Guest Blog: The Author of The First Husband On The Search for a Place Called Home (Plus: Win a Copy of Her Book!)
April 23, 2012 at 2:19 pm , by Ladies' Lounge
Laura Dave, whose wonderful piece about her chronic sleeplessness appears in the current issue of LHJ, is a California-based writer whose third novel, the critically and popularly acclaimed The First Husband, arrives in bookstores in paperback tomorrow (April 24). Here, Dave tells us how she came to write what USA Today called a “playful, unpredictable and emotionally resonant” story about Annie Adams, a conflicted young career woman who finds herself torn between two wildly different men and two equally different lifestyles.
Bonus: Be one of 20 lucky readers who will win a hot-off-the-presses copy of The First Husband! Leave a comment on this post to enter.
I began writing The First Husband almost by accident. I was knee-deep in a different novel that took place in Big Sur, California. That novel was about fathers and daughters. Or, I should say, it started out as a novel about fathers and daughters. But the book had turned out to be about many disparate things including the American west, identity theft, and broken hearts. All of which is to say that the deeper I got into the writing of that book, the further away I seemed to be moving from why I’d wanted to write it.
So, almost surreptitiously, I opened a new document. I didn’t tell myself I was starting a new book—how could I? I told myself I was just writing one scene, which kept coming to me: a woman sitting on her couch in her house, right before her longtime boyfriend walks in and changes everything in her life.
I immediately felt for this character, even thought I knew very little about her at first: Just her name (Annie Adams), what she did for a living (she wrote a travel column called Checking Out) and what she truly wanted out of life—even if she didn’t know it yet. This thing she wanted? After all of her travels, it was a place of her own. A place to call home.
I once had a writing teacher who wisely said, “We write about the things we are trying to figure out. The things that elude us.” Perhaps I connected to Annie and The First Husband right from the start because I was certain what eluded her—what I wanted to help her find. In many ways, it reminded me of the very question that had long eluded me: In a world that is obsessed with reinvention and exploration—where we routinely seek cities and spouses and careers far from where we started—how do we commit to staying still and building something that lasts?
The plot of The First Husband is fictionalized, but so much of the emotional life of the book comes from my seeking an answer to that question—and from an old-fashioned desire to do the hard and important work of building a family, a home, and a life that matters.
Perhaps that’s why The First Husband was so rewarding to write, especially after trying to manage the different agendas of my Big Sur novel. By focusing in on a singular emotional question, one that so many people I knew were wrestling with in their own lives, I was able not only to construct a narrative I found entertaining, but also to work through this question for myself. And I was reminded that, for me, the process of writing a novel, at its most satisfying, is not only about helping your characters find where they need to go, it’s also about helping the people you love do the same thing.
Watch Laura Dave’s exchange with fellow novelist Jonathan Tropper about the art of writing blurbs for other writers’ books.
Photo of Laura Dave: Angie Smith
Categories: Books, Fun, Ladies' Lounge | Tags: books, giveaway, laura dave, the first husband | 54 Comments
54 Responses to “Guest Blog: The Author of The First Husband On The Search for a Place Called Home (Plus: Win a Copy of Her Book!)”
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Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:46 pm, by pat mains
This sounds like a wonderful read
Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:47 pm, by linda wilson
the blog ws really interesting I would love to read the book!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:47 pm, by Debra Hurley
I would love to win this book, I am a devoted book reader and also an insommniac.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:49 pm, by Carol Johnson
Read First Husband, can’t wait for something new.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:50 pm, by Debra DeCaro
Hi. Love to read and this book sounds sooooo interesting. Thank you!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:53 pm, by Kathi Noland
This book sounds great. Thank you for doing a giveaway (wish me luck!)
Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:54 pm, by Cynthia Sanders Hood
Sounds really interesting!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:55 pm, by Shirley Overton
Love reading and this sounds like a book I would enjoy.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:57 pm, by Cindy McGee
The book sounds wonderful! I am quite an avid reader, and would love to add it to my collection! Thanks for the chance to win!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 3:57 pm, by Sherry Bruner
Wow! It sounds like a very interesting book. I would love to get to know Annie Adams. Maybe Soon!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 4:01 pm, by cindy b
Thank you for the fun contest! this book looks great! xo
Written on April 23, 2012 at 4:04 pm, by Lori Young
Since I feel like this is the question of my life right now, I personally can’t wait to read this book! Is the character trying to reinvent herself, find herself and realizing that she doesn’t even know who she is??
Written on April 23, 2012 at 4:14 pm, by tracy evans
this sounds like a very interesting book!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 4:17 pm, by Sarah
Sounds great!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 4:25 pm, by Mary Q
I love reading about authors and how they come about their stories. This was a good outcome to not staying on task! I wonder, did you go back to “Big Sur book”?
