Interview and Excerpt: Becoming Mrs. Walsh by Jessica Gordon
Thanks to Jessica Gordon for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Becoming Mrs. Walsh. Please visit her tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I always loved to write even if it was detailed diary entries. Something about sitting down and just writing is very relaxing. I find if I have a pen and paper in hand I can usually start creating something. Then when I went to college and realized I can actually major in writing, it was very exciting! With writing, you really can't ever be bored because there is always something new to write about and many directions your ideas can go in.
How would you describe your books?I really love to both read and write in the chick lit genre. I think light-hearted, entertaining books are a great escape. It allows you to get lost in a story for a while. For my books I really focus on making sure the story is fast-paced. I do not want readers to feel bogged down in pointless prose. I feel that if you are writing a chick lit or a summer read people expect it to be fun and easy and I want to deliver on that. I also really love to play with characters. Characters that are well drawn, relatable and interesting are definitely a priority in my books.
Why was Becoming Mrs. Walsh a book you wanted to write?I thought it would be neat to have a book that included many different aspects of married life. The actual engagement period, marrying into another family, in-laws, but also have this element of romance and wealth. I think individually these topics are interesting, but putting them together in one place was really fun. I think the story is relatable and the inspiration came from when I married my husband. He is the youngest of three boys, so I learned first hand what it is like to enter a big family and have many older brothers and sisters-in-law. But the rest of course is fiction.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?Making the book actually feel like a complete story from beginning to end. I can write vivid scenes and strong characters, but the challenge is putting it together in a seamless, readable way.
What are your favorite genres to read?Chick lit, Women's fiction, Contemporary fiction
What do you want readers to take away from your story?I want the story to spark other ideas and thoughts about readers' own lives or help them relate to issues that they are going through. I love books where you can really understand a character's decision and perhaps that could help inform your own life. I would also love it if readers wonder about the story and its characters after they've finished reading the book. I would love if the characters stay with them.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?Very important, especially with e-books. People can download a book with one easy click. Information on the book and authors should be just as accessible. Facebook, Twitter, blogs, websites, readers either have these accounts or are following people with these accounts, so it is important you are part of that and are accessible. Word of mouth and 'word of link, click, and websites' are how people are going to find out about your book.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?Write, write, write. As a writer you must be writing. Even if the first draft is frustrating or not as good as you would like, keep going. The more you write, the easier it will become. Don't be self-conscious when writing or caught up with making it perfect. Just get down the ideas and let it flow. Edits and sorting out come later.
**Excerpt**
“Drew, why didn’t you wake me?” Shoshana asked as she looked at her bedside clock. It was 9:45 a.m. and she had to be ready in 15 minutes.“I figured you’d want to sleep as long as you could before the alarm,” Drew said.“My alarm! Did it even go off? I didn’t hear anything.”“I kept hitting snooze; you like to sleep late on Saturdays.”She glared at her fiancé. “Yes, normally! But not when I have to be with your family all day!”“It’s just the girls,” Drew said.“Please, your sisters-in-law are not like normal ‘girls;’ it’s like a beauty pageant slash couture fashion show,” Shoshana said as she sprung up from bed.She sped walked into the bathroom and began brushing her teeth with fervor.“I guess you’d better get your crown ready,” Drew said and winked at her.“I don’t even think I have enough time to shower!” Shoshana protested between mouthfuls of toothpaste foam.“Why do you have to shower?”Shoshana spit into the sink. “Are you serious?” She marched out of the bathroom and looked at him incredulously.“Yeah, your hair looks fine, you don’t seem dirty,” Drew said with a shrug.“Drew! Your sisters-in-law have perfect hair.”“Stop, you’re making yourself crazy.” Drew walked into the bathroom to shave.“Forget it, there’s no time to shower,” Shoshana yelled after him.“Sounds good,” Drew said barely listening.Shoshana rummaged through her closet. She threw on a black cotton dress and black flip-flops. She figured black was a chic-enough color and it would hide any sweat marks. It was August in Washington, D.C., which meant, it was hot.“I’ll wear black and then I’ll fit in—”“Why do they bother you so much?” Drew asked as Shoshana emerged from the closet.Shoshana stopped and looked at him. “It’s not that they bother me.”“What is it then?”“I can’t really describe it.”“They’re nice, they mean well, I really don’t get it,” Drew said as he buttoned his shirt.“You wouldn’t get it, you’re a guy. They’re gorgeous and they’re well-dressed, always. And by the way—I’ve never seen them without makeup. They’re not human.”
**Giveaway!**
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Jessica's tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Becoming Mrs. Walsh before February 11 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Jessica Gordon is a Johns Hopkins University alumna for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She received her bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the Writing Seminars program and her master's degree in communications.
After working in the corporate world for several years, Jessica decided to return to her first love: creative writing. Jessica takes her readers to the prominent Washington, D.C. area where her characters navigate through the complex world of family, in-laws, and love.
Jessica lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband. This is her first novel.
For more information on the book, check out www.jessica-gordon.com. Jessica can be reached at any time: jessica@jessica-gordon.com.
