Brenda's Blog

Guest post: Alexandra Sokoloff

2012-02-02T10:29:00.000-05:00

For those of you who missed my guest post with Alexandra Sokoloff over on Girlfriends Book Club, I've decided to post it again here. Yes, Alex's post was so, so amazing that I just couldn't let anyone miss it!

You may know her as the author of such thrillers as The Space Between or Book of Shadows. Or you may know her as the structure guru responsible for Screenwriting Tricks for Authors or Writing Love.

Today, we're lucky enough to have her here talking to us about the elements of a love story. I've learned so much from Alex, be it in her workshop or through her blog. And now she's here to teach us even more.

Take it away, Alex!

I thought today I’d talk about Love Story Elements, because it’s fun, but also you all are already experts on it and I can’t pass up the opportunity to make YOU work for ME. ;)

The whole basis of what I teach in my Screenwriting Tricks for Authors books and workshops is that we learn the most when we look at the stories that have had the greatest impact on us, personally—look at them in-depth to really figure out what those storytellers are doing to create that impact. And I teach writing through looking at movies because movies are such a stripped-down form of storytelling that it’s often easier to see structure patterns by analyzing movies than it is to analyze books. Plus, since we’ve seen so many of the same movies, it’s just an easier focus for discussion.

What I am always pushing to my classes and readers is the idea making a list of ten movies and books (at least five movies) that are structurally similar to the book (or script) that you’re writing.

One of the most illuminating AND most fun discoveries you make when you do this list is that you immediately see patterns and key elements of stories in your genre (or cross-genres). And this is invaluable when you’re writing a book, even more when you’re editing a book, because these are the elements your readers unconsciously EXPECT to be in a story like yours; even elements they actually crave, and you can get all kinds of great ideas about what you might be missing in your story.

When I was writing the second book in my Screenwriting Tricks series, Writing Love I quickly discovered these recurring scenes and setups that are very typical in romance and romantic comedy. The following are just a partial list. I’ve tried to focus mostly on plot points or premises instead of just gags or bits – that is, these are actual story elements that can help you build a story, if you use them wisely. And these elements will often overlap with the key story elements that I’m also always writing about:

Story Elements Checklist

Expanded Story Elements Checklist

that is, the CALL TO ADVENTURE in a love story might be a case of FATE INTERVENES; THE PLAN might be to PRETEND WE’RE MARRIED; THE HERO/INE’S GHOST might show up at the MIDPOINT and radically shift the dynamics of the story, and so on.

Now, any of these love story elements can be done badly and devolve into the worst kind of cliché. Part of the point of knowing the common elements is to be aware they’ve been done before and find your own unique ways of using them, if you’re going to use them.

I’m not going to waste time on the clichés for which there probably is no hope, ever, but just for example of those clunkers, here’s my own partial list, which I’m sure you can add to:

- The hardboiled career woman who needs thawing

- The heroine working as a book or magazine editor (Really? Another one?)

- The heroine loosening up in a drunk scene (and recently, promptly vomiting on the - hero’s shoes. I’m sorry, this is comedy?)

- The hero/ine meeting the love interest by spilling something on them (truly vomit-inducing, usually a pathetic version of Meet Cute)

- The African-American or gay best friend who has no other purpose in life but to support the hero/ine (and of course, show how wonderfully open-minded they are)

- The climactic race to the airport to stop the loved one from leaving

Okay, I’m already nauseous just making that much of a list, but you get the point. Let’s go on to some common elements that are much used, but still useful, used wisely.

MEET CUTE

Okay, I lied. There’s nothing useful about this one. Please, please don’t do it. Instead, why not try thinking about what it really is to meet the One – to see someone for the first time who might just change your entire destiny. Go into your own life, and the lives of everyone around you, and really ask yourself what that moment is. You can dress it up with comedy, that’s totally fine, but find something real and meaningful about it. Otherwise, why even bother?

THE INCITING INCIDENT/CALL TO ADVENTURE

In a love story, while the INCITING INCIDENT that starts off the story action may be a job offer, a wedding invitation, a misbooked hotel room, or any other inciting incident common to any genre, the actual CALL TO ADVENTURE in a love story is very, very often that first look at the beloved. This is why so often that first look seems on the surface to be HATE AT FIRST SIGHT – it’s a variation on the RELUCTANT HERO/INE (or REFUSAL OF THE CALL). When we meet that true love, there’s often as much or more fear and panic involved as joy and relief. Life is never going to be the same.

LOVE INTEREST INTRODUCED AS COMPLETE IDIOT

An example of MISAPPREHENSION, which is a form of MISTAKEN IDENTITY. Bridget Jones’ Diary, New In Town.

THE HERO/INE’S GHOST

In a love story, the Ghost or Wound is most often related to love and attachment, obviously: the heroine’s parents died when she was a child (The Proposal), the hero’s father has had a succession of failed marriages (Made Of Honor, You’ve Got Mail), the heroine’s father was always chasing rainbows, impoverishing the family (Leap Year).

The ghost often comes out deep into the story, in a confessional scene in which the hero/ine reveals to the love interest WHY I’M LIKE THIS (often at the MIDPOINT), but it’s generally better storytelling to dramatize it: In You’ve Got Mail, when Tom Hanks’ father leaves his much younger wife and moves in with Tom in his temporary crash pad (boat) Tom realizes he doesn’t want to be like his father and that he loves Meg (which in this story is THE ACT TWO CLIMAX/REVELATION into the FINAL BATTLE).

HANDCUFF THE COUPLE TOGETHER

In Romancing The Stone, Joan needs Jack to take her out of the jungle and back to Cartagena; Jack needs Joan’s money because he’s just lost all the rare birds he was smuggling. In The Proposal, Margaret needs Andrew to pretend he’s married to her so she won’t be deported and she threatens him with career annihilation if he refuses; Andrew agrees to do it if Margaret promotes him and publishes a book he loves.

In Leap Year, Anna needs Declan to take her to Dublin, Declan needs Anna’s money to save his pub from foreclosure. In What Happens In Vegas, a judge orders Cameron Diaz and Aston Kutcher to remain married for six months if they want to split the three million dollar casino payoff they won together. (This story beat is also often an OFFER S/HE CAN’T REFUSE.)

A common variation on Handcuffing The Couple Together is:

FATE (OR THE WEATHER) INTERVENES

It’s amazing how often romantic comedy uses this device. Fate, very often in the form of the weather, prevents the heroine from leaving town (New In Town, Groundhog Day), or deposits them on the opposite side of the country from where they are supposed to be (Leap Year), so that the hero/ine can meet his or her true love.

This is especially well done in Groundhog Day.

THE OFFER S/HE CAN’T REFUSE

A plot point that usually comes early in the first act: the hero/ine is locked into a situation because their boss or family or a judge gives them an ultimatum – eg. in The Proposal, if Margaret does not fake a marriage with Andrew, she will be deported. See New In Town, Leap Year, What Happens In Vegas.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY OR FALSE IDENTITY

False identity was a staple for Shakespeare’s comedies, and is still widely used in romantic comedy, sometimes as a scene or sequence (pretending to be a sister or a fiancée), sometimes as the whole premise of the story: While You Were Sleeping, Tootsie, Mulan).

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

I don’t have to explain this one, do I? It’s the first time the hero and heroine let down their respective guards and start to spill personal information. It’s very often done very badly, as an information dump.

COUPLE FORCED TO PRETEND THEY’RE MARRIED

A staple of romantic comedy; it can be a scene, as in Leap Year where Anna and Declan must pretend to be married in order to get a room for the night at a B & B owned by religiously conservative proprietors, or it can be the whole premise of the story: whether it’s to get an inheritance or some other large chunk of money (What Happens in Vegas) or get a green card (The Proposal, Green Card).

LET’S PRETEND WE’RE MARRIED

A different kind of scene, more spontaneous – in which the couple find themselves digging in a garden or working well together in a kitchen (Leap Year) or one of them talks the other off an emotional ledge (Sally gently calming Harry down after he explodes in front of their best friends in When Harry Met Sally), and we get a glimpse of the well-matched couple they would be.

TICKING CLOCK

A staple of all genres, often used very unconvincingly, so be careful. Some good examples: In Leap Year, Anna needs to get to Dublin by Leap Day to propose to her reluctant boyfriend. In The Proposal, Margaret and Andrew have four days to get to know each other well enough to convincingly pass themselves off as married to a suspicious INS agent. At the climax of When Harry Met Sally, Harry is desperate to get to a New Year’s Eve party in time to kiss Sally at the stroke of midnight, something he utterly failed to do the year before.

THE BET

Can be a scene, or a whole premise, in which the hero/ine bets friends that s/he – usually he – can bed or dump a lover in a certain timeframe. Or some other bet that leads to a romantic entanglement. (My Fair Lady)

EX-SEX

Sometimes the second time is the charm. Or not. Sweet Home Alabama, It’s Complicated.

THE MAGICAL DAY (YEAR, PLACE, HOUR)

The idea that there is a magical day, or hour, or place, that will lead magically to true love and/or marriage. Leap Year has a heroine racing across Ireland in order to propose to her reluctant boyfriend on Leap Day, when traditionally men are obliged to accept any proposal they receive. Four Weddings and A Funeral plays with the idea that a wedding is a magical moment in time in which not only the bridal couple but anyone in attendance can find true love. Groundhog Day – well, it isn’t pretty, but it’s that day, repeated over and over, that changes surly Phil Connor’s life.

WHY THEM?

This is appallingly lacking in most love stories: some indicator of why we’re supposed to want this couple to get together to begin with. I know, love is a hard thing to define, but please, give us something! Some common explanations here:

- Opposites attract (Leap Year, Groundhog Day)

- A shared passion (New In Town)

- In a class by themselves (Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in Philadelphia Story)

- They bring out each other’s best selves (Sense And Sensibility)

- They make each other laugh

- They understand and support each other’s most cherished dreams (While You Were Sleeping, Sense And Sensibility)

I’m sure you can think of lots of others – I’d love to hear them!

THE DANCE

One of the most crucial scenes in any romance or romantic subplot, and one that goes a long way toward explaining WHY THEM? The Dance is a scene in which we see that two people are perfect for each other: they have the same rhythm, they work around each other’s flaws, they have the same passion, they complete each other. One of my favorites is the beautiful scene in Sense And Sensibility in which Edward and Elinor coax Elinor’s younger sister Margaret out from where she has been hiding under the library table by pretending ignorance of the source of the Nile. We see that Edward and Elinor are perfectly matched: both intelligent, witty, sensitive, kind, and off-the-wall. They are at their most charming when they’re together, and we are totally committed to the relationship by the end of the short scene. So much more meaningful than “Meet Cute”!

FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE FAMILY

It’s very common to have a scene or sequence where we see the hero/ine falling in love with the loved one’s entire family (While You Were Sleeping, The Proposal). A variation of this is FALLING IN LOVE

WITH THE HERO/INE’S FRIENDS (Notting Hill).

OOPS, WRONG BROTHER! (or WRONG SISTER!)

You know this one: the hero/ine thinks s/he’s happily engaged until – uh oh – s/he meets the loved one’s brother or sister (While You Were Sleeping, Holiday).

WRONG MAN/WRONG WOMAN

Not to be confused with Hitchcock’s “Wrong Man” story, about an innocent falsely accused (or set up). What I mean here is, in a story where the hero/ine is dating or engaged to the wrong person, there are going to be scenes that demonstrate clearly that this is the WRONG MAN, or WRONG WOMAN. I would venture to say these scenes are going to happen in virtually every love story in which there is a rival for the hero/ine’s love interest’s love.

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS/BOYFRIENDS PAST

Obviously, having an old flame around makes for conflict and sometimes dramatic suspense in a love story, but it also often makes for good comedy. Four Weddings And A Funeral has not just one, but two great examples of this scene: at one wedding dinner Hugh Grant is seated at a table with four of his exes, comically dramatizing his problem of chronic serial monogamy. Then later his love interest Andie McDowell has a great monologue about her exes, all 33 of them.

THE AWFUL TRUTH

The hero or love interest scathes the heroine, or vice-versa, and knowingly or unknowingly hits the nail squarely on the head about what the hero/ine’s problem is. (While You Were Sleeping, and there are several good zingers in Leap Year.)

PRATFALLS

This is of course a visual, but I’m including it for the screenwriters (and some authors do it wonderfully on the page – Helen Fielding being a good example). Since the early screwball comedies, romantic comedy heroines have been falling over. This can be tiresome, but good physical comedians/comediennes can make it sublime – Lucille Ball, Katharine Hepburn, and Meg Ryan perfected the art.

THE REVOLVING DOOR

Another staple of physical comedy, but it’s one you can use on the page. The wrong person shows up at the wrong time and the hero/ine is forced to hide someone in the closet, under the bed, on the windowsill, etc. Another component of this is more people keep showing up to complicate the deception. This is a variation on:

WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME

Another staple of comedy. In Four Weddings And A Funeral: Charlie gets caught in the bridal suite just as the bridal couple decide to consummate their new marriage.

THE CATCHPHRASE or TAGLINE

While real-life lovers often play word games, the catchphrase is a dangerous thing, not often pulled off. “You had me at hello” from Jerry Maguire is one of the best. The Proposal doesn’t do too badly with “We’re just two people who weren’t supposed to fall in love, but did.” Try a making a Top Ten list for inspiration!

THE RIDDLE

Sometimes the love interest asks a thematic question that the hero/ine finally comes to understand, usually at the climax of the story – an interesting fairy tale touch (Leap Year).

GOSH, S/HE’D MAKE A GREAT PARENT! (or THE YEARNING FOR A FAMILY)

It’s very typical to show the hero/ine looking longingly after children or show the hero/ine noticing how good the hero/ine is with kids: Ashton Kutcher coaching Little League in What Happens In Vegas, Meg Ryan reading aloud to preschoolers in You’ve Got Mail. A much funnier scene – Dustin Hoffman as Dorothy being run ragged by Jessica Lange’s baby daughter in Tootsie.

