Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Beatriz Williams takes us on a canoe ride overseas, plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Gail Allison


**Giveaway is now closed**

In the spring of 1992, Beatriz Williams took a college course on turn-of-the-century Europe that sparked an interest in the First World War. Fast forward to summer 2007, where she suddenly met (in her head) a dashing WWI infantry officer who has dark blond hair and plays the piano. A couple years later (summer 2009) she finished up a frantic six week writing jag that ended in the first draft of “Overseas.” Fast forward again to present day, and we’re excited to see “Overseas” being published this month! Oh...in and around all that writing stuff? Beatriz completed an MBA at Columbia, worked as a corporate and communications strategist and had four children. We’re so glad she could find some time to sit down with us!

Thanks to Penguin, we have THREE ARCs to give to some lucky readers in the US and Canada.

Visit Beatriz at her website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

Did you learn anything from writing your book? If so, what was it?
I learned a lot of things! Don't be afraid to draft quickly and let the story carry you along; you can always edit later. And don't be afraid to make your stories and characters larger than life. That's what fiction is for. Lastly, with the right amount of coffee, I can physically function on four hours of sleep, but the walls will need re-plastering.

In one sentence, what was road to publishing like?
Long and meandering, with sudden drops and breathtaking vistas, and plenty of breakdowns along the way!

If "Overseas" were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
This is a tough question for me! As a mom of four, I don't get out to see a lot of movies, and even my television is pretty limited. Kate's your girl-next-door, but with a certain timeless grace -- maybe someone like Rachel McAdams. And Eddie Redmayne, who was in My Week With Marilyn and the BBC adaptation of Birdsong, would make a gorgeous and believable Julian, though he'd have to do a little bulking up in the gym!

First chick lit novel you ever read:
"The Nanny Diaries," by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Favorite chick lit novel that's not your own:
"Twenties Girl," by Sophie Kinsella

Chick lit novel that is most like your life:
Oh, you know, the one about the mom of four who wears eight-year-old shoes and drives a minivan littered with empty juice boxes and...what's that? You say there isn't one like that?

Chick lit character you'd be best friends with:
Rachel, from "Something Borrowed." Except I'd be all hot for Dex, which is so awkward.

Would you rather have too much time or too much money?
Definitely too much time! I know at one time I used to be able to stroll around the city for a lazy afternoon, but the memory is so old it's tinted in sepia.

What is the strangest or craziest date you have ever been on?
I once went out in a canoe on the mouth of the Connecticut River with this guy who was captain of the Dartmouth heavyweight crew back in college. I figured I was safe. But first he accidentally tips the canoe over as I'm getting in, dunking me in the water. Then it turns out he hadn't factored in the tide, so we're paddling frantically back to the dock and not making any headway. For a moment there, I thought I was a goner. But I ended up marrying him, so all was not lost.

Special thanks to Beatriz for a fun and entertaining chat and to Penguin for sharing "Overseas" with our readers.

How to win "Overseas":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Which chick lit novel is most like your life?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends May 13th at midnight EST.

25 comments:

Kim W. said...

1. Chick lit novel most like my life? I would say....Words Get In The Way would probably be the closest. It's a book I just finished reading and is about a mom and her autistic son. I have 2 children and they both have autism. I would like to say my life is more like "I Heart New York" or "Shopaholic" or something more fun, filled with first loves and travelling, but sadly, those days, if they ever existed, are in the past LOL!!

2. I follow the CLC blog

3. I posted this contest on FB

4. I belong to CLC on FB

kewalker1972@gmail.com

Marthalynn said...

I guess Bridget Jones is the novel to which I most relate, although my life wasn't nearly as hilarious!

I'm a follower :)

marthalynn16 at gmail

Debbie said...

1. I really can't think of one that fits my life right now. hmmm....

2. I follow CLC

3. I tweeted about this - https://twitter.com/#!/LibraryOfOurOwn/status/199866513795194882

4. I like CLC on FB

alibraryofourown at gmail dot com

Nina said...

I wish I could find a Chick-Lit novel that was like my life! Perhaps I'll have to write it. ;) Gorgeous cover for Overseas!
nina((565))at(aol)dot((com))

Debbie said...

