And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:
 Our Mystery Author this round is Linda Francis Lee. She's originally from
Texas (a former debutante, no less) and now lives in New York with her
husband.
Enjoy her interview below and then pop over to her website for more about
her books and herself.
http://lindafrancislee.com/
Thanks, Linda!
1. You live in NYC but were born and raised in Texas. Talk about two different worlds! Was it hard to adjust when you first moved there?
When my husband told me that his job was taking us to the northeast, the born and raised Texan in me couldn’t decide if I needed a glass of sweet tea or a shot of bourbon to get over the shock. Covering all bases, I went for both then started to pack. I wasn’t sure if I was headed for the land of Law & Order or Sex and the City, but I was excited and terrified in equal measures. What I learned from living in New York City for the last nine years is that New York is not entirely either. And while I miss Texas and my family (not to mention driving), I have fallen in love with the city that never sleeps.
2. Tell us about growing up in Texas. If I counted right, in the photo in your picture gallery, you have two brothers and a sister? And Dad was the mayor, too. That had to be difficult as a teen being 'the mayor's daughter' (assuming he was mayor during those years).
Yes, I have two brothers and a sister, and we are all close. In January all the Francis Siblings and our families went to Disney World and ran the half marathon and/or marathon. The races were fun, but having all four families together on vacation was an experience we’ll all remember forever. We’re still trying to get our parents to run with us next time! <g> As to my father and his service as mayor, I was already out of school when he was elected. Talk about an adventure. It was all consuming for my parents during the two terms he was mayor.
As to growing up in Texas, I don’t think I gave it much thought until I moved away. It was the idea of taking things for granted until you move away, then suddenly everything you’re used to isn’t right there any more, that inspired my recent books.
3. I have to ask about being a former Texas Debutante. Not many girls get the opportunity to experience something like that. How does that happen? Was it always a given that you would be a deb? Do you think the balls still hold the same meaning and importance for girls today as for those participating 50 or even 100 years ago?
Being a deb had more to do with my mother and father than me. My mother was active in the Symphony Association, and the Treble Clef Debutante Ball was a way to raise money for the symphony. Amazingly, the debutante tradition is as active as it once was all over the world, but with a big difference.
Traditionally the deb ball was used to introduce a daughter into society, letting the world know that she was ready for marriage. However in modern times the deb ball is used (in most cases) as a means to raise money for a charity or non-profit organization. So while the idea of “coming out” into society is outdated, the purpose has actually shifted to try to better meet the times. Is it the best way to raise money?? Probably not, but I do believe giving back to society is hugely important for children to learn from a young age.
4. Just for fun, I'm posting two links I found for a Debutante Ball held just this past December in NY.
http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/partypictures/2007/01_08_07/partypictures01_08_07.php
http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/3891
There is a pair of pics showing 'Texas Gals' and 'New York Girls'. Is there a bit of an ongoing rivalry between the two sets?
How funny to see the pics! If there are two states that have great pride in who they are it is Texas and New York. While I was looking at the sites, I Googled the particular bow that gave so many of the girls in THE EX-DEBUTANTE trouble—the Texas Dip, or the traditional deep Texas bow. Here is what I found: www.austin360.com/shared-gen/blogs/austin/outandabout/bow.jpg
5. Of course, this is the perfect segue to ask about your new release THE EX-DEBUTANTE. Tell us about it? Also, how much personal experience/observations are reflected in the story?
Well, as mentioned, it was moving away from my home and family that inspired my current books. As soon as I arrived in Manhattan, I realized that New Yorkers live by rules that no one bothered to share with me when I crossed the state line. Pretty quickly I learned that a man isn’t being rude when he gets into a cab first, he’s simply doing the NY gentlemanly thing of sliding all the way across the back seat so the lady doesn’t have to. I figured out that in NYC fashion is about style not necessarily beauty, and my big blond hair was a big Fashion Don’t. So I dressed in black and flattened my hair, but still New Yorkers on the street asked me where I was from. Clearly there were more elusive “rules” a person had to learn in order to fit in.
And that's when it hit me. I should write about those secret handshakes of life we all have to learn in order to prove we fit in. Sure, I would write about manners and etiquette, but I could include strong Texas men who believe rules are made to be broken, and the kind of Texas woman “who has the ability to tell you to go to hell and make you think you’re going to enjoy the trip.” I ditched the black clothes and refluffed my hair, then dove back into writing. With that THE EX-DEBUTANTE and THE DEVIL IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE were born. For fun facts, photos, and an excerpt, you can go to www.lindafrancislee.com
6. I saw that THE DEVIL IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE is being made into a movie. Congratulations! You must be very excited. Jennifer Garner is involved, too. How cool is that? Any word when it will hit the big screen? How involved are you with converting the book to screenplay?
Thank you. It is very exciting. The movie is completely theirs and I can’t wait to see what they do with it. The screenwriter has asked me some really funny questions, so I feel certain the screenplay is going to be fun. Most importantly, I can’t wait to see who they cast as Sawyer Jackson.
7. Last question - What's next?
I am writing the third Willow Creek novel, which I am having great fun doing.
I hope you enjoy THE EX-DEBUTANTE as Carlisle and Jack engage in a true battle between the North and South.
[Linda's photo from http://lindafrancislee.com/] |