THE MAKEOVER

This can be a terrible cliché, so be careful. For an example of how to do this right, look at Romancing The Stone, which has wonderful fun taking Joan Wilder’s expensive but mousy wardrobe and shredding it until she’s dressed in a good approximation of her romantic alter-ego Angelina’s buckskins and bodices. New in Town and The Proposal realistically depict their heroines’ wardrobes changing from executive stiffness to a more practical and appealing softness.

COUPLE FORCED TO KISS

It’s kind of amazing to me how often a romantic comedy will have a scene like this. Forced to kiss? How do writers come up with these things?

COUPLE FORCED TO SHARE A BED

Look at that! This hotel room has only one bed!

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

The couple is forced to stay overnight in an isolated place. There a nice variation on this one in Romancing The Stone, where the “cabin” is the wreck of an airplane that crashed in the jungle – carrying a cargo of marijuana. Which Jack promptly uses to build a fire…

SEX AT SIXTY

All of the above often leads to this – that’s sex at 60 minutes in a movie, or the Midpoint, meaning it’s around page 200 in a 400-page book. This is common to find in all genres, even more common in romantic comedy. Yes, it can be almost sex at sixty. If there is actual sex at sixty, it usually crashes the relationship immediately.

THE CONFESSION SCENE

This is different from the DECLARATION below. The confession is where the hero or heroine or both open up about their childhood, ghosts, fears, hopes – their INNER DESIRES opposed to their OUTER DESIRES. It often occurs at the MIDPOINT.

YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS

Often during the confession scene, the hero and heroine will express a long-held, secret dream (Jack’s is to own a boat in Romancing The Stone. In While You Were Sleeping another Jack’s is to start his own business. In Sense And Sensibility Edward’s is to be the vicar of a small parsonage) and the loved one totally gets it and supports it, when no one else (usually the hero’s family) ever has. I don’t think it’s accidental that I’ve listed a bunch of male secret dreams that the heroines support; women have a long history of being better supporters that way.

This beat is separate from:

ONLY YOU

The scene where the hero and heroine bond over some song or piece of poetry or dog or combination of foods that only the loved one could ever understand. (This kind of improbably works in The Proposal.)

GET THE COUPLE TO SOMEONE ELSE’S WEDDING

Many romances have a scene or whole sequence at someone else’s wedding – throwing the hero and/or heroine right into that crucible to show their reactions to the whole idea in general. Not just romantic comedies, but romantic suspense will do this; see Sea Of Love.

CINDERELLA GOES TO THE BALL

Another version of going to a wedding, and usually involves a MAKEOVER. The original Arthur does this well, with John Gielgud as the world’s most charming (in a deadpan way) fairy godmother.

INTERRUPTING THE WEDDING

This is usually done by mistake, for comic effect (and it’s often not funny at all, be careful). But sometimes it’s a deliberate act, as in:

I’M GOING TO BREAK UP THAT WEDDING IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO

Can be one scene, but it can also be the whole premise of the story, as in Philadelphia Story and My Best Friend’s Wedding, or Made Of Honor.

“IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY REASON…”

Speaking of interrupting weddings - very often once the couple is at someone else’s wedding, some kind of disturbance will occur just at this critical juncture in the ceremony. Often it turns into a plot point (in the climax of Four Weddings And A Funeral).

THE PROMISE or DEATHBED PROMISE scene, or DYING WORDS scene.

In Four Weddings And A Funeral – one of the last things Gareth says to his circle of friends before he dies of a heart attack is: “I want to see you all married. Go forth and find husbands and wives.” Of course Hugh Grant takes that to heart…

THE LOVER MAKES A STAND

This scene seems almost always to come in the very last part of Act II:2, but sometimes in Act III. Basically, it’s the crux of Sequence Six or Sequence Seven. In this scene the Lover, the one who loves most deeply, says to the Loved One, “I’m not going to take your bullshit any more. Make up your mind. Either commit to me or don’t, but if you don’t, I’m out of here.” It’s often the ALL IS LOST MOMENT.

It’s Complicated: Steve Martin tells Meryl Streep that she’s not done with Alec yet, and he doesn’t want to see her while she’s still emotionally involved with him. Notting Hill: Hugh Grant tells Julia Roberts in the bookstore that between her “foul temper” and his far more inexperienced heart, he doesn’t think he would recover from being discarded again, and turns down her offer to date. When Harry Met Sally: Sally refuses Harry’s offer to go to the New Year’s party as a friendly date because “I’m not your consolation prize, Harry.”

In all of the above scenes, the Lover’s Stand forces the Loved One to step up and commit just as deeply as the Lover is committed. But it seems that very, very, very often, it’s one character, the Lover, who has to force the issue. And that finally leads to another scene:

THE DECLARATION

Yes, it’s essential to have a well-written declaration of love, it’s one of the biggest payoffs of the genre. I suggest you make a Top Ten List of your favorites for inspiration: try Julia Roberts’ “I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy” in Notting Hill, Hugh Grant stammering through “I think I love you” in Four Weddings And A Funeral, Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie: “I was a better man with you as a woman than I ever was with a woman as a man;” Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally: “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start right now;” Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire: “You complete me.”

In a love story, the declaration very often is the FINAL BATTLE. And, oh, right – it’s very often a PROPOSAL.

It is also often a public declaration, in front of as many people can be crowded into the scene. But that’s become so much of a cliché I would really suggest avoiding it, if at all possible.

And remember, if the lover has behaved particularly badly, the audience or reader probably wants to see a little GROVELING.

THE KISS

I don’t really need to explain this one, do I? Well, let me just say: in love stories there are usually two key kisses: one someplace around the MIDPOINT, or at the Midpoint, where the couple have a first kiss and both suddenly realize, usually separately, that they’re in deep trouble. This is often the COUPLE FORCED TO KISS scene.

Then the very end of the movie or book, or the Act III climax, is the prolonged, never coming up for air, make the audience or reader really feel it kiss. Unfortunately in lesser stories this often substitutes for a real ending.

And then of course there’s the INTERRUPTED KISS, a way of building sexual tension before that first real kiss.

NEW WAY OF LIFE

This is truly an essential beat to get right in a romance, and nothing beats Romancing The Stone for this moment – wouldn’t anyone want the life Joan and Jack are sailing off to? And somehow it’s much more delicious because the yacht is not on the ocean, but parked on that Manhattan street. It’s the ultimate romantic gesture by a bad boy with a wicked sense of humor.

I also love seeing Hugh Grant shyly hitting the red carpet in Notting Hill, and the flip side of their life, the payoff of the two sprawled on that inscribed garden bench.

But yes, sometimes a kiss will do it, too, especially if it’s Colin Firth doing the kissing, as in Bridget Jones’ Diary.

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As you may have guessed, I’ve made up a lot of those names for the above elements. You can call those scenes, moments and setups something else entirely, and hopefully you’ll be adding lots of observations of your own to an ever-growing list.

So what have I left out? And/or what are examples of movies and books that do some of these elements particularly well?

Things I'm obsessed with this week

2012-01-24T10:41:00.009-05:00

New Wes Anderson!

New Jennifer Westfeldt!

And what blog post would be complete without a little sex?

God, have I wasted a lot of time on Twitter or what?!

2012-01-19T16:40:00.000-05:00

And yes, I've been neglecting my blog! But, seriously, that Twitter is all encompassing! Not following me yet? Check me out at @BrendaJanowitz. Because, you know, that's my name.

The thing with Twitter is that it's making me feel like my every thought is important, worthy of letting the world know. And, really, my thoughts aren't quite that interesting. Twitter is so immediate that it sucks you in-- you want to be part of this whole "now" thing, so you just tweet and tweet and tweet your little heart out.

But what I really do best is write and then re-write and then re-write some more! I'm not used to drafting things and then putting them out into the world quite this quickly. When I write my novels, I do a first draft, and then my first readers take a peek. Then I do another draft or two and send it to my agent. Then (are you sensing a pattern here?), I do another draft or two and send it to my editor. So, really, there's a ton of thought that goes into each and every word on the page.

Not so with Twitter. On Twitter, you just write quickly, hope it meets the character limit, and click send. Now, I suppose I could be more discriminating with my tweets, but that's not really the point of Twitter, is it?

So, what I'm wondering is: Is it a good thing to just get your thoughts right out there without editing? Or is editing a good thing? Could we all use a little more editing?

Yay! I'm on twitter!!

2012-01-03T13:48:00.000-05:00

So, despite the fact that it usually takes me at least 300 pages to express myself, I've joined twitter! So come and follow me!! I think my address is @BrendaJanowitz. Because, you know, that's my name.

I have one tweet so far. I tried to tweet two other times but was over the word count. This is not going to work out well for me. Come visit me on twitter and see if I can figure out the art of brevity!!

Happy New Year!!

2011-12-31T07:47:00.004-05:00

Strunk and White, yo!

2011-12-22T07:45:00.002-05:00

I'm so, so excited because I'll be starting edits on my third novel this week. Yes, you heard that correctly! My amazing agent has sold my third novel in a two book deal to St. Martin's. And I couldn't be happier!! Not just because I'll be at the same fabulous publishing house who brings you the work of Emily Giffin and Kristin Hannah, but also because my new editor is fantastic!! She just sent me this video, which had me laughing out loud. Check it out below and enjoy!

The Elements of Style from Jake Heller on Vimeo.

Holiday gifts!!

2011-12-20T06:53:00.007-05:00

It's always so hard to know what sorts of gifts to buy for friends and family at holiday time. Well, fret no more! The fabulous Ellen Meister has compiled a list of various books authored by members of our group blog, Girlfriends Book Club, and not only does she tell you a little something about each book, but she also tells you who you should buy each book for! Could that be any easier?! So, thank Ellen for her awesomeness. And buy books! They really do make the best gifts.

LOVE FINDS YOU IN NEW ORLEANS by Christa Allan

Set to release in February of 2012 and available now for pre-order, this 1840s historical relates the story of a woman whose grandparents must consider whether to stop keeping secrets and reveal the truth they’ve known—a truth that will make the difference between a life of obligation and a life of choice.Unlocking the past could open the door to a new future, but is the present worth the cost? Introduced in the novel is the custom of plaçage, known as "left-handed marriages" among those forbidden legally to be together.

Who would like this book? Readers of historical fiction and Southern fiction.

For more information visit http://christaallan.com/

SAFE HARBOR by Judith Arnold

Childhood pals Kip and Shelley spent their summers on Block Island, swimming, biking, discovering the world together. Then real life intruded, bringing tragedy and heartache. Years later, they both wind up back on Block Island. Can the island's rugged beauty and their loving friendship heal their wounds? An award-winning novel when it was first released, SAFE HARBOR is available to as a reissued e-book to a new generation of readers.

Who would like this book? SAFE HARBOR is the perfect book for lovers of romance fiction.

For more information visit www.juditharnold.com

LITTLE WOMEN AND ME by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

A contemporary teen finds herself literally sucked into the Louisa May Alcott novel Little Women and discovers she must change a major plot point in order to get back out again. "...a consistently entertaining read that delivers a genuinely original heroine and frequently hilarious satire." ~ Kirkus Reviews

Who would like this book? LITTLE WOMEN AND ME will appeal to adult fans of Little Women and girls ages 12 and up.

For more information visit http://laurenbaratzlogsted.com/

THE BLUE HOUSE DOG by Deborah Blumenthal

Love heals the heart is the message of this heartwarming picture book about a boy who saves a homeless dog and vice versa. Cody had his own dog once, but his painful loss is buried deeper than the feeding dish he hides away in his closet. All that changes when he comes upon a four-footed friend needier than he is -- a sad, lost dog from a mysterious blue house and both learn to trust and love again.

Based on a true story.

Who would like this book? Dog lovers of all ages.

For more information visit http://deborahblumenthal.com

MOTHERS AND OTHER LIARS by Amy Bourret

How far will a mother go to save her child? Ten years ago, Ruby Leander was a drifting nineteen-year-old who made a split-second decision at an Oklahoma rest stop. Fast forward nine years: Ruby and her daughter Lark live in New Mexico. Lark is a precocious, animal loving imp, and Ruby has built a family for them with a wonderful community of friends and her boyfriend of three years. Life is good. Until the day Ruby reads a magazine article about parents searching for an infant kidnapped by car-jackers. Then Ruby faces a choice no mother should have to make. A choice that will change both her and Lark's lives forever.

Who would like this book? Anyone, especially book clubs who like a good moral debate, will like this smart, haunting, and gorgeously written debut novel that propels a whip-smart plot that will keep you thinking.

For more information visit www.amybourret.com

A SUMMER IN EUROPE by Marilyn Brant

It’s not where you go, it’s what you take back with you… On her 30th birthday, Gwendolyn Reese receives an unexpected present from her widowed Aunt Bea: a grand European tour in the company of Bea's Sudoku-and-Mahjongg Club. Gwen initially approaches her first trip abroad as if it's the homework she assigns her students, diligently checking monuments off her must-see list. But amid the gorgeous bougainvillea of southern Italy, something changes. She begins to live in the moment—skipping down stone staircases in Capri, racing through the Louvre and taste-testing pastries, wine and gelato. Reveling in every new experience—especially her attraction to a charismatic British physics professor—Gwen discovers the ancient wonders around her are nothing compared to the renaissance unfolding within...

Who would like this book? Romantics and lovers of travel fiction who might enjoy a grand journey of self awakening amidst the classic architecture and stunning vistas of Europe.

For more information visit http://www.marilynbrant.com

CHILDREN OF THE WATERS by Carleen Brice

Still reeling from divorce, Trish Taylor is in the midst of salvaging the remnants of her life when she uncovers a shocking secret: her sister is alive. After years of drawing on the strength of her ancestors, Billie Cousins is shocked to discover that she was adopted. Though Trish longs to connect with her long-lost sister, Billie's feelings of betrayal are waters too deep to cross. But when both women are forced to confront their demons, they begin to realize that each may have what the other needs.

Who would like this book? This is a contemporary story between two women who discover they are sisters. Great for fans of smart, moving women's fiction. Women in interracial relationships or with mixed-race children will especially like it.

