Laura Chapman's Blog, page 44
April 9, 2014
interview with hilary grossman
Blogger's Note: I'm pleased to welcome Hilary Grossman to the blog as part of her tour for Dangled Carat. Check out her other Chick Lit Plus tour stops. Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter at the end of the post.
Change the Word: What was the inspiration for this book?
Hilary Grossman: Dangled Carat, while it reads like chick lit, is a memoir about my attempt to convert the ultimate commitment-phobic man into a doting husband with a lot of help from his family and friends. While many of the things that happened to me (two faux engagement parties, for example) were very unique being involved in a relationship with a commitment-phobe is a very common situation. I felt that my story was something that so many women could relate to.
CTW: What did the writing process look like?
HG: I have a very high stress, long hour “day job” so I was only able to devote time to writing Dangled Carat on the weekends. But for the seven months or so that I worked on the first draft, writing Dangled Carat was all I did. I would sit myself down at my dining room table in front of my laptop and type from early in the morning until about 6 PM every Saturday and Sunday. I would only get up to refill my water bottle....
CTW: What surprised you most about the writing process?
HG: I am so pleasantly surprised by how generous and supportive authors are. I am used to working in corporate America where everyone’s main objective seems to be their own success. Authors are different. They really seem to want to go the extra mile to help one another. They are always eager to give advice or a just shoulder to lean on. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of such an amazing community.
CTW: How do you keep yourself motivated to keep going?
HG: Some days are easier than others... But, when I need a moral boast I think to myself I am living my dream...
CTW: What is the best writing advice you ever received?
HG: If you want to write, just write. Don’t worry finding readers. Don’t worry about publication. And don’t worry about sales. None of those things will matter if you don’t have any words written.
CTW: Who is your biggest fictional book crush? Why?
HG: With the exception of the red room, Christian Grey. I love how he was so strong and in control but also had a vulnerable side.
CTW: If you could be any fictional character for one day, who would you pick and why?
HG: Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.... I would love to be able to spend a day in that magical place. How much fun would it be to hang with the Tin Man, The Scarecrow and my all time favorite the Cowardly Lion? I always wanted to give that guy a hug!
CTW: What are the three most worn-out books on your bookshelf? (Meaning ones you go back to and read and re-read.)
HG: Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster - this is the book that motivated me to start my blog and write my memoir. It’s All Relative by Wade Rouse - by far one of the funniest books I have ever read. Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock - this is a book where nothing is as it seems and when you turn the last page you just have to read it again....
CTW: What else is going on in your writing world?
HG: I have actually started my next book. YEAH! This time I am dabbling in fiction. I haven’t written much yet, but I like where it is headed... And I especially like that I don’t have to relive so many difficult moments in my life, as I had to do with Dangled Carat.
CTW: Anything else you'd like to share?
HG: I just want to thank you for welcoming me to your blog....
Enjoy an Excerpt of Tangled Carat
About the Author
Hilary Grossman dated a guy so commitment-phobic that she was able to write a book about their relationship. She is currently the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer and lives on Long Island.
Connect with Hilary
Blog
Facebook author page
Facebook blog page
Twitter
About the Book
Hilary had gotten used to dating the commitment-phobic Marc, thirteen years her senior. They had a great relationship--why rush into things? She saw no need to pressure him for marriage, believing that when the time was right, he would propose. But after they had been together for four years, their friends decided to take matters into their own hands, pushing Marc to propose and making Hilary realize how much she really did want to marry the man that she loved. Unfortunately, Marc still wasn't ready--and their friends' meddling in the form of a faux engagement party led to a disastrous New Year's Eve that brought their relationship to an inevitable turning point.
Buy the Book
Amazon
Barnes & Noble (print)
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9d173954/cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js&quo...
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
Change the Word: What was the inspiration for this book? Hilary Grossman: Dangled Carat, while it reads like chick lit, is a memoir about my attempt to convert the ultimate commitment-phobic man into a doting husband with a lot of help from his family and friends. While many of the things that happened to me (two faux engagement parties, for example) were very unique being involved in a relationship with a commitment-phobe is a very common situation. I felt that my story was something that so many women could relate to.
CTW: What did the writing process look like?
HG: I have a very high stress, long hour “day job” so I was only able to devote time to writing Dangled Carat on the weekends. But for the seven months or so that I worked on the first draft, writing Dangled Carat was all I did. I would sit myself down at my dining room table in front of my laptop and type from early in the morning until about 6 PM every Saturday and Sunday. I would only get up to refill my water bottle....
CTW: What surprised you most about the writing process?
HG: I am so pleasantly surprised by how generous and supportive authors are. I am used to working in corporate America where everyone’s main objective seems to be their own success. Authors are different. They really seem to want to go the extra mile to help one another. They are always eager to give advice or a just shoulder to lean on. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of such an amazing community.
CTW: How do you keep yourself motivated to keep going?
HG: Some days are easier than others... But, when I need a moral boast I think to myself I am living my dream...
CTW: What is the best writing advice you ever received?HG: If you want to write, just write. Don’t worry finding readers. Don’t worry about publication. And don’t worry about sales. None of those things will matter if you don’t have any words written.
CTW: Who is your biggest fictional book crush? Why?
HG: With the exception of the red room, Christian Grey. I love how he was so strong and in control but also had a vulnerable side.
CTW: If you could be any fictional character for one day, who would you pick and why?
HG: Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.... I would love to be able to spend a day in that magical place. How much fun would it be to hang with the Tin Man, The Scarecrow and my all time favorite the Cowardly Lion? I always wanted to give that guy a hug!
CTW: What are the three most worn-out books on your bookshelf? (Meaning ones you go back to and read and re-read.)
HG: Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster - this is the book that motivated me to start my blog and write my memoir. It’s All Relative by Wade Rouse - by far one of the funniest books I have ever read. Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock - this is a book where nothing is as it seems and when you turn the last page you just have to read it again....
CTW: What else is going on in your writing world?
HG: I have actually started my next book. YEAH! This time I am dabbling in fiction. I haven’t written much yet, but I like where it is headed... And I especially like that I don’t have to relive so many difficult moments in my life, as I had to do with Dangled Carat.
CTW: Anything else you'd like to share?
HG: I just want to thank you for welcoming me to your blog....
Enjoy an Excerpt of Tangled Carat
For whatever reason, this restaurant attracted an elderly crowd. Our two tables were pretty much the only ones in the entire place that weren’t occupied by people north of their seventy-fifth birthdays. As soon as the waiter cleared off our dinner plates, my mom headed to the bathroom and Marc sat down in her seat. “I just want to see what it feels like to sit next to you,” he said as he smiled at me.
As I arched my eyebrows at him, I asked, “Well, how does it feel?” He pondered for a second, and I noticed the table of two elderly couples sitting to the other side of us. They were watching Marc and me interact as if they were watching a movie. We were clearly their entertainment for the evening.
“I think I can get used to it,” Marc replied solemnly.
All too quickly, my mom returned from the bathroom and Marc had to go back to his seat. We continued to chat for a little while as Marc’s brother squared away their bill, and the waiter brought my mom and me over coffee and cappuccino.
As Marc and his family got up to leave, he said, “This was fun. Can we do it again?”
“Sure,” I said. “Call me.”
“Are you going to give me your number?”
“My number?” I asked, playing coy. “Oh, you want my number, do you?”
“Well, it usually does help,” he retorted, “if I am to call you.”
“Okay.” I rattled off “766-722” with a twinkle in my eye.
Marc wrote down the digits and stared at the paper. A confused look appeared on his face. “Huh? You only gave me six numbers.”
Flippantly as if I didn’t care whether he called – though I desperately wanted him to - I answered, “I know…You need to guess the missing number.”
Why I did this, I don’t know. It wasn’t a plan. It wasn’t my signature move (not that I actually had a signature move, mind you) it just happened.
About the Author
Hilary Grossman dated a guy so commitment-phobic that she was able to write a book about their relationship. She is currently the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer and lives on Long Island.
Connect with Hilary
Blog
Facebook author page
Facebook blog page
About the Book
Hilary had gotten used to dating the commitment-phobic Marc, thirteen years her senior. They had a great relationship--why rush into things? She saw no need to pressure him for marriage, believing that when the time was right, he would propose. But after they had been together for four years, their friends decided to take matters into their own hands, pushing Marc to propose and making Hilary realize how much she really did want to marry the man that she loved. Unfortunately, Marc still wasn't ready--and their friends' meddling in the form of a faux engagement party led to a disastrous New Year's Eve that brought their relationship to an inevitable turning point.
Buy the Book
Amazon
Barnes & Noble (print)
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9d173954/cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js&quo...
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
April 7, 2014
greetings from... the south
In my novel Hard Hats and Doormats, human resources manager Lexi Burke travels the Gulf Coast training employees, settling disputes and maintaining order for a chemical company. Like Lexi, my first job out of college involved a lot of travel––I visited more than 20 states in four years. In this series, I'll share some of my real life experiences exploring the country.
During my travels across the country, I spent a considerable amount of time visiting a few southern states. Since Texas is basically it's own world, I'm going to save it for another post and focus on Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
I loved my time hanging out in the South. I only visited Oklahoma and Arkansas a couple of times each, but Louisiana was like a second home for a while there. For me it was the place I'd seen in movies and on TV shows like Steel Magnolias , The Waterboy and True Blood . And I mean that as a compliment. The communities were wonderful -- if a little different from what I've always known -- the scenery beautiful and the food to die for.
My favorite foods were found in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The beignets at Cafe Du Monde were one of the most delicious things I've ever had. And I still think about the crawfish etouffee (served on top of avocado) I had for dinner one night at the Napoleon House Bar & Cafe.
I tried other interesting foods, like fried okra (I didn't even know what okra was until I went down south). I never did indulge in cracklin, though the locals told me it was a must, but I think I ate enough crawfish during my time down there to make up for it.
