Emily Giffin

Inevitably I draw on my own relationships when I write, so if I'm writing about a fight between a husband and his wife, of course I'm going to think about a recent fight with my husband. Or if I'm writing about sisters, of course I'm going to think about my sister. ”

My books are all relationship-focused, so much of my inspiration comes from my own relationships and the issues and concerns that arise among my friends and family. ”

My mother has always been an Anglophile and taught my sister and me to love British history and literature. ”

I think it always feels riskier and scarier to go after something you really love and want because the rejection and failure hurts more. ”

A theme in a lot of my books - and in my own life - is making choices that you feel you should make, or what society wants you to make, as opposed to what is truly right for you. ”

Life is about the gray areas. Things are seldom black and white, even when we wish they were and think they should be, and I like exploring this nuanced terrain. ”

Well, shoes, bags and clutches are usually my big weaknesses - my husband always laughs when I call them 'investment pieces.' ”

Everyone wants to belong, or be a part of something bigger than themselves, but it's important to follow your heart and be true to yourself in the process. ”

For an interesting nonfiction read, I really enjoyed 'Quiet' by Susan Cain. I read it with my husband, who is a true introvert, whereas I am an introvert masquerading as an extrovert. ”

For true downtime, I enjoy going for light runs, having drinks with friends and going to the movies with my husband. ”