For more information visit www.carleenbrice.com

AN APPETITE FOR MURDER by Lucy Burdette

Aspiring food critic Hayley Snow follows the man of her dreams to Key
West, FL. Instead of landing the job of her dreams as a food critic,
she lands in the police blotter, the main suspect in her now-ex's new
girlfriend's murder.

Who would like this book? Fans of Diane Mott Davidson's cozy culinary
mysteries will enjoy this book.

For more information visit http://lucyburdette.com/buy-the-books/

SLIM TO NONE by Jenny Gardiner

Abbie Jennings is Manhattan's top food critic until her expanding waistline makes staying incognito at restaurants impossible. Her cover blown on Page Six of the New York Post, her editor has no choice but to bench her—and suggest she use the time off to bench-press her way back to anonymity. Abbie’s life has been built around her career, and therefore around celebrating food. Forced to drop the pounds if she wants her primo gig back, Abbie must peel back the layers of her past and confront the fears that have led to her current life.

Who would like this book? SLIM TO NONE is the perfect book for anyone who's ever gone on a diet (or believes they should).

For more information visit www.jennygardiner.net

MY JANE AUSTEN SUMMER by Cindy Jones

A young woman who has squeezed herself into undersized relationships all her life hopes to realize her dream of living in a novel when she is invited to participate in a Jane Austen literary festival in England. She jumps at the chance to reinvent herself, imagining escape into Austen’s fictional world where bookish women are heroines. There, in the rich, promising world of Mansfield Park, Lily finds people whose longing to live in a novel equals her own. But real-life problems have a way of following you wherever you go and unless Lily can change her ways, she will share the fate of so many of Jane Austen’s characters who repeat the same mistakes over and over again.

Who would like this book? MY JANE AUSTEN SUMMER is a fast-paced, romantic, and humorous book that will appeal to book lovers, especially those who can't get enough Jane Austen.

For more information visit www.cindysjones.com

ALL THE NUMBERS by Judy Merrill Larsen

An arresting, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful first novel. A recently divorced mother of two boys, Ellen Banks is just learning to make her way through the uncharted territory of single parenthood when the unthinkable happens. Determined to seek justice, and to mend the deep wounds in her family, Ellen must first heal herself, finding a way out of a grief that soon turns to defiance. This is an unforgettable journey of power and emotion, poignantly depicting a woman as she reckons with her own vulnerability and finds in the wisdom of motherhood, the redemptive grace to begin again.

Who would like this book? ALL THE NUMBERS is great for discussion so it's perfect for anyone in a book club or who just wants characters you'll argue with, worry about, and hope they make the right choices (and yes, I love connecting with book clubs!).

For more information visit http://www.judymerrilllarsen.com/

LITTLE BLACK DRESS by Susan McBride

Two sisters whose lives seemed forever intertwined are torn apart when a magical little black dress gives each one a glimpse of an unavoidable future.

Antonia Ashton has worked hard to build a thriving career and a committed relationship, but she realizes her life has gone off track. Forced to return home to Blue Hills when her mother, Evie, suffers a massive stroke, Toni finds the old Victorian where she grew up as crammed full of secrets as it is with clutter. Now she must put her mother’s house in order—and uncover long-buried truths about Evie and her aunt, Anna, who vanished fifty years earlier on the eve of her wedding. By shedding light on the past, Toni illuminates her own mistakes and learns the most unexpected things about love, magic, and a little black dress with the power to break hearts . . . and mend them.

Who would like this book? The story of the Little Black Dress weaves together bits of history, mystery, magic, and family, so I hope it appeals to readers who love women's fiction in the vein of Kate Morton and Sarah Addison Allen.

For more information visit http://SusanMcBride.com

THE OTHER LIFE by Ellen Meister

"A resonant story about the importance of mothers, both having one and being one ... making for a riveting tale of love and choices." - BookPage

Quinn Braverman has a perfect life, with a loving husband, an adorable son, and another baby on the way.

Quinn also has an ominous secret: she knows there's a portal to another life, one in which she made totally different life choices. But she's never been tempted to switch lives ... until a shocking turn of events pushes her to cross over, and she discovers the one person she thought she'd lost forever. Her mother.

But Quinn can't have both lives. Soon, she must decide which she really wants—the one she has ... or the other life.

Who would like this book? Anyone interested in the beautiful, heartbreaking and complicated relationships between mothers and daughters.

For more information visit ellenmeister.com

MOMFRIENDS by Ariella Papa

Momfriends is a story of three vastly different people who meet through motherhood and become friends through womanhood.

Ruth is almost at the end of her rope with her new baby when a knock on her door changes everything. Claudia's life is all about rules. Everything is going perfectly until a flirtation with colleague makes her throw out her rule book.

And Kirsten is an artist and a dreamer. What she discovers late one night confirms that her life is not everything she dreamed. Momfriends is about how people roll with lives they can’t control. And whether they choose to swim with the current or against it, it’s about the realization that everyone needs someone to throw out a life preserver once in a while.

Who would like this book? Momfriends makes the perfect gift for your best friend, the new mom in the neighborhood or the mom you'd like to invite over. It's an ebook so it's even easier to read and multi-task.

For more information visit ariellapapa.com

DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD by Saralee Rosenberg

In Mindy's yoga-obsessed, thirty-is-the-new-wife neighborhood, every day is a battle between Dunkin' Donuts, her jaws-of-life jeans, and Beth Diamond, the self-absorbed sancti-mommy next door who looks sixteen from the back. So much for sharing the chores, the stores, and the occasional mischief to rival Wisteria Lane.

It's another day, another dilemma until Beth's marriage becomes fodder on Facebook. Suddenly the Ivy League blonde needs to be “friended,” and Mindy is the last mom standing. Together they take on hormones and hunger, family feuds and fidelity, and a harrowing journey that spills the truth about an unplanned pregnancy and a seventy-year-old miracle that altered their fates forever.

Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead is a hilarious, stirring romp over fences and defenses that begs the question, what did you do to deserve living next door to a crazy woman? Sometimes it's worth finding out.

Who would like this book? DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD is perfect for anyone who loves to discover friendship in surprising places ... while laughing out loud on every page.

For more information visit saraleerosenberg.com

MIMOSAS, MISCHIEF, AND MURDER by Sara Rosett

“Charm, Southern sass, and suspense abound in the sixth delightful cozy mystery.” –FreshFiction.com

Super-organized Ellie thinks she’s prepared for everything when she and her family set off for an extended visit with her southern in- laws in Alabama, but the one thing she hasn’t planned for is cold-blooded murder. When the patriarch of the family passes away under suspicious circumstances, the quirky Avery family closes ranks and Ellie can't help looking for motives among the mourners.

Publisher’s Weekly called it “winning” and described it this way: “A rumor of hidden money, secret letters from a famous recluse, a fire, a threatening message, and a crazed gunman add to the cozy mischief.”

Who would like this book? Fans of mysteries and southern fiction will enjoy Mimosas, Mischief, and Murder.

For more information visit http://sararosett.com

BEAUTIFUL DISASTER by Laura Spinella

As a college student in Athens, Georgia, Mia Wells meets Flynn, an enigmatic stranger who pushes every boundary she knows. Their relationship is intense, passionate and, for Mia, life-changing, making it all the more painful when he vanishes. After finding the wherewithal to move on with her life and pursue her goals, Mia eventually marries. Twelve years later, Flynn mysteriously resurfaces, gravely injured. Mia is terrified that he will die, awestruck at the prospect of his survival. Flynn’s return ignites a powerful tale, a story that is greater than honor or friendship or the passing of time. More than a romance, this 2011 Penguin release was recently named Best First Book in the NJRWA Golden Leaf contest.

Who would like this book? BEAUTIFUL DISASTER is women’s fiction with a heavy thread of romance, making it the perfect book for readers who like relationship fiction that includes a thought provoking love story.

For more information visit lauraspinella.net

LOVE IN TRANSLATION by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

After receiving a puzzling phone call and a box full of mysteries, Celeste Duncan, 33, is off to Japan to search for a long, lost relative who could hold the key to the identity of the father she never knew. There she stumbles head first down the rabbit hole into a weird, wonderful world where nothing is quite as it seems.

Not knowing Japanese, Celeste finds a friend in her English-speaking homestay brother, Takuya, and comes to depend on him for help. As they cross the country following a trail after Celeste's family, she discovers she's developing "more-than-sisterly" feelings for him. But with a nosy homestay mother scheming to reunite Takuya with his old girlfriend, and her search growing dimmer, will Celeste find what she’s looking for in Japan?

Who would like this book? Love in Translation will appeal to armchair travelers who love a good love story!

For more information visit: http://www.WendyTokunaga.com

Most of the these books are available at your favorite bookstore. To buy online, visit the author's page for ordering links.

Book excerpt: The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

2011-12-16T14:48:00.001-05:00

Today, we've got a real treat. Not only do we have frequent guest Lauren Baratz-Logsted here for a visit, but she's generously offered to give us all a peek at her latest novel, The Bro-Magnet. It's a funny, laugh out loud book, but don't take my word for it. Keep reading for a glimpse at Lauren's The Bro Magnet:

I Am Born

(and I begin as life intends me to go on)

Right from the start, I’ve been a disappointment to women.

Here’s me at my own birth:

On January 1, 1977, after thirty-two hours, fourteen minutes and fifty-three seconds of labor, most of it during a heat wave so bad there are citywide power outages – a heat wave that would have been perfectly normal in Florida, but in New England, not so much – my mother, Francesca Smith, gives birth to me at home at exactly 2:19 p.m.

She insisted on the home birth because she said it would be more natural.

Alfresca Tivoli, Francesca’s sister, is present as Francesca’s birthing coach because my father, John Smith, says it’s women’s work. Plus, he’s scared shitless.

As I emerge from between my mother’s legs – all thirteen pounds, eight ounces of me – Alfresca catches me. Then I do the usual baby stuff: I get my cord cut, I’m slapped, I cry, I get weighed and measured, someone wipes the cheesy stuff off my hairy head, and finally I get handed off to my mother.

“Oh,” Francesca says, gently parting the swaddling to examine my body further, “it’s a boy. This wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I was so sure, all along, I was going to have a girl.”

Then, she dies.

“If you’d been a girl,” Alfresca says, taking me from my dead mother’s arms as the midwife tries in vain to resuscitate my disappointed mother, “this never would have happened.”

I know all this, not because I was born with some kind of precocious baby-genius capability to instantly understand language, but rather, because Aunt Alfresca has spent the last thirty-three years reminding me, at fairly regular intervals but with surprisingly little malice, that I killed her sister.

As I said, right from the start, I’ve been a disappointment to women.

Some people would tell you it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

All of those people would be men.

Funny, right?! I laughed out loud a few times while reading that. Still want more? Hop over to Amazon to get an even longer sneak peek. And then buy the darn thing, wouldja? It's a great price and who doesn't need some laughter this holiday season?!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

2011-12-15T07:59:00.004-05:00

Big congrats go out to Candy M., who is the winner of the Marilyn Brant A Summer in Europe giveaway! Candy M., you are now the proud owner of a Summer in Europe t-shirt and luggage tag!! Now all you have to do is win a trip to Europe.

Thanks so much to everyone who participated. And if you haven't run out to buy A Summer in Europe, why not?! It's a great read that will have you itching for your next getaway adventure.

Author interview and a giveaway: Marilyn Brant

2011-12-08T06:51:00.006-05:00

A big wonderful welcome to the lovely and talented Marilyn Brant! Today we're celebrating her most recent release, A Summer in Europe, with an interview. It's the perfect book for a holiday gift, or for the cold winter months, since it will transport you to Europe for a while.

And what's more, Marilyn has generously offered to do a giveaway for one lucky commenter! Just leave a comment on the bottom of this blog post and you're automatically entered to win a Summer in Europe t-shirt and luggage tag! US and Canada entries only, please.

So, leave a comment and enter to win! Winner will be announced on December 15th.

But now let's get to the good stuff. Let's hear from Marilyn!

1. What's your new book about?

First of all, thank you so much for inviting me to visit, Brenda! My new novel is called A SUMMER IN EUROPE. It's a story about a woman named Gwendolyn Reese who's given a five-week-long European trip for her 30th birthday as a gift from her eccentric aunt (and the wild senior citizens in her aunt's Sudoku and Mahjongg club...). At first she's hesitant to leave the familiar behind for the summer, but she chooses to go. As a result, a new world of experience opens up to her, and she finds she has to really examine her life and the direction it's going based on what she learns abroad.

2. Which scene in the novel did you love writing and why?

I got to travel through Europe with Gwen for this book... So, for me, there were a great many scenes I loved writing because it was like returning to some of my favorite cities in the world every time I'd sit down at the computer. One scene I especially enjoyed, though, was when Gwen is in Paris and there's an argument between the two British brothers on the tour. They're all right below the Eiffel Tower when the disagreement breaks out, so it was fun to play with those images of sunlight and shadow just beneath this major landmark. It was exciting, too, because Gwen and one of the brothers return to that scene later in the day and their perspectives have shifted, so it was interesting to show how they had changed and how the setting had as well. (For travel lovers, I'm blogging about different European cities mentioned in the book this month, too, and the "trip itinerary" is listed on my website: http://www.marilynbrant.com, if anyone would like to journey along. :)

3. Did you know the ending of this novel before you started? Do you usually know, or is it a mystery?

Yes, I knew what the ending of this book would be from page one. There were some narrative twists that appeared as I was writing the story that I hadn’t expected at all—things that seemed right for the characters only once I’d gotten to know them a bit better. But as far as big-picture plotting, I wrote my outline for A SUMMER IN EUROPE before I began drafting, complete with all the major turning points. For me, it just works better to have a basic structure laid out, so I do that for all my novels first. I find I have to be able to visualize where the story is headed—both the highs and the lows of the characters’ emotional changes as well as the rising action of the plot development. But these types of outlines are never overly detailed. They’re usually just 15 - 20 sentences, with each one highlighting something important in the story arc. More like an x-ray than a photograph. So, believe me, there's still a LOT I get to discover about the characters and their lives along the way!  4. What do you think readers might be surprised to know about you? This has absolutely nothing to do with writing (which is, perhaps, why it’ll be surprising), but I was a member of a touring dance group in college and spent six weeks dancing through Europe the summer I was 19. We performed at festivals in France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy, and I met some absolutely fascinating people. That experience solidified both my love of travel and my lifelong adoration of the jitterbug. It also greatly aided in my appreciation of European men...LOL. And, of course, a handful of details and short scene or two in my new book were inspired by a few random incidents from that dance tour.

