When Wendy Paine Miller released her first novella last year, The Disappearing Key, I knew I had to read it. I’d been a regular reader of Wendy’s blog for quite awhile and had a pretty strong feeling I’d love her writing style.
And I did! Her writing is lyrical and poignant, distinctive with a strong voice. She visited this blog back then, but when I heard her first full-length novel was on the way, I knew we’d have to have her back. Her novel, The Flower Girls, released just recently. It’s on my kindle (im)patiently waiting to be read…I can’t wait!
And guess what! The Flower Girls is on sale now for just $4.99…a steal, people! So check out Wendy’s Q&A below then head on over to Amazon to download your copy!
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1) Just the premise of this book is awesome reading–twins, one with a cognitive disorder which means she can’t recognize faces, forced to rely heavily on her sister. But now her sister is getting married…and the twins must learn to let go. What inspired this story? Or, as someone asked me once (love this question) why this story at this time?
I love that question, too, Melissa! This story was born out of real life experiences I’ve been through with my own sisters. I have three older sisters and one was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor when I was a pre-teen. Due to this and other complicated reasons, she demanded a lot of attention.
I also share a strong bond with the sister closest to me in age. I watched how she handled it when I got engaged, then married. It intrigued me how we both adjusted to the change. I love how as writers we are always living our material.
2) Which twin in the story do you most identify with?
Such a hard question, Melissa. You could basically split me down the middle and you’d get your answer. I see both Daisy and Poppy in me and I’m very much in both of them.
3) You released your first novella, The Disappearing Key, last summer. Loved that story! How did that experience prepare you for the release of this book?
I got a good sense of how scrappy I’d have to be to go out and find readers. I still find them in the most unusual places and at the most unusual times (baseball game yesterday). I learned to be unafraid, bold, and to share my passion for my book and the characters within. Passion is infectious. And I believe in my stories. I’d have to to read through them over a dozen times.
4) Some just for fun questions!
- Favorite recent books you’ve read? I’m still thinking about the characters in THE ART OF FLOATING. I also enjoyed Beth Vogt’s latest SOMEBODY LIKE YOU and Cynthia Ruchti’s ALL MY BELONGINGS.
- Favorite songs you can’t stop listening to? “All of the Stars” sung by Christina Grimme & Ed Sheeran. Best movie you’ve seen lately? The Fault in Our Stars.
- Your top three writing influences? Lisa Genova. Marisa de los Santos. Amy Hatvany.
- Someone gives you an all-expenses paid trip to anywhere you want this summer…where do you go? Greece. Because why not?
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Wendy is a native New Englander who feels most alive when she’s laughing, reading, writing or taking risks. She’s authored nine novels and is currently writing what she hopes will be your future book club pick. Her work has been published in numerous anthologies and online sites. Wendy lives with her husband and their three girls in a home bursting with imagination and hilarity. She’s represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Agency.
More about The Flower Girls
Imagine staring into the face of a loved one with no recollection of who they are. Every person a stranger. Daisy O’Reilly’s inability to recognize faces, a cognitive disorder resulting from a childhood accident, causes her to rely heavily upon her twin sister, Poppy. Perhaps too much so.
Overwhelmed by Daisy’s needs, Poppy anticipates the freedom her upcoming wedding will bring—a chance to relinquish her obsessive worries about Daisy and escape the clutches of guilt from one hazy day when the girls were seven. When they were still invincible.
With a thriving floral photography career but a floundering love life, Daisy questions how strong she will be on her own. And who she might become without Poppy living down the hall or offering a deluge of reminders during each social interaction. But for the O’Reilly sisters to properly let go, they must first understand what they’re holding on to.
Your turn, readers! Have you ever thought about what it’d be like to be a twin? And if you could have an all-expenses paid trip anywhere, where would YOU go?
p.s. Don’t forget, The Flower Girls is only $4.99 right now. YAY!
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I love being here, Melissa! You’ve always been a tremendous support & you do an excellent job of making me feel welcome! Thanks for your kind words & for spreading the word about THE FLOWER GIRLS. Your website is beautiful!!!
Author
So sorry I’m just now commenting, Wendy. BUSY couple days. I loved your answers to the question and I’m soooo excited to read THE FLOWER GIRLS. You have such a wonderful writing voice…I can’t wait to read the book!
I used to think about being a twin all the time when I was a child. I’m the youngest, so I always wondered what it would be like to have someone the same age, who understood me. Instead, I have two sisters and one brother, and I tend to be the odd one out. I’m the one in the family that no one is exactly sure what to do with. 🙂
I would go to Australia, I think. I would love to see the Great Barrier Reef and check out the interesting animals they have. Plus, I just love their accent. 😀
Thanks for sharing about the book! It sounds really interesting – I will have to check it out!
~Sarah
Author
I have a sister who is very close in age to me, so sometimes I felt like I had a twin growing up. 🙂 But I always wonder how it would feel to have that crazy twin connection…some twins have almost an ESP kinda thing. I always wonder what that would be like.
And I agree…going to Australia would be a-ma-zing!
No one in my family knows what to do with me either, Sarah. 😉 My cousins are twins and I’ve enjoyed watching them grow into adulthood. My sister Ashley & I sometimes call each other twins just for fun, too.
I don’t recall wanting a twin when I grew up and I’m pretty fond of the older sister that I do have … however, I’ve written two novels so far and twins play a role in both. So perhaps I’m secretly longing for a twin?? Congratulations on your writing achievements so far, Wendy. I’m looking forward to reading The Flower Girls. Oh, I would love to go to Ireland and see the land of my ancestors.
Author
Heidi your book is right there with Wendy’s on my TBR pile. I can’t wait to read Unraveled and I would’ve totally read it already if I wasn’t up against two deadlines in July. I’m going ot email you though because I should have you as a guest on the blog!
Great interview, ladies! And nice to “meet” you, Wendy. Sounds like a lovely novel – and yay, Melissa, you just added another book to one of my next book orders. 😉
Author
Yay I love it when guests bloggers here end up with new readers!
Thanks for introducing me to Wendy, Melissa. I look forward to reading her book! Twins? Me? I don’t think the world is ready for that. lol. Where would I like to go. Hawaii if I could find a way to get there without flying 16 hours. I may have to try it one day, anyway!
Author
Hawaii…oh I’d loooove to go there too!
Heidi, That’s so cool both of your novels include twins! And there’s definitely an Irish theme in The Flower Girls. Think you’ll enjoy that aspect.
Rissi, I’ll second that yay! I hope you enjoy it and it proves a meaningful summer read for you.
Patricia, Ha, loved your response about the world not being ready for that. I look forward to you reading TFG, too! 🙂