No complaints about the real people in my books, but I’ve had complaints about other things, like a really sad ending or storyline, etc. But I think every author gets complaints like that! LOL
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It was mostly just books and the internet, of course. Interestingly enough, Ellis Island invited me to do a presentation and signing a few months before THE LIES THEY TOLD released, but they canceled it about two weeks beforehand. Apparently the new Director of the Interior appointed a new director of Ellis Island, so we’re pretty sure they canceled when they realized the book was about eugenics.
Haha. What’s the most bizarre complaint you’ve had? Do you remember any that were really… unique?
The Ellis Island cancelation must have been so disappointing! I feel our country has always done a really good job of sweeping its sins under the rug (and I think most countries do the same, some to an even greater extent), but it feels like there’s more of a deliberate effort these days.
You mention that you’ve had readers mention sad plot lines. In The Lies They Told, the final chapters are bittersweet. How did you decide which plotlines would have a relatively happy resolution, and which not?
Which of the characters in The Lies They Told was your favorite to write? Did you have one that you struggled with more than the others?
In one of our offline conversations, you’d mentioned you’d started The Lies They Told some time ago. What’s the creative process like for you, and what kind of timeline do you have? Do you begin a book before you’ve completely wrapped up the last one? And once you start a novel, about how long does it take before it actually hits the shelves? Seems like it’s a lengthy process.
I learned so much from your book.
The fact that the United States was the first country to undertake the forced sterilization was a bit shocking.
Your book is amazing….thank you.
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Hmmm, I might have to think about that but it’s always bizarre to me when I get complaints about bad language. Because when I’m writing about evil people doing terrible things, they’re not going to say, “Gosh darn it!” or “Jimmy Crickets!”
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I usually just follow my instinct and write the story that comes to me. But I do try to have most of my main characters have semi-happy endings because I’ve already put them (and the readers) through SO many terrible things. THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN has received a lot of love from readers, but once in a while someone gets upset because one of the main characters had a terribly sad ending. I can only say that’s how the story came to me, and life can often be heartbreaking.
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Oh, Bonnie was definitely my most favorite to write. I loved her sassy attitude and the fact that she was just a softie inside. I did struggle with Pollack a little because even though he did some really terrible things, he wasn’t the only villain. He had the government of Virginia behind him too.
My grandparents came here from Scotland and went through Ellis Island, but I never heard them talk about it. Now I wonder if that’s because it was a painful memory?
I start with an outline (that I don’t always follow) and usually have about two years to write a book, which sounds like a long time but it’s really not, especially since historical fiction is so research intensive. Once I send a manuscript to my editor and after I finish his edits, then I can start thinking about the next book. I still have to do copy edits and first pass pages on the book that’s finished, but I can at least start research on a new subject. Usually it’s about a year and half after I turn in a manuscript before it hits shelves due to the fact that there’s a lot of behind the scenes things that my publisher has to do beforehand, like cover design, cover copy, copy edits, proofreading, coming up with marketing and promo plans, print ARCs for early reviews, etc. etc.
I know, right? So many shocking things. Thank you so much for reading it, Elizabeth, and for your kind words.
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Do you know what year they came through? If you want to read more about Ellis Island, the books I found most helpful are listed in the back of THE LIES THEY TOLD.
It always amazes me when I talk to authors about how long it takes to actually get a book written and published.
How did your first book, The Plum Tree (2012), come about? What made you decide to make the effort (consistently!) to create the work, and what was getting it published like?
Of your seven novels, which was your favorite to write? Which was the most challenging? Which are you proudest of?
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I think your novels are stand-alone, aren’t they? Which would you recommend readers start with, if they’re not familiar with your work?
I think it was around 1908. I found the ship manifest on the Ellis Island website, but didn’t explore it more than that. I feel motivated again! And I’m looking forward to LIES THEY TOLD. Thank you.
When do we get the next one?!
Seeing the ship manifest must have been so cool. Good luck finding more information! I really think you’d be interested in the books about Ellis Island that I used for research. And I hope you enjoy THE LIES THEY TOLD!