You guys!! I have Allison Morgan on the blog today, author of one of my favorite fun romances of 2016, CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN! (Read my Review) If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend that you do. It’s sweet, romantic, funny, and will leave you with a huge smile on your face!
Because I enjoyed it so much, I want to give away a copy of CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN? to one of you guys, so be sure to enter after you read the interview.
Megan: Hey Allison! Thank you so much for taking the time chat with me about your books. I loved CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN? so much! It had me smiling from ear-to-ear. I’ve been recommending it to everyone! What can you tell readers about it?
Allison: Thank you for your kind words. CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN? was fun to write. I’ve always been a sucker for characters who get themselves into sticky situations. And what better than a jilted woman trying to save her ego and her career?
Megan: Poor Bree, she really gets herself into quite a pickle! But it sure was great to see how she gets out of it! 😉
I had so much fun reading this book. Truly. One of my favorite scenes to read was the camping trip Nixon and Bree take towards the middle of the book. Nixon knows exactly which of Bree’s buttons to push to get a reaction! The trip was so funny and yet a sort of turning point in their relationship. What was your favorite scene to write?
Allison: I enjoyed writing the Tough Mudder scene, probably because it evoked great memories. My friends and I completed a Mudder a few years ago and while it was painful and challenging, it was a blast. The instant camaraderie among the other participants was heartfelt, lots of encouragement and inspiration. I was TERRIFIED of the shocking obstacle, but enjoyed every sip of my celebratory finish-line beer!
Megan: Bree and Nixon have really great chemistry with awesome romantic tension brewing between them. But each of them independently had their own stories and issues to work through.
What character traits were important for you as a writer to convey so that they felt real and natural to the reader?
Allison: Great question. The current writing trends seem to showcase very flawed characters, so much as it’s difficult to cheer them on. At least for me. I might be in the minority, but I don’t like reading about people I wouldn’t invite to lunch. That being said, a “perfect” character is boring. With my writing, I try to convey enough flaws that makes my characters human and, at the same time, relatable when they make poor choices.
Megan: I love that!
Were there any challenges to writing this book or things that changed from first draft to the final? Any scenes you loved but were ultimately scrapped?
Allison: The final draft is quite similar to the first. But, expectations were a great challenge for me. It’s been said the 2nd book is harder to write than the first and I can attest to that. My first novel, THE SOMEDAY JAR, took longer for me to finish, but I had no reader base to impress. Just me. It was written 100% from the heart. While writing CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN?, I had a nagging voice reminding me that it needs to be as good as the first book. It was a challenge to center my thoughts and write for me and from me.
Megan: Bree’s grandma Jo raised her and the two are very close. But as the novel progresses, the reader finds out that their relationship has some unresolved issues. What made you decide to write about a grandma/granddaughter relationship?
Allison: In THE SOMEDAY JAR I tackled daughter/father issues. I wanted to try a different relationship my second novel. And, who doesn’t love their G-mas?
Megan: That’s so true! My grandma is awesome. 😉 What’s your writing process like? Do you do a lot of plotting before you start writing? Or do you just start writing on the fly? Do you write everyday? Do you listen to music?
Allison: I’m a visual writer. I chart the beginning, middle, and end on a huge piece of paper, showing the progress of my characters and each scene. I’ve tried to “wing it” and it was a colossal mess. I need focus and direction. And silence.
Megan: This book is your second novel. For readers like me, who’ve yet to read your debut, what can you tell us about THE SOMEDAY JAR?
Allison: I must admit, THE SOMEDAY JAR holds a special place in my heart. I’m very proud of that book, it’s hilarious and heartwarming (as I’m told by some of my wonderfully kind readers). The story is about real-estate broker Lanie Howard who figures she has the perfect man, the perfect job, and the perfect life. Then she stumbles across her old Someday Jar, the forgotten glass relic where she stashed her childhood wishes—no matter how crazy—that her father encouraged her to write down on the backs of Chinese restaurant fortunes. She used to be fun once! What happened to her? Although Lanie is wary of uncorking her past, when an attractive stranger saves her from a life-or-death encounter with a lemon peel at the bottom of a martini glass, she realizes life is way too short for regrets. Now, jar in hand, Lanie decides to throw caution to the wind, and carry out everything she had once hoped to do, even if it means leaving her perfectly “perfect” life behind…
Megan: Do you have anything that you’re working on right now that you can talk about? I know I’m not the only reader who’d love to hear about it!
Allison: Nothing I can share at the moment. Gears are spinning in my mind and I’ll hopefully have something to share soon!
Lightning Round:
Sweet or Salty? (and favorite snack) – Both – chocolate covered pretzels
Any hobbies aside from writing and reading? – crossword puzzles and walks (dang, I sound old and boring).
Favorite book of all time? This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women by Jay Allison
Favorite movie? The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Megan: Allison, I’m so grateful you took the time to answer a few questions. And everyone, add CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN to your to-read list! An abundance of smiles is waiting for you between the pages!
Allison: Thank you very much! This was fun.
Check out Allison Morgan’s Books:
CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN? ➜ Amazon: US • UK • CAN | iBooks | GR | My Review
THE SOMEDAY JAR ➜ Amazon: US • UK • CAN | iBooks | GR
About Allison Morgan
Allison Morgan was born on Halloween, way back in the 1900's. During her elementary school years, Allison's older brother routinely ate her share of the Pringles, tape-recorded fart-sounds over her favorite Olivia Newton-John songs, and dug up her life savings. Literally. He convinced her to bury & water her allowance ($3.50), but it never blossomed into a money tree. She's since retaliated by sending truckloads of Pixy sticks, finger paints, and glitter to her nephews.
After roller skating her way through middle school with braces and bad bangs, Allison graduated high school as senior prom queen. Each subsequent May, she's polished her tiara and ironed her silky sash, having been asked to attend the annual dance as "Queen-Alumni."
Well, asked to attend and asked to leave...there's such a fine line.
GIVEAWAY:
I’m giving away a copy of CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN!
Open to U.S. residents only.
Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 years old to enter.
By entering you agree to these terms & conditions.
Good luck!
