my chest until I'm to a bit more of a complete state. They're all sort of in a very sketching-out-the timetable/not much written place right now, and my moods have been quite variable lately! I don't want to give away any secrets, but Hollywood figures quite heavily in 2 of them, and I also have another series (based in the same period) that isn't actresses (but should be just as juicy). Thanks for reading!
I'm working on a few new projects, but I like to keep my cards close to my chest until I'm to a bit more of a complete state. They're all sort of in a very sketching-out-the timetable/not much written place right now, and my moods have been quite variable lately! I don't want to give away any secrets, but Hollywood figures quite heavily in 2 of them, and I also have another series (based in the same period) that isn't actresses (but should be just as juicy). Thanks for reading!
Laini Giles
Hi Tom--
No, sorry. I barely have enough time to write my own books and hold down a day job. I have a local writers' group I belong to where I help with critiques, but I'm not active in online critique groups. I'm sure you'll be a great addition to the critique group, but I'm not a moderator, so no thanks are necessary. :)
No, sorry. I barely have enough time to write my own books and hold down a day job. I have a local writers' group I belong to where I help with critiques, but I'm not active in online critique groups. I'm sure you'll be a great addition to the critique group, but I'm not a moderator, so no thanks are necessary. :)
Laini Giles
During my research, I'll often stumble on ANOTHER story that intrigues me, and I'll want to find out all I can about IT. It's a vicious cycle, because I LOVE the research!
Laini Giles
Several books in my forgotten actresses series, and one or two others in a different series that I'll reveal down the road.
Laini Giles
Work on your craft. Join a writers' group in your area. Buy books to teach yourself on various areas of the craft. Go to conferences. Meet local people. But never stop.
Laini Giles
Having someone tell you they loved your book is about as good as it gets!
Laini Giles
I don't believe it exists. I continue to write something, anything until the way becomes clear. In my genre (real people's lives seen through my eyes), I sketch out a timeline of real events, then skip around and write whatever I'm in the mood for that day. I arrange and rearrange until I'm happy with what's there.
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