Oops I guess I should have said I belong to CLC on FB.

alibraryofourown at gmail dot com

Cyndee said...

I guess the chick-lit book close to my life would be Shopaholic. I had a habit of shopping and never thought of how I would pay the cards off. Lucky for me, this did not last for long. I am a follower:)
Cyndee Thomas
cyndee.thomas0@gmail.com

Rebecca (RivkaBelle) said...

Gorgeous cover. Love the idea of this one!
::crossing fingers::

1: Chick lit most like my life...The Little Women Letters, I think...

2: I'm a GFC follower (RivkaBelle)

3: I'm a member of the fb group (RebeccaMFleming)

quarterback.girl[at]gmail[dot]com

Literary Chanteuse said...

1. A Different Kind of Love

2. blog follower

3. tweeted

4. member of CLC on fb

Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jeryl M. said...

I would like ti read this book.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

I can't remember the name of it but it is a book sbout these two people who were good friends and then suddenly realized they were in love with each other.

I am a Facebook fan.

I am a subscriber.

Jeryl M. said...

I forgot to put my e-mail address on my previous entry. It is jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Margie said...

This book sounds intriguing. Thanks for the giveaway.
-follower via Networked Blogs
-follower by GFC
-Facebook fan

mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

The Reading Frenzy said...

I do not want to be in the contest, but I had to tell everyone that this is the best book I've read in a while, it's definitely multi-genred, multi-layered and the narrative flows like you cant believe. Don't wait to win the book Buy it.
deb

Stephanie said...

Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell.

I'm a follower

Skk25@aol.com

sneakerdoodle said...

Twenties Girl - Sophie Kinsella

I'm a follower

mrspaulafranco@gmail.com

Erica said...

Hate to say it But the Shopaholic books are closest...

I am a follower on twitter

I am a follower of the blog

wordywon AT gmail DOT com

Lilian said...

1. Please tell us: Which chick lit novel is most like your life?

Hmmm, a chick lit about a college student who doesn't have a dark, tall, handsome guy falling in love with her...can't think of any =). But I would love my life to be like one of Sophie Kinsella's novels..though if I am Becky, I can do without the obsessive shopping.

2. I'm a follower!

3. I posted it on Facebook!

4. Tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/lilboxism/status/200091876810948609

lilianxchengATgmail.com

bn100 said...

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I follow the blog.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jilleen said...

Wow, great question....Holly's Inbox.

Follow CLC Blog

I belong to CLC on FB

Nikki57 said...

Sounds like a great book

1. I have no idea. I can't think of a single chick lit novel that really is much like my life

Kat said...

Great interview! Would love to win!
1) I really don't know which book would be most like my life... probably closest to Bridget Jones, although thankfully I don't quite get myself into the ridiculous situations she does.
2) I am a follower of the blog
3) Posted on FB
4) Already I member of CLC

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Bridget O'Neill said...

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner is probably the closest to my life.
I am a follower of the blog
I am a member on Facebook

Bjoneill@hotmail.com

Laura Kay said...

1.hmmm chick lit book that is like my life, well I related to one of the characters in One Click at a time. I'm totally all about facebook, lol

2. I love CLC and total follower! :D

3. Ok, gonna post it on twitter! here's the link :D https://twitter.com/#!/anovelreview1/status/201863948704821249

4. I totally belong to CLC on Facebook and love all the news you guys pass along!

5. Well I added Charlotte Lynn's Reviews the other day :D

rhonda said...

At one point Bridget Jones.blog follower twitter clc memberfb follower.will tweet at rhondareads.

Unknown said...

1. Sadly, no chick lit novels I know of are like my life, although if there is one I'd like to read it! Perhaps I'll write it someday ;) (I usually write thrillers)

2. Followed the blog

3. Posted this contest on Twitter

4. Joined CLC on FB

5. Added my sister/BFF Abby Cavenaugh to the group :)

Email: amycavenaughATgmailDOTcom

Would love to be entered in the contest! Read the excerpt on amazon earlier & would love to read the rest of the book. :) The cover art is beautiful btw! Also, great interview! Especially enjoyed the canoe story ;)