Thursday, April 2, 2015

So glad to have "met" Rowan Coleman...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to welcome Rowan Coleman back to CLC to feature her latest novel (before her new one comes out in the UK next month). The Day We Met was first released in the UK last year as The Memory Book, which was on Becky's 2014 favorites list (see her review). Rowan somehow manages to produce amazing, heart-wrenching novels while raising FIVE kids, including twin toddlers. You may not know that she is dyslexic, is learning how to bake, and has no time for ironing. (Does she know about Downy Wrinkle Releaser?) Inspired by her previous novel, Dearest Rose (a.k.a. The Runaway Wife), she has become an active supporter of  the domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the e-book publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. You can find Rowan at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks to Penguin Random House, we have THREE copies of The Day We Met for some lucky readers in the US and/or Canada! For an additional chance to win, visit Goodreads by April 14th (US only).


How does reading influence your writing? 
I love to read so much, but I wouldn't say that reading influences my writing especially that much. I think there are books I've read in the past that I set as a very high bench mark that I am always trying to reach, but other than that I think its important to try and stay true to what you want to write about, in the way you want to write it.

You're preparing a brunch for a group of authors, Who's on the guest list?
Oh now, do the authors have to be alive? Lets assume they do, I would invite my dear friends Julie Cohen, Kate Harrison, CL Taylor, Miranda Dickenson and top children's Tamsyn Murray. I would also like to invite my heroes, Anne Tyler, Marian Keyes, Jenny Colgan, Jennifer Weiner, and I think we would have a pretty fun time too.

There is a quote that says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” What is one thing that is outside your comfort zone that you’ve always wanted to try, but never did? Why haven’t you attempted it?
I can let you into a secret and make you the first to know that my next writing project is out of my comfort zone. I can't tell you anymore than that, because I would have to kill you. But I am excited and nervous about it!

What other styles of writing would you like to try someday? 
Hmm I don't think so much as writing in terms of style. I think a writer has a voice, and they can turn that voice to pretty much any genre. I would like to write a really fast paced thriller one day.

What is the one thing about your life that you can’t believe the most?
Apart from my unexpected twins? I think the most amazing and unexpected thing I have experienced over the last year is how well The Day We Met has been received all around the world. Its my most translated book ever, and I love getting editions in Bosnia, Dutch, Brazilian, French and more. I am especially delighted that it is published in the states, readers there are so passionate.

In the US there is a great debate as to whether carbonated drinks such as Coca Cola and Pepsi are called pop or soda, what do you call such beverages?
I had no idea about the pop debate! in the UK we call fizzy drinks pop, always. Soda is one specific kind of drink. So its pop all the way for me!

Thanks to Rowan for visiting with us and to Penguin Random House for sharing her book with our readers.

~Interview by Tracey Meyers


How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


US/Canada only. Giveaway ends April 7th at midnight EST.

31 comments:

Kristi said...

One thing that I'd like to try outside my comfort zone is to go mountain biking. The thought of racing down the side of a hill is super scary to me but it looks so fun!

Janine said...

One thing outside my comfort zone might be nothing to most people. I don't know how to dance. I am embarrassed that at my age I never learned. I would love to be able to dance.

Unknown said...

I have always wanted to paint. Not as in paint a house. I can see paintings in my mind that I would like to believe I could accomplish, but I also know I have no talent in that area.

Crooks on Books said...

One thing outside of my comfort zone I'd like to do is a treetop walk. Hate heights more! Feel clammy just thinking about it 😱

Book Blogging Mom said...

I would love to try swimming with sharks - in one of those cages :)

Rhonda J G said...

Something outside comfort zone would be zip line.

cpr040304 said...

I would love to learn how to swim, but my fear has always taken over. I can't even close my eyes for too long in the shower. The thought of drowning freaks me out.

Unknown said...

I have always wanted to sky dive!

Sharon said...

Travel overseas

Unknown said...

I would love to take off and just travel. I want to go to Scotland and Ireland but I don't want to see the touristy spots. I want to just set out in the morning and see what I can see. That is definitely out of my comfort zone.

Erin Kathleen said...

Paddleboarding (I think that's what its called - when you stand up on the surf board!)

susieqlaw said...

Skydiving

Holly said...

Playing the violin!

Bonnie K. said...

Something out of my comfort zone that I've thought of trying would be to stay in a place in the remote area with no tv or phone.

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

Ruth Lyons Mazur said...

I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar and the organ. My Dad was very talented and had played in a band, but I was never able to master his skills. He left me his organ when he passed away 20 years ago. I fool around with it, but have never taken lessons. ruthmazur46@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

I've always wanted to try skydiving but I have this major fear of falling, and heights and losing my glasses. So, I don't think it will ever happen.

Carol Fragale Brill said...

Go to Scotland. Problem is, I'm not a fan of flying

traveler said...

Travel since I haven't had that opportunity. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Terri. said...

I've always wanted to go hot air ballooning even though heights are not really my thing.

Hailey Fish said...

Sky-dive is way out of my comfort zone but I'd like to get it done so I can cross it off my bucket list. Another thing, learning how to drive! It's a whole nother ball game when you're in the passenger seat.

Becky said...

Skydiving! I could never do it but I've always wanted to try.

pamalot said...

I would like to try a hot air balloon ride.

Susan T. said...

I would love to go in one of those glider planes with no engine. You are carried into the sky by a normal plane then shot off like a big slingshot and left to glide down! I'm pretty adventurous so not much is outside of my comfort zone! Lol!

Tea said...

I would like to eat at the top of the Eiffel Tower, but I'm afraid of heights.

Margie said...

Mountain climbing might be fun, but I would never have the nerve to try it.

Viv V. said...

I would love to learn how to scuba dive. Just imagine going somewhere where the water is clear and seeing all the wonderful things that live below the water.

bn100 said...

bungee jumping

Tammy Dalley said...

I had always wanted to zipline, and I did this past summer! It was amazing

rubynreba said...

Climbing a mountain!

Nova said...

One thing out of my comfort zone would be to do karaoke. Maybe if i go to another town where no one knows me... lol

Unknown said...

I've long considered taking an improv class, joining Toastmasters, or participating at my local ComedySportz location, but my public speaking skills haven't been put to the test for more than 20 years (when I forced myself to take a class where I had to *get up in front of actual people and talk coherently*).