And of course no trip in that part of the country would be complete without trying the Waffle House once or twice. I kid you not, there must be a Waffle House at every other exit on I-10 between New Orleans and Houston. While there's nothing super special about the Waffle House, it was my first time trying grits, which I soon learned to love. I could actually go for some right now.
I still think a lot about the men and women I met on those trips down south. They opened up to me about their families and told me stories about their lives. Every so often I'll see something on TV that reminds me of one of them. And I wonder how they are and what is new in their world.
Fried Okra.
The swamps of Louisiana.
The rocky terrain of southern Oklahoma.
A full meal -- including grits front and center -- at the Waffle House.
Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter.
Arkansas!
Birthplace of President Clinton.
About Hard Hats and Doormats
Lexi Burke has always been a stickler for following rules and procedures. As a human resources manager for a leading Gulf Coast chemical company, it’s her job to make sure everyone else falls in line, too.
But after losing out on a big promotion––because her boss sees her as too much of a yes-woman––Lexi adopts a new policy of following her heart instead of the fine print. And her heart knows what it wants: Jason Beaumont, a workplace crush who is off limits based on her previous protocol.
While navigating a new romance and interoffice politics, Lexi must find the confidence to stand on her own or face a lifetime of following someone else’s orders.
Who says nice girls have to finish last?
Order the Book
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Marching Ink
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
During my travels across the country, I spent a considerable amount of time visiting a few southern states. Since Texas is basically it's own world, I'm going to save it for another post and focus on Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
I loved my time hanging out in the South. I only visited Oklahoma and Arkansas a couple of times each, but Louisiana was like a second home for a while there. For me it was the place I'd seen in movies and on TV shows like Steel Magnolias , The Waterboy and True Blood . And I mean that as a compliment. The communities were wonderful -- if a little different from what I've always known -- the scenery beautiful and the food to die for.
My favorite foods were found in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The beignets at Cafe Du Monde were one of the most delicious things I've ever had. And I still think about the crawfish etouffee (served on top of avocado) I had for dinner one night at the Napoleon House Bar & Cafe.
I tried other interesting foods, like fried okra (I didn't even know what okra was until I went down south). I never did indulge in cracklin, though the locals told me it was a must, but I think I ate enough crawfish during my time down there to make up for it.
And of course no trip in that part of the country would be complete without trying the Waffle House once or twice. I kid you not, there must be a Waffle House at every other exit on I-10 between New Orleans and Houston. While there's nothing super special about the Waffle House, it was my first time trying grits, which I soon learned to love. I could actually go for some right now.
I still think a lot about the men and women I met on those trips down south. They opened up to me about their families and told me stories about their lives. Every so often I'll see something on TV that reminds me of one of them. And I wonder how they are and what is new in their world.
Fried Okra.
The swamps of Louisiana.
The rocky terrain of southern Oklahoma.
A full meal -- including grits front and center -- at the Waffle House.
Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter.
Arkansas!
Birthplace of President Clinton.About Hard Hats and Doormats
Lexi Burke has always been a stickler for following rules and procedures. As a human resources manager for a leading Gulf Coast chemical company, it’s her job to make sure everyone else falls in line, too.But after losing out on a big promotion––because her boss sees her as too much of a yes-woman––Lexi adopts a new policy of following her heart instead of the fine print. And her heart knows what it wants: Jason Beaumont, a workplace crush who is off limits based on her previous protocol.
While navigating a new romance and interoffice politics, Lexi must find the confidence to stand on her own or face a lifetime of following someone else’s orders.
Who says nice girls have to finish last?
Order the Book
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Marching Ink
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
April 4, 2014
movies that destroy your makeup
We all have them. A handful (or maybe even a truck-load) of movies that no matter how many times you watch them, will totally rip you apart and make you cry.
Now, I'm a crier by nature. I get a little misty of there's a particularly emotional commercial on the TV or if I read a story that touches me. But then there's the movies that bring out the big tears. You know what I'm talking about -- the ugly ones that send you running to the mirror to check the damage.
I've been sitting on this list since winter break when I binge-watched a bunch of movies -- old favorites and new. I was... inspired to blog about it, I suppose, to see if I'm alone in this insanity. I figured it was about time I got around to sharing it. So here you go. My top contenders for movies that destroy my makeup:
(WARNING: There are spoilers ahead! Proceed with caution.)
Love Actually
I don't know why, but this movie makes me cry. Not always the big, ugly cry, but tears all the same. It starts about 15 to 20 minutes before the ending. Something about Liam Neeson's and Colin Firth's story just gets me. I can't explain exactly what it is about each story, but they're beautiful to me. And then you get everyone hugging and kissing at the airport with the Beach Boys playing in the background.
This movie has affected me so deeply that now every time I hear "God Only Knows" -- a song I'd known and loved my whole life -- my eyes well up. Talk about Pavlovian conditioning.
Steel Magnolias
This movie gets me. Every. Single. Time. I know it's coming. But still, the moment I see Sally Field's face as she purposefully walks through the empty hospital corridor, I let out my first sob. And it only gets worse from there. I mean, this was a movie made to make us cry. Even one of my brothers says he was almost induced to tears with Julia Roberts' baby comes toddling down the steps into Sally's arms. Then there's Sally losing it at the grave site... oh my goodness, that part ruins me. It actually makes my chest hurt.
Out of every movie on this list, this is the one that makes me the ugliest crier. Trust me, I've gone and looked at myself in the mirror after watching this movie (don't judge me). I'm a heaving, hiccuping, near-hyperventilating mess until the Easter bunny hops on the back of a motorcycle and rides off-screen.
The Land Before Time
I don't even feel like I have to explain this one. If you've seen the movie, then you know how -- like Bambi -- it's sad from the moment Littlefoot's mama dies. Only... unlike Bambi, Littlefoot's mama mom makes a cameo later in the film to inspire him when he most needs it. I'm not saying you cry the whole time with this movie, but your heart is made of stone if you don't join me in getting verklempt.
Selena
The end of this movie is so sad. Based on the life of the Queen of Tejano, the finale of the movie is devastating to watch. The filmmakers did a good job of showing how horrifying and emotional Selena's death was without being too graphic and by paying tribute to the late singer's life.
This movie came out when I was in elementary school and brought to life actual events I had been too young to be aware of at the time. It's actually how I came to know Selena's music and appreciate her talent, which was so cruelly and unfairly cut short at such a young age. What a waste. I tear up whenever one of her songs pops up on the radio or on a playlist -- because they still do 20 years later -- or whenever I see her name mentioned in an article or on TV. It's a sad reminder of how one person's actions can ruin lives.
Evita
Four words: "You Must Love Me." I saw this movie for the first time at 11, and as soon as this song started playing, I was gutted. There's something about the desperation in Madonna's voice as she's reminding/pleading/hoping for her husband to love her through this dark and final chapter of her life that just... I can't even.
The Little Mermaid
OK. I'll admit, this one is a bit ridiculous. This has been one of my favorite movies since I saw it back in '89 at the impressionable age of three, and I think that's part of why it gets me now. There's something so bittersweet about Ariel's father deciding to let her go to be with the man she loves, followed by the totally adorable wedding, which is capped off by a hug from her father who sends her off with a rainbow.
Now, I'm not saying I weep, but I definitely get choked up during that hug, when Ariel whispers, "I love you Daddy." And there's something about the finale music. Something about the oboe and trumpet combo that forces tears into my eyes (or at least tugs at my gut). Whenever it pops up in my playlist -- and yes, the final song "Happy Ending" is in my playlist -- my eyes either well up or I let out a dry sob once we make it to the climax.
Now that I've gone and ruined my makeup by reflecting on these movies, it's your turn to weigh-in: What movie brings you to tears?
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
Now, I'm a crier by nature. I get a little misty of there's a particularly emotional commercial on the TV or if I read a story that touches me. But then there's the movies that bring out the big tears. You know what I'm talking about -- the ugly ones that send you running to the mirror to check the damage.
I've been sitting on this list since winter break when I binge-watched a bunch of movies -- old favorites and new. I was... inspired to blog about it, I suppose, to see if I'm alone in this insanity. I figured it was about time I got around to sharing it. So here you go. My top contenders for movies that destroy my makeup:
(WARNING: There are spoilers ahead! Proceed with caution.)
Love Actually
I don't know why, but this movie makes me cry. Not always the big, ugly cry, but tears all the same. It starts about 15 to 20 minutes before the ending. Something about Liam Neeson's and Colin Firth's story just gets me. I can't explain exactly what it is about each story, but they're beautiful to me. And then you get everyone hugging and kissing at the airport with the Beach Boys playing in the background.
This movie has affected me so deeply that now every time I hear "God Only Knows" -- a song I'd known and loved my whole life -- my eyes well up. Talk about Pavlovian conditioning.
Steel Magnolias
This movie gets me. Every. Single. Time. I know it's coming. But still, the moment I see Sally Field's face as she purposefully walks through the empty hospital corridor, I let out my first sob. And it only gets worse from there. I mean, this was a movie made to make us cry. Even one of my brothers says he was almost induced to tears with Julia Roberts' baby comes toddling down the steps into Sally's arms. Then there's Sally losing it at the grave site... oh my goodness, that part ruins me. It actually makes my chest hurt.
Out of every movie on this list, this is the one that makes me the ugliest crier. Trust me, I've gone and looked at myself in the mirror after watching this movie (don't judge me). I'm a heaving, hiccuping, near-hyperventilating mess until the Easter bunny hops on the back of a motorcycle and rides off-screen.
The Land Before Time
I don't even feel like I have to explain this one. If you've seen the movie, then you know how -- like Bambi -- it's sad from the moment Littlefoot's mama dies. Only... unlike Bambi, Littlefoot's mama mom makes a cameo later in the film to inspire him when he most needs it. I'm not saying you cry the whole time with this movie, but your heart is made of stone if you don't join me in getting verklempt.
Selena
The end of this movie is so sad. Based on the life of the Queen of Tejano, the finale of the movie is devastating to watch. The filmmakers did a good job of showing how horrifying and emotional Selena's death was without being too graphic and by paying tribute to the late singer's life.
This movie came out when I was in elementary school and brought to life actual events I had been too young to be aware of at the time. It's actually how I came to know Selena's music and appreciate her talent, which was so cruelly and unfairly cut short at such a young age. What a waste. I tear up whenever one of her songs pops up on the radio or on a playlist -- because they still do 20 years later -- or whenever I see her name mentioned in an article or on TV. It's a sad reminder of how one person's actions can ruin lives.
Evita
Four words: "You Must Love Me." I saw this movie for the first time at 11, and as soon as this song started playing, I was gutted. There's something about the desperation in Madonna's voice as she's reminding/pleading/hoping for her husband to love her through this dark and final chapter of her life that just... I can't even.
The Little Mermaid
OK. I'll admit, this one is a bit ridiculous. This has been one of my favorite movies since I saw it back in '89 at the impressionable age of three, and I think that's part of why it gets me now. There's something so bittersweet about Ariel's father deciding to let her go to be with the man she loves, followed by the totally adorable wedding, which is capped off by a hug from her father who sends her off with a rainbow.
Now, I'm not saying I weep, but I definitely get choked up during that hug, when Ariel whispers, "I love you Daddy." And there's something about the finale music. Something about the oboe and trumpet combo that forces tears into my eyes (or at least tugs at my gut). Whenever it pops up in my playlist -- and yes, the final song "Happy Ending" is in my playlist -- my eyes either well up or I let out a dry sob once we make it to the climax.
Now that I've gone and ruined my makeup by reflecting on these movies, it's your turn to weigh-in: What movie brings you to tears?
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
April 2, 2014
interview with savannah page
Blogger's Note: I'm pleased to share this interview with Savannah Page as she goes on tour with When Girlfriends Take Chances. Be sure to read through to the end for an excerpt of the book and a chance to win a fabulous prize.
Change the Word: What was your inspiration for this book?
Savannah Page: From the start of my When Girlfriends collection I knew I was going to have one of the six friends be a bit nomadic. I liked the idea of having a friend coming and going throughout a series, often bringing back with her experiences that could lend a different and unique perspective on her friends’ ongoing drama. Emily also provides that continuing shift or change in what is a relatively solid and every-day kind of life (albeit melodramatic) for the girls in Seattle. I really liked the idea of contrast that complements.
Also, from the start of the collection I knew I wanted to make “forever friendship” a theme, emphasizing that even though many women move out of their college town come graduation and begin lives of their own, they can still have a very deep and meaningful and special friendship over the years. My girlfriends and I are now spread all over the globe and we maintain our dear friendships. Knowing from personal experience that my friends and I can pick up right where we left off, no matter the distance, was a huge inspiration for the entire When Girlfriends collection, and this book in particular.
CTW: What is one characteristic you share with your MC?
SP: I love to travel! Though I’m not as well-traveled as Emily, I do love strapping on a rucksack and heading for the train station, or hopping in the car for a road trip, or taking a fun cruise. I hate thinking that I’ll die without having visited every square inch of the planet!
CTW: How did you go about planning for and researching?
SP: Emily is a globetrekker who has visited more of the world than the average young woman. Her travels shape her, so to better connect with her and really feel her character and story, I tapped into my own globetrekking adventures. I dug out some of my personal travel journals, flipped through guidebooks, and looked at photos from my travels abroad (for fun I’ve included some personal photos that inspired me). I also pulled some Bill Bryson books from my bookshelf for inspiration, especially to broaden my non-European traveling horizons.
I also wrote some random journal-like pieces from Emily’s perspective about certain cities she may have visited in her past so I could get to know her better and write her voice and story more accurately. Emily’s a really unique and fun-loving character—one of my favorites in the collection. I wanted to make sure her voice and approach to life were obviously different from the rest of her friends—influenced by living on-the-go and experiencing different walks of life and cultures.
CTW: What most surprised you during the writing process for this book?
SP: I didn’t think it’d be as difficult to begin as I had imagined. The book before it, When Girlfriends Chase Dreams, flowed extremely fast and naturally. Looking back, I think the possibilities to begin Emily’s story were so wide I was a bit afraid to begin, worried I’d take her down a path that “wasn’t her.” She threw me for a few loops in the middle of the novel, but ultimately her story is exactly as it was supposed to be, from start to finish, and with an ending that I still get butterflies over.
CTW: How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
SP: Picking up one of the many women’s fiction or chick lit books I have on the “Currently Reading” list is a great way to get in the mood. Listening to inspiring music is another one. Sometimes running the sweeper through the apartment will help me flesh out difficult scenes. Showers and time in the sauna actually also help me get in the zone. The only problem is that I’m then only able to quickly and rather messily jot down my thoughts on a notepad. Not exactly the best places to feel ready to write.
CTW: Where do you like to write?
SP: I have a cozy home office with lots of natural light. On occasion I’ll write in a café, but I do so love the peace and quiet and routine in my office.
CTW: What are your three favorite books of all time?
SP: As I’m sure any author and avid reader would exclaim, “Just three?!” I find myself rereading any Emily Giffin novel; I am instantly put into a good mood when I pick up a Sophie Kinsella read (so I’ll pick her pieces up over and over); I keep my Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gossip Girl, and Harry Potter collections dust-free. And I adore Roald Dahl’s classic Fantastic Mr. Fox.
CTW: If you could trade places with any literary character for one day, who would you pick and why?
SP: Even though I am a very indoorsy kind of girl and can’t fathom getting anything other than nail polish accidentally under my nails, I’d like to experience life as Laura Ingalls Wilder. I loved the Little House books and television program growing up. As a little girl I fantasized about being Half Pint. Perhaps it was the double-plaited hair and the freckles we shared, but what a fascinating time (and place) to be alive!
CTW: What's up next for you in your writing world?
SP: I’m releasing the seventh and final When Girlfriends novel next month! I am SO excited to share that story and celebrate the completion of the collection.
I’m currently working on two different projects (one women’s fiction, one chick lit), both of which look like they’ll be the start of new series. I’m itching to get those done for my readers!
CTW: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
SP: I adore my readers and love getting to connect! You can follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter. You can also keep up with my next novel developments on my Website & Blog.
Thanks again for having me, Laura.
And readers, don’t forget to enter to WIN a $50 Amazon gift card! (That’s a whole lot of ebooks!!) Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form here.
Excerpt of When Girlfriends Take Chances
About the Author
Savannah Page is the author of the continuing When Girlfriends collection, heartfelt women's fiction that celebrates friendship, love, and life sprinkled with drama and humor. When she isn’t writing, Savannah enjoys a good book with a latte and jazz tunes, Pilates, and exploring her home of Berlin as an American expat. Currently she's working on the seventh and final When Girlfriends novel, and is cooking up something delicious for her next series.
Connect with Savannah
Website & Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
About the Book
A novel about exploring love and life's path, and taking chances along the way.
Emily Saunders has never thought twice about grabbing her passport, rucksack, and camera and trekking across the globe. If there's an NGO, a study abroad program, or simply the travel itch, Emily's on the first plane out. Free-spirited, open-minded, and eager to explore, it's no wonder Emily's hardly in one spot (or relationship) for long.
For the past year and a half, though, Emily's found herself planted in her college hometown of Seattle. She's surrounded by her best friends, has steady work as a photographer and at her friend Sophie's café, and is certainly kept busy by the wild antics of her BFF Jackie. Life's enjoyable, but Emily's looking for something more. She's ready for a change, for adventure!
But when Emily tells her girlfriends she's ready for something new she does not expect Operation Blind Date!
Sure, Emily's single. Sure, she hopes to some day find true love. But being thrown into an insane challenge like this is not exactly the adventure she had in mind! Couldn't she just travel and focus on her photography? Or volunteer in Africa? Will a string of eligible bachelors lined up by her friends--a shot at finding a real and lasting love--really be that change she's searching for?
This is a spirited story about seeking adventure while being true to yourself, wherever you are in life. It's a story about love, risk, and self-discovery. About what happens when girlfriends take chances.
Buy the Book
Amazon (print and ebook)
Barnes & Noble
iTunes
Kobo
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9d173955/cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js&quo...
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
Change the Word: What was your inspiration for this book?Savannah Page: From the start of my When Girlfriends collection I knew I was going to have one of the six friends be a bit nomadic. I liked the idea of having a friend coming and going throughout a series, often bringing back with her experiences that could lend a different and unique perspective on her friends’ ongoing drama. Emily also provides that continuing shift or change in what is a relatively solid and every-day kind of life (albeit melodramatic) for the girls in Seattle. I really liked the idea of contrast that complements.
Also, from the start of the collection I knew I wanted to make “forever friendship” a theme, emphasizing that even though many women move out of their college town come graduation and begin lives of their own, they can still have a very deep and meaningful and special friendship over the years. My girlfriends and I are now spread all over the globe and we maintain our dear friendships. Knowing from personal experience that my friends and I can pick up right where we left off, no matter the distance, was a huge inspiration for the entire When Girlfriends collection, and this book in particular.
CTW: What is one characteristic you share with your MC?
SP: I love to travel! Though I’m not as well-traveled as Emily, I do love strapping on a rucksack and heading for the train station, or hopping in the car for a road trip, or taking a fun cruise. I hate thinking that I’ll die without having visited every square inch of the planet!
CTW: How did you go about planning for and researching?
SP: Emily is a globetrekker who has visited more of the world than the average young woman. Her travels shape her, so to better connect with her and really feel her character and story, I tapped into my own globetrekking adventures. I dug out some of my personal travel journals, flipped through guidebooks, and looked at photos from my travels abroad (for fun I’ve included some personal photos that inspired me). I also pulled some Bill Bryson books from my bookshelf for inspiration, especially to broaden my non-European traveling horizons.
