The Luxe - The Official Site :: letters-from-anna

Thursday Feb 26, 2009

Posted at 06:50PM Feb 26, 2009 by Anna in General  |  Comments[49]

Hey ladies!

People are always asking me (or rather, writers, as this is a very writerly question!) whether I write from an outline, or sort of feel my way as I go along. Now, I am all for being in touch with ones instincts, but when it comes to The Luxe, or any other kind of fiction project, I live by outline. I love knowing where I’m going, being able to see the whole structure of a novel from above. But of course you can’t pre-imagine everything, and a lot of emotion and tone, a lot of how things get said and why, come out of me from god knows where while I’m typing. For instance, when I started work on Splendor, and came to the first encounter between Henry and Diana—and mind you, this is their first meeting since all the betrayal and drama at the end of Envy—I knew how it would happen, but I got half way through the chapter and I realized I was totally wrong about how they would react to seeing each others faces for the first time in so long. It was kind of magical to start out in one direction, and then have my course changed. And really, to have it changed by these characters who have taken on lives of their own…

Ah, the little joys of writing! And, ah, the little joys of Di and Henry.

« 12th Entry | Main | 14th Entry »
Comments:

wow, first comment!! i loved envy so much!! good luck with splendor!

Posted by Regan on February 26, 2009 at 10:03 PM EST #

omg!! im sooo mad at myself right now! sadly, i have been getting a lot of homework lately and i cant stay up to read rumers i bought envy last weekend and have been dying to look trough it but, i ruined it for myself by reading the last chapter! so i was wondering two real random questions, is teddy going to die?and is Diana ever going to see Henry again? you probbably wont answer until splendor comes oout but, let us atleast know you know the answers!!! im desparete to read it!

Posted by Diana-Lauren on February 27, 2009 at 12:03 AM EST #

when i write I don't really tink i'm just directed to where I want to go by my little characters, I know the plot and that's enoug for me i just go with it, sometimes scenes just come out of blue and fit perfectly and I can't imagine how I didn't think of it before. Thank you for all you writerly (if that is a word) wisdom it really helps to here this from someone you respect!

Posted by Aurora on February 27, 2009 at 12:32 AM EST #

aaack I didn't even realize you used writerly in your blog (ha that was reaaally weird) sorry. oh and I was wondering if it takes you forver to think about names? For me I it takes forever to find the perfect name for my characters, i keep wanting to change their identities half way through my writing!

Posted by Aurora on February 27, 2009 at 12:35 AM EST #

Oh, do you really read all these comments? That's so cool! (I think) :) Well, I have to say that I think that you are an amazing writer (although you probability hear that a lot) I loved it how you started off in the beginning when Diana was cutting her curls and i was like No!!!! but in the end I loved it! Gosh, it was sooooo romantic! I find myself more enthralled with Henry and Diana's relationship that I can't wait to get to chapters about them. I used to be that way with Elizabeth and Will, but NO he just had to die. :( I think Will was my favorite character, i seriously cried when he died! But I love it how Elizabeth is going to have his baby now!!!!! What's gonna happen with Teddy and Elizabeth?!?!?!? I loved them together too! I really don't like Lina though, for she seems very very selfish and greedy to me. Will she even talk to her sister about the $$ she's got now? Gosh! Well, I am eagerly awaiting Splendor and I don't think Im gonna make it to October! Ahh this book just gets me so excited, i cant even see what im typing! <3 it!

Posted by Jessica on February 27, 2009 at 09:54 AM EST #

Oh, do you really read all these comments? That's so cool! (I think) :) Well, I have to say that I think that you are an amazing writer (although you probability hear that a lot) I loved it how you started off in the beginning when Diana was cutting her curls and i was like No!!!! but in the end I loved it! Gosh, it was sooooo romantic! I find myself more enthralled with Henry and Diana's relationship that I can't wait to get to chapters about them. I used to be that way with Elizabeth and Will, but NO he just had to die. :( I think Will was my favorite character, i seriously cried when he died! But I love it how Elizabeth is going to have his baby now!!!!! What's gonna happen with Teddy and Elizabeth?!?!?!? I loved them together too! Well, I am eagerly awaiting Splendor and I don't think Im gonna make it to October! Ahh this book just gets me so excited, i cant even see what im typing! <3 it!

Posted by Jessica on February 27, 2009 at 09:54 AM EST #

i LOVE the Luxe series. i can't wait for Splendor to come out! i'm seriously in love with henry and diana. it made me so angry when penelope used their love to get what she wanted! i just have one question. how did you think of this story? i know that i thought of mine while trying to think of what was going to happen next with henry and diana. i would like to let you know that your novels have inspired me incredibly. thank you!

