Interview with Emma Lynden, Author of The Holiday Plan
02 Feb 2022
What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Holiday Plan?
The story behind the story is basically written right in! Chapter One of The Holiday Plan begins with an author receiving a rejection letter for her latest romance novel manuscript right on Valentine’s Day – which is exactly what happened to me on my first-ever submission.
I vividly remember reading that email and thinking how utterly unromantic and ironic the timing of it was, to have a love story rejected on a holiday all about love and romance… and then my imagination took over and the rest of the story flowed from there!
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Holiday Plan, what would they be?
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” – it captures their romantic relationship journey perfectly!
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
For both reading and writing, I’m a big fan of Romance – those tender, heartwarming stories and guaranteed happily-ever-afters are truly a balm now more than ever. I really enjoy reading mysteries as well.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My current read is Teri Wilson’s latest romcom A Spot of Trouble, and next on my list is Kerry Winfrey’s Very Sincerely Yours.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The meet-cute was so much fun! And in a completely different way, there’s a chapter much later on in the story, where my heroine takes my hero to a place that’s incredibly special to her. There are some sweet, nostalgic, deeply meaningful moments in those scenes that were truly beautiful to write.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I know a lot of authors need to have music playing in the background or the hustle and bustle of a busy café, but I actually prefer to write in complete silence – and my brain seems to do its best working out of plot problems in the odd hours of the night. Lots of two-in-the-morning breakthroughs while penning this one!
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
A little progress each day adds up to big results.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
My biggest wish is to leave readers happier and more hopeful for picking up my book. One of the threads that’s woven throughout this story is that if you look hard enough, you can always find a special magic at work in the seeming mistakes of life, and that sometimes it’s the unexpected paths we’re forced to walk that end up leading us right where we’re meant to be.
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