I also wrote some random journal-like pieces from Emily’s perspective about certain cities she may have visited in her past so I could get to know her better and write her voice and story more accurately. Emily’s a really unique and fun-loving character—one of my favorites in the collection. I wanted to make sure her voice and approach to life were obviously different from the rest of her friends—influenced by living on-the-go and experiencing different walks of life and cultures.
CTW: What most surprised you during the writing process for this book?
SP: I didn’t think it’d be as difficult to begin as I had imagined. The book before it, When Girlfriends Chase Dreams, flowed extremely fast and naturally. Looking back, I think the possibilities to begin Emily’s story were so wide I was a bit afraid to begin, worried I’d take her down a path that “wasn’t her.” She threw me for a few loops in the middle of the novel, but ultimately her story is exactly as it was supposed to be, from start to finish, and with an ending that I still get butterflies over.
CTW: How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
SP: Picking up one of the many women’s fiction or chick lit books I have on the “Currently Reading” list is a great way to get in the mood. Listening to inspiring music is another one. Sometimes running the sweeper through the apartment will help me flesh out difficult scenes. Showers and time in the sauna actually also help me get in the zone. The only problem is that I’m then only able to quickly and rather messily jot down my thoughts on a notepad. Not exactly the best places to feel ready to write.
CTW: Where do you like to write?SP: I have a cozy home office with lots of natural light. On occasion I’ll write in a café, but I do so love the peace and quiet and routine in my office.
CTW: What are your three favorite books of all time?
SP: As I’m sure any author and avid reader would exclaim, “Just three?!” I find myself rereading any Emily Giffin novel; I am instantly put into a good mood when I pick up a Sophie Kinsella read (so I’ll pick her pieces up over and over); I keep my Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gossip Girl, and Harry Potter collections dust-free. And I adore Roald Dahl’s classic Fantastic Mr. Fox.
CTW: If you could trade places with any literary character for one day, who would you pick and why?
SP: Even though I am a very indoorsy kind of girl and can’t fathom getting anything other than nail polish accidentally under my nails, I’d like to experience life as Laura Ingalls Wilder. I loved the Little House books and television program growing up. As a little girl I fantasized about being Half Pint. Perhaps it was the double-plaited hair and the freckles we shared, but what a fascinating time (and place) to be alive!
CTW: What's up next for you in your writing world?
SP: I’m releasing the seventh and final When Girlfriends novel next month! I am SO excited to share that story and celebrate the completion of the collection.
I’m currently working on two different projects (one women’s fiction, one chick lit), both of which look like they’ll be the start of new series. I’m itching to get those done for my readers!
CTW: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
SP: I adore my readers and love getting to connect! You can follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter. You can also keep up with my next novel developments on my Website & Blog.
Thanks again for having me, Laura.
And readers, don’t forget to enter to WIN a $50 Amazon gift card! (That’s a whole lot of ebooks!!) Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form here.
Excerpt of When Girlfriends Take Chances
“That’s a fantastic idea!” Jackie blurts out.
“How come I didn’t think of that?” Sophie says.
“That’s not a bad idea, Claire,” Robin says with a nod.
“Perrrrrfect,” Claire sings, returning to her position on the floor by the coffee table. “Such a superbly perfect idea.” She claps her hands together several times. “What do you think, Emily? Brilliant idea, right?”
There are two words that incite major worry and panic, even in someone like me who’s as open to dating, well, just about anyone. One is “blind” and the other is—you guessed it—“date.” God help me.
We’re not just talking a blind date, but several—hear me, plural—blind dates.
“Think about it,” Sophie says, abandoning her wine, her eyes going all star-gazey. “You could meet all sorts of guys. You could dispense with the annoying and time-wasting ‘nice to meet you’ stuff.”
“Yeah!” Jackie cuts in. “Like you wouldn’t have to waste your time on meeting someone and striking up that first conversation that would lead to a date. It’s just, BAM, a date!”
BAM is right.
All right, I’m single, and I have been for a while. And, sure, it’d be nice to find someone I could really connect with and, yeah, fall in love with. But easier said than done. I mean, if I’m going to find someone I can be really and truly serious with then they’ll have to keep up with me, so to speak. I’m not a let’s-get-a-mortgage or even a let’s-have-a-career kind of woman. My lifestyle isn’t exactly what men who are looking for a serious and lasting relationship go for.
Besides, I’m not so hard-up for a date or budding romance that I need to sign on for a round of blind dates—a series of awkward meet-and-greets, an exchange of interests and goals and accomplishments, that unavoidable question about a second date, that unavoidable expectation come the third or fourth date. My mouth suddenly feels dry. I reach for my wine and take a heavy slog.
“I think this is brilliant,” Claire says. She crosses her arms, looking extremely pleased with herself. “This is revolutionary!”
“No,” Lara finally pipes in.
Oh, thank you for coming to my rescue, finally, Lara! I think, still draining my wine.
“It’s not quite revolutionary…yet.” A sly smirk is playing Lara’s lips. “We’re missing something that’ll revolutionize the blind dating experience.”
“I know!” I toss out. All eyes simultaneously turn to me. “I know what would revolutionize this experience.”
“Yeah?” Jackie asks eagerly.
“Totally…” I drag out. “…not…doing…it!” I smile brightly. “Brilliant way to revolutionize blind dating, right? Do away with the whole buggy thing.”
“Oh, whatever,” Claire scoffs. “Don’t be a sourpuss. We’re doing this, Emily. It will be amazing, just you wait.”
About the Author
Savannah Page is the author of the continuing When Girlfriends collection, heartfelt women's fiction that celebrates friendship, love, and life sprinkled with drama and humor. When she isn’t writing, Savannah enjoys a good book with a latte and jazz tunes, Pilates, and exploring her home of Berlin as an American expat. Currently she's working on the seventh and final When Girlfriends novel, and is cooking up something delicious for her next series.
Connect with Savannah
Website & Blog
Goodreads
About the Book
A novel about exploring love and life's path, and taking chances along the way.
Emily Saunders has never thought twice about grabbing her passport, rucksack, and camera and trekking across the globe. If there's an NGO, a study abroad program, or simply the travel itch, Emily's on the first plane out. Free-spirited, open-minded, and eager to explore, it's no wonder Emily's hardly in one spot (or relationship) for long.
For the past year and a half, though, Emily's found herself planted in her college hometown of Seattle. She's surrounded by her best friends, has steady work as a photographer and at her friend Sophie's café, and is certainly kept busy by the wild antics of her BFF Jackie. Life's enjoyable, but Emily's looking for something more. She's ready for a change, for adventure!
But when Emily tells her girlfriends she's ready for something new she does not expect Operation Blind Date!
Sure, Emily's single. Sure, she hopes to some day find true love. But being thrown into an insane challenge like this is not exactly the adventure she had in mind! Couldn't she just travel and focus on her photography? Or volunteer in Africa? Will a string of eligible bachelors lined up by her friends--a shot at finding a real and lasting love--really be that change she's searching for?
This is a spirited story about seeking adventure while being true to yourself, wherever you are in life. It's a story about love, risk, and self-discovery. About what happens when girlfriends take chances.
Buy the Book
Amazon (print and ebook)
Barnes & Noble
iTunes
Kobo
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9d173955/cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js&quo...
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
March 31, 2014
lifestyle change
I've heard it takes 21 days to make -- or break -- a habit. Whether or not it's true, I can report that after more than 21 days of eating well, hydrating and exercising, I feel pretty damn good.
Today marks Day 31 of a lifestyle change I've made for myself. I'm not calling it a diet, because diets eventually come to an end and they've never worked long-term for me. Rather than trying a cleanse that promises to make me a total hottie with a body, I'm going another route. What I'm doing is different. It's a major change in the way I think about food, exercise, etc. It feels different.
What does this lifestyle change look like? It means doing some form of exercise or activity every day. During week one I started with daily Pilates. In week two, I added 20- to 30-minute daily walks. In week three, I started going to the gym for 30-minute cardio workouts, still paired with Pilates. Last week, I upped my intensity. This week, I'm following a two-week cardio and weight-lifting plan from a magazine to kick-start weight-training.
I make a point to take the steps instead of the elevator at work. I get up from my desk several times a day to stretch my legs and literally stretch. (Work Pilates, anyone?) I'll go to the bathroom on a different floor to add exercise.
Being this active hasn't been easy. Most days I have to make myself false promises to get myself out the door or on the mat. But I'm doing it. The endorphins from exercising must be working. I'm smiling more. Much as I hate to admit it, everyone who says exercise makes you feel better is right. And it's not just my energy levels and attitude that feel better. My body is firming up. Like I told my sister, I still look like a lumpy sack of potatoes -- but a smaller, fitter one.
It's a similar story for what I eat and drink. I track everything I put in my body and consider what benefit it gives me. Does it have empty calories or high levels of sodium and sugar? Will this support my protein and fiber needs? Instead of salads morning, noon and night, I'm finding healthy alternatives for the foods I love. I'm eating five or six smaller meals throughout the day. I'm avoiding my impulse to binge and portioning out my food and eating slowly.
I feel better than I have in a long time. It's the clean eating. It's the endorphins. But mostly, I think it's me feeling proud of myself for setting a goal and being disciplined enough to follow through.
I've kind of kept quiet about this new project of mine. Unless you're one of my co-workers or besties -- then you've heard enough about this you're probably sick of me. But as of Day 31, I feel OK bringing it up more publicly. After years of struggling with my weight, I'm on my way.
Hopefully this dedication and positive thinking carries into the writing arena when I start Camp NaNoWriMo tomorrow. I'm excited to finish writing the book I started in November and complete the edits on my second book. Because after that, I have a fourth book on deck. It'll be a bit of a departure for me, but it's a story I realize I've wanted to tell for years. Writing it will e another kind of therapy.
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
Today marks Day 31 of a lifestyle change I've made for myself. I'm not calling it a diet, because diets eventually come to an end and they've never worked long-term for me. Rather than trying a cleanse that promises to make me a total hottie with a body, I'm going another route. What I'm doing is different. It's a major change in the way I think about food, exercise, etc. It feels different.
What does this lifestyle change look like? It means doing some form of exercise or activity every day. During week one I started with daily Pilates. In week two, I added 20- to 30-minute daily walks. In week three, I started going to the gym for 30-minute cardio workouts, still paired with Pilates. Last week, I upped my intensity. This week, I'm following a two-week cardio and weight-lifting plan from a magazine to kick-start weight-training.
I make a point to take the steps instead of the elevator at work. I get up from my desk several times a day to stretch my legs and literally stretch. (Work Pilates, anyone?) I'll go to the bathroom on a different floor to add exercise.
Being this active hasn't been easy. Most days I have to make myself false promises to get myself out the door or on the mat. But I'm doing it. The endorphins from exercising must be working. I'm smiling more. Much as I hate to admit it, everyone who says exercise makes you feel better is right. And it's not just my energy levels and attitude that feel better. My body is firming up. Like I told my sister, I still look like a lumpy sack of potatoes -- but a smaller, fitter one.
It's a similar story for what I eat and drink. I track everything I put in my body and consider what benefit it gives me. Does it have empty calories or high levels of sodium and sugar? Will this support my protein and fiber needs? Instead of salads morning, noon and night, I'm finding healthy alternatives for the foods I love. I'm eating five or six smaller meals throughout the day. I'm avoiding my impulse to binge and portioning out my food and eating slowly.
I feel better than I have in a long time. It's the clean eating. It's the endorphins. But mostly, I think it's me feeling proud of myself for setting a goal and being disciplined enough to follow through.
I've kind of kept quiet about this new project of mine. Unless you're one of my co-workers or besties -- then you've heard enough about this you're probably sick of me. But as of Day 31, I feel OK bringing it up more publicly. After years of struggling with my weight, I'm on my way.
Hopefully this dedication and positive thinking carries into the writing arena when I start Camp NaNoWriMo tomorrow. I'm excited to finish writing the book I started in November and complete the edits on my second book. Because after that, I have a fourth book on deck. It'll be a bit of a departure for me, but it's a story I realize I've wanted to tell for years. Writing it will e another kind of therapy.
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
March 24, 2014
coming soon: camp nanowrimo 2014
Source: Daino__16/stock.xchngOn your marks. Get set. GO!
We have one week until the first session of Camp NaNoWriMo 2014 begins, which means it's time for me to share some last-minute plotting tools. Whether you're going into this year's camp hoping to write 10,000 words or 100,000 words, having a game plan certainly doesn't hurt.
Here are a few of my go-to plotting tools, which you are free to borrow for your own adventure.
• Character Sketch: Give your character a name, description and back story. I cut out pictures from magazines and write out key facts to know about them. Just don't get too bogged down picking your character's favorite flower that you forget to write your novel.
• Before and After: Use this to figure out where your main character(s) is/are before and after the story. What happens in the middle is the cause that creates the effect. It's also the heart of your story.
• The 10-Scene Tool: I borrowed this from James V. Smith Jr.'s The Writer's Little Helper . Knowing your 10 main scenes will help with pacing and ensure you drive your story in the right direction.
• Write Your Sales Pitch:Jot down what you imagine will appear on the back cover/inside flap of your book or what you'd tell an agent if you had 15 seconds on an elevator. Whatever you put there is the most important part of your story. It only takes a few minutes to do and serves as an excellent writing exercise.
• Build a Working Synopsis: This is your outline for the novel. Whether you write a paragraph about your 10 biggest scenes or a play by play of every chapter, doing this legwork in advance will give you more freedom to focus on generating quality word count during the month. But remember, if something in the story changes as you write it, let it happen. You can always go back and update your working synopsis to reflect the changes.
• The Ultimate Plotting Kit: What you'll need: index cards, an index card holder, pens and a highlighter. Once complete, you will have a mobile novel kit that can go anywhere with you. One reader mentioned that she set aside each chapter card when she was done with it, because it gave her a sense of accomplishment to see that pile get shorter. I love that idea.
With that -- I wish you the best of luck on your Camping ventures. I'll be (hopefully) finishing the first draft of my third novel. I wrote the first 50K during NaNoWriMo 2013, and it's about time I put the icing on the cake.
March 19, 2014
my march madness
Blogger's Note: In honor of March Madness, I'm sharing a post previously written for Good Humor Girl back in 2012 at the end of basketball season. It was written while I was sharing a house with both of my older brothers, and as the younger sister, it was my responsibility to be a brat whenever possible. Quick note: I understand the difference between the NCAA tournament and the NBA's tourney, which this was written about. But I figured the sentiments are about the same. Enjoy.
The end of basketball season is here. Thank God.
I am a girl who likes her sports. I struggled to write on Saturdays and Sundays during National Novel Writing Month, because football season was in its peak. And even though my beloved Cubbies never do much, September and October have to be some of the most exciting months of sports watching. I even devote hours to watching golf or Sports Center with my broomies.
But when basketball season rolls around, I tune out. Maybe my aversion to the game started when another girl pushed me down and I skinned my knees during my middle school leagues. Maybe I find the constant squeaking and running back and forth exhausting. Maybe I hate having to watch the Lakers game every Christmas. I do not know. Basketball just does not do it for me.
Imagine my horror when this winter one of my broomies announced basketball was his new favorite sport. I know he was bummed by his favorite football team’s lackluster season (he is a Colts fan, poor dear), and our local TV rarely features hockey. I feel his pain, I really do.
But why did he have to make basketball his alpha sport? Was he punishing me for not unloading the dishwasher promptly or mowing the lawn? When I lived on my own, I preferred to leave the clean dishes in until the dirty ones in the sink outnumber them, but I changed. And we renegotiated lawn duty. I pull weeds for half an hour every week, and the broomies will deal with the mowing business. See, living together is easy. All it takes is compromise.
Unfortunately, when it comes to sports, compromise is off the table.
I mourned the NBA settling its collective bargaining agreement at the eleventh hour. For one shining moment, I thought we would have a blissful year free from pro basketball.
I celebrated when both of my broomies’ favorite teams lost early in the play-offs. Apparently, that does not matter. Those boys kept watching, even after one broomie said he wished both teams playing would lose.
Basketball season was not a complete bust for me, though. Being a younger sister, I had years of practice and natural instinct on my side, which enabled me to be as annoying as humanly possible.
For example, during the tournament’s second round, I taught myself Spanish – in the same room they watched the games.
El equipo juega mal.
The team plays badly.
Mi hermano es enojado.
My brother is mad.
No me gustan huevos verdes y jamón. No me gustan ellos Sam que Soy.
I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam I Am.
In the finals, I cheered for the Heat, because, as I told the broomies, ESPN showed footage of Lebron James reading The Hunger Games. I loved The Hunger Games. The annoyed looks I received gave me more joy than anything else all season.
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The end of basketball season is here. Thank God.
I am a girl who likes her sports. I struggled to write on Saturdays and Sundays during National Novel Writing Month, because football season was in its peak. And even though my beloved Cubbies never do much, September and October have to be some of the most exciting months of sports watching. I even devote hours to watching golf or Sports Center with my broomies.
But when basketball season rolls around, I tune out. Maybe my aversion to the game started when another girl pushed me down and I skinned my knees during my middle school leagues. Maybe I find the constant squeaking and running back and forth exhausting. Maybe I hate having to watch the Lakers game every Christmas. I do not know. Basketball just does not do it for me.
Imagine my horror when this winter one of my broomies announced basketball was his new favorite sport. I know he was bummed by his favorite football team’s lackluster season (he is a Colts fan, poor dear), and our local TV rarely features hockey. I feel his pain, I really do.
But why did he have to make basketball his alpha sport? Was he punishing me for not unloading the dishwasher promptly or mowing the lawn? When I lived on my own, I preferred to leave the clean dishes in until the dirty ones in the sink outnumber them, but I changed. And we renegotiated lawn duty. I pull weeds for half an hour every week, and the broomies will deal with the mowing business. See, living together is easy. All it takes is compromise.
Unfortunately, when it comes to sports, compromise is off the table.
I mourned the NBA settling its collective bargaining agreement at the eleventh hour. For one shining moment, I thought we would have a blissful year free from pro basketball.
I celebrated when both of my broomies’ favorite teams lost early in the play-offs. Apparently, that does not matter. Those boys kept watching, even after one broomie said he wished both teams playing would lose.
Basketball season was not a complete bust for me, though. Being a younger sister, I had years of practice and natural instinct on my side, which enabled me to be as annoying as humanly possible.
For example, during the tournament’s second round, I taught myself Spanish – in the same room they watched the games.
El equipo juega mal.
The team plays badly.
Mi hermano es enojado.
My brother is mad.
No me gustan huevos verdes y jamón. No me gustan ellos Sam que Soy.
I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam I Am.
In the finals, I cheered for the Heat, because, as I told the broomies, ESPN showed footage of Lebron James reading The Hunger Games. I loved The Hunger Games. The annoyed looks I received gave me more joy than anything else all season.
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
March 17, 2014
interview and exerpt with faerl marie
Blogger's Note: I'm pleased to host Faerl Marie as she kicks off her Chick Lit Plus blog tour for The Golden Apple. Be sure to check out the rest of her tour stops for more fun.
Change the Word: What was the inspiration for this book?
