I'm honoured to be joined today by the fabulous Elizabeth Eulberg, author of the absolutely breathtaking YA contemporary novel, Take a Bow.
If you missed my review of Take A Bow click here, or simply scroll down a bit (it's the post below this one).
1. Welcome to Bookish, Elizabeth! Thank you so much for being one of the guests during the Contemporary Fiction Month feature! Could you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?
Thanks for having me! I'm the author of three (THREE?!?!?) novels, I'm also a huge music lover and karaoke enthusiast. When I'm not pretending to be a rock star, I love to read and go for walks on the beach. Wait, is this a dating profile?
2. I loved reading Take A Bow, it was such a gorgeous, captivating and meaningful read! Would you mind telling us who or what inspired you to write it?
Thanks! My love of music was a huge inspiration for the book. Growing up, I always wanted to go to a performing arts high school as I couldn't imagine anything better than spending all day at school surrounded by music. But there wasn't a performing arts high school near the little town I'm from, so I decided to write a book set in one!
3. What would you say is the most important quality your characters possess?
I think they all have heart, even if one's intentions aren't the best. I also made an effort to make them flawed. Nobody is perfect. Especially one of the characters!
4. What is your favourite and least favourite part of the writing process?
I love creating a new world and playing "WHAT IF?" to get the plot down. I think my least favorite part is that it can sometimes be a very isolated job. The only way the book is going to be written is if you sit down and write it. But it is the best job in the world, so no complaints!
5. Have you always wanted to be a writer? At what point in your life did you decide that writing is something you want to do?
I've always like telling stories and I wanted to be a musician since I was little. It wasn't until I began working in publishing years ago that I decided to give it a shot. It was very intimidating since I was surrounded
by all these amazing authors and I kept it a secret pretty much until I had a publishing deal!
6. What's on your TBR (To Be Read) list for this summer?
SO many books! Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti, Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker, Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley - and that's just for June!
7. Do you have a favourite line/quote from a book or poem?
One of my favorite quotes is from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."
And of course there's "Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them." Not exactly sure where that's from, but I agree with it!
8. What's next in line for you? Are you working on a new book now?
My next novel, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, will be coming out next spring. I just started outlining what will be my fifth novel, but too soon to talk about that one!
9. Which three contemporary books would you like to see adapted into motion pictures?
Selfishly, The Lonely Hearts Club. The Gallagher Girl series by Ally Carter and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith.
10. Yearbook Superlatives! If you went to high school with the characters from your novel, who would you vote for?
Most likely to succeed? Carter (at the start of senior year!) and Sophie (at least in HER mind!)
Class clown? Jack
Nicest? Emme
Most school spirit? Ben
Most likely to attend summer school? Ethan
Teachers pet? Emme
Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to join us here today! I'm looking forward to reading your next books!
About the author:Elizabeth Eulberg's lifelong love of music inspired Take a Bow. Although she didn't attend a performing arts school, she is currently trying to make up for it in karaoke bars throughout the greater New York area. She is the author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice. She lives outside of Manhattan with her three guitars, two keyboards, and one drumstick. For one brief, shining moment in '09, she was chosen as the Guitar Bar of Hoboken's Student of the Week.For more information about Elizabeth Eulberg and her books, please visit her website: click here.
Scholastic Canada has generously offered to give away one hardcover copy of Take A Bow.I am offering one extra copy for my International readers!OPEN TO: Canada only + World WideEnds: June 30thTo enter:Be a follower of this blog, 13 or older, and answer the question:You learned what's on Elizabeth's summer TBR list, what's on YOURS???Enter via rafflecopter below:
This Interview + Giveaway was posted as part of the Contemporary Fiction Month feature. Click on the picture for full schedule.