Escape - Barbara Delinsky - Author Interview & Giveaway

Q. Emily, the main character in your new novel 'Escape', has a realisation that her life isn't what she thought it would be, and escapes it. Have you ever felt the need to escape an area of your life temporarily?

A. Absolutely.  My life tends to be busy, with me jugglng too many balls at once.  There have been times when I would have loved to escape.  Having family and responsibilities, I never would, though, so I live vicariously through Emily.

Q. I think that many readers will be able to identify with Emily, how she feels she has been on a treadmill and wants to get off. Is this something that you think a lot of people experience these days?

A. I do.  This particular plot was one I’d been considering for several months, all the while trying to find another.  Then I posted a note on my Facebook page asking readers where they would go if they were to drop everything and flee.  The response was overwhelming!  At that point, I knew I had to write this book.  People not only experience this, but fantasize about their escape.

Q. At one point in the novel, Emily sends a text to her husband and the reply comes back, simply 'Working'...'which told me nothing and pointed out one of the worst things about electronic communication.' Do you think we rely too much on texts, emails and so on, and have lost something with respect to closeness in relationships by having less face to face contact or even telephone calls?

A. I text and email all the time – and it’s wonderful in many instances.  In others?  Bad.  We misinterpret remarks, read incorrect things between the lines, and avoid confronting important issues.  The bottom line, of course, is we need a mix of technological communication and face to face and/or voice to voice contact.

Q. Nature has an important element to play in this story, especially for Emily when she escapes. Is this something that is close to your own heart? 

A. Oh yes.  I love green things, fresh air, and the sound of water.  Nature has been around a lot longer than we have, a lot longer than our Blackberrys, iPads, and PCs.  I believe that we have to reacqaint ourselves with nature, to preserve both it and ourselves.

Q. I think this novel is very strong on dealing with relationships, love, friendship and everyday life. Are these the things that you are most keen to write about?

Yes.  Writing about these thing is truly my niche.  I understand people.  That is my strength in life and is, I believe, what makes my books work.

Q. Can you tell us about what you are working on now?

A. I’m working on a novel titled Sweet Salt Air.  It is set on an island off the coast of Maine, where two friends reunite after ten years apart.  One is a food blogger, the other a journalist, and their plan is to compile a cookbook of recipes and local lore from the island where they spent childhood summers.  Once there, details of their lives clash in unexpected and heart-wrenching ways.  This is exactly what you just said – a novel very strong on dealing with relationships, love, friendship, and everyday life.

Q. Where do you write - do you have a special place? 

A. I have an office in my house.  It’s bright, with skylights above, pine trees out the back windows, and a trio of beautiful birches in front.  And bird songs?  Of course! 


Read my review of Escape.

You can win a copy of Escape by entering the giveaway below, just complete the rafflecopter form.

The giveaway closes on Wednesday 18th April 2012. UK entrants only on this one as specified by the publicist. The novel will be sent to the winner direct from them.

Thank you for reading and good luck. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway