A conversation with MAGGIE KNOX
What inspired you to write All I WAnt fOr ChristMAs?
M A riss A & K A rm A : We’re both big fans of the “enemies-to-lovers” trope, so it was a natural fit for us to write this next novel along those lines. We also both loved the TV show Nashville; some of the most compelling scenes involved songwriting. We don’t know what it’s like to write a song in the real world, but that show made the process seem very romantic on screen! Plus, reality shows—with the pressure-cooker atmosphere and built-in stakes— offer great fodder for rom-coms, so we knew that would be an element in this book as well.
This is your second book as a writing duo. How was the writing process similar or different from writing thE hOlIdAy sWAp?
MArissA & KArmA: With The Holiday Swap, we wrote an outline and alternated chapters. So we were both involved with the writing of Cass and Charlie. This seemed like the right approach for
that novel and worked out well—but we decided with this novel, because the characters were a male and a female, it just made more sense for us to each take one. Otherwise, our approach was the same: a rigorous outline is the trick (for us) to co authoring a novel.
How did you come to Sadie’s and Max’s characters? Are they based on real people?
MArissA: Coming up with characters is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. And the world of reality television combined with the fas cinating Nashville country music scene was such a rich world to draw from and work within. We loved the idea of Max coming from “Nashville royalty” and Sadie being somewhat of an outsider. Neither character is based on a real person, but I know we were inspired by our own experiences in the pub lishing industry. It was fairly easy for us to combine forces to come up with two creative, ambitious characters determined to succeed but who also face challenges along the way.
Auth O r photo G rA phs © J E nNA DA vis A nd Eu GE n E Ch O i K ra m a B rown M ari s s a S pat yel
KArmA: I have never based my characters on real people, but there is sometimes a whisper of inspi ration from people in my life or from interactions I’ve had. We definitely took some direction on characters and settings from the soapy, highly en tertaining television show Nashville, but ultimately we created our characters from scratch. Like Ma rissa, it is one of my favorite elements of writing— crafting the people who live in your fictitious world is so much fun.
Sadie and Max have an oil-and-water relationship that is just delicious to watch unfold. What were some key elements when crafting this entertaining dynamic? What do you think is special about their chemistry?
MArissA & KArmA: It was a balancing act with Sa die and Max. We definitely had to keep our eyes on them! It was a challenge to make sure there was enough antagonism to satisfy their ene mies-to-lovers storyline, but not so much that they hated each other and the romantic tension fizzled on the page. We’re grateful for second (third) drafts and exceptional editorial feedback!
The best thing about Sadie and Max is that even though they’re convinced they’re so different, they actually share many similarities—especially their deep love of music and natural talent for it. This is part of what makes their ultimate connec tion so special. Even in their worst moments they can’t help but know what the other is thinking and feeling. There’s a magical current running between them, whether they like it or not, and we love the irresistible attraction between them! It makes us think of the world’s fascination with the Canadian Olympic figure skating duo Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. In that case, they weren’t really together, of course. But the world certainly wanted them to be. We were definitely caught up in the potential for romance between the two.
stArMAKEr feels like a real singing competition with an interesting cast of characters. Where did you pull inspiration when creating this setting and atmosphere? Do you personally like singing competitions, and why do you think this unique backdrop sets the stage for romance?
MArissA & KArmA: We pulled much of our inspira tion for the show from American Idol—and then made up the rest. The music world seems so filled with drama and intrigue, although surely it’s got its mundane moments, like anything. Adding a reali ty competition to the mix served to heighten the drama and kept our story ticking along, similarly to what we did with The Holiday Swap. In real life, we’re not sure how romantic the set of a singing competition is, but the tension of it worked per fectly for our romance novel!
All I WAnt fOr ChristMAs is not just a love story but also an ode to music and the ways it connects people. Do you have a personal connection to music? If so, how?
MArissA: My aunt had a musical variety show on the CBC in the seventies called The Diane Stap ley Show; I have a singer/songwriter uncle; and my grandmother was a singer (I think of her beautiful voice when I hear the Taylor Swift song “Marjorie”). So music is a big part of our family gatherings—and although I wouldn’t say I’m a great singer, I’ve al ways loved to sing. I grew up in a house where the stereo was always on. My family often connect ed deeply over music—or in some cases, did not connect! I remember loathing the heavy metal my older brother liked to listen to, but we did find some common ground eventually. Now, whenever we go on a family holiday, one of my brothers will bring his guitar. We’ll sing and play music by the campfire. Those are always great memories. I also married a music lover: my husband and I can make
a date out of listening to our favorite bands to gether (our current obsessions are Florence + the Machine and Whitehorse), and we attend concerts when we can. I definitely find music romantic and a beautiful way to forge a bond with someone.
