Thursday, August 2, 2012

Amy Hatvany is like a sister to us, plus a book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

Amy Hatvany is back at Chick Lit Central, following her visit in February, to tell us about "The Language of Sisters," which is about a woman who returns to her hometown to help take care of her sister, who has disabilities. It was written about 10 years ago under her previous last name, Yurk, and has been republished under her current last name. Like her recent novels, "Best Kept Secret" and "Outside the Lines," we know it will be a huge hit. Since we only asked her about romance last time she was here, we're now asking her about writing. She is currently at work on her fifth novel, which she tells us more about in this interview.

Thanks to Atria Books, we have TWO copies of "The Language of Sisters" for some lucky US readers.

You can find Amy at her website and on Facebook and Twitter.

Is there a message in "The Language of Sisters" that you want readers to grasp?
One message for me is the idea that doing the right thing is often times the most difficult, but can lead to the greatest personal growth. Another is that the bonds we share with our sisters (or “fristers” – a term I’ve borrowed from the lovely Sarah Pekkanen for friend/sister) can encourage us to be the best version of ourselves that we can possibly be.
I love that readers find their own messages in the pages of the books I write – what the story teaches them, or makes them feel. Reading is such a personal experience, and I think everyone gains something different. That’s what makes it great!

What books have you read so far this summer?
I’m in the middle of writing a new book, so I haven’t read much, since it tends to distract me, but before I began the project, I managed to read GONE GIRL, by Gillian Flynn, THE NEXT BEST THING, Jennifer Weiner, and OFF THE MENU, by Stacey Ballis. Loved all three!!

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
My mother originally suggested I try writing when I was in second grade, probably because I was such a constant chatterbox and she needed a break from my telling her my stories! I began putting then on the page and have been writing ever since.

If you gave one of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
The truth is, I believe they do speak for themselves – I’m often surprised at what comes out of their mouths as I write. They’re very bossy - I don’t necessarily feel in charge of the process.

What are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?
Iced Mocha lipstick (which is actually more red than it sounds), Lemon Burst Mints, Tweezers (you never know when you might have an eyebrow emergency!), and Ibuprofen (because I’m getting old and everything aches!)

Your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad:
Well, no doubt, good reviews are balm to the neurotic writer’s soul. It means the world to me when someone has been sufficiently moved by a story I’ve written to take the time to convey their thoughts to me and other readers.
And of course, bad reviews are painful, but if they address a specific problem they saw in the story – something tangible that I, as a writer, need to work on – then I attempt to absorb the constructive criticism and move on. What bothers me the most are the harsh reviews that attack the writer and include generalized and meaningless “this book/writer sucks” commentary. At the end of the day, reading is a highly personal experience – not everyone is going to connect with a story, and that’s okay. But there’s no need to skewer anyone with your opinion, because that’s all it really is – an opinion.

Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks or hardcover?
I have yet to buy an e-reader, simply because I love the feel of a book in my hands. (I appreciate their convenience, and probably will buy one later this year for traveling, but will continue to read print books at home.)
The truth is, when I finish writing a book, I need to print it out because it doesn’t feel “real” or that I’ve actually accomplished anything until I can touch it. I feel the same way about reading a book. There is something innately satisfying about my fingers turning the page.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I’m most excited about HEART LIKE MINE, which explores what happens when a young mother dies under mysterious circumstances and the family she leaves behind begins looking for answers in the past – eventually discovering a long-buried secret they could have never imagined. It’s due out in March, 2013, and there is a sneak peek of the first two chapters at the end of THE LANGUAGE OF SISTERS! I can’t wait to hear what my readers think of it!

Special thanks to Amy for chatting with us again and to Atria Books for sharing "The Language of Sisters" with our readers.


How to win "The Language of Sisters":
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: What is your favorite movie, TV show or book (aside from this one) about sisters?
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 only. Giveaway ends August 7th at midnight EST.

31 comments:

EFC Chrissy said...

Great interview! I agree with Amy, reading is such a personal experience to everyone. Everyone gets something different out of a book.

favorite book/movie/tv show about sisters??? hmmmmmmm....Pride and Prejudice had great sister dynamic, so I'll go with that one. (my mind is drawing a blank right now. LOL)

I follow the blog. My email: everyfreechance@gmail.com

Unknown said...

This one sounds really good. I'm a new Amy fan, after reading "Outside the Lines."

I always loved the TV show, "Sisters." My sisters book is "The Opposite of Me."

I follow, Like, tweeted.

allieDOTmcsmithATgmailDOTcom

Colleen Turner said...

I really liked Outside the Lines and have Best Kept Secret on my bookshelf waiting to be read! I would be so excited to win her new book as it sounds just great...I don't have a sister but I have a cousin who is like a sister to me and we have been through everything together!

My favorite book(s) about sisters woudl be The Opposite of me by Sarah Pekkanen and Little Women. I also love all the various movie adaptations of Little Women.

I shared on Twitter (candc320).

I am a GFC follower and Facebook follower (Colleen Turner).

Thanks!

candc320@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite sister movie is The Color Purple. It makes me cry every time.

ndbh39 At yahoo Dot com

susieqlaw said...

sendsusanmail AT gmail DOT com

Party of Five

I follow CLC Blog, Facebook and twitter.

I posted the contest on twitter @susieqlaw

Marthalynn said...

