Beauty Girls

Author Sara Gruen made a stop in Seattle Monday as part of the promo tour for her latest novel Ape House. It was a packed auditorium at Seattle's Central Library, where Sara gave some feedback on her research and read a passage from her new book before taking questions from the audience. As Twilight Lexicon predicted, the first question was about Water for Elephants. But to be honest Sara didn't seem to mind chatting about her "other" novel, in fact she kinda seemed to enjoy talking about it and its film adaptation. Check out our exclusive coverage!

Our favorite answer came when Sara was asked about the theme of Water for Elephants




This is when I *attempted* to ask a question and shoot video at the same time. Sara was talking about the real bonobos she based her characters on in Ape House, so I asked about the not so real Rosie, and how she created her into such a lovable character straight out of her imagination. Or at least that's what I was trying to ask..



Is she happy with the film adaptation of Water for Elephants?



What was her inspiration to write Water for Elephants?



After the Q&A ended I got a chance to chat with Sara, and asked her to describe in one word her experience of working with Rob and the cast of Water for Elephants.
Her answer: "The whole experience was surreal.. surreal."

You can catch author Sara Gruen on tour right now. Water for Elephants is set to hit U.S. theaters April 15, 2011.