KArmA: My parents are both quite musically in clined—my mom can play the piano from ear, which is truly a jaw-dropping skill, and my dad has played drums and percussion all his life (his band name is “Bongo Bob”), including now in his early eighties. Despite this (and having a grandmother who used to sing commercials on the radio when she was young), I have zero musical talent myself, so it’s something I am always in awe of. But even if I can’t sing, or play the piano or guitar, or insert lit erally any instrument, including the recorder , music brings me great joy, and I have been known to belt out Christmas carols starting November 1—which is far too early for some (including my own hus band), but there’s much happiness to be found in music, so why not?
Do you have a favorite Christmas song you like to listen to during the holidays? If so, what is the song and why is it special to you?
MArissA: So many! I make a holiday playlist every year, and it always delights me that my kids are just as enthusiastic about holiday music as I am. Our playlist is heavy on the time-honored classics: “Joy to the World” and “O Tannenbaum” sung by Nat King Cole; “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives; Bing Crosby’s version of “Silent Night.” But there’s always room for new contemporary favor ites, and this past year I really liked singing along to “’tis the damn season” by Taylor Swift.
KArmA: I could go on and on (I sometimes listen to my holiday playlist in the middle of the summer). My number-one Christmas song is the aptly named “The Christmas Song,” and my preferred version is
the original sung by Nat King Cole. “Silent Night” is also a top choice, and when my daughter was a baby I used to sing it to her when rocking her to sleep (it should be noted she also loves this car ol). On the more contemporary side, I’m a big Boney M., “Mary’s Boy Child” fan, and love the Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan’s version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”
Who was your favorite character to write, and why?
MArissA & KArmA: We’re trying to keep who wrote which character a secret, so we can’t answer this one!
Without giving anything away, did you always know how the story would end for Sadie and Max?
MArissA & KArmA: We always knew where these characters were heading, but we also knew it was going to be a bumpy road—although we were both surprised in different ways at just how challenging things got for our star-crossed duo. It was most likely a reflection of the world at large and some of our personal experiences as we wrote (the world has not been an easy place for anyone these past few years), but there were certainly moments where we wondered if Max and Sadie were actually going to get to that happy-ending finish line.
What do you hope readers will take away from All I WAnt fOr ChristMAs?
MArissA: It’s a love story at its core, of course, but I reflected a lot on ambition and perseverance as I wrote this novel. It’s profoundly challenging to make a living as an artist, no matter the industry, and no matter how successful you appear from the outside. Success, and the path to it, is complicated. So what I hope readers will take away is accepting that everyone has flaws, even if they try to hide
them. True love comes when you find that person who knows who you really are—foibles, missteps, misunderstandings and all—and loves you anyway.
This story also made me reflect on the price of fame and the way we put celebrities on a pedes tal, but are startlingly fast to condemn them or act like they owe us glimpses into their private lives because of the vocation they’ve chosen. The pres sure of this must be tremendous. And we’re all just humans, trying our best. No one should have to be impervious to vicious rumors and unfair judgements simply because they’re in the public eye.
KArmA: I have always been fascinated with how we treat celebrities—knowing their business, like how much money they make, plus expecting them to be transparent and believing we are owed their secrets—and it has been interesting to watch how social media has forced that accessibility further. With this book we explored what it might feel like to be inside the fishbowl, with all eyes on you at every moment, judging your every move. Not be ing allowed to make mistakes without the masses weighing in! I certainly don’t envy anyone famous— being a regular human is tough enough.
Personally, I hope readers love getting lost in Max’s and Sadie’s worlds—both in Nashville, and in the romantic, snow-capped mountains of Banff— and feel great satisfaction watching their charac ters, and their relationship, unfold across the pages.
"Everyone has flaws, even if they try to hide them.
True love comes when you find that person who knows who you really are— foibles, missteps, misunderstandings and all— and loves you anyway."
D is CU ssi ON G u I d E
1.
Sadie and Max have a complicated connection with many ups and downs. If you could share a piece of advice for each of them about love and relationships, what would it be?
2.
Gran is such a wonderful support system for Sadie as she follows her dreams. Who do you lean on for support in your life? Why do you turn to that person when times are tough?
3.
Who was your favorite character in the novel, and why?
4.
Do you think Gran and Sadie’s mother did the right thing by keeping their secret from Sadie? Why or why not? What would you have done if you were in their position?
5.
Discuss the ways that grief played a role in Sadie’s and Max’s lives. How did it help shape them into the people they became? Have you ever grieved the loss of a loved one? If so, did you relate to the ways Max and Sadie handled their grief?
6.
What was your favorite scene in the novel, and why?
7.
What do you think is special about Sadie and Max’s relationship? Why do you think they have such electric chemistry on and off the stage?
8.
If you had to write a song for the All I Want for Christmas Holiday Extravaganza, what would the name of your song be and what would the song be about?
9.
If you went to karaoke during Christmastime, what would be your go-to holiday song to sing? If you’re not a fan of karaoke, what is your favorite Christmas song to listen to, and why?
10.
Were you satisfied or surprised by the ending?