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Lauren Willig | The Origins of the Pink Carnation
August 6, 2013
Lauren Willig, the
New York Times bestselling author of the Pink Carnation series, is
back with a new installment in the series today: THE PASSION OF THE PURPLE
PLUMERIA: A Pink Carnation Novel THE PASSION OF THE PURPLE
PLUMERIA opens in March of 1805 when Colonel William Reid, whom readers first met in The Betrayal of the Blood Lily, has
returned home from India to retire near his children. Upon his return to the
Isles, however, he finds that one of his daughters has vanished, along with one
of her classmates. Gwendolyn Meadows, second-in-command to the intrepid spy the
Pink Carnation, also returns to England when the Pink Carnation's little sister
goes missing. Thrown together by circumstance, Gwen and William must cooperate
to track down the young ladies before others with nefarious intent get their
hands on them. But Gwen's partnership with the quick-tongued, roguish William
may prove to be even more of an adventure for her than finding the lost girls. We asked Lauren a couple of questions that we'd like to share with you. How did you first come up with the idea of the Pink Carnation? Picture it: 2001. I had just finished taking my General Exams for my history PhD
and was rewarding myself with a night of movie-watching and one of those
miracles of haute grad school cuisine: a hotdog topped with squirty cheese. The
movie of choice was the Anthony Andrew version of The Scarlet Pimpernel. For those who haven't seen this seminal work, it's the ultimate in swash and
buckle. Fool by day, man of mystery by night, Sir Percy Blakeney spirits
aristocrats from the jaws of the guillotine, thwarting the forces of
revolutionary France. It was all quite satisfying (there's nothing like a good
rendition of "They seek him here, they seek him there")—until my "what if"
antennae started quivering. Yes, the story was all very well as it was, but,
what if you gave your debonair English spy a real problem? Those French
operatives, like Chauvelin, are always remarkably insignificant adversaries,
rather like those Star Wars storm troopers who never manage to shoot straight. What if one were to take a dashing English spy, used to his missions always
going as planned and his minions always obeying without question, and throw into
his path the ultimate object of destruction: an attractive and spirited young
lady. He would never know what hit him. I wolfed down the rest of my hotdog and raced for the computer. And thus THE SECRET HISTORY
OF THE PINK CARNATION was born.... What is the most challenging part of the writing process for you? The writing? Right now, I'm just starting my thirteenth book (no black cat
jokes, please), but I still feel just as unprepared as I did with the first. I
remember, fondly, thinking that one I had two books out, I would feel like a
"real" writer. Maybe once I hit twenty books? The hardest part is always wrestling the perfect story in your head into the
imperfect production on the page. The English language suddenly becomes a clumsy
and torturous thing. (How many times can one use the word "look"? And "the"! My
manuscript is inhabited by a plague of bland, introductory articles!) Seemingly
simple plots twist themselves into knots and characters veer off in strange and
uncharacteristic directions. Cherished imagined scenes become unworkable, or,
even more painful, just plain unnecessary and have to be abandoned like ballast
on the Titanic. I've learned that the only thing to do is grit my teeth, order
another caramel macchiato, and just keep powering through—since the prose
that looks like the product of a particularly substandard monkey just now will
seem quite readable a few months from now when I'm struggling with the next
book. What is your favorite thing to do when you're not writing? Like so many other writers, I'm first and foremost a reader. When not at my
computer, I can be found semi-prone on the couch, with a book in one hand and a
mug of tea in the other. (Depending on the size of the book and the heat of the
tea, this can be a somewhat perilous exercise.) I couldn't write if I didn't
read constantly, so I usually consume about three to five books a week, some new
books, some beloved re-reads. For those who are interested, I have a feature on the news page of my
website called Weekly Reading Round-Up. Every Friday, I list whatever I've
been reading that week and readers chime in and share what they've been reading.
I've found many of my new favorite books from those suggestions. One commenter will win a copy of THE PASSION OF THE PURPLE
PLUMERIA.
Comments
42 comments posted.
Re: Lauren Willig | The Origins of the Pink Carnation
Loved your post today - and went immediately to your web page and signed up for your newsletter and, as soon as I finished this, start looking over your Weekly Reader Round-Ups. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. Your books have long been on my TBR list - and now I'll have to get started reading them. Best of luck with your newest - and all your books! Thanks for the chance to win.
(Nancy Reynolds 9:34am August 6, 2013)
Your post was very enlightening. It's always great when you can learn a little background about the book that you want to read, and this book is no exception!! I love the cover, too!! Congratulations on your book, and I'm sure it's going to do very well!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:50am August 6, 2013)
Interesting read. Thanks
(Kay Burke 9:59am August 6, 2013)
love your post i love to read about the book before auctually
reading them it give me a little info about it and helps me
understand the charectors i will be reading this one
(Denise Smith 10:01am August 6, 2013)
English spy and a roguish Colonel William working together on a common cause.....what could be more fun? Love your idea of the Weekly Reader Round Up.
(Beth Charette 10:11am August 6, 2013)
Interesting post. Your books have given me hours of pleasure
and enjoyment. Best wishes.
(Sharon Berger 10:14am August 6, 2013)
I enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing.
(Sandy Giden 10:39am August 6, 2013)
Sounds like a great book to read.
[email protected]
(Charlotte Wills 11:09am August 6, 2013)
Thanks for the post and contest.
(G S Moch 11:18am August 6, 2013)
I'm ready for another Pink Carnation adventure!
