This is the final day of Liza's and my conversation. You can catch the first part here and the second part here. And even more fun, you can catch Liza herself tonight at Vroman's in Pasadena and tomorrow night at Book Soup in West Hollywood. I'll see you there!

So, Megan, seeing as how you've just come off tour and I'm going on - any words of wisdom?

Ah, Book Tour. Is there anything more challenging for an author?



Book Tour is when the little cave-dweller, the one who spends her time lost in her own head and crouched over her keyboard, must venture out into the bright sunlight and commence BEING AN EXTROVERT. It's an entirely different skill set. But the great thing about it is that while you're out there being extroverted, you get to meet readers and booksellers and talk about your book with them. I honestly don't know of anything cooler than getting to sit around and discuss a world and characters that at one point existed solely in your own head. The best part is when people get emotionally involved with your characters, and argue about their motivations-- even when they argue with you, the author of said motivations. I love that. I believe that the writer has a certain relationship with her own writing, but that once it's set upon the page, the reader has a wholly separate relationship with that writing-- and the twain do not necessarily meet. As a reader, I am not one who has ever been particularly interested in authorial intent. As an author, I just like hearing other people talk about and react to my work.

So my advice, really, is to enjoy it!

I think my fear is always - that the book is this perfect me - edited, buffed to grammatical perfection, a single moment where I/the character actually said the thing I/the character wanted to say when I/the character were supposed to say it...I mean it's me/the character in the zone.

And then they meet...me. Sigh.

And I'm listening to two songs right now that you need to get: George Stanford, "My Own Worst Enemy" and Paul Weller's "You Do Something To Me."

Awesome songs for a book playlist.

Ooh, the book playlist. How would I write a word without the book playlist? The book playlist is a shortcut, a mood enhancer, a doorway.

My last book playlist included Yo Yo Ma, Bruce Springsteen, Gomez, Neko Case, Zoe Keating.

What was your playlist for Seeing Me Naked?

And, of course, I think your fear is ridiculous. People can't wait to meet you, and when they do, they love you. Because you're actually funnier than your books.

(Seriously, people. You should get to a reading if you can!)

Yeah - you turned me on to that Yo Yo Ma album where he's doing Bach -insanely beautiful.

In the beginning - I thought I could make this awesome playlist about family and identities and all that. And I simply couldn't write to it: Damien Rice, Nick Drake, David Gray and of course The Shins and Death Cab. But, it wouldn't take because, in the beginning, the writing was really tough. So, I went for my secret weapon: movie soundtracks. Most of these drafts have the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack to thank. Seriously. When the drafts loosened up a bit and Elisabeth got her own playlist - which combined the soundtracks (The Village, Pride and Prejudice, Road to Perdition and Lord of the Rings) got combined with a lot of Snow Patrol, John Legend. The Pages got their own playlist, as well - which was far more melancholy: David Gray, Ray Lamontagne, The Hold Steady and more Death Cab - this time I was playing around "What Sarah Said"...but that song actually became the key into Book Three.

Creating playlists is half the fun when I start dreaming up a new novel.

Right?

Making a new playlist is always so much fun. Especially in that early stage, when you don't really know the character and you're trying out different songs, angst-levels, etc. Then you have to tailor it as you go, taking out the songs that are too much, adding others. Music is what makes the daydreaming, story-weaving part of it all so delicious, in my opinion. I know that I always start with the angst. I always identify the drama, the pain, the sadness, and build out from there, in both my playlists and my books. What about you? And what was the starting point for Seeing Me Naked-- what song, what idea, what thought?

Yeah - the magic of a playlist. It really is the first little strums of you getting to know the book - it's almost like making a mixed tape for a new lover - seriously. Such hope and loveliness.

One of the first songs I grabbed onto was a song called Shell by Susie Suh. The opening bars of that song are fucking perfect.

Opening Lines:

"The time is coming
it's coming soon.
I can feel it in my bones
I feel it in my shoes.
I was lost, but now I'm found.
And all my troubles are turning around.
Oh I feel I'm getting so close to you.
Heaven is holding my hand and I'm ready to break on through.
So I'm tearing down the walls inside,
Letting go of all my pride
Making room for the light
I don't need to hide inside this shell...this shell...no more."

