Get ready to learn more about the book Always Emilie in this discussion with sapphic author Alyson Root.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Alyson Root about Always Emilie, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Set In Canada category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Always Emilie?
Charlie was such an important character from the very start. She was an immense support to Sam in A Dance Towards Forever, book 1 in The French Connection Series. I knew I needed to give her a good story. I wanted the series to end on her HEA.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Even though this is Emilie and Charlie’s story. Charlie holds a special place in my heart. She had a rough go of it, but came out the other side stronger. Her loyalty and love shines through. I’ve got people like that in my life, and I couldn’t do without them. They are often the unsung heros and I wanted this secondary character to have the spotlight.
What inspired the idea for Always Emilie?
I wanted to write something completely different from the other two books in the series. My travels to Canada definitely inspired the location. Each place listed in Always Emilie is a place I have visited. Charlie is a layered character. I wanted her story to have a deeper meaning.
What part of Always Emilie was the most fun to write?
The suspense was a lot of fun. Adding that element wasn’t something I had done before in my writing, but I liked how it gave the story an edge.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
As soon as I knew the story would revolve around Charlie and her first love, I found the title. Always Emilie just fit.
What is your writing process like?
I try my hardest to schedule myself. I am very fortunate to write full time. Although I procrastinate so much, I sometimes struggle to get the bare minimum of words down per day. I wish I could change that about my writing process.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Robin Alexander. Her writing is hilarious, and I would love to get an inside look at her writing process. How she comes up with her characters. All her books have made me laugh out loud. I especially love the quirky side characters. I think it would be a lot of fun to hang out.
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
I want to give a shout out to Claire Heighton-Stevenson. Claire has helped me many times. Mostly when I have silly questions or worries. Every time she gives me brilliant advice which stems from her vast experience in the Sapphic Fiction world.
What author in your genre do you most admire, and why?
Sapphic Fantasy, for sure. It blows me away how an author can conjure up an entirely new world in a book. The detail is tremendous. Darva Green is a new author to me, but her books were incredible to read.
What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?
I will read anything. Lately I have ventured into Sapphic Fantasy. I really love pirates and vampires. Stories that truly transport you to another world. I like to think I’m open to everything literary. There is so much to discover, and I believe that can only help me with my writing.
Have you ever thought you’d hate a book, but ended up loving it?
There are a few books that I’ve seen and didn’t think I would like. The term ‘judging a book by its cover’ really played a heavy part in that. But nowadays I try to look past a cover that doesn’t appeal to me because I have found some absolutely wonderful books when I don’t pay attention to the cover.