Faerl Marie: I met someone for the first time, spent a little time working side-by-side with him (in a completely platonic and friendly way) and two days later he told me he was in love. I didn't really believe it and it didn't matter anyway (I was/am married and flew home the day after so...) but it made me think about the possibility of someone falling in love without any real history and then staying in love over a great distance and period of time. Also, I've been married to my first love for many years and I often think about what I would do if my husband died. I'm still young so I hope that I could move forward but I've only ever loved him and I'm sure that loving someone else would be different and in some ways unrecognizable to me. I wonder how I would cope with that and if I could ever feel as deeply in love with another or really trust a different type of love. The novel evolved from those two thoughts.
CTW: What did the writing process look like?
FM: It was very inconsistent. I'd have days were I sat down to write with my first cup of coffee and then got a chill and realized my legs were asleep, I was parched and the sun was setting and I hadn't moved from my laptop. Then there were days were I did everything I could think of to get up from the computer and distract myself from the lack of flow. I'll go weeks without ever having a block and writing everyday because my mind is bursting with it the moment I stop and weeks of ignoring it for lack of inspiration. I'm trying to get more consistent but there are still really easy times and really dry times. The editing process happens in 3 stages for me once I finish the first complete draft (by which time I've edited the previous pages several times already). First, I read the entire thing, going through and adding where there are holes or inspiration strikes and deleting the glaring flaws. Second, I print the manuscript and go through with a pen, edit and then transcribe all the changes. Third, I give the manuscript to a few people (personal and professional) who will edit and share their insights with me, then I transcribe all that.
CTW: What surprised you most about the writing process?
FM: How one day could be so easy, writing upwards of 6,000 words before lunch and other days it felt like a miracle if I could get 1,000 words before bedtime.
CTW: How do you keep yourself motivated to keep going?
FM: I remember that I'll never be a writer if I don't write and I'll never be a good writer if I don't keep putting works out there. I also keep in mind that I'll never be able to afford all the fabulous clothes, shoes and jewelry that I research for my characters if I don't write well and prolifically.
CTW: Finish the sentence: I can't write unless I have...
FM: My laptop, a cup of coffee or coconut water (with pulp) and a movie or music playing in the background.
CTW: Who is your biggest fictional book crush? Why?
FM: Mr. Darcy! He is so intent and I like that character in people. I also love that he was willing to look inside himself and admit to his prejudice and make an effort to change that for Elizabeth and he's confident and sexy! I think my husband shares a lot of Mr. Darcy's traits.
CTW: If you could be any fictional character for one day, who would you pick and why?
FM: I recently read the second Ishmael book by E.D.E.N. Southworth. I'd love to spend one day as Bea. She has more virtue and truth than most others and it seems to be a wellspring for joy in her life. I'd like to experience that for a day to try and replicate it in my life. Ishmael is a really great book that not many people have heard of. I highly recommend it!
CTW: What are the three most worn-out books on your bookshelf?
FM: Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, and my Bible.
CTW: What else is going on in your writing world?
FM: I'm actively working on two novels--a chick-lit, murder mystery and a more literary piece about three friends who are dealing with the evolving dynamic of their relationship as they become adults with different lives.
CTW: Anything else you'd like to share?
FM: Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and my webpage and buy The Golden Apple!
Excerpt of The Golden Apple
About the Author
Faerl Marie is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and minors in English and Social Welfare. She has worked as a style consultant, personal shopper and wardrobe curator, among other things. Faerl Marie spends her days writing, dreaming about new stories and characters, walking her dog and adoring her husband. She lives in the idyllic mountains near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Golden Apple is her first novel.
Connect with Faerl
Website
Facebook
Twitter
About the Book
MEET POPPY PARKER, a recent widow who knows she must move forward but has no idea which direction to take. To start fresh, Poppy moves from her idyllic home in Georgia to the grimy glamour of New York City to open up her own boutique and find a way to live and love without her husband.
Austin Bandy has been in love with Poppy since the moment he laid eyes on her years ago, right before her wedding. Now she is back, grieving and broken hearted by her nearly-perfect husband’s death—not Austin’s ideal romantic situation. He needs to wait for her to recover but not so long that someone else has the chance to move in and sweep his dream girl off her feet and keep him as a “good friend” forever.
Poignant, hopeful and fresh, Faerl Marie’s enchanting debut novel will have you hooked and ready to pursue your own hopes and dreams the moment you turn the final page. The Golden Apple is a charming and fashionable novel about loss, love and moving on without betraying your self, your past or those you love.
Buy the Book
Amazon
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
Change the Word: What was the inspiration for this book? Faerl Marie: I met someone for the first time, spent a little time working side-by-side with him (in a completely platonic and friendly way) and two days later he told me he was in love. I didn't really believe it and it didn't matter anyway (I was/am married and flew home the day after so...) but it made me think about the possibility of someone falling in love without any real history and then staying in love over a great distance and period of time. Also, I've been married to my first love for many years and I often think about what I would do if my husband died. I'm still young so I hope that I could move forward but I've only ever loved him and I'm sure that loving someone else would be different and in some ways unrecognizable to me. I wonder how I would cope with that and if I could ever feel as deeply in love with another or really trust a different type of love. The novel evolved from those two thoughts.
CTW: What did the writing process look like?
FM: It was very inconsistent. I'd have days were I sat down to write with my first cup of coffee and then got a chill and realized my legs were asleep, I was parched and the sun was setting and I hadn't moved from my laptop. Then there were days were I did everything I could think of to get up from the computer and distract myself from the lack of flow. I'll go weeks without ever having a block and writing everyday because my mind is bursting with it the moment I stop and weeks of ignoring it for lack of inspiration. I'm trying to get more consistent but there are still really easy times and really dry times. The editing process happens in 3 stages for me once I finish the first complete draft (by which time I've edited the previous pages several times already). First, I read the entire thing, going through and adding where there are holes or inspiration strikes and deleting the glaring flaws. Second, I print the manuscript and go through with a pen, edit and then transcribe all the changes. Third, I give the manuscript to a few people (personal and professional) who will edit and share their insights with me, then I transcribe all that.
CTW: What surprised you most about the writing process?
FM: How one day could be so easy, writing upwards of 6,000 words before lunch and other days it felt like a miracle if I could get 1,000 words before bedtime.
CTW: How do you keep yourself motivated to keep going?
FM: I remember that I'll never be a writer if I don't write and I'll never be a good writer if I don't keep putting works out there. I also keep in mind that I'll never be able to afford all the fabulous clothes, shoes and jewelry that I research for my characters if I don't write well and prolifically.
CTW: Finish the sentence: I can't write unless I have...
FM: My laptop, a cup of coffee or coconut water (with pulp) and a movie or music playing in the background.
CTW: Who is your biggest fictional book crush? Why?
FM: Mr. Darcy! He is so intent and I like that character in people. I also love that he was willing to look inside himself and admit to his prejudice and make an effort to change that for Elizabeth and he's confident and sexy! I think my husband shares a lot of Mr. Darcy's traits. CTW: If you could be any fictional character for one day, who would you pick and why?
FM: I recently read the second Ishmael book by E.D.E.N. Southworth. I'd love to spend one day as Bea. She has more virtue and truth than most others and it seems to be a wellspring for joy in her life. I'd like to experience that for a day to try and replicate it in my life. Ishmael is a really great book that not many people have heard of. I highly recommend it!
CTW: What are the three most worn-out books on your bookshelf?
FM: Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, and my Bible.
CTW: What else is going on in your writing world?
FM: I'm actively working on two novels--a chick-lit, murder mystery and a more literary piece about three friends who are dealing with the evolving dynamic of their relationship as they become adults with different lives.
CTW: Anything else you'd like to share?
FM: Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and my webpage and buy The Golden Apple!
Excerpt of The Golden Apple
Before her husband died, Poppy had rearranged the furniture every few months—taking tables from one room and moving them to another, repainting walls, changing bed linens. Since he’d gone she hadn’t moved a single thing. The house was a museum to his last few weeks of life, like those houses that are furnished and set to look like they would have been when Benjamin Franklin had walked the halls or Emily Dickinson had written lines.
She didn’t think Josh was coming back or anything quite that delusional, she just wanted to be able to imagine him in their home the way he had actually been. If things changed it was like he’d never been there. He'd never sat on the sofa facing that wingback. He’d never eaten a meal in their kitchen painted blue. They hadn’t slept together under a green duvet. She was ready to leave their home, but not his memory in it. She slept fitfully her last night in their bed, thinking about what her life meant without him. They’d been together for so long that she could hardly imagine who she would be if she weren’t busy being his wife and partner.
It was like her first year in college, trying to decide which major to choose and imagining what her life course would be like if she were a design, business, marketing or public relations major. She would sit for hours in the grass that looked onto the quad and daydream about what her life could look like. Even after she chose PR she would think about all the what-ifs. She couldn’t do that with Josh. He was so crucial, so foundational and critical to what her life and who she turned into that it wasn’t possible to think of herself without him.
Poppy dreamt that she was walking with Josh through their pasture but he kept walking faster and faster. She asked him to slow down but he only turned to her and smiled. He crested the top of a hill and she lost sight of him. She ran to the top and looked over into the valley below but he wasn’t there. She woke up clammy and out of breath.
About the Author
Faerl Marie is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and minors in English and Social Welfare. She has worked as a style consultant, personal shopper and wardrobe curator, among other things. Faerl Marie spends her days writing, dreaming about new stories and characters, walking her dog and adoring her husband. She lives in the idyllic mountains near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Golden Apple is her first novel.
Connect with Faerl
Website
About the Book
MEET POPPY PARKER, a recent widow who knows she must move forward but has no idea which direction to take. To start fresh, Poppy moves from her idyllic home in Georgia to the grimy glamour of New York City to open up her own boutique and find a way to live and love without her husband.
Austin Bandy has been in love with Poppy since the moment he laid eyes on her years ago, right before her wedding. Now she is back, grieving and broken hearted by her nearly-perfect husband’s death—not Austin’s ideal romantic situation. He needs to wait for her to recover but not so long that someone else has the chance to move in and sweep his dream girl off her feet and keep him as a “good friend” forever.