Posted by Lauren on February 27, 2009 at 02:31 PM EST #

RAWR! She Anna you are making the wait for this book much much more difficult than it already is! Oh i cannot wait to read what Diana and Henry are going to do when they see each other! Genius how you are making Diana follow Henry to the army! Kinda like a mulan sorta thing going on here! (which is a disney movie i ADORE) I never saw it coming! RAWR. AND RAWR AGAIN. Please let us know when the book is going to come out, we are all biting our tongues trying not to scream with wait! I hope you are having alot of enjoyment out of writing Splendor!

Posted by Kaitlyn on February 27, 2009 at 02:39 PM EST #

Hey Anna! I just want to say that you have written the best series in the world! I have always enjoyed historical fiction, so when I picked up the Luxe, I was hooked! I just finished envy yesterday, and though it was sad at times, I think it might have been better that the first! Good luck with Splendor. I can only imagine what it will behold!

Posted by Haylyn Potter on February 27, 2009 at 03:00 PM EST #

Are the rumors true that a Luxe movie might come out?

Posted by Haylyn on February 27, 2009 at 03:08 PM EST #

I sincerely hope that the revision to Diana and Henry is of lots of heart-wrenching dialogue and what-not. Ugh, I can only imagine how Diana would feel right then. And it's just a testament to how real and intricate your characters are that they would decide what their actions are for you. I love your books so much! I hope "Splendor" goes well!

Posted by Megan on February 27, 2009 at 03:27 PM EST #

First: I like your name! :-) Second: is there any way you can give us a quote from the book each week or something to keep us enticed and DYING FOR MORE!! A

Posted by Anna on February 27, 2009 at 03:31 PM EST #

Anna, could you please, please give us an estimate as to when Splendor comes out! Please it would satisfy your fans just a little bit more.

Posted by Brittany on February 27, 2009 at 04:53 PM EST #

Hi! Gah! When you mentioned Henry and Diana meeting up there is was like " No! Tell more!!" I can't wait for Splendor! I love your style of writing! I'm currently making up characters and a whole plot and everything but i'm not writing yet. I don't have EVERYTHING planned out but almost! I'm really hoping Teddy doesn't die...I love him and wish him and Elizabeth would get together! But I do miss Will. When I first read the part in Rumors I cried! I hope the same doesn't happen to Teddy in Splendor! Will he be in Splendor alot? I hope he some how talks to Henry or Elizabeth! Bye! -Bella :D

Posted by Bella Casey on February 27, 2009 at 09:16 PM EST #

hey just wanted to say that i LOVED the prologue to envy- i like how u didnt mention names but u gave us hints. i would think i knew who u were talking about but then i would go 'no i cant believe they did that!' i had to reread it again at the end since it was so good!!

Posted by jelaina <3 on February 27, 2009 at 09:40 PM EST #

can u PLEASE write another series please please please w/ a cherry on top i just love ur writing

Posted by yanni poo on February 27, 2009 at 10:19 PM EST #

You know what else people always ask you, Anna? If there's a possibility for a movie in the future? But you never answer. SIGH. =[

Posted by Sadie on February 28, 2009 at 12:02 AM EST #

oh my gosh. my library took like a trillion years to get envy in, (they ordered it as soon as i finished rumors) and i just got it yesterday, finished it in like 4 hours. i was in a stupor. you could have shot a cannon inches from my face and i wouldn't have noticed. I LOVED IT!! XP anna, your making it very difficult to be patient. my friends all hope that you will finish splendor soon, but only so i will stop being like "do you think di will forgive henry? or henry will forgive di?" etc. etc. even though they have no idea what i'm talking about. i also hope you'll finish it soon, i don't think i'll be able to survive the suspense... i already randomly start screaming for no apparent reason and then everyones like "whats wrong??" "I WANT SPLENDOR!!!"

Posted by Brizee on February 28, 2009 at 12:40 PM EST #

I really hope that you dont make there encounters where Henry wants Di to go away! that would be horrible becuase that is too much of a falling action and so far the books i have read so far by diffrent writers have had nothing but falling actions but it would be so nice if something good happened to somebody just not penelope we can leave her in a state of depression! LOVE your writing! -Peace and Love

Posted by Kamaryn on February 28, 2009 at 12:43 PM EST #

Anna, I have just finished reading "The Luxe" today and am already fifty pages into "Rumors". I am so excited to read about Diana and Henry. I keep on wondering 'What's going to happen to them? Is Penelope going to get her way? Henry, go see Diana!' I know, I know, this is crazy because I know Henry feels guilty and is in the middle of an event he can't escape right now, but I still want to see the relationship. I love what Henry and Diana have!

