Interview with Redesigning Rose author Lydia Laceby

Do dreams ever inspire your writing? What did you last dream about?
I don’t know that dreams inspire my writing, but sometimes I wake up and discover I’ve solved a plot hole or a character issue I was having. Sometimes these random thoughts happen in the middle of the night – or not so random if you believe in dreams working things out - and if I don’t write them down, poof, they’re gone into the ether when I wake in the morning. Pens and paper are stocked beside my bed at all times.

When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
I was a very ambitious thirteen year old and started writing a soap opera. Then I set it aside for some reason. Probably because I got sidetracked with boys. But it was a start. I continued writing bits and pieces off and on over the years but started writing my first novel in 2009 (sitting in a box) and then Redesigning Rose in 2010 and published it in 2013.

What is it about 'chick lit' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres?
I love strong female protagonists and I’ll read anything with one from chick lit to women’s fiction to literary fiction and even psychological thrillers and New Adult.

Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Redesigning Rose is about a woman, Rose, whose life implodes when she finds out her husband has been lying to her. Rose bolts and bumps into Becky, an acquaintance from her gardening class, who takes her in and teaches her the value of laughter, friendship, and fun. But as Rose struggles to comprehend her past, she realizes a few hard truths about herself and remains determined not to make the same mistakes again, particularly with Becky’s gorgeous, dimpled brother.

What inspired you to write it?
I began writing Redesigning Rose three weeks after my own marriage dissolved. The situations were very different though and Redesigning Rose evolved from asking myself a lot of “what if” questions – my favourite writing questions! What if I’d left and had nowhere to go? What if I’d had no one to turn to? What about learning to trust again? What if I’d moved in with a girlfriend that was the polar opposite of me? How would that change me? Etc, etc, etc. Some of it was exploring my own fears and much of it was playing with all those “what ifs”.

Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?
I wish! I might jump up and down and squee a little when that happens, so maybe it’s good that it hasn’t yet. That might be a bit embarrassing on the subway.

Who designs your covers?
A good friend of mine is a graphic designer and she designed it for me once I’d found the perfect image, and I absolutely adore what she did with it.

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?
Rose: Joanne Froggattt
Scott: Josh Holloway
Becky: Evangeline Lily
Frank: Bobby Cannavale

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
Bridget Jones’s Diary.

What were the last two books you read?
Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher (incredible!) and The Hypnotist by Liane Moriarity

Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known.
Is there a button I can hit for a new question? I really can’t do this. There are too many. I’d need to name at least twenty, maybe thirty. Probably more. I know so many talented women who write marvelous stories that I can’t just name one. Sorry.

Where do you write?
All over the place, but lately it’s at my desk in front of a window and sometimes on the subway on my way to and from work.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? And did you follow the dream?
I’ve always wanted to write. I started with that soap opera (see question #2) and then shelved the dream through my teens. Then during the two decades that followed I must have been very annoying because I kept saying that I wanted to write a book but I did nothing but talk about it. But I finally did it! So, my long winded answer is YES! I finally followed the dream.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?
I’ve never even considered this before! The first person that came to mind was Kate Hudson. She’s like a ray of sunshine (I’ve had sunshine as a nickname a few times so that would fit) and she’s bubbly and looks nice. But I also think she can be emotional and give a good shout when necessary, something I’ve been known to do from time to time.

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Wine. I think I’m allergic to something in it which makes me more tipsy than I should be after one glass.
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopadon’t
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Closer to the ground.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Do I have to choose? Because I’m afraid I’m not really into either.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Cry Baby
Exotic beach or enchanted forest? Exotic Beach

Rose Parker’s husband has been lying. About everything.
When a conversation with her husband triggers questions, Rose Parker uncovers alarming answers that shatter her perfect life. But it is only when she shoves her belongings in her SUV and drives off that Rose realizes just how far from perfect her life actually was. She has nowhere to turn.
While debating between distressing sleeping arrangements–her mother’s house full of questions or a hotel room with too much solitude–Rose bumps into an acquaintance from her gardening class and allows bubbly, exuberant Becky to indulge her in a wild night full of whiskey, weeping, and whispered confidences. Suddenly, Rose has a new friend, a roof over her head, and two gorgeous men moving her out of her marital home.
As Rose struggles to settle into her new life, she remains determined to comprehend her past. And with time and distance and especially wine, comes knowledge. Frank wasn’t the only one lying to her. Rose was lying to herself.

LYDIA LACEBY is a co-founder of the fiction book blog, Novel Escapes. Since 2009, she has read and reviewed as much women’s fiction as humanly possible while designing, organizing and expanding the blog from two reviewers to seven.
In her spare time, she knits cute baby hats, would pick cheese over chocolate, and longs for the days she was able to cheat on her allergy free diet.
Lydia began her career writing a soap opera at the tender age of thirteen. It never aired. Redesigning Rose is her first novel.
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http://www.novelescapes.com/

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