On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Author Interview
What inspired you to write Perfectly Arranged?
There were two things, really, that inspired my upcoming novel, Perfectly Arranged. In 2007, when my family and I were living in China, my dad called and asked if I could go to an address in Shanghai (we lived 2 hrs. from there but visited often!) and take a picture of what was at that location. When I asked him why, he said a friend of his was going through her deceased father’s belongings and came across a card with a Chinese address. She didn’t know why he had it, so she wanted to see if I could help solve the mystery. I agreed, and the next time I went to Shanghai I tried to find the location but came away empty-handed. I always wondered what was there and how it was related to her father. Thinking it would make a great story one day, I held on to the card.
The only problem was I didn’t know how to get my characters to China….
But that all changed when I started my professional organizing business, By George Organizing Solutions, in 2013. My job entailed going into people’s homes to clear out the clutter and create order. In the process, I heard a lot of stories and came across a lot of interesting “finds.” After a while, I realized I could use my experience as an organizer as part of the story about the mystery card and address!
Thus, the two were married (circa 2017), and Perfectly Arranged was born!
What do you love the most about this story?
I love the unlikely relationship between Nicki and Ms. O’Connor. While there are several opposite “themes” in the book (organizing/hoarding, successful businesswoman/down-on-luck professional organizer, fortunate/less fortunate), theirs is the one that is the most touching to me. For them to embark on the adventure together, they must overcome their differences to be successful, which isn’t always easy to do but so worth it in the end.
What challenged you about writing it?
It was the first time I’d ventured into fiction writing so it was a whole new learning experience. Since I didn’t have a clue, I hired a writing coach to guide me through the process. But it was letting go of my fears and perfectionism that stretched me beyond my comfort zone and pushed me to create the story I did.
Which character do you most relate to and why?
The main character Nicki Mayfield. Before I started a full-time writing career, I owned my own professional organizing business, By George Organizing Solutions. So, there is a lot of me in Nicki – except at her age she could be my daughter!
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
I hope they will experience a new land that they might not have had the opportunity to before (China), gain insights into the heart conditions of children there, and be touched by Nicki’s and Ms. O’Connor’s growth, both individually and collectively.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?
Reading, planning my next travel adventure (usually to a beach where I can scuba dive), and watching or playing tennis.
There were two things, really, that inspired my upcoming novel, Perfectly Arranged. In 2007, when my family and I were living in China, my dad called and asked if I could go to an address in Shanghai (we lived 2 hrs. from there but visited often!) and take a picture of what was at that location. When I asked him why, he said a friend of his was going through her deceased father’s belongings and came across a card with a Chinese address. She didn’t know why he had it, so she wanted to see if I could help solve the mystery. I agreed, and the next time I went to Shanghai I tried to find the location but came away empty-handed. I always wondered what was there and how it was related to her father. Thinking it would make a great story one day, I held on to the card.
The only problem was I didn’t know how to get my characters to China….
But that all changed when I started my professional organizing business, By George Organizing Solutions, in 2013. My job entailed going into people’s homes to clear out the clutter and create order. In the process, I heard a lot of stories and came across a lot of interesting “finds.” After a while, I realized I could use my experience as an organizer as part of the story about the mystery card and address!
Thus, the two were married (circa 2017), and Perfectly Arranged was born!
What do you love the most about this story?
I love the unlikely relationship between Nicki and Ms. O’Connor. While there are several opposite “themes” in the book (organizing/hoarding, successful businesswoman/down-on-luck professional organizer, fortunate/less fortunate), theirs is the one that is the most touching to me. For them to embark on the adventure together, they must overcome their differences to be successful, which isn’t always easy to do but so worth it in the end.
What challenged you about writing it?
It was the first time I’d ventured into fiction writing so it was a whole new learning experience. Since I didn’t have a clue, I hired a writing coach to guide me through the process. But it was letting go of my fears and perfectionism that stretched me beyond my comfort zone and pushed me to create the story I did.
Which character do you most relate to and why?
The main character Nicki Mayfield. Before I started a full-time writing career, I owned my own professional organizing business, By George Organizing Solutions. So, there is a lot of me in Nicki – except at her age she could be my daughter!
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
I hope they will experience a new land that they might not have had the opportunity to before (China), gain insights into the heart conditions of children there, and be touched by Nicki’s and Ms. O’Connor’s growth, both individually and collectively.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?
Reading, planning my next travel adventure (usually to a beach where I can scuba dive), and watching or playing tennis.
Perfectly Arranged
(Hopeful Hearts #1)
By Liana George
Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction
Paperback & ebook, 286 Pages
October 26, 2021 by Scrivenings Press
Can Nicki risk letting go of her well-ordered life plans and embrace what God has perfectly arranged?
Short on clients and money, professional organizer Nicki Mayfield is hanging up her label maker. That is, until the eccentric socialite Katherine O'Connor offers Nicki one last job.
Working together, the pair discovers an unusual business card among Ms. O'Connor's family belongings that leads them on a journey to China. There, the women embark on an adventure of faith and self-discovery as they uncovers secrets, truths, and ultimately, God's perfectly arranged plan.
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Wishful Endings
Splashes of Joy
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Heidi Reads...
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Novels Alive
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Christy's Cozy Corners
Among the Reads
October 22nd:
Hallie Reads
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@sassybookishmama
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October 21st:
@suziewaltner
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October 22nd:
@hartfiction
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
As a child, whenever anyone asked me that question, I always had 2 answers ready to offer: an author or a Wimbledon champion (that’s a tennis tournament, in case you didn’t know).
Although I never made it to a professional level of tennis stardom (or an amateur level for that matter; the best I could do was local tennis club play once or twice a week), I was able to realize my dream of becoming an author.
But it was a long time coming.
There were detours along the way – teaching elementary school, running children’s ministries, parenting and starting my own organizing business – as well as a few unexpected overseas adventures, but I finally put pencil to paper (yes, I’m old school) and used all my life experiences to write a story that I hoped would make a difference.
With the publication of my first book, Perfectly Arranged (Scrivenings Press, October 2021), I guess I’m finally grown up now and my dreams have come true.
However, now that I’ve reached adulthood I don’t plan on retiring. No, I think I’ll keep going … I have plenty of imaginary people and places to share with the world.
Tour Giveaway
US giveaway – Book-related prize pack of travel items (packing cube, passport wallet, travel journal, luggage tag, packing checklist) and a copy of Perfectly Arranged by Liana George.
International giveaway – $30 Amazon gift card
Ends October 27, 2021
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