Connect with Jessica!
www.jessica-gordon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaGordonBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16077397-becoming-mrs-walsh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessicabgordon Buy the Book!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Mrs-Walsh-ebook/dp/B009O3NO9I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357616042&sr=8-1&keywords=becoming+mrs+walshBarnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-mrs-walsh-jessica-gordon/1113576054?ean=2940044984059Apple: Available in iBookstore accessed through iPad and iPhone Smashwords includes (Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/243474
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I always loved to write even if it was detailed diary entries. Something about sitting down and just writing is very relaxing. I find if I have a pen and paper in hand I can usually start creating something. Then when I went to college and realized I can actually major in writing, it was very exciting! With writing, you really can't ever be bored because there is always something new to write about and many directions your ideas can go in.
How would you describe your books?I really love to both read and write in the chick lit genre. I think light-hearted, entertaining books are a great escape. It allows you to get lost in a story for a while. For my books I really focus on making sure the story is fast-paced. I do not want readers to feel bogged down in pointless prose. I feel that if you are writing a chick lit or a summer read people expect it to be fun and easy and I want to deliver on that. I also really love to play with characters. Characters that are well drawn, relatable and interesting are definitely a priority in my books.
Why was Becoming Mrs. Walsh a book you wanted to write?I thought it would be neat to have a book that included many different aspects of married life. The actual engagement period, marrying into another family, in-laws, but also have this element of romance and wealth. I think individually these topics are interesting, but putting them together in one place was really fun. I think the story is relatable and the inspiration came from when I married my husband. He is the youngest of three boys, so I learned first hand what it is like to enter a big family and have many older brothers and sisters-in-law. But the rest of course is fiction.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?Making the book actually feel like a complete story from beginning to end. I can write vivid scenes and strong characters, but the challenge is putting it together in a seamless, readable way.
What are your favorite genres to read?Chick lit, Women's fiction, Contemporary fiction
What do you want readers to take away from your story?I want the story to spark other ideas and thoughts about readers' own lives or help them relate to issues that they are going through. I love books where you can really understand a character's decision and perhaps that could help inform your own life. I would also love it if readers wonder about the story and its characters after they've finished reading the book. I would love if the characters stay with them.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?Very important, especially with e-books. People can download a book with one easy click. Information on the book and authors should be just as accessible. Facebook, Twitter, blogs, websites, readers either have these accounts or are following people with these accounts, so it is important you are part of that and are accessible. Word of mouth and 'word of link, click, and websites' are how people are going to find out about your book.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?Write, write, write. As a writer you must be writing. Even if the first draft is frustrating or not as good as you would like, keep going. The more you write, the easier it will become. Don't be self-conscious when writing or caught up with making it perfect. Just get down the ideas and let it flow. Edits and sorting out come later.
**Excerpt**
“Drew, why didn’t you wake me?” Shoshana asked as she looked at her bedside clock. It was 9:45 a.m. and she had to be ready in 15 minutes.“I figured you’d want to sleep as long as you could before the alarm,” Drew said.“My alarm! Did it even go off? I didn’t hear anything.”“I kept hitting snooze; you like to sleep late on Saturdays.”She glared at her fiancé. “Yes, normally! But not when I have to be with your family all day!”“It’s just the girls,” Drew said.“Please, your sisters-in-law are not like normal ‘girls;’ it’s like a beauty pageant slash couture fashion show,” Shoshana said as she sprung up from bed.She sped walked into the bathroom and began brushing her teeth with fervor.“I guess you’d better get your crown ready,” Drew said and winked at her.“I don’t even think I have enough time to shower!” Shoshana protested between mouthfuls of toothpaste foam.“Why do you have to shower?”Shoshana spit into the sink. “Are you serious?” She marched out of the bathroom and looked at him incredulously.“Yeah, your hair looks fine, you don’t seem dirty,” Drew said with a shrug.“Drew! Your sisters-in-law have perfect hair.”“Stop, you’re making yourself crazy.” Drew walked into the bathroom to shave.“Forget it, there’s no time to shower,” Shoshana yelled after him.“Sounds good,” Drew said barely listening.Shoshana rummaged through her closet. She threw on a black cotton dress and black flip-flops. She figured black was a chic-enough color and it would hide any sweat marks. It was August in Washington, D.C., which meant, it was hot.“I’ll wear black and then I’ll fit in—”“Why do they bother you so much?” Drew asked as Shoshana emerged from the closet.Shoshana stopped and looked at him. “It’s not that they bother me.”“What is it then?”“I can’t really describe it.”“They’re nice, they mean well, I really don’t get it,” Drew said as he buttoned his shirt.“You wouldn’t get it, you’re a guy. They’re gorgeous and they’re well-dressed, always. And by the way—I’ve never seen them without makeup. They’re not human.”
**Giveaway!**
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Jessica's tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Becoming Mrs. Walsh before February 11 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Jessica Gordon is a Johns Hopkins University alumna for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She received her bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the Writing Seminars program and her master's degree in communications.
After working in the corporate world for several years, Jessica decided to return to her first love: creative writing. Jessica takes her readers to the prominent Washington, D.C. area where her characters navigate through the complex world of family, in-laws, and love.
Jessica lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband. This is her first novel.
For more information on the book, check out www.jessica-gordon.com. Jessica can be reached at any time: jessica@jessica-gordon.com.
Connect with Jessica!
www.jessica-gordon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaGordonBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16077397-becoming-mrs-walsh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessicabgordon Buy the Book!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Mrs-Walsh-ebook/dp/B009O3NO9I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357616042&sr=8-1&keywords=becoming+mrs+walshBarnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-mrs-walsh-jessica-gordon/1113576054?ean=2940044984059Apple: Available in iBookstore accessed through iPad and iPhone Smashwords includes (Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/243474
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