4. On your website you mention that you’ve traveled to 30 countries. Do you have a favorite? Which country, and why?

 Ooooh, this is a tough question. I've always found wonderful places and met fascinating people when I've traveled. I was an exchange student in Australia when I was in high school, and there's just nothing like snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef or holding a koala in your arms... And I took a class in England on the subject my literary idol, Jane Austen, so between that and the amazing theater and the unbelievably delicious Cadbury bars (I'm all about exploring the foreign chocolate), that country is really high on my list, too. But if I could only pick one, I think it would have to be Italy. For me, there is nothing like the magic I found in the city of Venice. I loved it and could barely tear myself away. But I also really enjoyed other parts of the country like Florence (seeing The David and eating gelato there!!) and Rome (getting to visit the "Mouth of Truth" oracle as well as the Colosseum and the Vatican). The "Walk of Love" in the Cinque Terre region along the Riviera coast was so memorable, the Island of Capri was breathtaking and the northern lake district, particularly Lake Como, was stunning, too. Sigh. I start daydreaming of Italy, especially on cold days in December!

What about all of you? What places do you tend to daydream about visiting someday or going back to see? I'd love to know... Wishing Brenda and all of you a very happy holiday season!!

Guest post: Alix Strauss

2011-12-05T10:31:00.010-05:00

I'm so, so excited today because we've got a guest post by one of my favorite writers, Alix Strauss! Alix is smart, funny and talented, and a great writer, to boot. She's reading at Book Revue this Wednesday night with the also fabulously talented Susan Henderson, so I hope you can all make it.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 7pm

Book Revue

313 New York Ave, Huntington, NY

But today, Alix is here talking about her latest novel, Based Upon Availability, and her return to fiction writing. Take it away, Alix!

Returning to fiction is like sitting down and having stiff drinks or strong coffee with an old friend you’ve not seen in years. You miss them deeply, and are so happy to see them, and you can’t believe it’s been so long since you’ve all gotten together.

I wrote my first novel, The Joy of Funerals, in 2003. Last year HarperCollins published my second novel, Based Upon Availability. In between that time and now, I penned two nonfiction books, and so I’ve been looking forward to getting back to a place where one doesn’t need to fact-check, and I can just create the people and situations.

I’m so fascinated by human behavior and the strange, odd and outrageous things people do. And I wanted a place where all of my characters passed by each other, even bleed into each others lives that was very self contained. Based Upon Availability, centers on eight women who pass through the doors of Manhattan’s signature, ultra swanky Four Seasons Hotel—either for an hour, for several days, or number of weeks—offering sanctuary to some, solace to others, and even despair. Here, they grapple with family, sex, power, love and death as they explore the basic need for human connection while seeking to understand themselves better.

Truth be told, I have a love affair with hotels, and I secretly long to live in one. Hotels are sexy and offer a strange kind of mystery, a retreat from real life. I love the idea that you can be anyone from anywhere and that once you’ve check out, the rooms are stripped down, wiped clean and all traces of you are erased, as if you’d never been there. That was an intriguing concept to play with. I wanted to ask and answer the age-old question; ‘what happens behind closed doors’ while examining the walls we put up as we attempt intimacy, and inspecting the ruins when they’re knocked down.

As a travel writer, I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels—some amazing, some, sadly, not so much—and so for Based Upon Availability, I really wanted to bring some of that experience to the page. I wanted the reader to really get a feel for the inner workings of a property while showing the gritty, sometimes dirty, reality of daily life. I spent a lot of time sitting in the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel and stayed in one of the suites. I pretended to be one of the characters—Unlimited Lou, the aging rock star who’s in dire need of detoxing….in fact, she’s brought to the hotel by her publicist to dry out, having failed at the rehab centers. To give it an authentic touch I dangled an unlit cigarette from my lips, slapped on some removable tattoos, brought a bottle of vodka with me—have you seen the prices for a mini bottle of booze?—and played a lot of rock songs I thought the character would like or have written herself. Of course I remained sober for the experience—though I did walk around naked, as the character does, but of course, this may be far more info than anyone wanted to know. . . . Oh, the need to be honest.

I chose the Four Seasons because I’m a fan, mostly because it’s such a signature, classic, and high-end spot for many New Yorkers and out-of-towners, with instant name recognition. It’s also incredibly large with over 350 rooms so there’s a feeling of vastness and anonymity. Hopefully readers won’t have to get on a plane to feel as though they’ve traveled to New York and stayed at the hotel. But rather Based Upon Availability will make them feel as though they have.

How great is Alix?! Come see her read from Based Upon Availability this Wednesday night!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

7pm

Book Revue

313 New York Avenue

Huntington, New York

Things I'm excited about this week

2011-11-21T11:24:00.002-05:00

My week has been made and it's only Monday. The Bluths are back, baby!! It's official. Arrested Development is back again. First as episodes on Netflix, and then as a movie. Arrested Development is my favorite TV show of all time, so I could not be more excited. Every time I watch an episode on re-runs, I'm amazed by how smart and funny this show is (was).

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy working on a third Before Sunrise film. On paper, these movies don't sound like they should work-- two people just walking and talking all night (or day, in the case of the second film), with little to no action-- but they do work. And I can't wait for more!

And this last one really needs no description at all. The. Hunger. Games. The trailer looks every bit as amazing as the book. My only complaint? I can't wait to see this movie, so hurry up and release this, would you?!

Truly so much to be thankful for this week!

Guest blog: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

2011-11-08T08:50:00.000-05:00

I'm so thrilled today because we've got the super-talented Lauren Baratz-Logsted here doing a guest blog! In honor of today's release of her latest book for teens, LITTLE WOMEN AND ME, Lauren's here talking about inspiration for the book.

So, without further ado, take it away, Lauren!

My latest novel, LITTLE WOMEN AND ME, is about a contemporary teen who time-travels into the classic Louisa May Alcott novel, only to discover that in order to get back out again she's going to have to change something pretty major about the book.

I originally got the idea for the book when my daughter and her BFF both read Alcott's original Little Women. They both loved the book - as I did when I was younger - and they also had the same two problems I remember having with it: That Thing That Happens To Beth (so there won't be any spoilers, I put it like that in case there's one person left who doesn't know what That Thing is); and the fact that The Wrong Girl Winds Up Getting The Best Guy. So I decided to write a book in which I set right at least one of those two things.

Re-reading the original in preparation for writing my own twisted version reminded me about all the reasons I loved it as a young girl. There are sisters! Being the only girl of my generation in my family, I always wanted sisters. And those sisters mostly get along! Well, except for that unspeakably evil thing Amy does to Jo and then the intentional-neglect thing Jo does in return that almost kills Amy. And Jo herself! How many female writers are writers because they fell in love with the picture of Jo March, chomping on apples in the garret while penning her stories? Oh, wait a second. It's Jo March's fault I have a career that comes with no guaranteed paycheck or medical benefits. Blast you, Jo March!

Oops, sorry about that little detour there.

Anyway, in addition to finding so much I once loved about the book, there were some surprises. For one thing, LW is a very episodic book - teens today would say that so much in it is random! Then too, there are characters who I loved unreservedly decades ago that now, well, let's just say they can be a bit annoying. But that's part of what made writing LITTLE WOMEN AND ME so much fun: getting to see the book all over again through the eyes of my main character, Emily, who herself is encountering the book more up close and personal than she ever imagined after a few years away from it.

I hope readers will like what I've done.

You can read more about Lauren at www.laurenbaratzlogsted.com.

How did I not know about this?

2011-11-01T06:32:00.000-04:00

Lisa Vanderpump is by far my most favorite of all the Bravo housewives. She says what's on her mind, and in her posh English accent, no less! I love her outfits, I love her husband-- heck, I even like her tiny little doggie. I love her so much that I have actually been on her website. Don't judge me. You know that you just clicked on that link.

So, how on earth did I not know about this!?

After all, I love the 80s. I love Lisa Vanderpump. This combination of the two things is enough to make my head explode!!

High brow, low brow

2011-10-28T06:32:00.000-04:00

So, I love, love, love when my favorite books get turned into movies! Now there are two previews out for adaptations of popular books.

In one corner, we've got Janet Evanovich's plucky Stephanie Plum in One for the Money:

And in the other, we've got Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which is already being talked about as an Oscar contender:

So, which one are you more excited to see?

Free book alert!

2011-10-26T09:19:00.000-04:00

We're giving it away for free! On my group blog, that is. Enter to win a copy of Laura Spinella's BEAUTIFUL DISASTER. Just leave a comment on her blog post by Friday to be entered to win.

Don't say I never gave you anything.

Political drama

2011-10-06T12:59:00.001-04:00

I usually don't talk about politics on this blog much, but there's an issue that I've been wanting to discuss for a really long time now. It's something I feel passionately about, and something that I think you should feel passionate about as well.

Michelle Obama's wardrobe.

Is she the best dressed first lady since Jackie O or what?! New York Mag has this awesome Michelle Obama look book, which I just drool over all the time. I pretty much want everything she ever dresses in. She probably sends J. Crew's sales soaring every time she wears one of their cute sweaters. (Seriously, tho, are you not on J. Crew's website right now looking for that awesome argyle one she just wore gardening?!)

Every American needs to stand for something, and for me, I firmly believe in the First Lady's right to look awesome! Is it just me or are her outfits totally drool worthy?!

Come on over!

2011-05-18T06:52:00.003-04:00

I'm over on my group blog, Girlfriends Book Club, talking about book ideas and how to structure a novel. But wait, there's more! I'm also giving away a free signed copy of JACK WITH A TWIST! What are you waiting for? Come on over right now!

Author interview: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

2011-04-26T07:15:00.006-04:00

We've got a real treat here today because the fabulous Lauren Baratz-Logsted has come to visit! She's here to celebrate the paperback release of her young adult novel, The Education of Bet.

We're going to find out all about the novel, all about Lauren, and all about where she gets her fabulous story ideas! So, what are we waiting for? Here we go:

Tell us about your most recent novel in 30 words or less.
In Victorian England, a teenage girl decides to impersonate a boy in order to get a proper education.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
The Idea Fairy visits me a few times a year. In between visitations, I keep my eyes and ears open but never my mouth - flies might fly in.

What is the inspiration behind this novel?
The classic novel of British boarding-school life, Tom Brown's Schooldays. I wanted to write a - hopefully! - entertaining novel that would also show that the things we take for granted, like a decent education for girls, has by no means always been a given.

When did you first begin writing?
I first got excited about writing when I was 12 but I didn't do anything about it until 20 years later when, at age 32, I walked out on my day job to take a chance on myself as a writer.

What do you think readers might be surprised to know about you?
That I really am as short as I say I am.

What is your advice for those who looking to get their novel published?
Read, read, read everything you can get your hands on, and always remember: the only person who can ever really take you out of the game is you.

Congrats on the latest release!!
Thank you!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by, Lauren! I love the advice about reading a lot if you want to write-- so often I meet people who want to write books, but they don't actually read books! It's so important to know what's out there.

If you haven't already checked out Lauren's latest release, what are you waiting for? You can order it now!

Hooray for Hollywood!!

2011-04-19T19:34:00.002-04:00

I absolutely love movies. But the thing I love more than movies? When they make my favorite books into movies!

And it's been happening a lot lately.

I'm waiting with bated breath for the movie version of Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed, the adaptation of Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants is already getting great buzz, and just today they released a trailer for the movie adapation of Kathryn Stockett's The Help, which combines a few of my favorite things-- literary scandals and Emma Stone! Check them all out below.

The thing making me laugh today

2011-03-29T14:27:00.002-04:00

Dunno why, but I cannot stop laughing at this video. I literally have tears streaming down my face because I was laughing so hard. I really loved The Fighter, and I thought the cast was amazing. This video has very little to do with the movie...

Guest what?

2011-03-24T08:48:00.000-04:00

I'm over on my group blog, Girlfriends Book Club, today talking about beginnings. Go over and check it out!

FREE BOOKS!!!

2010-12-02T08:34:00.008-05:00

Win this book!!

So, did that subject line get your attention?! I'm giving away a free signed copy of JACK WITH A TWIST over on my group blog, Girlfriends Book Club. Check out my blog post and enter to win!

Already have a copy of JACK? That's okay! Enter to win a copy and you can give it to a friend for the holidays. See you over there!

Awesomely awesome

2010-11-29T19:29:00.002-05:00

This is just too hilarious. This is how I feel every time someone approaches me at a cocktail party and asks me to ghost-write their novel. Thanks to Laura Zigman and Allison Winn Scotch for sharing!

I'm not a celebrity, but I play one in this cookbook

2010-10-26T08:00:00.011-04:00

I was so, so honored when I was asked to contribute to the Snap4Kids Celebrity Cookbook. The first thing was, well, I'm not really a celebrity. And the second thing is, well, I don't really cook from recipes. I generally just cook from feel (which explains why every time I cook, things taste slightly different. It also explains why I once made a dish my husband dubbed "foot chicken" since he claimed it smelled like feet. It didn't. It didn't smell good by any means, but I'm not going to go so far as to say it smelled like feet....)

But, I digress. Snap4Kids is a fabulous charity whose mission is to help the families of children with special needs. Which is why they got some real life literary celebrities to help contribute recipes, alongside little old me: Barbara Delinsky, Wendy Corsi Staub, JT Ellison-- aren't you dying to know what they cook at home?!

So, please check out the cookbook and support this wonderful charity. And then let me know if any of the recipes turn out smelling like feet.

Come visit me!

2010-10-11T08:02:00.000-04:00

I'm over at my new group blog today talking about book covers and opening lines. Come visit me over there!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

2010-10-07T08:53:00.001-04:00

Big congrats go out to Michele Cozzens! You're the winner of an ARC of Friday Mornings at Nine! Michele, just shoot me an email at brenda[at]brendajanowitz[dot]com to claim your prize!