I love how her mother encouraged her to write as a young child and she's been doing it ever since!

I'm a huge fan of the classic Little Women in all of its forms. Those girls had such an amazing bond with one another.

I follow :)

marthalynn16 at gmail

Jessica said...

Sorry I'm copying some people but I love "The Opposite of Me" by 1.Sarah Pekkanen. I'm sure there are more books I like but I can't think of any. I've read almost 300 books this year so it's not surprising that I can't remember them all, haha!

2. I follow this blog through GFC.

3. I posted this on twitter. https://twitter.com/xxpaperhearts/status/231111174706561025

4. I am a member of Chick Lit Central on facebook.

Thanks!
-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com

Mary said...

My favorite book about sisters is Little Women.

I am a GFC follower (mamie316) and on Facebook and Twitter too.

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

Twisty J said...

My favorite movie about sisters is probably 'Sunshine Cleaning.' This sounds like a great read, and the cover is beautiful! Thanks for the chance.

GFC: Twisty J
twistingthelens@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

In Her Shoes was fun

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

I loved "Outside the Lines" and have "Best Kept Secret" in mile TBR pile. I would love to win this one!

Favorite sisters...the old TV show Hope & Faith

I follow the blog!

jefftanyaheatherATbrenanDOTnet

karenk said...

enjoyed 'my sister's keeper' by jodi piccoult

i'm a follower

thanks for the chance to read this story

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Shannon said...

First of all-this is the first time I have heard of Amy and her books-OMG! I've marked all of them on goodreads to read VERY SOON! :)

My email is shannonabc123@gmail.com

I liked on facebook, and I'm a follower of this blog. I followed on twitter.

I tweeted about this giveaway!

I WANT TO WIN! :)

Shannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

Lilian said...

1. Please tell us: What is your favorite movie, TV show or book (aside from this one) about sisters?
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult!

2. GFC Follower: Lilian Cheng
3. Shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctoybox1/status/231287822852706304
4. Joined Chick Lit Central on Facebook.

lilianxchengATgmail.com
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

Margie said...

This book sounds very intriguing. I like family drama stories.
Favorite book about sisters--Little Women.
-follower by GFC, Networked Blogs
Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

oops--sorry, forget in my previous comment--just clicked Facebook link
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

My favorite sisters book is definitely My Sister's Keeper and I was a huge fan of the Sweet Valley series.

This book looks good!

I'm a follower of the blog and Twitter and I'm a fan on FB.

missamberljohnson at gmail dot com

Bridget O'Neill said...

My favorite book about sisters is Pride and Prejudice!

I follow the blog

I'm a member of CLC on Facebook

bjoneill@hotmail.com

Ps. I LOVED Best Kept Secret!

Cyndee said...

My favorite TV show with Sisters is:"Little House on the Prairie" which my Mom would tell me"See these Sisters are close" when I would be mad at mine!Favorite book: Shopaholic&Sister. I love the whole series.
I follow on RSS,Facebook(CLC Group)
I shared! Cyndee Thomas0@gmail.com
The interview with Amy was super.I will add her books to my to-read-list.Cyndee Thomas

Jeryl M. said...

I like the TV show Sisters and the book Little Women.

I am a subscriber.

I am a Facebook fan.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

bn100 said...

The Sweet Valley High books.

I follow the blog.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Sharon said...

sharn3960 AT comcast DOT net

1. Favorite book - My sister's keeper by Jodi Picoult

2. I'm a GFC follower.

3. I tweeted about the giveaway @sharn3960

4. I'm a FB follower.

BRN2SHOP9 said...

My favorite book about sisters is In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner.

brn2shop9 at gmail dot com

I follow via facebook, twitter and gfc.

Anonymous said...

My favorite sister film has to be Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters.". Fabulous!
Congratulations, Amy!
writeoncindy@yahoo.com

Tiffany Drew said...

My favorite book about sisters has to be The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen :)

GFC follower Tiffany Drew

Facebook member Tiffany Drew

Tweet: https://twitter.com/enterthedrew/status/232304270307909633

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

May said...

Email: mayabe23 AT gmail DOT com

Fav movie and book about sisters: The Sky Is Everywhere and My Sisters Keeper.

Tweet: https://twitter.com/MayAbe23/status/232314875664289793

GFC Follower: May Abraham

Unknown said...

'Little Women' is the book that GOT me to read...the fact it was about sisters just makes it that much better!

I follow you guys everywhere! LOVE the site!

Loved this interview and can't wait to read the book!

kimberley2229@yahoo.com

Nina said...

As one of four sisters I was sold on this book by the title alone! And of course Little Women would be our favorite (though don't count on the 3rd born saying that--she's upset that her March sister counterpart is Beth!! ;) hehe).

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

Always love Little Women and another favorite is My Sister's Keeper by Picoult.

I am a blog follower and a FB fan.

CB said...

My favorite TV show about sisters...hmmm...Lorelai and Suki were like sisters in Gilmore Girls, but they weren't biological sisters. I do love Downton Abbey and the dynamics of the three sisters is quite interesting.
I am a blog follower and a Facebook fan.
Caribellacreations at gmail dot com

faithspage said...

Notting Hill is one of my favorite movies
Books, Skipping A Beat, Here Home Hope, and Heart of the Matter.
follow on gfc, fb, and twitter