Poignant, hopeful and fresh, Faerl Marie’s enchanting debut novel will have you hooked and ready to pursue your own hopes and dreams the moment you turn the final page. The Golden Apple is a charming and fashionable novel about loss, love and moving on without betraying your self, your past or those you love.
Buy the Book
Amazon
Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
March 14, 2014
daydream a little dream
Source: PinterestWhen I read Mindy Kaling's memoir, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns) , one part spoke to me more than any other. It's the section when she explains how she motivates herself to work by pretending her husband has been murdered and she's out for revenge, or something like it. Earlier this season on The Mindy Project , she uses rescuing Michael Fassbender from an earthquake as the inspiration to keep working out.
Who wouldn't find saving Fassy motivation to pump iron?
A couple of months later, I read Brea Brown's Daydreamer . Libby, the main character, often finds herself building a fantasy life with anyone from Colin Firth to Jude, the sexy new architect in her office. By the time she finds herself actually getting to know Jude, she's already built-up a completely different outcome in her head.
These bits would have made me laugh on their own, because they're funny. But what struck me most is how much I felt like I was looking in a mirror. Like Mindy and Libby, sometimes my imagination elaborately gets away from me when I'm stuck doing the mundane. We single ladies have to improvise.
Source: Queue TalentIt started while I was living in Carbondale, Ill., for a newspaper internship during summer 2008. This was the first time I'd been on my own. When you don't have anyone there to talk with at the end of the night, you're your own best friend. While I washed my underwear in the bathtub (did I mention I was on an internship and earning an intern's salary?), sometimes I'd imagine laughing about this later on a date with someone like Justin Timberlake or Robbie Williams, my major celebrity crushes at the time.
"Justin, I had to twist the water out of my underwear before hanging them on any available surface in the motel room -- from the shower curtain rod, on my dresser top, everywhere. You would have laughed at me."
More than five years later, I still get lost in these fantasies. They strike at any time and usually involve me being rescued in a completely anti-feminist, damsel-in-distress kind of way. The me who nearly minored in women's studies during college shakes her head. But the middle school me who used to borrow romance novels from her friends gets it. She understands that a girl can be swept off her feet without giving up her independence.
"Can you believe how common I used to be, Robbie? Washing my own knickers."
(In this version of the fantasy, I became an ex-pat and moved to a charming estate in the British countryside with my international pop star boyfriend.)
She'd understand how even the simplest, most mundane of tasks can trigger a mental vacation starring one of my favorite leading men. Each is more elaborate than the last.
Making My First Cup of Coffee
I stumble out of the bedroom. Eyes barely open, fingers grasping for a light switch I make it to the kitchen without tripping over either of the cats.
Coffee. I need coffee.
I fumble for a coffee filter and stub my toe on the refrigerator door. "Damn it."
Joseph Gordon-Levitt arrives in the kitchen moments later and flips on the light switch. "I told you I'd make coffee."
"I can get it," I insist. "I'm up."
In one swift movement, he takes the bag of coffee beans and gently grasps me by the shoulders and turns me out of the room. "Go back to bed. I'll bring you a cup. And some oatmeal."
Who am I to argue with a little chivalry this early in the morning? Besides, he's better at brewing coffee.
Cleaning the Kitchen
It's early on a Sunday morning, and I'm on my hands and knees scrubbing the floors. I've gone far too long without tidying up, and I need to stop living like I'm in college.
How do I let them get this bad? A ball of cat fur rolls by and I have my answer. I adore Jane and Bingley, but they sure make it hard to keep a clean house. Then I find a chunk of white sweet potato from one of my latest culinary adventures. I suppose I can't blame the mess entirely on them.
Brad Richards/Aaron Rodgers (depending on the season) gapes at me from the doorway. I freeze mid-motion. Oh, God. I must look terrible. He recovers before I do.
"You know I appreciate how independent you are." He crouches down next to me. "It's part of why I'm crazy about you."
"But..."
"But I think it's time you let me hire a maid service."
"I don't need a maid."
"No," he agrees. "You don't, but I'd feel better about being away so much if I knew you were busy working on your next novel instead of scrubbing floors."
He makes an excellent point. He holds out a hand, and after a beat, I give him the sponge. He stands and extends his other hand to help me rise to my feet. I hate feeling like I need someone to do my work for me, but I despise cleaning.
Source: Books with BettieLeeReading Late at Night
The words blur on the page. I shake my head and blink, but the effort does little more than make me see spots. This is what I get for staying up all night reading. But I have to finish. I only have two more chapters to go, and the heroes life is in danger. Will the feisty heroine, who happens to be the love of his life, arrive in time to save him from almost certain peril?
I have to find out, which is why I'm burning the 3 a.m. oil. Only, my damn eyes don't won't seem to work properly. Maybe I need glasses.
"What are you still doing awake?"
I glance up to find a sleepy Benedict Cumberbatch standing in the entryway. I hold up the book hoping we can make this conversation quick. Not that I don't want to have a nice long chat with him -- with that voice, who wouldn't? I just really need to finish this chapter before my eyes cross.
"You're almost finished, then?"
I nod, blinking hard. I once again try to focus on the page to no avail. I'm about to give up when a thought occurs. Could I ask him to do this for me? Should I? It's a fantastic idea, but it feels a bit manipulative.
Before I can say anything, he crosses the room. Lifting my legs at the edge of the couch, he sits and settles my feet on his lap. Reaching out he waits for me to hand him the book.
"You don't mind?" I ask.
"Why would I? Now," licking his thumb he turns a page, "shall I read this as Rickman or play it straight."
"Surprise me."
Making the Bed
Bed skirt tucked under my arm, I bend over to pick up a corner of my mattress. The skirt slips out, and I fumble to catch it, dropping the mattress in the process.
"Shit."
I glance around, raking my brain for ideas of how to do this. I try holding the skirt between my knees. It seems to work until I reach for the fabric, but the material won't come unless I ease my grip on the mattress. I try grasping on to the skirt and the mattress simultaneously, which seems to do the trick.
Until it's time to spread
Ryan Gosling strolls into the room, freshly showered and shirtless, towel drying his hair. Catching me in my awkward state, he shakes his head, chuckling.
"I told you I'd help make the bed after the shower."
"I got impatient."
"So I see." He toss the towel aside and crosses his arms, giving me a pointed look. "Are you willing to admit defeat and let me help you?"
"You expect me to raise the white flag?" He nods. Possible arguments run in and out of my head. None of them would sound anything but petty. Not that I can do much thinking when he's standing there, beads of water still clinging to his shoulders. With a sigh, I step away from the bed, picking up the skirt, which has once again fallen on the floor. Waving the fabric in my hand, I thrust it at him. "You win. I need help."
He takes the linen, his fingers brushing against mine. "See, that wasn't too bad."
I shrug, trying to keep the annoyance off my face. But, like usual, he sees through the act. With a laugh, he throws an arm around my shoulder and plants a kiss on my temple.
"What do you say we make this bed so I can take you out to brunch?"
My resistance slips. Ryan always knows what to say.
I'd like to think I'm independent enough not to need a man. And I don't. I make my own coffee, scrub my own kitchen floors, read my own books and even figure out a way to put the bed skirt on the box springs. I manage, but sometimes, when I'm particularly vulnerable -- or maybe have spent a little too much time on Netflix -- these thoughts pop into my head.
Am I a crazy fan girl? I certainly hope not, but who am I kidding? We all get a little weird sometimes, right?
(I figure I can't be completely out of my mind, because I do recognize that these are fantasies and in no way, shape or form an actual possibility. That has to count for something in the ol' sanity department, ey?)
Source: Reading RamboIn the grand scheme of things, I'd probably be as satisfied having a personal assistant or cleaning service tackle these jobs. Sure, they may not come with the good looks, charm and sexual energy my celebrity crushes ooze, but they'll still get the job done.
Until then, I'll just schedule another Netflix marathon for this weekend and let my imagination do its thang.
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March 12, 2014
interview and excerpt from traci andrighetti
Blogger's Note: Text. Check out the rest of Traci's tour here.
Change the Word: What was the biggest challenge you faced?
Traci Andrighetti: Not knowing the basic components of a chick lit mystery. So, I enrolled in an online chick lit writing class, and it was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made.
CTW: How did you come up with the title?
TA: I was inspired by the titles of Italian author Gabriella Genisi. She writes this amazing series about a sexy police inspector named Lolita Lobosco, and her titles always have fruit in them. So, I decided that I wanted to have an Italian liqueur or wine with a color. Once I decided to start with Limoncello, the Yellow was a no-brainer.
CTW: How do you get in the mood to write?
TA: With a double soy latte! Unfortunately, I can’t drink coffee very often. So, I have it once a week on Saturdays when I sit down to write. And it really gets me going!
CTW: If you were stranded on an island (with no electricity), but could take three books to read to pass the time while you wait for rescue, what would you pick?
TA: Andrea Camilleri’s Il cane di terracotta (The Terracotta Dog), Janet Evanovich’s One For the Money and Johann David Wyss’ The Swiss Family Robinson
CTW: What literary character would you like to be your best friend?
TA: Oh, Bridget Jones. Without a doubt. I would freaking LOVE to party with her in London.
CTW: Who is your literary crush?
TA: No particular character comes to mind, unless you count the crush I had on Nancy Drew’s boyfriend Ned Nickerson when I was twelve. LOL! But as a devoted royal watcher, I have a secret crush on Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries.
CTW: What is the best book you've read recently?
TA: I lost years of my pleasure-reading life when I went back to graduate school to get a PhD. So, right now I’m catching up on a lot of “older” books that I missed. I just finished Kyra Davis’ Sex, Murder and a Double Latte and loved it
CTW: What inspires you to keep writing?
