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

Tuesday Jul 15, 2008

Posted at 10:51AM Jul 15, 2008 by Anna in General  |  Comments[23]

Dear all,

I am so enjoying reading all your thoughtful comments. Thanks for sharing them with me—I hope you keep it up!

I'm working on the third Luxe book now—it's titled Envy and will be out early next year. That means that I am experiencing one of the great perks of working on a series. I get to ponder where my characters are going and how they will change, and not just in a thousand word epilogue sum up. This is the full-color, flesh and blood version of their future, and I have the privilege of creating it.

I’m also wrestling with each character’s past, and one of the issues I've been ruminating over lately is what Elizabeth and Penelope's friendship used to be like. Once upon a time—before the boyfriend-stealing and blackmailing—they liked each other. And so I've had to ask myself: Did one of them change? Or deep down, do they still have lots of things in common?

My question for you is, how do you deal with friends changing? Are there people you've outgrown or someone who you don't hang out with so much anymore but still relate to more than anybody else? Is that unnerving, or can it be a comforting thing?

As always, I'm looking forward to hearing what's on your minds!

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Comments:

Yay, first comment! hmm...when my friends changed we remained friends but not as close, since we found new friends, too. And I can't wait for Envy!!

Posted by Erika on July 15, 2008 at 01:09 PM EDT #

i just finished the first book and i was wondering if these were based off of real people?

Posted by Katie on July 15, 2008 at 02:57 PM EDT #

I love your series so far, and I cannot wait until the third is in stores. Addressing your question, I have friends that I no longer hang out with, and I have friends that have been with me since preschool. We have all changed, but I think that what made the difference is that the longtime friends were willing to be open about their changes and change with me. I only have a couple friends that I no longer hang out with and they are the ones that pulled away and changed without us, and no longer let us in.

Posted by Lori on July 16, 2008 at 10:58 PM EDT #

When I was in elementary school my best friend and I had known each other since we were two years old. Now we're in high school and we never even talk. I changed schools and we just didn't keep in touch, but now we go to the same high school and I'm glad we're not friends anymore because she does things I would never do!!! It was a blessing I just didn't know it at the time. If I wouldn't have changed schools we would probably still be friends but I wouldn't have the morals that I have now. And I have to ask you...is there going to be a fourth book!

Posted by Kaylan on July 20, 2008 at 01:36 AM EDT #

So, I'm reading "Rumors" right now, and honey, you are amazing!! Anyway, to answer your question, through middle school, I had two best friends and nothing could drag us apart. I am still close to both of them, but we don't hang out as a threesome and I go for weeks without seeing either of them. It's scary how we've gone apart because I was very dependent on the both of them and while I do have close friends (the two of them included), I feel like I am more on my own than ever before and I do really miss the closeness I had with them.

Posted by Jamiee on July 20, 2008 at 05:56 PM EDT #

My (ex) best friend and I would do everything together. Everything we did was an adventure, and the thought of being with her was exhilarating. But towards the end of high school, she was different. She was filled with lies, deception, and undue hate and rudeness against my family. I knew I had to break the bond between us. I stopped hanging out with her. I stopped returning her phone calls. The girl I had come to know was not the girl I had known. Sometimes I missed her. Sometimes I was glad I would never call her my friend again. Little did I know, that bond could not be broken. She is still here. We do not talk or see each other. But I am very aware of her presence and that in and of itself is a comfort. To know that while we had gone our separate ways, that she was still here, matters. And when I remember her, I don't remember the "bad" friend--I remember the good friend, who taught me to love and express myself in ways that no one else could match.

Posted by Chrissy on July 21, 2008 at 06:08 PM EDT #

It makes me kind of sad to see friends I had in elementary school change in high school. People think they are so cool now and I am not god enogh for them. But some friends have stuck with me, which I really appreciate.

Posted by Mykaela on July 23, 2008 at 04:32 PM EDT #

OMGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THESE BOOKS!! THEY ARE SOOOO AMAZING!! THEy are wayyy better than pretty little liars, dont tell sara shepard though. lol. well you can tell her if you want to, i personally dont care. ANYWAY, THESE BOOKS ROCK!!! I LOVE HISTORICAL FICTION AND THE FACT THAT THESE are placed in the elite time of history makes them even better. they are FANTASTIC!!! you are a great writer. these are some major-page turning books! i read the tidbit of the second book on this website and it sounds awesome!! i wanted their too be more but..of course. you have to tease me. anyway, great writing greatbooks, cant wait for the series to continue.

