An interview with Emily Bain Murphy, author of Splinters of Scarlet
About the book:
1. How did you come up with the story, Splinters of Scarlet?
My agent and I were brainstorming some new ideas after I finished working on my debut novel The Disappearances, and he said, you know what could be fun? Something like ‘Downton Abbey meets Frozen.’ I loved that idea and was immediately intrigued, and so I took it and ran with it. A lot of the inspiration for elements of the story came from a year that my family and I spent living in San Francisco. My daughter was watching ‘Frozen’ a lot, and we went to the San Francisco ballet to see the Nutcracker. We lived within walking distance of the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, and we would visit at least once a week and look at the gemstones and minerals exhibit. Originally, I was envisioning the story in a more high-fantasy world, but after discussing it with my publisher, we decided to take a similar tack to The Disappearances and set a magical story within a real historical time and place. After a lot of research, I ended up in nineteenth century Denmark, and I absolutely love the way the setting now inspires the atmosphere and some of the most critical parts of the story.
2. Which POV (point-of-view) did you enjoy writing the most?
Definitely Marit. Although the other sections were really important, because I always want to understand why people do the things that they do, even if it’s clear that the ultimate conclusions they draw are wrong.
3. What part of the book was the hardest to write? The beginning, the middle or the end?
Middles are always hard for me! I love to write beginnings. There is so much excitement in creating a world and setting a story on its track. I spend a lot of time on my endings because I want to make sure I give readers that emotional payoff for investing in the story, and on Splinters in particular, I will admit I had a few good cries!
4. Which character are you the most similar to in Splinters of Scarlet?
I try to put little pieces of myself into all of the characters, and sometimes I hide little pieces of the people I love in them, too. I would say that I am fiercely loyal to the people I love, like Marit is. I am not always as bouncy and mischievous as Liljan is, but I love her, and I hope I’m somewhat like her, too.
5. Where can readers purchase Splinters of Scarlet?
You can buy a signed copy of Splinters of Scarlet from my favorite local indie bookstore, Main St. Books, here: https://mainstreetbooks.indielite.org/book/9780358142737. I love this store, and I would be so excited to sign your book!
About you:
1) If you won a prize for something, what would it be and why?
Most time spent in a bookstore? I wish I could live in one.
2. If a director wanted to make Splinters of Scarlet into a movie and wanted you to act in it, who would you be and why?
I’m shy and being onscreen makes me really nervous. I would love to be an extra and just get to be part of that magical world coming to life around me. And maybe eat some of the Danish desserts I learned about!
3. What are some of your favorite tv shows and movies?
I love the Great British Baking Show. I watched all of the seasons and specials and I’ve been waiting for any next iteration. I love that they are all kind to each other and the stakes are pretty low. It’s my favorite thing to watch ever.
4. If you could have dinner with any 3 people (fictional, real or dead), who would it be?
Hmm. This is so hard! Elizabeth Bennett, Nikolai Lantsov, and… Aslan? I think that would make for an incredibly interesting and memorable dinner conversation.
5. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love to travel to new places, although that is on hold right now! I also like making chocolate chip cookies, playing MarioKart with my kids (somehow I’m getting progressively worse at that game rather than better?) and playing mahjongg. My favorite things to do are to walk through botanical gardens and look at flowers. I also love art museums and old houses, and I often end up in a bakery or coffee shop for some reading and an afternoon tea.
Thank you so much for having me on your blog! I really enjoyed it. <3
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