Didn't win? That's okay! There's lots more book giveaways coming up in the next few months. Check back here for deets!

Any Keanu is fine with me....

2010-10-05T09:19:00.001-04:00

So, have you seen this whole "Sad Keanu" thing exploding everywhere?! There was this shot taken of Keanu having lunch on a park bench, and lots of peeps out there have been photoshopping it like crazy. He's next to a bunch of bunnies, running with the bulls, you get the picture.

NYMag actually interviewed Keanu and told him about it. He thought it sounded really funny. All the more reason to like Keanu.

My favorite is this meme which even has a song attached to it. Enjoy!

GCC Author Interview and Book Giveaway: Marilyn Brant

2010-09-23T13:35:00.002-04:00

Just because the GCC has a fancy new blog, that doesn't mean that we still won't be touring our fabulous authors! Today I've got the fabulous Marilyn Brant here to chat about her latest. (How great is this cover?!)

But wait! There's more! Marilyn will be giving away a signed copy of an ARC of Friday Mornings at Nine! Just leave a comment below to enter to win!! Don't forget to leave me your info so that I can contact you if you win. Winners will be announced on October 7th.

So, let's all hear from Marilyn!

Q: Tell us about your most recent novel in 30 words or less.
A: Friday Mornings at Nine is a modern fairy tale about three suburban moms who each begin to question whether they’d married the right man or were living the right lives.

Q: Where do you find inspiration for your work?
A: From conversations I overhear, things my friends tell me, funny stuff that happened in my family, incidents I’ve observed out in public, stories I’ve read in books or seen on TV and those endless “what if?” questions writers always ask themselves.

Q: What is the inspiration behind this novel?
A: I’ve talked with a lot of women about their marriages -- and, in some cases, about their affairs. Sometimes these revelations came in the form of random comments thrown out unexpectedly. Other times they were part of well thought out discussions about whether the women in question should or shouldn’t stay married. I met my husband 20 years ago and we’ve been married for almost 18 of those years. I consider us to be happy, but I don’t know anyone who’s been married that long who hasn’t experienced some ups and downs. I think the fortunate couples are the ones who keep choosing to be together and work on their relationships despite all of those years and the inevitable changes. Of course, it takes both people to do that, and it also takes a lot of time and effort. The individuals involved have to want to get to know now these people they married (who may be different creatures than the ones they met a decade or more before), and they need to really pay attention to their own needs and desires, too. Sometimes, in the process of that kind of deep analysis, it turns out there was a profound disconnect somewhere along the line. In some cases, it’s possible to reconnect. In others, not so much. So, essentially, I wanted to write a story about three women who have marital disconnects to some degree that makes them wonder what would have happened if they’d chosen differently. Then I wanted them to finally take the time to examine their lives so they could choose mindfully where to head next.

Q: If they made a movie of this book, who would you cast to portray the characters?
A: I'd love to see this onscreen! (And I’d try to find a way to get Johnny Depp in there somewhere…LOL.) For the main characters, though, I imagine someone like Kate Winslet for Bridget, Calista Flockhart for Jennifer and Kim Cattrall for Tamara. Definitely a cast I'd enjoy seeing together!

Q: When did you first begin writing?
A: I wrote songs and poems and little stories in elementary school, but sixth grade was when the notion of writing professionally first occurred to me. Aside from being on the newspaper and yearbook staff in high school, though, I didn’t take writing seriously until I was about 30. Then, I spent the next several years writing completed manuscripts and submitting them to agents and editors before my fifth one, which was According to Jane, finally sold.

Q: What do you think readers might be surprised to know about you?
A: This has absolutely nothing to do with writing (which is, perhaps, why it’ll be surprising), but I was a member of a touring dance group in college and spent six weeks dancing through Europe the summer I was 19. We performed at festivals in France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy, and I met some absolutely fascinating people. That experience solidified my love of travel, my chocolate addiction and my lifelong adoration of the jitterbug. It also greatly aided in my appreciation of European men...

Q: What is your advice for those who looking to get their novel published?
A: Don’t follow trends just because you think it’ll be an easier sell. And write the books that fit your voice. If what you love writing happens to be a hot-selling genre, great. If your writing voice happens to be perfect for the genre you want to write in and love to read, that’s awesome, too. But -- if not -- write long and hard enough to find what DOES fit you and your style best. Because then, even if it takes longer to make that first sale than you expect, you’re writing the kinds of stories you most enjoy, and that passion has a way of working itself into the projects you’re creating.

Marilyn Brant has been a classroom teacher, a library staff member, a freelance writer and a national book reviewer. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and son, surrounded by towers of books that often threaten to topple over and crush her. A proud member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Marilyn's debut novel featuring "Jane" won the Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart® Award. When not working on her next book, she enjoys traveling, listening to music and finding new desserts to taste test. Readers can visit her website at www.marilynbrant.com.

Is this even possible?!

2010-09-08T13:37:00.000-04:00

I didn't think it was possible, but this video made me love Joseph Gordon-Levitt even more. After seeing him in (500) Days of Summer, I was pretty much smitten, but now after seeing him play guitar and sing (yes, he plays guitar! and sings!!!), I'm pretty much completely in love.

Where have I seen you before?

2010-08-24T10:18:00.044-04:00

As I'm sure you can tell by now, I'm super excited about my new group blog, Girlfriends Book Club.

Last week, Roberta Isleib did a post about what she's been reading and I really enjoyed it, but something really bugged me. I could have sworn that I'd seen the cover art for Maddie Dawson's The Stuff That Never Happened. Gorgeous cover, right?!

It was seriously driving me crazy. So, instead of writing, I googled my morning away, trying to remember which book had the same cover art. Luckily, the smarties over at She reads and reads figured it out for me! Drum roll, please:

It was Jill A. Davis's second novel, Ask Again Later.

What threw me off is was a visit to my bookshelf. When I bought the book, the cover looked like this:

And I do think that the back-of-the-head cover is much, much better. Very evocative and really draws a reader in.

But it brings up an interesting question. Most book covers use stock photos-- to do a whole photo shoot for a book would simply be way too expensive (although in an interview about Girls in Trucks, Katie Crouch said that for her book, they did just that), so it would stand to reason that some books have the same covers. Okay, a lot of books have similar covers.

As a former trademark attorney, I just have to ask: does this create consumer confusion? Am I drawn to The Stuff that Never Happened simply because it reminds me of Ask Again Later, a book I really enjoyed? Probably not, because I think that The Stuff that Never Happened has got a pretty great premise, and that's what's drawing me in, but if you were the authors of the books, how would you feel about this? As an author, I think it would bother me a lot.

And as Karin Gillespie pointed out to me, The Stuff that Never Happened was written by Maddie Dawson, who is really Sandi Kahn Shelton and the copycat cover thing has happened to her before!

Scandal!!

What say you??

Be my guest!!!

2010-08-20T11:06:00.000-04:00

I'm guest blogging today over at my new blog-home-away-from-home, Girlfriends Book Club. I hope you'll check it out-- and tell me all about what you're reading this summer.

Could I be any more excited for this movie?!

2010-08-18T09:45:00.000-04:00

So, I just saw this movie preview and I am completely obsessed. This movie looks funny and clever, and stars Emma Stone from Superbad! Still not convinced this movie will rock? Well, it's also got Dan from Gossip Girl, Courtney Cox's son from Cougartown and one of the vampires from Twilight. As the resident villain: Amanda Bynes. And as parents: Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci. We've even got good usage of Lady Gaga's Pokerface in this preview. Can we really go wrong here?!

If you're still not convinced, check out the trailer.

Still not convinced that this movie will rock?! Then I cannot help you. Clearly your heart is made of stone.

Girlfriends do it together

2010-08-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

So, first there was the amazing GCC: Girlfriends Cyber Circuit. And that pretty much rocked. Author interviews, book giveaways, you name it.

Well, now we've all banded together and created a new blog: Girlfriends Book Club. It's a space where former and new members of the GCC can come together and talk about writing, books, and publishing. So, this will pretty much rock EVEN MORE than the original GCC. (I know, how is that even possible?!)

Needless to say, I'm super excited about this new venture of ours and I hope that you will be, too! I will still be blogging here (I mean, where else can we discuss LOST and the Real Housewives on Bravo?!), but I hope you'll check out my new blog home as well!

I think this just shows my amazing powers of forgiveness

2010-08-12T13:38:00.001-04:00

Okay, so I'm still totally pissed off about the Lost finale, but this is just so, so cool.

I know that my husband will totally want Faraday's journal, and I totally want one of those Driveshaft CDs. I still remember when they had a party scene on Alias and Sydney Bristow opened the door and "You All Everybody" was playing in the background. So awesome.

One question-- where's Charlie's Driveshaft ring? I kind of want that, too.

My new obsession

2010-08-10T13:24:00.000-04:00

Well, you all know that I'm completely obsessed with NYMag.com. But, now I have a new obsession! FunnyorDie.com. Yes, it's been around for a while, but this week, these two videos really cracked me up.

Enjoy!

White Women's Workout - watch more funny videos

Eva Mendes Sex Tape from Eva Mendes

Everyone, check your Bar Mitzvah videos!!

2010-08-05T10:12:00.000-04:00

So, Gawker's got this AMAZING post about Paul Rudd-- seems before he was a big star, he was (wait for it....) a Bar Mitzvah DJ! One of those guys you hire to amp up the party, arrange the games and just generally keep the party moving. In the video clips, he's just as adorable as he is now, and is it just me, or does this look like one rocking Bat Mitzvah he's working?

I think that everyone should go home and check their Bar and Bat Mitzvah videos-- who knows who your entertainment could have been?

Is it weird that this only makes me love Paul Rudd even more?!

Awesomely awesome

2010-08-03T13:39:00.002-04:00

You all know that I love me some Real Housewives on Bravo. Well, if you've been following the Housewives of New Jersey, you know that one of them is in some big financial trouble. I'm assuming that's why she's done this commercial, but really, who cares why she did it? Just watch and enjoy....

Come see me tonight!

2010-07-26T11:09:00.000-04:00

I'll be reading at 7pm at the Summer Gazebo Reading Series. Hope to see you there!

Hanging out on the Village Green

2010-07-23T11:06:00.003-04:00

Hey Long Islanders! If you're out on Long Island, well, first of all, you probably get that song reference I made in the title line. But more importantly, I'll be reading at the Gazebo again this summer! (Yes, on the Village Green in Oceanside!)

I'll be reading as part of the Summer Gazebo Reading Series again this Monday, July 26th at 7pm. Joining me will be the always fabulous Ellen Meister and Saralee Rosenberg, so it should be a great night. I hope to see you there!

Summer beach reads

2010-07-20T06:00:00.003-04:00

I was asked by Long Island Woman magazine to write a review of the summer beach read I'm reading right now. Since I read about a book a week, I picked the book that has been my favorite of the summer so far.

Click here to see which book I picked!

Things I'm obsessed with this week

2010-07-15T14:34:00.002-04:00

So, there are a bunch of things I'm totally obsessed with this week. Instead of just sending email upon email to my husband with the subject heading "How cool is this?!" I figured I'd share with all of you. Because you can only send so many emails to your husband. (And Shawn told me that she's reading my blog again.) So, here goes:

The Old Spice dude
This guy is so hilarious. And totally charismatic. I hope he becomes a huge star. I love his ads. And this viral campaign is just so, so clever.

Ferris Club
Love Ferris Bueller, love Fight Club, so this clip pretty much has it all.

Hawaii 5-0
Could I be any more excited about this?! Jin speaks perfect English!!

NY Mag
Obviously I waste waaaay too much time on this website, but I can't help it! It's awesome!! Damn you, NYMag.com! Stop being so awesome and entertaining!!!

Get patched in!

2010-06-23T19:56:00.003-04:00

So, if you missed me over at the Syosset Library, don't fret! The wonderful Mary Ellen Walsh wrote a fabulous piece about my visit for the Syosset Patch. Check it out here.

And then I hope you'll join me in July, when I'll be reading as part of the Summer Gazebo Reading Series again. I'll be out on the Green on Monday, July 26th, and I hope to be having a better hair day than I was at the Syosset Library (though it's doubtful).

Tonight's the night!

2010-06-16T15:57:00.001-04:00

If you are on Long Island, I'd love it if you came to hear me speak tonight!! I'll be at the Syosset Public Library at 7pm. Hope to see you there!

Come to Long Island!

2010-06-10T10:54:00.001-04:00

Come see me speak at the Syosset Public Library next Wednesday, June 16th at 7pm! You get to see me, hear me read from one of my novels, AND support public libraries, to boot! What could be better?!

I hope to see you there!

Get lost

2010-05-24T18:28:00.004-04:00

So, did you see it?! Did you watch it? Were you like me, waiting for years in anticipation, all culminating in last night's series finale of LOST?! Did you watch all forty-seven hours of LOST-related programming?

Well, I did. And now I feel just like John Locke. For years, I believed. I truly thought that the show creators and writers would wrap the show up and answer all of the questions I've been wondering about for years. (Years!!)

But, instead, the show creators and writers were like the Man in Black: laughing at me, mocking me for my faith. They didn't answer so many of the questions that have been out there for years (Why can't women maintain pregnancies on the island? What was the point of Walt and Michael? And what the heck was with the temple at the beginning of season six?! Feel free to leave your own unanswered questions in the comment section!), and now I just feel like I was a fool to have obsessed about the show for so long.

The only thing that can really make me feel any better right now is a photo of Sawyer with his shirt off, so for old times sake, let's see that one more time:

Yup, I feel better already.

Guest blog: Jenny Gardiner

2010-05-11T16:38:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited today because we've got a guest blogger, Jenny Gardiner. She's a fellow GCCer, but that's not why I'm totally excited-- Jenny is pioneering a new front on the publishing scene. Her latest novel, SLIM TO NONE, will only be released on Amazon Kindle! That's right, you heard correctly: it will not be published on paper! Only digital, baby!

Pretty cool, huh?! It definitely begs the question: is this where publishing is going? I don't know the answer, but let's hear from Jenny! So, without further ado, I give you Jenny Gardiner!