Posted by you knowww =]] on August 03, 2008 at 05:40 PM EDT #

hi! first off I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!! i just picked up The Luxe about 3 weeks ago and finished Rumors about 10 min ago!! i was so excited that there was a second- just one tiny thing... YOU HAD TO KILL WILL?! :( he was one of the good guys! how can you do that to ELizabeth? :( any chances that it was a masake and he isnt really dead in the 3rd book? prob not but can she at least marry someone nice- Teddy is a pretty good guy...AH IM SO SO SO SO EXCITED!!! o and this web site rocks :)

Posted by carolyne on August 08, 2008 at 06:05 PM EDT #

I love your books and I cannot wait for Envy. As for the question about friends, I had a best friend who I hadn't known for the longest time but I felt that I knew her. But when we started school again after the summer we were put in different 'clusters' so we had absolutely no classes or anything together and she began acting differently, like making up stuff about herself so we'd pity her and getting mad about stupid things and saying all these boys were in love w/ her and then I realized that she'd always been like that, she just didn't let me and my other best friend see it until then. So I think people's relationships towards each other change more than the people themselves and if the people really do care about each other they'll work through it even though things are changing. Hope that makes sense.

Posted by Ivana on August 19, 2008 at 12:10 PM EDT #

when I was really really little (like first grade) I had a really good friend/neighbor. the problem was, we got into tons of fights because we were *too* alike. and I think that might be the case with Elizabeth and Penelope (only with them, neither act like it) you know what I'm saying? ;-) peace, my love

Posted by Audrey on August 22, 2008 at 06:12 PM EDT #

I had a friend named Rachel a couple years ago, we were really close. We went to every school event together, and we did all our projects together. I think it's when she started liking boys, and they became attracted to me and startes asking me out she became jealous. I really never liked any of the boys at our school, and I told her so many times. She never understood me, and we began to go our seperate ways. We talk, but I always feel her disdain for me. She's had her first boyfriend and kiss before me, yet she hates me, I don't understand? Since we were so common in most of our likes and dislikes I guess without her around all the time is a little sad. The person I related to the most doesn't want me anymore! I hope that helps you to figue out how Penelope and Elizabeth changed!

Posted by Naomi on September 06, 2008 at 02:27 PM EDT #

I currently live in Taiwan, as an exchange student, and I bought The Luxe to kill flight time. Like every one else, I instantly got hooked. Sadly though, I have to wait two weeks for someone to mail me Rumors. Dang, I really hate snail mail. Anyways, I have a best friend who I have shared EVERYTHING with, starting at the end of Elementary school, to now, the end of high school. We've had our ups and downs, but we never drifted apart. I think the reason for this is that we've gone through so many horrible things together. She was right by my side when I almost died, and played a huge part in saving my life. She helped put the will to live back in me. honestly, I think that for a friendship to last, their has to be some huge experiance that you went through together, that only you two would every understand. I've lost many friends over the years, but looking back now, they weren't real friends anyway.

Posted by Patty on September 11, 2008 at 04:28 AM EDT #

Dear Ms. Godberson, First off, I must say that your writing has inspired me. Wow. Your books are the only books I would ever in a million years consider re-reading they are so fantastic, and I normally hate rereading books. I have two questions for you: first off, I have a slow computer and can't find out when the sequel to rumors is coming out. I would LOVE to know. When I was done with The Luxe, I was complaining until I got my hands on Rumors. And second of all, have you ever considered making the books into a movie? I was thinking about that and was wondering what your opinions were on the subject. And lastly, do you ever tour the country, and if so, how can I find out if you are coming to my city? Thank you so much, you are my writing hero, you write the best works that ever existed. When I read your books, it's like things are as they should be. Thank you for writing for people like me.

