Interview With Author Elizabeth Anderbrook
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I got hooked on reading at a very early age. My mother found me with my nose in a Little Brown Bear book at the age of four, and she was amazed, since she had no idea I could read. Fast forward half a century or so, and one day an opening paragraph popped into my head out of the blue. I had never considered writing a novel, but after I scribbled down that paragraph, one thing seemed to lead to another. After a few false starts, the ultimate result was my first (and currently only) book, The Saffron Horn.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Saffron Horn came about because of a trip to Greece a few years back. Before I left, I looked for a historical novel set in ancient Greece of the type I prefer—ordinary people overcoming extraordinary challenges. I couldn’t find one, so I decided to write one myself.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write the last scenes of my books quite early on. I find that knowing exactly how the book will end makes it easier to develop the pathway to get there.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Apart from my desert island authors (below), the author who has probably influenced me the most is Mary Stewart. Not only was she a wonderful storyteller, she also wrote beautifully evocative descriptions that leap off the page, as if the reader is experiencing the scene alongside the characters. I try to do the same.
What are you working on now?
The second book in my series on ancient Greece is set in Mycenae in 1205 BCE, not long after the Trojan War. The war itself is not part of the narrative, although two characters from Homer are indirectly involved in the plot. This is a fascinating period, and I’m really enjoying researching and writing about it.
What are you reading now?
Murder at the Ponte Vecchio by T. A. Williams. A fun cozy mystery (and I love Oscar).
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye. A sweeping epic that inspired me to travel to India.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Need I say more?
The Source by James Michener. A classic timesweep that induced me to travel to Israel.
Mariana by Susanna Kearsley. I discovered this author only a few years ago, but she quickly became one of my favorites.
Author Websites and Profiles
Elizabeth Anderbrook Amazon Profile
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