TA: I just really enjoy doing it. After working all week as a writer and editor at my day job, I can’t wait for the weekend so I can write—i.e., let off pent-up creative steam.
CTW: What's up next for you and your writing career?
TA: Well, I signed a two-book deal with Gemma Halliday Publishing for the Franki Amato Mystery series. So, right now I’m writing the second book, Prosecco Pink. Check out the book blurb on my website: traciandrighetti.com!
Excerpt of Limoncello Yellow
About the Book
From debut author, Traci Andrighetti, comes a tale of murder, mayhem, and meddling Sicilian grandmas...
Francesca "Franki" Amato is a tough-talking rookie cop in Austin, Texas—until an unfortunate 911 call involving her boyfriend, Vince, and a German female wrestler convinces her once and for all that she just isn't cut out for a life on the police force. So Franki makes the snap decision to move to New Orleans to work at her friend Veronica's detective agency, Private Chicks, Inc. But Franki's hopes for a more stable life are soon dashed when Private Chicks is hired by the prime suspect in a murder case to find out what really happened to a beautiful young boutique manager who was found strangled to death with a cheap yellow scarf. When she's not investigating, Franki is hoping to seduce handsome bank executive Bradley Hartmann, but most of her time is spent dodging date offers from a string of "good Italian boys"—make that not-so-good aging Italian men—that her meddlesome Sicilian grandma has recruited as marriage candidates. As Mardi Gras approaches and the mystery of the murdered shop girl gets more complicated, Franki must decipher the odd ramblings of a Voodoo priestess to solve both the murder and the mystery of her own love life.
About the Author
Traci Andrighetti is the author of the Franki Amato Mystery series. In her previous life, she was an award-winning literary translator and a Lecturer of Italian at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a PhD in Applied Linguistics. But then she got wise and ditched that academic stuff for a life of crime—writing, that is.
If she's not hard at work on her next novel, Traci is probably watching her favorite Italian soap opera, eating Tex Mex or sampling fruity cocktails, and maybe all at the same time. She lives in Austin with her husband, young son (who desperately wants to be in one of her books) and three treat-addicted dogs.
Connect with Traci
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Buy the Book
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Smashwords
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Have the latest posts from Change the Word delivered to your Inbox by entering your contact information under "Follow by Email." Stay connected with Laura Chapman on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Receive updates from Change the Word between posts on Facebook.
Change the Word: What was the biggest challenge you faced?Traci Andrighetti: Not knowing the basic components of a chick lit mystery. So, I enrolled in an online chick lit writing class, and it was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made.
CTW: How did you come up with the title?
TA: I was inspired by the titles of Italian author Gabriella Genisi. She writes this amazing series about a sexy police inspector named Lolita Lobosco, and her titles always have fruit in them. So, I decided that I wanted to have an Italian liqueur or wine with a color. Once I decided to start with Limoncello, the Yellow was a no-brainer.
CTW: How do you get in the mood to write?
TA: With a double soy latte! Unfortunately, I can’t drink coffee very often. So, I have it once a week on Saturdays when I sit down to write. And it really gets me going!
CTW: If you were stranded on an island (with no electricity), but could take three books to read to pass the time while you wait for rescue, what would you pick?
TA: Andrea Camilleri’s Il cane di terracotta (The Terracotta Dog), Janet Evanovich’s One For the Money and Johann David Wyss’ The Swiss Family Robinson
CTW: What literary character would you like to be your best friend?
TA: Oh, Bridget Jones. Without a doubt. I would freaking LOVE to party with her in London.
CTW: Who is your literary crush?
TA: No particular character comes to mind, unless you count the crush I had on Nancy Drew’s boyfriend Ned Nickerson when I was twelve. LOL! But as a devoted royal watcher, I have a secret crush on Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries.
CTW: What is the best book you've read recently?
TA: I lost years of my pleasure-reading life when I went back to graduate school to get a PhD. So, right now I’m catching up on a lot of “older” books that I missed. I just finished Kyra Davis’ Sex, Murder and a Double Latte and loved it
CTW: What inspires you to keep writing?
TA: I just really enjoy doing it. After working all week as a writer and editor at my day job, I can’t wait for the weekend so I can write—i.e., let off pent-up creative steam.
CTW: What's up next for you and your writing career?
TA: Well, I signed a two-book deal with Gemma Halliday Publishing for the Franki Amato Mystery series. So, right now I’m writing the second book, Prosecco Pink. Check out the book blurb on my website: traciandrighetti.com!
Excerpt of Limoncello Yellow
As I surveyed the scene at what looked eerily like the Bates Motel, I was shaking so badly from the cold and fear that I was afraid the gun in my holster would fire on its own. I longed for the cozy fire and protective embrace of my boyfriend that I'd felt as we'd exchanged Christmas presents just hours before.
"Folks, you need to go back to your rooms immediately," Officer Stan Stubbs announced to the crowd of curious motel guests that had gathered.
When the onlookers began to disperse, the woman in room six began moaning again. According to 911 dispatch, she had been in distress for at least half an hour.
I gave an involuntary shiver and wondered what kind of animal would want to cause a woman pain that produced that sort of moaning.
"Something about this doesn't feel like a regular domestic abuse situation," Stan said, drawing his gun. "We need urgent backup, Franki."
I nodded and grabbed the radio from my belt. "I have a 10-39 at the Twilight Motel on Manor Road. Request backup."
Stan began his approach to room six.
I put the device away and drew my gun. Then I hurried over and took my place on the opposite side of the door from Stan.
"I'm goin' in on the count of three," he said in a low voice. "I need to get to the john, and quick like."
I gasped. "Now, Stan?"
Stan was my partner on the Austin PD. As a rookie on the force, I'd been paired with a seasoned veteran of the department. Even though we'd spent the past six months together, I'd learned little from Stan except that he had a "wifey" named Juanita who worshipped the ground he walked on, he valued his handgun collection more than he did his now adult children, and he suffered from chronic gastrointestinal distress. And despite his self-proclaimed "legendary instinct" for cracking cases, he was perpetually baffled by his stomach issues even though the culprit was clear: a steady diet of jelly donuts and chorizo, bean and cheese breakfast tacos that he washed down with a gallon or so of coffee and Gatorade (Did I mention that he was also chronically dehydrated because of the diarrhea?). Needless to say, he spent the better part of every shift visiting the nearest men's room.
Ignoring my concern, Stan grasped his gun with both hands and slammed his right shoulder into the door. It flew open instantly, and he stormed into the room. "Police! Hands in the air!"
As I rushed in behind him, my gun drawn, the woman let out a hair-raising scream.
"What in the hell?" Stan shouted.
I followed his gaze to the bed, and a chill went through my body.
"Why, it's just a couple goin' at it," Stan scoffed.
I blinked hard. Was it my imagination playing tricks on me at 4:30 a.m., or was one member of that couple horribly familiar? As in, exchanging-gifts-by-a-cozy-fire familiar.
"Vince?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I stared at my boyfriend of over two years.
He looked at me like a deer caught in the headlights. "Franki?"
Make that, like a cheating rat caught in the act.
Stan looked from Vince to me. "You two know each other?"
I nodded, unable to speak. The chill that I'd felt initially had turned to a dull aching pain, and all I wanted to do was run from the room and cry. But I couldn't because I was on duty.
"I'll let you take it from here, Franki," Stan said as he rushed into the bathroom and slammed the door.
No sooner had he left the room than the woman leapt from the bed—all 6' 5" or so of her—wearing nothing but her outrage. "Zis invazion iz illegal in Deutschland."
"All right Franki," Vince began in a patronizing tone, "no crime has been committed, so why don't you put the gun down? Then we can all talk about this like rational adults."
No crime? Rational adults? The dull pain was quickly turning to red-hot anger. Before I could think it through, I shouted, "If you think for one minute that I'm going to sit down to chat with you and your German whore here—"
The furious fräulein kicked the gun from my hand, and I watched in what seemed like slow motion as it flew under the bed.
"Be careful, Franki," Vince warned. "She's here from Munich on a semi-pro wrestling tour."
"Oh, so now you're worried about my well being, Vince?" I asked, backing away from the German giantess. Now that I'd mentioned it, I was a little worried about me too. She was squatting down low with her hands raised, like she was going to make mincemeat of me.
About the Book
From debut author, Traci Andrighetti, comes a tale of murder, mayhem, and meddling Sicilian grandmas...
Francesca "Franki" Amato is a tough-talking rookie cop in Austin, Texas—until an unfortunate 911 call involving her boyfriend, Vince, and a German female wrestler convinces her once and for all that she just isn't cut out for a life on the police force. So Franki makes the snap decision to move to New Orleans to work at her friend Veronica's detective agency, Private Chicks, Inc. But Franki's hopes for a more stable life are soon dashed when Private Chicks is hired by the prime suspect in a murder case to find out what really happened to a beautiful young boutique manager who was found strangled to death with a cheap yellow scarf. When she's not investigating, Franki is hoping to seduce handsome bank executive Bradley Hartmann, but most of her time is spent dodging date offers from a string of "good Italian boys"—make that not-so-good aging Italian men—that her meddlesome Sicilian grandma has recruited as marriage candidates. As Mardi Gras approaches and the mystery of the murdered shop girl gets more complicated, Franki must decipher the odd ramblings of a Voodoo priestess to solve both the murder and the mystery of her own love life.
About the Author
Traci Andrighetti is the author of the Franki Amato Mystery series. In her previous life, she was an award-winning literary translator and a Lecturer of Italian at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a PhD in Applied Linguistics. But then she got wise and ditched that academic stuff for a life of crime—writing, that is.If she's not hard at work on her next novel, Traci is probably watching her favorite Italian soap opera, eating Tex Mex or sampling fruity cocktails, and maybe all at the same time. She lives in Austin with her husband, young son (who desperately wants to be in one of her books) and three treat-addicted dogs.
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