Posted by Rachael on February 28, 2009 at 04:51 PM EST #

I love Henry and Diana together! I just wish Penelope would, I don't know, agree to a divorce or something. Of course she wouldn't give in that easy, but I want true love to prevail! I just finished Envy, and it was awesome! I can't wait until Splendor. I just hope that somehow Henry and Diana will figure out a way to be together, even though they haven't really been successful in the past. I can't wait to see what will happen next!!

Posted by Katie on March 01, 2009 at 01:28 PM EST #

Wow the end of Envy was so dramatic. I loved it. Is Splendor the last book in the series? I read the note posted and you said you want happy endings for all the characters, but what would be a happy ending for Penelope? What about Henry and Diana? One last question. What is going to happen with Elizebeth? Will people be suspicious? What will people think about Diana disappearing? Well that was more than one question,but I'll stop now. I hope Splendor is as good as all the other books.Keep up the great work!

Posted by Bailey on March 01, 2009 at 03:19 PM EST #

I can't wait to see how the series ends, I'm sure it will be a good book.

Posted by Rebecca on March 01, 2009 at 06:03 PM EST #

I love your books so far and I can not wait until Splendor comes out. I will say one thing, i am really hoping that there is a happy ending! I am a big fan of happy endings...and another thing, i think this would be an intense movie to watch =)

Posted by Amber on March 01, 2009 at 09:40 PM EST #

I'm a huge fan of Luxe! I'm so excited for Splendor to come out! Can you give an estimate of when it comes out? That would be great! And I'm so happy that Diana finds Henry, clearly. I'm even more excited to read now:]

Posted by Jordan on March 02, 2009 at 12:32 PM EST #

Also, I've been thinking about this alot; who's going to be on the last cover? I'm dying to know!

Posted by Jordan on March 02, 2009 at 12:34 PM EST #

While fans wait for Splendor, what books would you (Anna) suggest to satisfy our Luxe cravings? Also, where does the inspiration for your writing come from?

Posted by Ripley on March 02, 2009 at 01:47 PM EST #

Envy was not as good as Rumors because there was not a real plot, just a continuation of the story. If Elizabeth does not end up with Teddy, or if Henry dies, the series will be a complete waste. I hope the next book leaves me in a better mood.

Posted by Carlee on March 02, 2009 at 08:50 PM EST #

Envy was sucha a good book! It was really exciting to read from start to finish. Though I want to see Di and Henry together, it still bothers me that Henry is married. Penelope can be such a witch! However, she is a great character. Her drama is somewhat of a guilty pleasure. Haha. Aww, I am really hoping that Elizabeth and Teddy end up together. They'd seem to be a very adorable and loving couple. I'm so anxious for Splendor to come out!! [:

Posted by chantelle on March 04, 2009 at 02:34 PM EST #

Hey Anna, I was wondering when Envy would come out on paperback because I can't get it yet and I want to know whether I should get it now or later. Please try and post the answer in your next blog (: Rumors has been really good so far. It has a much faster pace than the Luxe. I was describing the plot line to my mom and even she wants to read it. Your series puts me back in that time period and it reminds me of Jane Austen's books. Your books are amazing !

Posted by Danielle on March 05, 2009 at 12:31 AM EST #

I'm SO excited for the next book! I'm almost excited for the cover! Of all the books I've read these are the most intriguing ever! If Diana has brown curls, then is Penelope on the third cover? But, I thought Penelope had brown curls too? Either way they're both gorgeous, so I guess I'll suffer!

Posted by Elaine on March 05, 2009 at 07:18 PM EST #

elaine- elizabeth is on the 1st cover, penelope on the 2nd and diana on the 3rd anyways i <3 the luxe series!!!!!

Posted by jelaina <3 on March 06, 2009 at 04:14 PM EST #

Envy was so amazing! I can't wait for Splendor.... Whenever your books come out I stay up all night to read them! ;D Eeekkk.... When I write I can't use an outline... I start to write them, get excited about the story, then I want to write the story; outlines take too long! Anyway, love your books! You are an amazing author ;) -Kelsey

Posted by Kelsey on March 06, 2009 at 08:43 PM EST #

when is splendor coming out?????

