This week we celebrate National Book Lovers Day, and let’s be real – as you’re turning pages, you’re probably pouring a glass of wine as well. If you’re the kind of reader who’s “wine club has a book problem,” you’ll love this exclusive interview into the life, career, and wine habits of author Emily Giffin.
Get to Know Author Emily Giffin
Emily Giffin is a New York Times bestselling author, tenacious attorney, and loving mother (what can’t this woman do??). With over 11 million copies sold worldwide, Giffin has penned ten novels - Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You’re With, Heart of the Matter, Where We Belong, The One & Only, First Comes Love, All We Ever Wanted, and, most recently, The Lies That Bind. Her endearing characters speak for themselves, offering emotional complexity and an astounding level of relatability for readers around the world.
Ask The Author
Q: How did you get started as an author? What inspired you?
“I've always wanted to be a writer. Even as a little girl, I told my parents I wanted to be "an author" when I grew up. I credit that to my mother, a former librarian, who instilled in me a passion for reading and writing at a very early age.
Once I graduated from college, it didn't feel quite right to jump into a book career (especially since there are absolutely no guarantees of success and I felt I needed a "real" job first), so I took the safer route, going to law school, then eventually taking a job at a big law firm in Manhattan.
While I loved law school, I absolutely loathed the practice of law – at least big firm culture. So, motivated by professional misery and my lifelong desire to become an author, I spent my evenings (and sometimes my work days when I was supposed to be doing document reviews!) working on a young adult novel. I found an agent, who sent that manuscript around to eight different publishers...all of whom rejected the book. At that point, I didn't want to defer my dreams any longer so, after saving up enough money to pay back my student loans, I quit my job, moved to London, and gave myself a one-year deadline to write another manuscript – which ultimately became Something Borrowed. I was offered a two-book deal a few months later, and the rest is history!”
Q: Could you tell us a little bit about your writing process? Is there wine involved?
A: “I never outline my novels before I write. I have a vague sense of beginning, middle and end, but for me, it is a very character-driven process. As I get to know my characters, and the relationships between them form, the plot evolves accordingly. Although this method of writing can be inefficient, and I sometimes have to scrap whole chapters if I don’t like the direction the story is unfolding, I love being surprised in the writing process.
And yes! Wine is often involved in the process...though my writing day usually starts with coffee, then progresses to wine, and, if things really aren't going well, moves into whiskey territory. Perks of the job?”
Q: What’s your favorite wine varietal?
“Generally speaking, I’m into bright, snappy, and crisp whites!””
Q: Your favorite book and wine pairing - Go!
A: “Oh, this is a difficult one to answer! It really depends on the type of book and the setting, but most recently, I’ve been reading Amanda Kloots’ heartwarming and sad/funny memoir, Live Your Life, and pairing it with a good sparkling white.”
Q: What’s your favorite genre to read? To write?
A: “I read almost everything, except horror novels, so my reading preferences are not genre-specific. I think it is important to have a wide range of reading material, so I try to read books across a diverse spectrum, including both fiction and nonfiction titles as well as books by authors whose life experiences are different from my own. It's one of the reasons I recently started a new, Instagram-based book club (@egbookclub for those of you on Instagram!). I want to share the books I've recently read and loved, and hopefully introduce my readers to some new authors. This month, we're reading Amanda Kloots' wonderful, uplifting memoir, Live Your Life.
As for my writing, I also try not to write to genre or type. In the simplest of terms, I write about relationships, whether that's a romantic relationship, or those between friends, siblings, families, colleagues, or parents. The specific settings and the issues being explored in each of my novels might change but, at the end of the day, I will always write about relationships – to me, there's nothing more important in life.”
Q: What are you most excited for this upcoming year?
A: “I’m on deadline for my next novel (due out in summer 2022), so I’m most excited to get that done and turned in to my editor! I’m also working on several film and TV projects as well – notably a limited series for The Lies That Bind, another potential TV project for All We Ever Wanted, and a film project for Baby Proof.
On a more personal note, my twin boys will be starting their senior year in high school, so I’m really trying to savor one more year at home with them before they leave for college.”
Enter to Win Emily’s Books + a Wine Gift Card!
If you’re looking to get your hands on all ten of Emily’s novels, check out our Instagram Giveaway. We’re giving away a collection of all ten books, plus a $150 VISA gift card you can use toward Bright Cellars wine! The giveaway will end 8/12 at 11am CST.
Already a member of Bright Cellars? Use the gift card toward your next box.
Not a member, but want to get in on the wonderful world of wine delivered to your doorstep? Take the quiz and find your perfect wine matches today.
In Vino Finito
Have you read Emily’s books, and if so, which one spoke to you the most? Let us know in the comments!