Shortly after I received my Kindle e-reader for my birthday a few months ago, I was reading in bed at midnight, not loving the book I had downloaded, but wanting to continue to read something. So with the magic of my electronic reader, in two minutes' time, I found another book on Amazon, downloaded the thing, and had begun reading it. How cool is that?

Dramatic changes have been underway in the publishing industry in recent years—changes that--combined with a faltering economy--have left traditional publishing in a bit of a tailspin. While the cumbersome infrastructure of the publishing industry is perhaps not quite nimble enough to as easily embrace and adapt to these changes, authors are on their own figuring out how they can achieve their end goal--to reach readers hungry for their work.

I've been fortunate to be teamed up with a literary agent—the wonderful Holly Root—whose agency (The Waxman Agency) is an innovator and has undertaken a bold new program of offering up high-quality books to the reading public via a digital imprint called Diversion Books.

I jumped at the chance to be part of this program because in many ways I am a convert to e-reading and I believe that society is on the cusp of a major shift in how people read books. I've always felt badly that there is a tremendous amount of paper waste with books—that books that don't sell get sent back to the publishers and ultimately destroyed. And as one who has on many occasions found at least three books lurking in the bowels of her purse (which gets heavy!), I love having all of my reading neatly compiled into one small, lightweight and very portable device. And strangely I find I can focus more readily when reading in a public place with an e-reader. Go figure.

I think that as competition increases with the introduction of new e-readers, and prices come down in the near future, soon electronic readers like the Kindle, the Nook, the Sony Reader and the iPad (of which 1 million units were sold in 28 days) will become as commonplace as cell phones (with smart phones already an e-reading option for many).

Are e-books the perfect solution? Not at all. I hate the idea that e-books contribute to marginalizing wonderful independent book stores, and hope that somehow some of the talk—of e-book downloads being available at stores, perhaps, will help to mitigate that. And I hate to sit back and watch layoffs and consolidation in the publishing industry, as really good people, fabulous editors, publicists and artists are squeezed out as the business changes. The music industry experienced these same sea changes and frankly nothing about it is easy. But as the mainstream industry goes more and more toward sure-bet books to the exclusion of the vast mid-list, which is really like the middle class of the writing world, more authors will by necessity seek alternatives to continue to pursue their passion and to reach their readers.

I decided to publish digitally with Diversion Books rather than cold turkey on my own because, alas, I am such a Luddite. Well, not fully. But I am technologically stunted and I don't have the time in my life right now to figure out how to do this on my own, and I am happy to be able to work with such wonderful professionals to collaborate on an end-result we can all be proud of. It's early enough that I can't tell you how the outcome will be, but so far so good and I really just hope I can get the word out to enough e-readers about the book—I do find that those who are early adapters with e-readers are enthusiastic to buy books, which is a good thing for everyone in a market in which so few books are being purchased. And I hope that my readers will be able to access this book.

Of course tangible paper books aren't going to go away, but the convenience of downloading books and carrying literally hundreds of them in such compact form is awfully hard to beat. And I'm thrilled to be at the forefront of such exciting innovations and to be able to offer up a book that I absolutely love and think that you will too.

Many of you may know me as a novelist who was able to successfully market my way into a publishing contract with my first novel, SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER, which was the winner of Dorchester Publishing's American Title III contest a few years ago. Back then I sort of stumbled into the frontier of capitalizing on what would soon become the most comprehensive way to market and publicize books—via networking on the internet.

Since that time, the industry has shifted in none-too-subtle ways as the internet has become an integral part of the publishing picture. So much so that e-publishing, which used to be considered an unconventional means of publication, is clearly being viewed now as the wave of the future. The future is already upon us, and I hope that you will join me in this brave new "frontier" and check out my debut e-novel, SLIM TO NONE, in which Abby Jennings, Manhattan's premier food critic, is outed on Page Six of the New York Post, and to her chagrin she realizes she's too recognizably fat to now remain incognito in her job. Her editor gives her six months to shape up or ship out, and so this ultimate foodie--a woman who is paid to eat for a living--must vastly curtail her eating in order to continue being able to make a living.

SLIM TO NONE is a story near and dear to my heart. Like probably every female out there with a heartbeat and a stomach pooch, I have been on the dieting treadmill since I was oh, born. Well, wait, I guess after I started walking. It was then that I knew I needed to stop cramming down the Froot Loops my mother kept insisting was the only thing I would eat, and instead turn to steel-cut oats direct from Ireland for the best proper nutrition.

Alas, Froot Loops won the day, over and over again. In what seems like an omnipresent dietary smackdown between Brussels sprouts and Fluffernutter sandwiches, the latter prevails every time. And with that has been the roller coaster of dieting and hating to diet and then never having pants that fit and a closet full of awesome clothes collecting dust that I really ought to just purge and give to someone thinner and more deserving, but instead I hold out mournful hope that I again will jam my fat ass into a size 6 pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans (yes, friends, it has been that long).

With that albatross secured snugly around my neck, I decided to tackle the ups and downs of this way of life in a novel—and decided upon a foodie for whom food had to become the enemy. I loved the idea of taking someone who has to eat for a living then not be able to eat in order to continue to be able to eat for a living. Such a quandary! And then of course I wanted to pile her up with all sorts of issues that she has to overcome.

I hope you'll join Abbie on her journey of self-discovery and while you're at it enjoy many of the yummy recipes you'll find within the pages of SLIM TO NONE.

With a strong yet delightfully vulnerable voice, food critic Abbie Jennings embarks on a soulful journey where her love for banana cream pie and disdain for ill-fitting Spanx clash in hilarious and heartbreaking ways. As her body balloons and her personal life crumbles, Abbie must face the pain and secret fears she’s held inside for far too long. I cheered for her the entire way.
--Beth Hoffman, bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Satisfying as a Thanksgiving dinner at Mom's. ... Jenny Gardiner's heroine gives us a sarcastic but provocative look at our love-hate relationship with food. You'll eat this up in one sitting
--Ad Hudler, bestselling author of Househusband and Man of the House

"Jenny Gardiner has done it again - this fun, fast-paced book is a great summer read."
--Sarah Pekkanen, author of The Opposite of Me

Thanks so much for stopping by, Jenny! And for those of you who are interested in checking out SLIM TO NONE, click here to read the first chapter!

GCC Author Interview: April Henry

2010-04-14T16:23:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited today because we've got fellow GCCer April Henry here to chat! She's got a new book out-- HAND OF FATE-- with her co-author, Lis Wiehl, and it sounds super exciting.

Here's what it's about:

When the host of a popular radio talk show is murdered, the suspects almost outnumber his millions of listeners. Outspoken radio talk show host Jim Fate dies he opens a package and releases poisonous gas while his polarizing show, "The Hand of Fate," is on air. In the ensuing panic, police evacuate downtown Portland. Soon the triple threat of FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, crime reporter Cassidy Shaw and Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce begin piecing together the madness, motive, and the mystery that lie behind Fate’s murder. While Lis has worked with Bill O’Reilly for years (often serving as the voice of reason or his liberal foil, depending on your point of view), the character is NO WAY based on O’Reilly.

This is the second in the Triple Threat mystery series, which has been optioned for TV. The first, Hand of Fate, one was on the New York Times bestseller list for four weeks! And in April 2011, readers can look for Heart of Ice, which traces the path of a destruction left by a sociopath - and based on a real-life case Lis prosecuted.

Sounds exciting, doesn't it?! But don't just take my word for it! Here's what Publisher's Weekly had to say about it:

"Exciting... readers will identify with these very real women as they try to uncover Fate's killer, and each battles a personal demon—Allison her fear of miscarriage, Nic her fear of her daughter's criminal father, and Cassidy her prescription drug addiction.”

I'm sold! So, without further ado, let's get to our questions!

When did you first begin writing?

I started writing when I was nine or ten - and Roald Dahl helped me get a story I wrote when I was 12 published. It was about a six-foot tall frog named Herman who loved peanut butter. I’ve since lost the story, but I still have the postcard Dahl sent me. I was convinced we were friends.

What are you working on right now?

The next book in the Triple Threat series, Heart of Ice, has gone through almost all the edits. It’s super scary and based on a real-life case Lis prosecuted. I’m editing The Girl in the Mini Cooper, a YA I wrote that is also based on a real life case about a pizza delivery girl who disappeared.

What are you reading right now?

Before I Fall, a young adult book about a girl who keeps reliving the last day of her life, trying to get it right. It’s a real page turner.

How do you fight writer’s block?

I will work on a different scene that falls later in the book. Sometimes I work on an entirely different book. Or I will just force myself to write crap, because you can edit crap, but you can’t edit nothing. Now that I make my living as a writer, I depend on making my deadline to eat, so that is a big motivator!

How do you usually begin your stories—with a character or with a plot?

It’s usually a plot that first inspires me - then I figure out who would be the most affected by that plot.

Thanks so much for stopping by, April! And I hope you'll all check out her latest release, HAND OF FATE.

All about Ellen....

2010-04-08T11:00:00.000-04:00

We here at Brenda's Blog just love Ellen Meister. We also love entering contests. And we love free stuff. So, what could be better than this: Ellen's giving away a free $25 gift card just for signing up for her mailing list!

Ellen has an exciting new book coming out next year and she wants you to know all about it. It's sure to be her breakout novel, so if you loved her last two books, or just want to discover a new author, you should check this out.

Sign up for her mailing list now and you will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $25 amazon.com gift card.

Just click here, fill out the form, and remember to click through when you get the confirmation email. That's it. Ellen only sends out a few updates a year, so you won't be bombarded. Besides, I think you'll want to hear about her breakthrough novel, THE OTHER LIFE (Putnam/2011), which is already getting great early buzz:

"Gripping! A truly fascinating story of love, loss, and a magical place in between."
–Beth Harbison, New York Times bestselling author of HOPE IN A JAR

"Intriguing, stimulating, original, unpredictable, frightening, utterly engaging--THE OTHER LIFE reminded me why I love to read. Ellen Meister is a writer with a limitless future."
–Michael Palmer, New York Times bestselling author of THE SECOND OPINION and THE LAST SURGEON

"In her riveting breakthrough novel, THE OTHER LIFE, gifted storyteller Ellen Meister doesn’t just peek in on a young mother who straddles between love and doubt, she blows it open with a story of one who straddles two parallel universes, each with its own perilous decisions. It is a brave and honest exploration of the precarious limits of motherhood that will make readers wonder if Meister followed them with a probe and felt their racing hearts and hopes. If you have ever second guessed the biggest decisions of your life (and who hasn’t), THE OTHER LIFE is a captivating homage to the question, does love conquer all?"
–Saralee Rosenberg, author of DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD and FATE AND MS. FORTUNE

"Ellen Meister makes a big leap toward the literary in THE OTHER LIFE, a book where “What if” becomes the most powerful question in the world. This is the thinking woman’s beach read, a love story to the modern family, written with a deep and lovely understanding of mothers and daughters and the sacrifices they’ll make for each other."
–Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING

"THE OTHER LIFE is a provocative and unique tale of the road not taken. Ellen Meister puts a magical, masterful spin on one of my favorite questions: "What if?" What if you took both roads? You won't want to miss this one!"

–Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author of THE GIRL WHO CHASED THE MOON

"I loved this emotional powerhouse of a novel that asks a daring “what if…” and manages to be as charming and funny as it is thoughtful and moving. Brava, Ellen Meister!”
–Melissa Senate, author of SEE JANE DATE and THE SECRET OF JOY

The funniest thing about all of these fabulous blurbs is that I am reading THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING as we speak! Seriously. You can even check out my goodreads page!

Anyhoo, I hope you all enter to win the contest. I'm heading over there now!

So lost....

2010-04-02T11:00:00.001-04:00

Last week there were two completely hilarious videos about Lost. The only problem is: I can't decide which one is funnier.

On the one hand, the montage of Sawyer saying "Son of a bitch" over and over again is just so classic. It starts out really funny, then gets to where you just sort of smile at each moment, then it just isn't funny anymore, but then wait: because it gets totally hilarious again.

On the other hand, the ode to Richard Alpert has some really classic lines. Clearly, I need to integrate "you wear the hell out of a button down" into my regular parlance.

And the bonus of each video is that they BOTH feature Lost hotties!!! So, as you watch, you get to stare at some of the best man-candy Lost has to offer.

I guess you could say it's a win-win.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

2010-03-31T11:00:00.000-04:00

Big congrats go out to Linda Kish! You've won a copy of PURE PRINCESS, BARTERED BRIDE by Caitlin Crews! Just shoot me an email at brenda[at]brendajanowitz[dot]com to claim your prize!

Not a winner this time around? That's okay! I give lots of books away all the time, so check back in a few days for my next big giveaway!

Girlfriends rocking out....

2010-03-26T12:35:00.001-04:00

The fabulous Sheila Curran (who you may remember as a member of the Girlfriends Cyber Circuit) is celebrating the paperback release of her novel EVERYONE SHE LOVED. But more importantly, she's also celebrating the fact that she's successfully fought cancer and won. Now that's something to celebrate!

Check out her blog entry about her amazing journey here, and then by all means, run out and get your copy of EVERYONE SHE LOVED!

Hey girl!

2010-03-23T11:00:00.003-04:00

I'm being interviewed today on Girlhabits, a blog devoted to "finding your inner star." Well, who wouldn't want to do that?! The interview is all about chasing your dreams and changing careers.

Check out my interview here!

GCC Author Interview: Jenny Gardiner

2010-03-19T10:00:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited today, because we've got the lovely Jenny Gardiner here to chat! She's here to tell us all about her latest release, WINGING IT, and it sounds like a total delight. Jenny's clearly got a way with titles, because this one is a winner, just like her first book, SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER.

Take it away, Jenny!

Tell us about your most recent novel in 25 words or less.

Winging It: Think David Sedaris meets Marley & Me, with a deadly beak.

