26 October 2013

Interview with author of By A Thread - R.L. Griffin

Title: By A Thread (By A Thread Trilogy #1)
Author: R.L. Griffin
Publisher: 272 Pages (March 15th, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads
Order R.L.'s books online here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Stella's future was set, and it was a bright one. She was engaged to a man she adored, and was headed to law school in the fall. Tragically, her perfectly planned future ends just as it was beginning.

With no ties to family or friends, Stella finds herself alone in a new city, spiraling out of control. Her typical day comes to a close with her passed out on the floor; sometimes clothed.

Luckily, her new roommate, essentially a stranger, is dead set on getting Stella past her grief and back to functioning within society. Putting one foot in front of the other, she climbs up from the bottom of a bottle. Even with all her progress, Stella walks through life unfeeling, numb. Defiant, she sends out warning signals for the world to keep away. But, is that what she really wants?

With the steadfast help of a few tight knit friends, she gradually begins to feel again. She starts to savor the flavor of food again; lets herself notice how the handsome bartender glances at her. Still, after allowing herself a fling, she wonders if she will ever be able to let go of her shattered past, fully enjoy the present, or get over what she thought would be her perfect future and with the man who destroyed her heart.

Interview:

Today I have author R.L. Griffin visiting with us!

What’s your favorite part in writing a novel and why?

My favorite part of writing is having that one thought that drives the characters in the book, when I realize the story in my head is becoming complete. I love writing and could do it all day, every day.

What was the hardest part writing By A Thread?

The hard part of writing BaT was Stella's inability to move out of mourning for so long. I had a ton of people comment on how long she drank and acted horrible, but sometimes people need that, to get lost in their grief and really own it. Stella needed it.

Do you have a favorite line or two you could share with us?

She was held together by a thread. Not even a strong fishing wire, but the kind of thread that could fray and break in the wind. A thread that could unravel at any moment, scattering and smashing all the pieces of her that she as trying desperately to keep together.

Time makes things tolerable. Time gives you perspective on events that shake your world to the core. Time allows you to move forward. But time doesn’t change the pain that sits in your gut.

Could you ask your main characters to describe either other in 3 words?

Millie describing Stella - Smart, Dumb and Fierce
Patrick describing Millie- Funny, Intelligent, and Hot
Stella describing George - Persistent, Life-Altering and Humorous
Stella describing Patrick - Solid, Serious and Loyal
Patrick describing Billy - Trustworthy, Silly and Stable

What would you like readers to take away from Stella’s story after reading?

Things break us, life breaks us, but no matter what you can dig yourself out of what you're dealing with. Use every tool you have, don't apologize for your struggle and own it. You'll get through it.

What’s the last book you read that you think everyone needs to read?

Everyone...I have to say that I loved The Fault in Ours Stars so much when I read it last year I bought a hard copy for my son to read when he gets old enough and he's four.

And lastly, could you tell us what you’re currently working on now?

I am working on Seamless, which is the conclusion to Stella's story and Heart in Wire, which is Patrick's story.

R.L. Thank you for taking the time to visit with me! Looking forward to having you stop by again soon.

About the Author:

I live in the Atlanta area and I'm surrounded by awesome dudes: my husband, son and dog. I went to law school at American University, Washington College of Law, but only after I fell in love with D.C. I worked in the Senate during the impeachment trial and wanted to stay. After law school I worked for a bit in the area, then moved to Atlanta.

If you ask anyone who knows me they know I love reading and read all sorts of books. Any free time I have I'm either reading, writing or drinking with friends.