Q & A with NY Times Bestseller Sarah Addison Allen

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Welcome to Books on the House, Sarah!

BotH:

I’d like to start with the question everybody I know seems to ask.  How do you come up with the quirky magic elements in your books?  They are SO fun!

Sarah:

My writing process is very organic. I start with an idea. I have the general story arc and the cast. But then I sit down to write and things change. New characters appear, some disappear. And the big elements of magic in all my books — the prophetic apple tree in Garden Spells, the books that appear on their own in The Sugar Queen, and cakes with the power to call in The Girl Who Chased the Moon — weren’t in the stories until I started writing. I was actually surprised by them.

BotH:

Have you always wanted to be a writer?  And following up with that, was Garden Spells your first book, or do you have other’s hidden away like so many writers?

Sarah:

True story:  When I was a kid, I wanted to be a garbage man when I grew up.

I’ve always enjoyed writing, but didn’t make the decision to pursue it as a career until I graduated from college.  I wrote for twelve years and produced dozens of manuscripts that never sold.  Garden Spells was written in 2006, and it turned out to be my big break.

BotH:

The magical realism in your books would translate so beautifully into children’s books.  Any plans to write a book for kids?

Sarah:

No, no plans to write children’s books.  But I will continue to add those magical elements to my books that I think remind readers of the fairytales of their youths.

BotH:

Your books feature strong women.  Sisters and Friendship are themes throughout the first two.  Are they also themes in The Girl Who Chased the Moon?

Sarah:

There aren’t sisters in The Girl Who Chased the Moon, but strong friendships play a part.  I like to think my books show the growth we’re capable of when we find people who accept us just as we are.  That kind of friendship, that kind of love, is magic.

BotH:

Continued success with your wonderful books, Sarah!  Thanks again for being here.

Sarah:

Thank you!