When did you first begin writing?
I've always been a writer--ever since I knew I sucked at math (around 2nd grade) so needed a Plan B. I studied journalism and worked in radio/tv/print, then worked in PR, so writing has been my trade. But I didn't start to view myself as a writer until I started writing again a few years back after being a stay-at-home mom for a good long while. And I realized I finally had in me the seasoning to actually write something more substantial than reportage on someone else's life. The first time I resumed writing at all, I was bumming out that due to a severe drought (with water usage cut by 50%), we'd have no Christmas parties that year (who could invite 100 people to your house to drink lots of liquids, but then not let them use your bathroom? Impossible!). So I wrote a funny piece about this, sold it to a regional publication, and was duly deluded into thinking getting published was a snap.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I am constantly inspired from everything around me. I hear stories that seem so outlandish and then I think of ways I can rework them with a plot and some goals and motivation and conflict and make a book out of them. Sometimes just a sentence intrigues me enough to write a book (which was the case with my first book, Sleeping with Ward Cleaver--I'd jokingly said that about some guy, that he'd be like sleeping with Ward Cleaver, and the phrase stuck with me and sounded like such a fun book title).

What tips would you offer to aspiring writers?

I think besides honing your writing skills and educating yourself about the industry, I think the most essential thing for any writer is to believe in yourself. You need to be able to believe in yourself when you think not another soul on the planet does. Because otherwise you will struggle to persevere in this business--it's a tough business with a lot of downs and sometimes not as many ups. But if you know you're a damned good writer, then tell yourself that all the time. And if you need to be reminded of it, go back and read something you've written, and surprise yourself with how good a writer you are. And remember to write because you love to write, not because of external forces that are making it an unenjoyable practice.

Do a quick character study on yourself: don’t forget to add in the fun stuff, like favorite foods and things you love/hate!

Hmmm...I think I'm actually a study in contrasts. I am organized in an amazingly disorganized way. I am friendly, outgoing, helpful, fun. I am the one who spearheads the party, who organizes the get-together, the one who stays in touch or gets in touch again after 20 years. I can hold a grudge probably too long, but will equally hold someone upon a pedestal who has been particularly kind or thoughtful. I'm super sarcastic, yet bizarrely pollyanna at times. I'm really tough and determined, but sometimes plagued with self-doubt. I have a gift for retaining extremely useless information and would be fabulous on Jeopardy, except that I'd always forget to begin my answer with an interrogative. I remember useless nonsense but then forget really important things.

I wish I could be a vegetarian, but I don't care for many vegetables. I wish I had more self-discipline, but hey, don't we all? I am crazy about milk chocolate with almonds, and adore banana cream pie. I love to cook, love good wine, traveling is what I would do if I had time and money, and I'd also continue to study Italian if I had the time to do so.

Thanks so much for swinging by, Jenny! Don't forget to rush out and pick up a copy of Jenny's latest, WINGING IT.

Book giveaway: Pure Princess, Bartered Bride by Caitlin Crews

2010-03-17T10:00:00.003-04:00

Caitlin Crews is back!! First, you heard her talk all about her secret identity, and now she's back to give away a copy of her latest release which debuted on the USA Today bestseller list, PURE PRINCESS, BARTERED BRIDE.

To enter to win a signed copy, just leave a comment below! Winners will be announced on March 31st!

My secret identity

2010-03-15T10:00:00.003-04:00

If the title of this blog post makes you think of Jerry O'Connell, you're not alone.

But today we're talking about a different secret identity! Last week on my blog I introduced you to the talented Megan Crane. She's the one with the secret identity. Okay, well, it's not really quite so secret since we're talking about it here and most of her readers know about it, but.... Well, just go with me here!

Megan writes under her own name, but she also writes under a pseudonym! How cool is that?! Well, I thought it was super cool, so I asked Megan to blog about it!

So, without further ado, let's hear from Megan:

I've always wanted a secret identity.

Who wouldn't? I remember watching Alias and thinking it would be pretty cool to be Sydney Bristow--especially with that yummy Michael Vaughn trailing along with her on her adventures--because taking on all those new identities looked like a blast.

Also, I'm a Gemini, so I guess I was always destined to have an alter-ego.

When I decided to see if I could write a romance novel, I had no idea that anything would come of it. I just knew that romances were my most favorite books in the world. I hoard them. I read my favorites over and over, and can spend whole afternoons in book stores with good romance sections, browsing for new authors to love, cherish, and follow slavishly. Though I'd written for years and sold a few books, I didn't think I could write a romance novel.

They're so *hard,* you see.

Think about it: when you pick up a romance novel and read the back cover, you know at once who the heroine is and who her hero is. Which means you also know that those two will end up together in the end, happily ever after. That's what a romance novel offers: a happy ending, no matter what. So your job as a writer is to tell a story that everyone already knows the ending to, in such a way as to keep the reader entertained, hopefully making them worry and fret and forget to breathe because *how* can it possibly all work out... and then making that happily ever after ending ring true. Pulling that off is the art of the romance novel.

You'll have to tell me if I succeeded!

But when the book was finished and Harlequin actually bought it--the culmination of a life long dream!--it seemed like the perfect opportunity to create a new identity for these books. After all, a Harlequin Presents, so richly layered and emotionally intense and starkly passionate, is a very different sort of book than the others I write. I thought it made sense to make sure up front that no one thought they were getting one form of my writing when they'd be getting the other--and so Caitlin Crews was born.

So far, I quite like her. She hit the USA Today bestseller list with her debut book, has two more set to come out this year (Majesty, Mistress...Missing Heir will be out in May in the UK and October in North America; Katrakis's Last Mistress will be out in September in the UK), and really should be working on her latest one *as we speak.* In comparison, my usual identity feels like a little bit of a slacker.

You can't really ask for more from a not-so-secret identity!

No, you can't! Thanks so much for stopping by, Megan! But wait, there's more! Megan has generously offered to give away a copy of one of her romance novels! Er, one of Caitlin's, I should say. But, anyway, you get the point: a free signed book!! Check back in a few days for deets!!

More winners!!!

2010-03-11T10:00:00.002-05:00

Big congrats go out to Booksnyc! She's won a signed copy of Megan Crane's EVERYONE ELSE'S GIRL! Just shoot me an email (brenda[at]brendajanowitz[dot]com) with your contact info, and we'll get a signed copy of the book out to you!

Didn't win? That's okay! Megan's alter ego, Caitlin Crews, will be giving away a copy of her latest release in a few days. Check back for deets!!

So handsome

2010-03-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

This Jimmy Kimmel video is just too hilarious to accurately describe in words. It's long-- almost 10 minutes-- but I promise you it is beyond hysterical. Be careful watching it at work because you Will. Laugh. Out. Loud!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

2010-03-08T10:00:00.002-05:00

Big congrats go out to Kaye-- you've won a copy of Hank Phillippi Ryan's DRIVE TIME! Just shoot me an email (brenda[at]brendajanowitz[dot]com) with your contact info, and we'll get a signed copy of the book out to you!

Not a winner this time around? That's okay! There are still a few days left to enter to win Megan Crane's EVERYONE ELSE'S GIRL! Enter to win today!!

Better than Disney!!

2010-03-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

Okay, I know that the subject line is totally sacrilegious, BUT- New York Mag is reporting that there are talks to create a LOST theme park!!!

And, anyhoo, it's not that bad to say that it would be better than Disney, because Disney actually owns the rights to LOST.

So, basically, Disney + LOST = greatest thing ever. Only, how will they accurately depict Sawyer's hotness once they convert him into animatronics?! Only time will tell.....

Only a few days left to win!!

2010-03-03T17:07:00.001-05:00

Only a few days left to enter to win a copy of Hank Phillippi Ryan's DRIVE TIME!!! Deets on how to enter to win are at the bottom of this post.

She's a total rock star!!

2010-03-01T06:00:00.005-05:00

So, I know we all use the expression "you're a rock star!" all the time, but one of my girls from the Girlfriends Cyber Circuit really is one now!!!

The fabulous Wendy Nelson Tokunaga just recorded a video that is a companion piece to her novel, LOVE IN TRANSLATION. The book features a Japanese song called "The Wishing Star," and Wendy wrote that song!! Her hubby then composed the music, and voila!

Check out Wendy belting it out-- in JAPANESE, no less!-- here:

GCC Author Interview and book giveaway: Megan Crane

2010-02-25T06:00:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited today because the wonderful and prolific Megan Crane has stopped by to chat! And it gets even better-- she's going to be giving away a free signed book!! Deets on how to enter to win are at the bottom of this post.

Megan's here today to tell us all about her latest novel, Everyone Else's Girl. We're celebrating it's UK release, but you can also buy it in the US! (And enter to win it at the bottom of this post....)

What more do I have to tell you about this book other than the fact that goddess writer Meg Cabot said: "Megan Crane rules! Cancel your evening plans: You won't want to stop reading until you've devoured every delicious word."

And if Meg Cabot says that Megan rules, then clearly she does.

So, without further ado, let's hear from Megan!

Tell us about your most recent novel in 25 words or less.

Everyone Else's Girl is the story of Meredith, who must learn to grow up while stuck in her childhood home.

When did you first begin writing?

I've been writing as long as I can remember. My first work was an epic tale called "Casey of Petsy" about a talking horse. I was in the first grade. I wrote the story on construction paper with my crayons, and then provided the illustrations. Once I stopped trying to be an artist, I think the writing really started to take off.

What are you working on right now?

I'm working on my fifteenth novel, which is a romance. I'm pretty excited about it--but less excited about the looming deadline!

[nb: Fifteenth!!! Wow! Megan, you are SUCH an inspiration to us other writers out there!!]

How do you fight writer’s block?

I find that a fearless inventory of my bills usually motivates me pretty quickly. But seriously, I can't have writer's block with so many deadlines. So if I hit a wall, it's usually because I don't know my characters well enough, or have tried to do something in the story that isn't organic. So I back up and try again.

What tips would you offer to aspiring writers?

Just write. All the advice in the world won't amount to much until you get those words on paper. You can do it!

Thanks so much for stopping by, Megan! This was so great-- and inspirational! If you can write fifteen books, maybe I can write a third! Or even do the laundry this week. Next time I don't want to do the laundry, I will think: Megan has written fifteen books and STILL does her laundry! What's your excuse??

Megan, you do your own laundry, right?

Anyhoo, let's get to the contest! If you want to enter to win a copy of Megan's latest, Everyone Else's Girl, just leave a comment below. Winners will be announced on March 11.

And don't forget to stock up on all of her older titles, too!

GCC Author Interview and book giveaway: Hank Phillippi Ryan

2010-02-22T06:00:00.002-05:00

She's back! Hank Phillippi Ryan has visited us here before, and today she's back with a new book, DRIVE TIME, and even better still, a BOOK GIVEAWAY!!! Deets on how to enter to win are at the bottom of this post.

Wanna know all about Hank?! Here goes:

Award-winning investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan is on the air at Boston's NBC affiliate. Her work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in restitution. Along with her 26 EMMYs, Hank’s won dozens of other journalism honors. She's been a radio reporter, a legislative aide in the United States Senate and an editorial assistant at Rolling Stone Magazine working with Hunter S. Thompson.

Her first mystery, the best-selling PRIME TIME, won the Agatha for Best First Novel. It was also was a double RITA nominee for Best First Book and Best Romantic Suspense Novel, and a Reviewers' Choice Award Winner. FACE TIME and the new AIR TIME are IMBA bestsellers. DRIVE TIME, February 2010 from MIRA Books, just earned a starred review from Library Journal. Hank is on the national board of Mystery Writers of America.

And the latest news on Hank? Her novel AIR TIME was just nominated for an AGATHA for Best Novel of 2009 and her short story "On the House" was also nominated--for the AGATHA for Best Short Story of 2009!

Wow! Hank totally rocks!! So, without further ado, let's get to the questions!

Tell us about your recent novel.

DRIVE TIME is about secrets. TV reporter Charlie McNally’s working on a story about a dangerous scheme that could absolutely happen…and let me just say, if you own a car, or rent a car, you’ll never look at your vehicle the same way after reading DRIVE TIME. In fact, after writing the book, I now get a bit creeped out when I go into a parking garage. That’s all I‘ll say.

Charlie’s also drawn into another frightening situation—this one at the prep school where her fiancé is an English professor. When Charlie learns a secret that might put her step-daughter-to-be in danger, and might also be an blockbuster investigative story—how does she balance her loyalty to her husband-to-be—with her need to protect the public?

So this is a tough one for Charlie. And she must make many life-changing decisions. Just when she begins to think she might be able to have it all—a terrific career and a new husband and a new life--revenge, extortion and murder may bring it all to a crashing halt.

DRIVE TIME just got a fabulous starred review from Library Journal. Just a snippet of the rave: “Placing Ryan in the same league as Lisa Scottoline…her latest book catapults the reader into the fast lane and doesn't relent until the story careens to a stop. New readers will speed to get her earlier books, and diehard fans will hope for another installment."

And dear Robert B. Parker’s quote is on the cover—he says “I loved DRIVE TIME!”

Growing up, did you ever think you’d be an investigative reporter?

Definitely—not. You know, I have a funny juxtaposition of desire to be in the spotlight—and sheer terror of being in the spotlight. I love my job in TV—and have to go live and unrehearsed al the time. Confession: I’m still terrified every time. I want to be perfect, and when you’re on live, you can’t possibly be. That’s one reason why I love investigative reporting—there’s more time to work, and dig, and polish, and produce, It’s like making a little movie, and I can make it as perfect as possible.

Anyway, my sisters and I used to create musical shows when we were all young, and perform for our parents in our back yard. I did acting in high school and college. I wanted to be a DJ on the radio for a long time! But I thought I would be an English teacher, or a lawyer for the Mine Workers union, or for awhile, a political activist.

(My mother, though, says she always knew I would be a television reporter—but I think that was just her way of rationalizing that all I did as a pre-teen and teenager was read books and watch TV.)

I knew from my first Nancy Drew that I loved mysteries. Nancy was my first best friend—I was a geeky unpopular kid, and it was such a relief to go home and hang out with Nancy. She was smart, and made it be okay to be smart. She was confident and inquisitive and resourceful. I loved that. But being a TV reporter was not in my sights. Little did I know!

How did you get started in that type of journalism?