Written on April 23, 2012 at 4:30 pm, by Jenna Fortier
I look forward to reading the story.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 4:47 pm, by Mary Conley
I want to read this book! It sounds intriguing. Interesting how a second book was born in the midst of writing another.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 4:53 pm, by Kay Sarginson
How endearing. I’m totally intrigued by the author and her comments. I’d love to read this book.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 5:01 pm, by Elaine
I could use a new book to curl up with on this cold day.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 5:01 pm, by Cilla A.
I would love to check out this book!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 5:21 pm, by sally guy
from the excerpt it sounds like I could relate to the story. Sounds good.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 5:28 pm, by Arlene Bolte
Sounds very interesting, I think we are all looking for something throughout our time on Earth.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 5:32 pm, by Shelley Peck
It sounds like a good book! I would love to read it. I’m always interested in the different styles of other authors. I also am a writer, of a monthly column for a local magazine and a weekly column for an independent newspaper. It sounds very interesting!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 6:16 pm, by Heather Eslick
I love the story of how this book came to be. I’ve added it to my wish list so, even if I don’t win a free one, I’ll still be reading it eventually.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 6:26 pm, by Danita
I am always searching for something new to read, this grabbed my interest. Thanks!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 6:33 pm, by Jennifer W.
Sounds like a great read!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 6:47 pm, by Pamela Davis
I can relate to the premise of this book. I am always seaching for my niche, my soulmate, my purpose. I would love to read the book and see how the character evolves.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 7:36 pm, by Susan
Sounds like a great book! I love that you provided the author’s perspective in this blog.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 8:13 pm, by Jennifer James
Loved The First Husband! Laura Dave is an excellent author–love, love, love her work!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 8:33 pm, by Heather Kerner
Thanks for doing a give away! Good luck to all who enter
Written on April 23, 2012 at 9:56 pm, by Michele w.
Sounds like a good book.
Written on April 23, 2012 at 10:13 pm, by susan kravitz
I need a new book!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 10:16 pm, by Amy Bromberg
This book sounds SO SO SO GOOD! And I might be a bit biased because I’m a HUGE HUGE chicklit fan!
Written on April 23, 2012 at 10:17 pm, by Amy Bromberg
I love love Laura Dave! And this has been on my reading list ever since I heard about it. Note I’m a huge huge chicklit fan so I might be a bit biased here
Written on April 23, 2012 at 11:37 pm, by Pamela
I can relate to so many of her struggles at a gut level…this would be an awesome book to cuddle up with…whilst pondering the meaning of “home”…please let me win!
Written on April 24, 2012 at 9:30 am, by Alana Lutkowski
Need a good book to read and I know Laura will deliver! Congrats Laura!
Written on April 24, 2012 at 11:29 am, by Rhonda
I can’t wait to read this one…(-:
Written on April 24, 2012 at 11:42 am, by Bridget O'Neill
I’ve read so many great reviews of this book. Can’t wait to read it!
Written on April 24, 2012 at 1:07 pm, by Lori
My book club would love to read this and discuss it at our next meeting. Would love to win a copy.
Written on April 24, 2012 at 6:33 pm, by Kelly M
Looks like a great read!
Written on April 24, 2012 at 6:37 pm, by Cathy
I would LOVE a copy of this book – it sounds wonderful! Thank you, Cathy
Written on April 24, 2012 at 10:23 pm, by Marilyn
The blog is awesome and I would love to read this book. I’m always looking for new authors to read up on … please pick me!!
Written on April 25, 2012 at 12:35 pm, by sylvia wright
This book would be a real treasure to will. I sure hope I will be one of the winners. Thank You.
Written on April 25, 2012 at 3:10 pm, by Elizabeth Olson
Wow, this sounds fascinating~ Added to my “must read” list.
Written on April 25, 2012 at 3:35 pm, by Melissa Barton
Laura Dave is truly amazing! You feel like by the end of the book, that you truly know who her characters are and you are rooting for them to succeed!!!
Written on April 25, 2012 at 6:10 pm, by Lynne Kinsey
It sounds like another good book to read & then share with other readers.
Written on April 25, 2012 at 10:04 pm, by Jeanne McGowan
Sounds like a good story can wait to read the book,hope I win one of her signed books…
Written on April 26, 2012 at 9:37 am, by Christy
Would love to read this on my upcoming vacation at the beach ! Looks like a fun read !!
Written on May 5, 2012 at 8:26 pm, by Nick
Sounds like a great book!
Written on May 6, 2012 at 6:17 am, by Patty
I’m excited! I have been looking for a new author to follow – looks like I have found one. Loved your interview!
Written on May 29, 2012 at 8:23 pm, by Helene Gayle Pry
I am not a big reader,however this book really intrigues me. I really want to focus my thoughts on something other than my tumor…
Written on May 31, 2012 at 9:50 pm, by Brittni
Heard this book was great! Looking forward to reading it
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