Sophia's Sofa Chat- A Visit With Lory

Oh boy! That was close. First I had to rid myself of Poison Ivy and then I caught a head cold and infection. But it all went away just in time for me to prepare for my next guest. It has been a pleasure to get to know each one a little better as a result of our chats.

Today, I welcome, author Lory Lilian. She is visiting from far away Romania (or at least far for me here in Michigan). Lory has been a joy to know through her books, our encounters on-line, and of course it was fun to have my story share an anthology with her own very delightful tale in Then Comes Winter. She has been a busy lady lately and has just released the sequel to her Rainy Days called The Rainbow Promise: After Rainy Days. I’ve started a re-read of Rainy Days to refresh my mind before I jump into the sequel. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be as lovely, passionate, and engaging as the first book.
I think I hear someone now…

Buna Ziua, Lory! Ce mai faci (how are you)?

Did I get that right?
I bungle other languages frequently because I am most definitely the typical monolingual American. I am utterly amazed that you not only speak another language, but you can write such beautiful and heartwarming stories not only in English, but about another period in history. Now that’s serious talent in my book.


Thank you so much for inviting me, Sophia – I am so excited to chat with you and your readers! And yes, you got the greeting in Romanian perfectly! Thanks for your praise - I owe everything to Jane Austen's genius, who has been my favorite author since I was 11. And especially to Pride and Prejudice – my all times favorite book. Elizabeth and Darcy’s story had been close to my heart for more than three decades, and I read it countless times. Then I slowly felt the urge to humbly attempt to create new stories around it, to indulge my insatiable desire for more E&D.

If it isn’t too nosy of me, how did you learn to speak and write English so well?
Well, first I studied in school. Then, for years I used English in my job (business English). And In 2004 I discovered the world of JA forums and JA fanfiction. After spending days and nights reading online and “talking” in chatrooms, my skills in English improved significantly. :-)
Ah yes, I think a lovely JAFF romance would urge me on to being more fluent in another language.

Do get cozy. Would you care for lemonade or iced tea? I did up spice cupcakes with butter cream frosting today. I hope you like them. Is there a particular dessert from Romania that you enjoy?

I must say I am not particularly fond of sweets. I like apple pie and fruits ice-cream – but not necessary Romanian.
Oh boy, apple pie is a favorite around here.

Now, I have seen some lovely pictures of Romania’s old cities, forests, and mountains and I’ve actually read more than a few books that were set in Romania. It sounds like a wonderful place. Are there any particular places you’ve enjoyed seeing and visiting there? What is something fun you like to do when you’re not writing?


Transalpina Road in Romania
Romania has many, many beautiful places! I particularly like the Brasov area (yeah, Dracula Castle included lol); there are also two spectacular roads through mountains (Transalpina and Transfagarasan – on which Nicolas Cage filmed "Ghost Rider 2 - Spirit of Vengeance") - where I enjoy to drive whenever I can. And many other beauties that deserve to be visited and admired, including the seaside, which I absolutely love. When I do not write – I prefer to read and spend time at the spa/ pool with my friends. No particular funny hobbies, I am afraid.

Now that The Rainbow Promise is published and released, I’ll bet you heaved a great sigh of relief. When did you decide to write a sequel to Rainy Days?
Was it more difficult to come up with the story for the sequel, The Rainbow Promise, than for Rainy Days?
What was your favorite part of writing a sequel?

Funny thing, the sequel was planned the day I finished Rainy Days! Then for years I hesitated to work on it, until I started to receive more and more messages, asking about the sequel. I decided to do it last year, and once I dived into it, it grew and doubled its initial length. Many things in the sequel were not in the original draft – including the title.
Rainy Days – which is 390 pages – was completed in about three months! It was such an exciting time for me to write my first ever story about E&D and to share it with the readers! I was thrilled to post each chapter and to read the lovely responses to it! The Rainbow Promise, which is only 230 pages, took me much longer. What I loved the most was to revisit Rainy Days and to enter once again into the beautiful, romantic relationship Elizabeth and Darcy shared in this story. Every small detail was important, every particular gesture, smile, and so on… Hope the readers enjoyed reading it too.