I got into TV by chance. I had worked as a radio reporter (hired because, as I informed the radio station, they didn’t have any women working at the station! Hey. It was the seventies.) But after a few years working in Washington DC (on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide and then for Rolling Stone Magazine,) Rolling Stone closed its Washington office and I needed a new job.

I went back home to Indianapolis, and applied for a job as a TV reporter. It was 1975. I had covered politics in Washington, and the news director of the station figured he could teach me to be a TV reporter. (This was incredibly risky—I had never taken journalism and didn’t know one thing about TV. But I wasn’t afraid and I knew I could do it.)

Problem was, I should have been afraid! I quickly learned I had no idea what I was doing. I went home every night for the first two weeks, sobbing. Because I thought I would never understand it. Soon after—it hit me--oh, I get it! And I have adored it ever since. I took a chance, and found my calling.

I started as the political reporter (and was also the movie reviewer, of all things! At age 26.) At various times I’ve been the medical reporter, a weekend anchor, and an on the road feature reporter. When I came to Boston, I was the funny feature reporter--cat shows, sports features, poems, and anything quirky or funny. They used to call me “something out of nothing productions,” because I could find a story in anything.

But starting in 1988, I covered the presidential election, doing long elaborate think pieces. It was terrific. And then I told my news director I didn’t want to be the funny one anymore. I wanted to be the serious one. And from that day on, I've been the investigative reporter.

And I love it every day.

How did the character of Charlotte ‘Charlie’ McNally come about?

What a great question. I have NO idea. She was born when I got a weird spam in my email. It was what looked like lines from a play by Shakespeare. I thought--why would someone send a spam like that? And it crossed my mind--maybe it's a secret message.

I still get goose bumps telling you about it. And I knew, after all those years of wanting to write a mystery, that was my plot. And that turned out to be the Agatha-winning PRIME TIME. But Charlie? Well, I knew I had a good story, but who would tell it? A television reporter, of course. And she just instantly popped into my head. Named, fully formed. I knew her perfectly.

The other characters were more difficult to get to know. But now, Charlie surprises me a lot! And I love when that happens.

Is she anything like you? Has she ever done anything you wouldn’t do to get your story?

When my husband talks about Charlie, he calls her “you.” As in—when “you” are held at gunpoint, when you track down the bad guys, when you solve the mystery… and I have to remind him, “Sweetheart, it’s fiction. It didn’t really happen.”

But a couple of things: I’ve been a TV reporter for more than 30 years. (Yes, really.) And so it would be silly, in writing a mystery about TV, not to use my own experiences. Think about it—as a TV reporter, you can never be wrong! Never be one minute late. Never choose the wrong word or miscalculate. You can never have a bad hair day, because it’ll be seen by millions of people! It’s high-stakes and high-stress—literally, people’s lives at stake--and I really wanted to convey that in the books.

And everything that TV people do and say in the books is authentic and genuine. (Of course, Charlie can say things I can’t say, and reveal things I can’t reveal.) We’re both devoted journalists, and over-focused on our jobs.

But Charlotte McNally is different, too. She’s single—I’m happily married. She’s ten years younger than I am, and so is facing different choices and dilemmas. She’s braver than I am, certainly. Funnier. And a much better driver.

Any plans to write a non Charlotte McNally novel?

Yup. Absolutely. It's in the works. You heard it here first.

We can't wait!! Thanks so much for stopping by, Hank! If you'd like to enter to win a copy of Hank's latest, DRIVE TIME, just leave a comment below and you're entered to win! The winner will be announced in two weeks. US entrants only, please.

I just can't resist a bargain....

2010-02-17T14:49:00.004-05:00

JACK WITH A TWIST is on sale over at Amazon.com! Now's the time to pick up that copy you never bought or buy some copies for your friends and family! Needless to say, a book makes a great birthday gift/ belated Valentine's Day gift/ early Mother's Day gift/ hostess gift/ I think you get the idea....

If you buy your copy at Amazon, just shoot me the email confirmation (email me at brenda[at]brendajanowitz[dot]com) and I'll send over a JACK WITH A TWIST bookmark for each book that you buy!

Did I mention that it makes a great gift?!

Chick Lit.... Plus!

2010-02-15T06:00:00.004-05:00

There's a new website out on the chick lit landscape and it's got a little something extra. Thus, it's name: Chick Lit Plus!

Check out my new interview with Chick Lit Plus! We talk about books, writing, and even Hawaii! What could be better than that?!

GCC Author Interview: Judi Fennell

2010-02-04T14:24:00.000-05:00

Today we've got a return guest! It's Judi Fennell, from the Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit! She's here today to discuss CATCH OF A LIFETIME, the third in her Mer series.

What people are saying about Judi's work:

"Fennell's got detailed worldbuilding, creative secondary characters and an impressive use of mythology in this great read. While this title is part of a series, it works well as a stand-alone. Angel and Logan are both incredibly textured characters.

-RT BookReview Magazine 4 Stars

"Judi Fennell has extraordinary imagination and has certainly used it in creating this exciting and colorful story. Her characters are wonderful."

Fresh Fiction

About Judi:

Judi Fennell has had her nose in a book and her head in some celestial realm all her life, including those early years when her mom would exhort her to “get outside!” instead of watching Bewitched or I Dream of Jeannie on television. So she did--right into Dad’s hammock with her Nancy Drew books.

These days she’s more likely to have her nose in her laptop and her head (and the rest of her body) at her favorite bookstore, but she’s still reading, whether it be her latest manuscript or friends’ books.

A three-time finalist in online contests, Judi has enjoyed the reader feedback she’s received and would love to hear what you think about her Mer series. Check out her website at www.JudiFennell.com for excerpts, reviews and fun pictures from reader and writer conferences, and the chance to “dive in” to her stories.

And of course, there's a contest!!

To celebrate the release of each of her books, Judi Fennell and the Atlantis Inn (www.AtlantisInn.com) and the Hibiscus House (www.HibiscusHouse.com) bed and breakfasts are raffling off three romantic beach getaway weekends. All information is on Judi's website, www.JudiFennell.com

Phew! That was all a mouthful!! Let's get to the questions:

Tell us about your most recent novel in 25 words or less.

In Catch of a Lifetime, Angel Tritone, Mer princess, wants Humans to protect the Earth, but the last person Logan Hardington needs is a mermaid.

When did you first begin writing?

First grade is the one I can remember. It's a story about a raindrop falling from the sky and mixing with her friends in a giant puddle and floating out to sea together. Hmmm, guess I had a sea theme even then.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

For the third story in my Mer series, I wanted something completely different. In In Over Her Head, I had a Human going into the sea and discovering Mers. In Wild Blue Under, I had a Mer coming on land. This one mixes it up some, with both the Mer and the Human being fish out of the water.

What are you working on right now?

I just turned in the first book in my new series about genies and am working on the second. I Dream of Genies comes out January 2011..

What are you reading right now?

My RITA books, so I can't give you the names since that's against the rules of the contest. I will say I love discovering new authors whose work I wouldn't normally read. That's one of the best parts of judging the RITAs.

How do you fight writer's block?

I mud wrestle with the muse. :) Seriously, I have to push through. Sometimes I'll take some time off and write blog posts, or read, but mostly I skip the scene that's giving me fits and work on another one.

If your book were to become a movie, who would you cast?

Jessica Alba as Angel and Hugh Jackman as Logan. Anytime Hugh takes off his shirt is a good movie, imo.

[Judi, me too!]

What is your favorite part of writing?

Seeing the characters take over my keyboard. Least favorite? When they don't and you have to really focus to get the words on the paper.

What tips would you offer to aspiring writers?

Enter contests and get feedback. Listen to it, even if you don't agree; it's someone else's perspective of your work and what you might unknowingly be portraying. A new perspective never hurts, if just to reinforce why you wrote/did what you did.

How do you usually begin your stories with a character or with a plot?

I've found, especially now that I've started another series, that because I have to tie the books together, the characters take shape first, mainly because I usually refer to them in books other than "their" book. The tough part can be molding a story around what I've already created.

Do a quick character study on yourself: don't forget to add in the fun stuff, like favorite foods and things you love/hate!

My brain works quicker than I can write, so the voice recorder feature on my iPhone is invaluable. I love gadgetry and have now decided that roughing it - which used to mean a cabin in the woods with no electricity, now means a motel without room service. I need my internet.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Judi! I hope that you will all check out Judi's latest, CATCH OF A LIFETIME.

The mother of all save the dates....

2010-01-24T21:38:00.003-05:00

This truly needs to be seen to be believed. NY Mag reports on a new trend in weddings: the video save the date announcement.

I have no clue whether or not this thing is for real, but it just doesn't matter. Do yourself a favor and set aside four minutes (yes, it is *four* minutes long!) and watch this. I promise your mouth will drop to the ground.

It's the ultimate!

2010-01-05T13:42:00.003-05:00

I'm so thrilled to announce that SCOT ON THE ROCKS made Chick Lit Club's Ultimate 100! It's a list of the ultimate 100 chick lit books, the books that help "define chick lit." Check out the list to see how many you've read. And a big thank you to everyone who voted for SCOT!

What a wonderful way to start the new year!

Christmas comes early!!!

2009-12-09T18:15:00.002-05:00

There are just no words for this. Except for the fact that this song will now be stuck in my head for another three weeks....

GCC Author interview: Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

2009-12-03T20:34:00.001-05:00

And the touring continues!!!

Today, we've got the fabulous Wendy Nelson Tokunaga here to chat. You may remember her from about a year ago when she came by to chat about her debut novel, MIDORI BY MOONLIGHT. Well, now she's back! And we get to her all about her latest novel, LOVE IN TRANSLATION.

So, without further ado, let's hear from Wendy!

Tell us about Love in Translation in 25 words or less.

An American woman finds herself unexpectedly in Japan to search for a long lost relative who could reveal the identity of the father she never knew.

When did you first begin writing?

I didn’t start writing fiction until my early 40s when I started a job as a technical writer. Many of my colleagues were writing fiction on the side and I joined in. One thing led to another and then I decided to take a creative writing course at a community college—that was when I first started writing short stories. I got a few published and that led to me starting to write novels, but it took a long time to get one published.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Japan and Japanese culture have been a big impact on my writing because they have been important in my life. I lived in Japan for a while and ended up marrying a Japanese man. In college I studied the Japanese language.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on my third novel, which ironically has very little to do about Japan.

What is your favorite part of writing? Least favorite?

My favorite is the revision process: reworking rough material until it’s just right. My least favorite part is writing that rough material!

What tips would you offer to aspiring writers?

Spend time on learning your craft and practicing writing. Don’t be in such a hurry to publish. Find good readers and consultants who can give you honest, constructive feedback on your manuscript and who can help you know when it’s ready to be sent out.

Do a quick character study on yourself:

Favorite white wine: Chardonnay

Favorite red wine: Pinot Noir

Pet Peeve: People who write “loose” when they mean “lose”

Favorite beauty item: flat iron

Favorite places to buy clothes: Anthropologie and H&M

Top Bookstores: Books Inc. (San Francisco Bay Area), Book Passage (Corte Madera, CA)

Dream job: Real estate agent with her own show on HGTV

Favorite cities: Paris, San Francisco, New York, Laguna Beach

Favorite TV shows: Mad Men, 30 Rock, Modern Family

Most hated food: Any kind of beans (except jelly)

Favorite sushi: chirashi

More winners!!!

2009-12-01T15:03:00.002-05:00

Big congrats go out to Llehn-- you've won a copy of Melissa Senate's THE SECRET OF JOY! Just shoot me an email (brenda[at]brendajanowitz[dot]com) with your contact info, and we'll get a signed copy of the book out to you!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

2009-11-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

Big congrats go out to Lisa-- you've won a copy of Jessica Brody's LOVE UNDER COVER! Just shoot me an email (brenda[at]brendajanowitz[dot]com) with your contact info, and we'll get a signed copy of the book out to you!

Not a winner? That's okay! There's still time to enter and win Melissa Senate's THE SECRET OF JOY. So, what are you waiting for? Enter now!

GCC Author interview and book giveaway: Melissa Senate

2009-11-17T13:24:00.001-05:00

Today we've got the lovely and talented Melissa Senate here to chat! You may know her from any one of her previous seven novels (yes! seven!), including her debut, SEE JANE DATE, which was turned into a TV movie (go Melissa!), but today, you're going to hear all about her latest novel, THE SECRET OF JOY.

And, it gets even better: Melissa will be giving away a signed copy of THE SECRET OF JOY! Deets on how to enter are at the bottom of the post.

THE SECRET OF JOY asks the question: what would you do if you discovered you had a half-sister you never knew existed? The book's been getting amazing buzz so far....

"The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate opened my heart, made me laugh, cry, and smile all at the same time. A don't-miss read!" –New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips

"A wonderfully heartfelt story about hope, possibilities and the yearning for real connections. Senate's latest will take you on a much needed vacation, while sneaking vital life lessons in when you're not looking." –Caprice Crane

Kinda makes you want to run out and buy it right this very second, doesn't it?! But before you run out to the store, let's have a little chat with Melissa first!

Tell us about your most recent novel in 25 words or less.

A 28-year-old New Yorker discovers she has a half-sister she never knew existed. Off she goes to a small Maine town to find her.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I use my own life—but flip everything so that just the nugget of the idea is autobiographical. A serial dater working in publishing in NYC—check. A woman who gets pregnant two months into a new relationship—check. Planning a wedding that isn’t what you expected—check. Half-sibling you’ve never met contacting you out of the blue—check!

How do you fight writer’s block?

Best cure I’ve found is to sleep on it, to let whatever is stuck work itself out deep in my subconscious. I often wake up at the crack of dawn with the answer. Another good trick is to take a long walk alone, no iPOD. Just you, the wind and your thoughts.

What is your favorite part of writing? Least favorite?

My favorite part is when I understand my characters so well that the writing feels effortless (even though it never is). My least favorite is the dreaded first draft, which always makes me doubt myself!

What tips would you offer to aspiring writers?

Believe in yourself! Trust your gut—it knows more than you may think it does.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Melissa! And now for the book giveaway! If you want to be entered to win a signed copy of THE SECRET OF JOY, just leave a comment below! The winner will be announced on December 1st.