Posted by Mae Rosenberg on September 21, 2008 at 08:25 PM EDT #

I love this series and think it's just fabulous. I have had people in my life you have changed and I used to think they just didn't want to be my friend and were totally rude. Then we would have so much fun one day just out of the blue. I think now that we both changed, whether it her more than me or me more than her but deep down we still were the same. Regarding the book, I feel that Elizabeth should be the one that changed a little more than Penolope, becoming more of a proper lady when Penolope wants to still just have fun. However, maybe you should incorperate into the book a time when they have a good time together. Well, on second thought maybe not because so many dramas like gossip girl have the classic best friends are friends and then enemys and then friends and then back to enemys. I like the way you have it now though, secretly hating each other only for it to be being revealed little by little. I know this is extremely long but I tend to go overboard on things I really like or have a passion for. Anyway, please take tis into consideration and I hope it helps!!!

Posted by Emily on September 29, 2008 at 11:42 PM EDT #

I have a so called friend that is only friends with me when it is best for her. I can relate to Diana because she dates the guy I use to really like. One thing I take comfort in is by not being as close to her has aloud me to get closer to other people who want to be my friends all of the time. As long as you have at least one real friend it can be comforting.

Posted by Ema on October 02, 2008 at 07:16 PM EDT #

Hello. i am still reading THE LUXE. i just had to tell you how much i love this book! i cant wait to see what happens in the end/ next book! they should make this a movie, i would see it! it is so good! i can never put it down!

Posted by Jackie Moschitto on October 11, 2008 at 07:23 PM EDT #

I have a friend whom i was best friends with for 10 years or something and when we changed a lott when we got in our teens. she started wearing a lott of make up an wearing pumps and stuff and i wasn't really into that stuff and she didn't call me or hang out with me and everything was about her so eventually i didn't bother. i got really sick of her when she came over and started acting like a brat and started making up stuff about me that i was all about make up but now i wasn't and that she didn't care about looks and now she but it was really frustrating an hurting that we changed so much that we had nothing in common so now we aren't really speaking anymore.

Posted by Helena on October 19, 2008 at 10:57 AM EDT #

Me and my best friend were really close. After her and her boyfriend have now been together going on like three years now, we're not close anymore. It is comforting because when we do talk I remember all the great stuff we did together, but at the same time it hurts because I miss her. I think we have both changed as we get older, but i also think that she probably gets me more than anyone else i know.

Posted by Stace on November 10, 2008 at 10:28 PM EST #

i love this book!!!!!! i cried at the end of Rumors and i can't wait for Envy to see what happens!!!!About your question, I had a friend in elementary school that i was the best of friends with but then we had a lot of drama and backstabbing ( much like the book ) and now i never talk to her, and i have severed all ties with the people involved. Anyway, i love this kind of book and i wish there was more like it out there, but i guess i will have to settle for reading this on over and over!!

Posted by Tara Ernst on November 15, 2008 at 12:48 PM EST #

Dear Anna, I cant wait for envy to come out! Will Diana be on the cover?

Posted by Hailey on December 07, 2008 at 09:23 PM EST #

Anna... i just read the luxe for a personal book report, i wasnt really into gossip books, but i LOVED IT. i completely enjoyed the way things turned out, the betrayal, scandals, hatred... all linked to love! i read this book in only a couple days, and i cant wait to read the next one! I can kind of relate to the book, my best friend from public school has changed a whole lot since our first year in highschool, i still like her, but i dont think it will ever be the same, but, you can't stop what will happen in the future, and you can't take back what already has! i look forward to the next one, and i think this book report will be amazing!!! :D

Posted by Nicholle on December 14, 2008 at 04:17 PM EST #

Hello Anna, I have bought both The Luxe and Rumors. I am quite captivated by your story - it reminds me of Gossip Girl, but in a different time period. I can see why you are struggling with Penelope and Liz's bond. My friend dated this guy, who treated her poorly (always going around). Since he was her boyfriend, I made attempts to be friends. She took that offensively and thought I was stealing him away. I stopped talking to him, around the time she got sick and was in the hospital. I wasn't allowed to see her, so I just worried about her to pass the time. When she came out of the hospital, she was changed. She had a cold heart and for some reason she loathed me. I still don't get why she is how she is now, but I know the real girl I used to be friends with is still deep down there. It could just be her jealousy or a mis-communication that got out of hand for too long. I hope this helps a bit? Best of luck with your writing career and I can't wait to read Envy!

Posted by Sarah on December 22, 2008 at 08:47 AM EST #

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