Luanne Rice Official Site | Ask Luanne http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/ en Copyright 2009 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:47:15 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Q: Dear Luanne, I absoultly love, love,love your books! I particularly enjoy reading all about the beach! I absoulty love the beach, but is that where u grew up at or just have a love for that place? ~sky~ A: dear sky, i have a character with your name, except with an "e" (skye) in "firefly beach"... yes, i did grow up spending summers at the beach. a very magical place on the connecticut shore...my parents met there, and we spent many happy years there, and my family goes there still. i find comfort and inspiration in the sand and the waves, and the endless sky. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001549 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001549 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:47:15 -0500 Q: I was lucky enough to be the first customer to have her book signed by you last Saturday at the Waterford Wal-Mart. It was a pleasure to meet you. I really felt star struck to be meeting someone as famous as you. Your books have thrilled me for years. The fact that you write about local areas makes the books seem more real to me. I work at The Day Publishing Company newspaper in New London and when you write about the Gold Star Bridge or Bank Street it just gets me more and more excited to read your books to find out where you will be taking the reader. Do you have a new book in the works or do you take some time off after completing a book? How do you come up with the titles you have used? I look forward to your next book and wish you luck in everything you do in the future. Take care. Kathy Groton, CT A: dear kathy, thank you for coming out that cold day! it was really nice to meet you. i'm glad you like my books, and enjoy the local references. the connecticut shoreline is such an inspiring area; i've spent all my summers there, and a few winters as well... the day has always been so supportive of my work--last summer ann baldelli came to my house and wrote a profile. in the past, i've been interviewed by other reporters there. i'm very grateful to the paper, and everyone who works there. i do have a new book coming out this summer-- "what matters most." as for titles...they're inspired by themes in the books, and often come while i'm dreaming. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001547 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001547 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:20:41 -0500 Q: Can you please tell me when Sandcastles will be coming out in paperback? I hope it's very soon. I have read and enjoyed all your books. Denise A: hi denise, it will be out this summer, on july 17. thank you! http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001546 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001546 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:19:23 -0500 Q: I greatly enjoy reading your books. I love the idea of living near the coast, therefore your books are always a trip to the sea and it's always easy to imagine the stories are about real people. Thanks for the pleasure. My question, who does your front-cover illustrations. I wish I could paint pictures like them. A: i'm so glad you like my book covers...i love them, too. i'm not sure which particular novel you're referring to, but i'll pass your praise on to the art department. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001545 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001545 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:17:09 -0500 Q: Dear Luanne, What made you write "Summer's Child" and "Summer of Roses"? I wanted to tell you that I loved a man like Edward, but got away from him in time. I can't believe how much I was fooled for so long. He seemed like one kind of man when I met him, then changed into another as time went by. He fooled my whole family. Your books helped me see the truth. Love, Jen A: dear jen, once i was interviewing an fbi agent, while getting background for one of my characters. the character was a family man--spiritual, even religious, outwardly kind, well-known in his community. he was emotionally wounded by a rough childhood, and his wife wanted to heal him. but he had a dark side that emerged (as you say) as time went by: he was a predator. the agent listened to me describe him--handsome, funny, bright. then he said, "he's a con man, and con men don't tell you they're conning you. the good ones are so good, their victims don't realize until after they've lost everything." even wives. even strong women can fall for con men--as lily (my female character) learns, the best thing she can do is really listen to herself, trust her gut. and believe what he does, not necessarily what he says... thanks for writing. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001548 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001548 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:15:21 -0500 Q: Was your beach house at [Hubbard's Point], on [hidden]? I spent summers there with my crazy grandmother in "Fenwick." I recall a family named Rice next door and was wondering if that was your family or if that is your married name. Susan A: hi susan, yes, that's my grandfather's cottage. my aunt still owns it, and i live down the road. i remember your grandmother. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001544 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001544 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:13:44 -0500 Q: I just received a paperback from Random House on your behalf for writing a something in "what Matters Most". Thank you! Thank you for being such a wonderful & entertaining writer...love, love your work. A: thank you for posting at "what matters most"! i really appreciate it... http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001543 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001543 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:13:09 -0500 Q: I started with Dance With Me. My mom had bought it, but I 'borrowed' it. I was truly touched by your style of writing and the happenings in the book. After that, I read Summer Light and again, I had to cry. I can't believe I have been to the library all these years without even knowing you. I'm a 14-year-old Dutch girl, so most of your books are translated in my language. However, when I find an untranslated copy, I háve to read it. The way you use the English language is so beautiful, but more than that, I learn from your books. Dance With Me still is my favorite. Please never stop writing. With love, Marlies. A: dear marlies, thank you for your touching email! i'm so happy to know you have found my work. and that you read me in both dutch and english... your kind words mean a lot to me. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001542 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001542 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:09:51 -0500 Q: Luanne I just started reading your books and I enjoy them very much. The first one I got at the library, and when I turned to the back cover and saw your picture, the one when you were younger, I thought you were a girl I used to work with. You look just like her. I worked in a Hospital laboratory in Flint Mich. for 30 years and am retired now . I still live in Mich. and spend summers in Fl. She wore her hair just like that and same color and the same smile. She was married and had three small children. After reading about you , I figured that it probably was not you. I will keep reading your books, I enjoy them so much. Janice A: hi janice, although i'm not that person, it's interesting to know i have a double... thanks for reading my books! http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001541 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001541 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:07:09 -0500 Q: Hi, I read your books and enjoy the messages. If there are series I like to read the books in order. I went to your "Ask Luanne" page and found a list of all your books, but I can't tell which are series and which are not. Maybe there aren't any series . . . How can I tell if a book is in a series and if so, what other books go with that series. Thanks for your help and have a blessed day. A: hello, "summers child" and "summer of roses" are linked, as are "sandcastles" and the forthcoming "what matters most." several other novels have the common locale of hubbard's point, but they're not specifically series. hope this helps! http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001540 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001540 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:04:04 -0500 Q: I was interested in your website in that it said you dropped out of college. What were you majoring in and to what do you attribute your writing skills to? Also, as an aspiring writer, what advise would you give me to reach my goal? I would like to attend some workshops, too, and would like some advise as to which ones you would recommend. Thanks! Susan Bismarck, ND A: dear susan, my writing skills...well, i attribute them to reading, imagining, and trying over and over again. i never studied writing. my mother encouraged me from the time i was young (so i also attribute them to her.) when i dropped out of college, i was majoring in art history... as for workshops...i'll be speaking at the maui writer's conference next august...and my friend suzanne strempek shea will be teaching in ireland in july... but i'm sure you can find something close to home, that will speak to your heart and soul. or you could just pick up a pen and paper write now, and see what happens. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001538 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001538 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:53:28 -0500 Q: What a great blog you had on 3/3/07. My sister Jilleen Hays was one of your subjects in your blog, as was my mother Joanne Phillips. My mom was one of your biggest fans and my sister is one of your biggest fans. I can only tell you I am "trying to be the "READER TYPE" !! I am a bit high strung with lots of energy! Since last Memorial day I have read eight books, in which I am proud of that accomplishment. My normal speed is "In Touch" and "Lansing (MI) State Journal" . My team [at the Grand Ledge Relay for Life] is in honor of my mom Joanne Phillips, who was diagnosed with leukemia on November 15, 2005 and sadly passed away November 8, 2006. My team is also in honor of my grandmother Roberta Doty and aunt Rose Doty whom are breast cancer survivors. Thanks so much for your time and blessings to you and your family, Mary Jo Phillips-Jones Grand Ledge Relay for Life A: dear mary jo, your mother was a wonderful woman. she made a big impression on me, although i met her only once; she came to a reading of mine in ann arbor with other members of the princess book club. she was so dynamic and positive--i could never forget the way she made sure one of her best friends found me on tour several states away! i've met jilleen twice now...most recently when she gave me the terribly sad news about your mom. please send me your address here...my publisher will give it to me. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001537 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001537 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:42:18 -0500 Q: It started out with my desire for a beach house. I couldn't afford one (yet) but I decided I could decorate my current abode to look like one. For inspiration I scoured book stores for paperback books with covers depicting scenes of the sea. My intention was to remove the covers, frame them in plexiglass frames and display them on one wall. I discovered your books with the beach-related theme and loved each of them. I found myself reading all the others and loving them too! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us! Ann Leach, co-author Goal Sisters: Live the Life You Want With a Little Help A: dear ann, thanks for letting me know... i believe that we all have our own inner beach house...and thanks to your inspiring ideas, we can see them framed on the wall. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001536 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001536 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:39:13 -0500 Q: Luanne: I absolutely love your books but Firefly Beach is my favorite. I just reread it for the third time recently and I thought that I had read another book that involved Joe's Brother Sam. What other books mention the characters of Joe & Caroline? Thank you so very much! Love the books, I think True Blue is my favorite. I was visiting your site to see your book tour schedule but can't find anything. It would be most helpful to know where you will be & when. Thanks, Susan A: dear susan, thank you! those characters recur in several of my "hubbard's point" books, but not in a really "top billing" way... the exception would be "safe harbor," which is about sam falling in love... i really do love sam. as for my tour info, it's posted here on the site just before a new publication. i'll be in florida for two dates during april, (sarasota on 4/11 http://www.sarasotanewsandbooks.com/ and jacksonville 4/20 http://www.muchadoaboutbooks.com/home.cfm ) and then out on tour for "what matters most" this summer. check back here then, and i'm sure we'll have the dates up. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001535 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001535 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:27:45 -0500 Q: I was so thrilled to meet you at Walmart in Waterford when you signed my copy of your new book, The Edge of Winter. I could not put the book down and I just finished it. It was beautiful and I hated to have it end. I wish you could write a sequel to it because I loved the characters and the way you described the different birds and the Rhode Island sea shore. Looking forward to your next new book -- keep up the good work. Dot A: dear dot, thank you... i love those characters, and i love the rhode island shore. who knows? maybe they'll return some day. it's certainly possible; i'll have to listen for them calling me back. as for birds...the spring migration is slowly starting. i'm very excited. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001534 http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/askluanne/#001534 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:23:53 -0500