Awesome, right?

Then I kind of moved into the whole Nick Drake world for a long, long time. But that wasn't about lyrics - his songs are about that rainy, Sunday morning feeling. I just...I just sigh when his songs come on. Total envelopment.

His song "One of These Things First" became an anthem for Elisabeth and Will. It was funny - remember when we were driving to Vegas and "You Could Be Happy" by Snow Patrol came on - and you said, "This could be Will's song." It's so freaking weird when someone else nails one of your characters - like almost better than you. I remember feeling so sad for Will in that moment...these characters are so real, you know? Like hauntingly real. It's just weird that I'm never going to run into Rascal anywhere. Kinda sad.

That IS a pretty song. I don't think you've ever played it for me.

I happen to be a huge Nick Drake fan myself. Friends played him for me when I lived in England, years ago. I can still remember exactly where I was sitting and what I felt the first time I heard "River Man." Such an amazing singer.

I think it's interesting that you and I share the whole "go for a drive and figure out your characters" thing. I'm sure other writers do this, too. The car with music blaring is a key thinking spot. As is the shower, which I've never understood, but hey, it works. Stephen King swears by the daily walk. Do you have any other places you use to help you worry through story issues and character moments?

Well, you know how fond I am of talking to myself while walking Po. Fitting right in with the crazy flora and fauna of the local park. But, seriously - I get my best thoughts - either walking the dog, driving in the car - or like right before I fall asleep - which is why I started keeping a little notebook by my bed at night. To record my brilliance...which is then unreadable in the morning light. I'm looking at the little notebook right now - and I've very carefully written, "Victory to the Lovelorn!" Why? I have no idea...but it was very important and astute when I scribbled it, I assure you.

Nick Drake...it just never gets old. Not much music can withstand playing and playing and playing...what was that one Snow Patrol song that both of us played the shit out of? Hands Open. Couldn't withstand The Overplay. You assert that "Over My Head" by The Fray can withstand The Overplay...

No, "Over My Head" was totally overplayed. You might recall that, in fact, we played it on repeat for about three days in Atlanta at the RWA Conference. However, after a small absence, it's still really good, I find.

I seem to be able to listen to Death Cab for Cutie songs forever. And also Aimee Mann, because, hello, has she ever written anything other than a perfect song?

But let's talk some more about Seeing Me Naked. Here's the best question: how would Maggie and Elisabeth like each other? Do you think they'd be friends? After all, they both live in the greater LA area, so they could totally run into each other...

Aimee Mann's "Save Me" is one of my all-time favorite songs---ever. Incredible.

Maggie and Elisabeth-hm. Well-what do you think about your characters-do you think Alex and Gus would get along? They'd either love each other or hate each other, right? And I think it's also a case of when they meet each other-the beginning of the book or the end. At the end, the characters are more ready for healthy relationships than at the beginning, you know? At the beginning, they aren't able to be intimate with anyone...

I think Alex and Gus would not only get along, but be Trouble with a capital T. (Although I think Amy Lee and Michael would detest each other. I am now picturing some hideous brunch affair involving all of them, sniping at a maximum.) I'm not sure about Courtney, my newest protagonist. I think she'd find the pair of them a bit too dramatic for her tastes. And I don't think anyone would like Meredith, the poor thing, at least not where we left her. I'd like to think she matured a bit since then!

And... I can't help noticing you didn't answer the question, but it is your publication day, after all...

I think all of this boils down to this little moment: I'm sitting here typing with a little bouquet of flowers right by my laptop from my family for my Happy Pub Day...I think this whole writing thing, telling stories, being in this business is just about making my parents proud. And they are.

And that's all that matters.

Aw, that's so sweet. And happy Pub Day!



As ever, please feel free to comment or ask questions here. There's a really interesting conversation over here in the comments, stemming from Liza's remark about hiding your amazingness. Join in!

Or join Liza tonight or tomorrow at her Pasadena and Los Angeles readings! Out of the LA area? You can always get in on the action by buying the book right here!

Part I Part II