(Cheli Derry 12:08pm August 6, 2013)
I've read a couple of books in the series and need to catch
up! I love it!
(Margay Roberge 1:01pm August 6, 2013)
What a great idea. I, too, read 4-5 books a week and never write them all down. A couple of times I signed out one at the library only to discover I had read it. The library does not keep count. Thanks for the idea. Now on to new Pink Carnation Adventures.
(Patricia (Pat) Pascale 1:04pm August 6, 2013)
I read a lot. I love historical fiction. Favorite genre!
(Vicki Hancock 1:06pm August 6, 2013)
I love historical romance! And when you throw in spies &
intrigue that will keep me up reading!
(Diane Sallans 1:11pm August 6, 2013)
It is always good to hear how a story idea came to be. Thanks.
(Pam Howell 1:29pm August 6, 2013)
I am new to your historical romances and went on to join your newsletter. I noticed that some of your books are about women! That is great! I would love to read and review THE PASSION OF THE PURPLE PLUMERIA and discover Pink Carnation Adventure. Thank you for this giveaway!
(Nicole Laverdure 1:29pm August 6, 2013)
My favorite color is purple---so I must read this book.
(Sue Farrell 2:01pm August 6, 2013)
I'm not surprised by your inspiration!! That is one of my favorites!!
(Cate Sparks 2:06pm August 6, 2013)
Sounds so interesting love to read my two favorite things to do is read and
my grand kids Thank you
(Ava Curtis 2:09pm August 6, 2013)
sounds like i would like this book
(Debbi Shaw 2:49pm August 6, 2013)
I really like your post, so very interesting, informative and honest. I know I would love your book, it sounds great and it's my type of read. Thank you for this chance to win, hope I do. Wishing You The Best.
(Esther Somorai 3:04pm August 6, 2013)
Love those pink carnation books... I love Scarlet Pimpernel too of course. :)
(May Pau 3:42pm August 6, 2013)
I enjoyed your post! Congratulations and thanks for the giveaway!!!
(Linda Brennan 3:54pm August 6, 2013)
Cool interview and thank you SO much for sharing with us!!!! I love this story already.
(Felicia Ciaudelli 4:23pm August 6, 2013)
I love the art of linguistics and would love to win!
(Susan Coster 4:49pm August 6, 2013)
I enjoyed reading your interesting post. THE PASSION OF THE PURPLE PLUMERIA sounds like another great book you've written, and I'd like to read.
(Rich Cook 5:24pm August 6, 2013)
I loved your THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION! So much that I have
two copies - one to lend out to friends and family and one for my own
enjoyment. :) Thanks for the post!
(MaryAnne Banks 6:29pm August 6, 2013)
I have enjoyed all your 'Pink' books and look forward to this new one! Thanks for many good reads!
(Mary Perry 6:53pm August 6, 2013)
Really enjoyed reading your blog.
(Sheila True 8:49pm August 6, 2013)
I love a good read and am keeping my fingers crossed.
(Melanie Backus 9:06pm August 6, 2013)
Love the series - looking forward to reading the latest Pink Carnation book.
(Mary C 9:08pm August 6, 2013)
Love historical fiction and this one sounds really good.
Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the contest!
(Teresa Ward 9:16pm August 6, 2013)
I love this series and would love to win this book, Thank you
for the chance
(Angela Holland 9:58pm August 6, 2013)
I love that The Scarlet Pimpernel was your inspiration. I have to read these books!
(Janie McGaugh 10:14pm August 6, 2013)
I am always anxious to learn more about authors. I am new to this genre so want to find the best authors and their books for my taste. Hope to win your book so that I may have the opportunity to get more involved with romance books.
Thank you .
(Cynthia Blain 10:27pm August 6, 2013)
I haven't read any of the books in the Pink Carnation series. I do however love that your muse was the Scarlet Pimpernel that influence the Pink Carnation series. Thanks for interview and the introduction to the Pink Carnation series.
(Kai Wong 11:36pm August 6, 2013)
Wow, Congrats on your new book: THE PASSION OF THE PURPLE
PLUMERIA. Your book sounds fantastic and I would love to win
it and read it this summer. Thank You very much. Cecilia
CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 12:01pm August 7, 2013)
I love hearing about the stories behind the books and how
authors come up with ideas. I'm a 'what if' person too and
love to come of with different scenarios with books, TV
shows and movies. I just can't get my ideas down on paper so
that they make sense. I guess that's why I'm a reader not an
author.
I haven't read any of your books before but you got my
attention when I saw the words carnation (my favourite
flower) and spy (who doesn't love them). I love historical
books (especially ones with roguish characters) and have now
added this series to my TBR list.
(Lisa White 12:18pm August 7, 2013)
A great inspiration. Love that interpretation of THE SCARLET
PIMPERNEL.
(Mary Preston 10:00pm August 7, 2013)
WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS BOOK! THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
(Shelley Summers 11:59pm August 7, 2013)
Your books sound wonderful! I haven't read any of them before but it sounds like the Pink Carnation series is quite a hit with those that have! I guess when a great idea pops into your head, you run with it. I've had dreams that were so good and detailed, I often wished I'd written them down, because later, I've forgotten so much. I will have to get your books, and I'd love to win this new one!
(Linda Luinstra 5:34pm August 8, 2013)
I like your Weekly Reading Round-Up. What a great idea! I will be checking that out, Lauren.
(Linda Luinstra 5:38pm August 8, 2013)
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