Posted by Rosalie on March 07, 2009 at 01:28 PM EST #

First of all I love your books and I think you’re an amazing and aspiring writer for other young writers today. I’m just curious about who is representing what character on the book covers. Is it Elizabeth on the Luxe, Penelope on Rumors and Lina on Envy?

Posted by Lila on March 07, 2009 at 01:51 PM EST #

what is splendor and whoes goona be on the cover? *Henry when is splendor comming out?

Posted by cindy on March 08, 2009 at 02:04 PM EDT #

penelope u ar so hot

Posted by ferni on March 08, 2009 at 02:05 PM EDT #

I'm doing your novel The Luxe for a school project, and I also have to write a biography on the author, but i can't seem to find any info on you. Is there something i'm missing??

Posted by Toni on March 09, 2009 at 02:35 PM EDT #

I loved the luxe, i need to get Rumors or i mite go insane. I read the Luxe in one 3 days cause i tryed to make it last longer knowing i wouldn't be able to get the next books soon enough, i can't wate to read the rest!

Posted by Moe on March 10, 2009 at 04:28 PM EDT #

I just finished Envy-loved it! I only started this morning and i couldn't put it down! I can hardly wait until Splendor comes out, and I hope that it answers all of the questions left at the end of Envy. Best series ever!

Posted by Anna on March 10, 2009 at 09:02 PM EDT #

Di you'r hair!!!!:(

Posted by Rosalie on March 13, 2009 at 08:37 AM EDT #

oh my god! i have never loved a series sooo much! i can not wait for splendor to come out, nor can i wait for any other books you write. best author ever!!!

Posted by Lauren on March 13, 2009 at 10:26 AM EDT #

hi anna i am a big fan i can't wait until splender comes out i am so excited and anxious, do you think you will keep on writing the luxe series after splender? i hope so your books are very addicting. keep on writing !good luck with splender! oh and could you give us a little description of splender i am dying to know please!

Posted by maria on March 13, 2009 at 02:23 PM EDT #

omg i cant believe im writing to my fav auther ahhhh!!!!!! im soooo soo excited for splendors when is it coming out?!?! i love dianna she is my favorite character. i cant believe that henry is going to war omgg i hope he doesnt gt hurt!!! diannas going too be with him!!!!i hope you write back i really want to know when splendors is coming out good luck with it !!!!<33

Posted by Tori on March 21, 2009 at 08:55 AM EDT #

Anna, I absolutely love your book series. I read quite a few historicals and they tend to revolve around Great Britain...How refreshing to read about our own country. Henry and Di are such wonderfully tragic figures...I love/hate the situations you've put them through. I'm anxiously awaiting Splendor. Can you tell your fans when Splendor will be out and how many books will be in the series?

Posted by Yvette Calhoun on March 27, 2009 at 03:19 PM EDT #

wow. your writing is truley amazing im can not wait to read splendor i just really want to know when it comes out my favorite charachter is deffianatly Diana i have and older sister too so i understood why she in a way seemed to not like her sister in luxe. well that is how i saw it atleast. why wouldn't she though her sister was marrying the guy that she had feelings for thats bound to make things seem not so happy! still excellent writing. you are great and never stop! cant wait til splendor!!!!!

Posted by Elizabeth on April 28, 2009 at 08:19 PM EDT #

Your books are some of the best books i have ever read!!! Now i've got my cousin hooked on them too!! You are such an amazing and talented writer!! I think somebody already asked this, but do you know of any books similiar to the Luxe that we could read while we wait for Splendor to come out?

Posted by Juliana on May 11, 2009 at 11:25 PM EDT #

I was just wondering how many books there was going to be in the Luxe series? i also wanted to know who the model is on the cover of the second book. Is there going to be another book after splender?

Posted by Molly Must on May 14, 2009 at 05:40 AM EDT #

I just wanted to say that I absolutly ADORE your books and when I read them I allways imagined a movie in my head!...so that is definatly what you should do! It is also my dream to be an actress and I always imagined myself as Diana so please if you so ever decide to make a movie or T.V series (which would be an extremly wise desicion) contact me! :D......it would be a dream come true.(lydia-roche@hotmail.com) xxxxx

Posted by Lydia Roche on May 24, 2009 at 01:50 PM EDT #

Post a Comment:
  • HTML Syntax: NOT allowed
author author
From the bestselling author of THE LUXE comes a new series, Bright Young Things. Get a sneak peek.
Powered by Teen.com