I’m pretty sure based on your writing that Pride & Prejudice is a favorite book. I’m curious about some of your favorite things about it.
Do you have a favorite quote or scene?

Oh, I most certainly do. The dance at the Netherfield Ball, Elizabeth’s visit at Pemberley (the introduction of Georgiana, then Elizabeth and her aunt having tea with Georgiana and Darcy coming to greet them, Darcy’s visit back at Longbourn, with all the awkwardness and Elizabeth’s turmoil – and of course, the short scenes of their engagement, where JA said so little and implied so much! So much inspiration for future stories!

A favorite character?
Oh come on – you cannot pretend you do not know! Let's just say I have my suspicions. HeHe But I also like Mr. Bennet a lot ! I love to explore his character whenever I have a chance. I also like Georgiana very much – I often try to understand what was going on in her shy mind and gentle heart…

I’m curious about your reader girl habits. What kinds of books grab your interest? Any favorite authors?
I read a lot – from historical romance to modern and to personal development or business books. For many years, my second favorites after Pride and Prejudice were Shirley and Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte.
I've not read Shirley, but I adore Jane Eyre.

How many books are on your shelf that you still need to read? Do you have a long wish list of books that you want to read?

I have about 20 urgent to read books and many others in the queue. Not bad. I have ever so many, too.

Do you have a special place in your home where you do your writing and reading?

Yes, I have a special armchair by the window, where I usually write and read. Sounds cozy!

As a writer, do you have any writers that you meet with locally? Like a writer’s group?

Sadly, mostly on internet, as Romania is pretty far away … I hope to meet many fellow jaff authors next year, when I planned a long visit in UK. There are 3-4 Romanian writers that I meet from time to time, but they are in another genre. I just started to disclose my work to the "large public" in Romania a few months ago. That will be a fun trip. Make sure you take pictures and share with us. :)

Do you get to attend any book conventions or festivals? How popular is Jane Austen in Romania?

I do attend book conventions and festivals in Romania, but only as a visitor. Jane Austen is very popular here, too, but there are no special events related to her – or to any other famous writer.

And before I let Lory go, I have to ask, what’s up next? Are you working on a book right now? Far enough along to share about it?

Oh yes, I am in the middle of a new project, of which I am sooooooo excited! The most complex one I wrote so far. It is about a more difficult road that E and D must take before reaching the romantic part.:-). I suspect the readers will need some tissues and will also be angry at the favorite characters from time to time. It is full of misunderstandings, pride, prejudice, stubbornness and resentfulness. It should be enough for lots of angst, right? There will be hot mush too, of course; it is a must in my stories. (do you know the readers from several online forums called me "the queen of mush"? Very proud of it. :-) ) Oh yeah, you own that title. Haha! I did not decide the title yet, but I will let you know as soon as I am certain of it. I am writing very, very fast, so I expect it to be out in September. Well now that you've got us all excited...

Sofa Starter Questions:
Salty or sweet? Salty
Spring or Fall? Spring
Catherine Morland or Anne Elliot? Anne
Crafts or Cooking? Cooking
Drama or Comedy? Comedy (for the last 2-3 years. Too much drama in RL lol)
Yellow or Green? Green


Well, I had best let Lory get going since she has a long distance to travel, but at least in virtual land the jet lag is non-existent (as is lost luggage, long security lines, and passport control). Hurrah for that.
Multumesc (thank you), Lory!

Thank you so much, Sophia – I loved being here and hope to repeat the experience soon. And hope you will someday come to visit Romania – I would love to be your guide! Oh yes, I would love to visit both the old cities and the beautiful forests and mountains.

If Lory isn’t here on Good Reads, here are some other places to find her on-line:

https://www.facebook.com/lory.lilian
https://mobile.twitter.com/LoryLilian