Conversations With Famous Writers

CindyREADS

2011-02-05T18:57:00.000-05:00

Please go to:

http://cindyreads.com/

for books and authors!

CindyREADS

2010-04-18T14:30:00.000-04:00

***New Site***

all fabulous books, all amazing authors!

Please come over here-

http://cindyreads.wordpress.com/

to learn about new books, fabulous authors and publishing news!

A continuation of Conversations with Famous Writers and Page to Reel....

http://cindyreads.wordpress.com/

2008-10-03T15:56:00.001-04:00

Join me at my NEW BLOG here

www.page2reel.com

www.page2reel.com
www.page2reel.com

Stolen Innocence

2008-09-29T17:22:00.004-04:00

When I find a subject that interests me and I will read a bunch of books in a short amount of time on that subject. In this case, its all of the FLDS polygamous sect stories. I just read Escape by Carolyn Jessop and wanted to learn a little more.

I finished Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall this weekend. It was quite a stunning read. At age fourteen, Elissa was forced to marry her twenty year old cousin. As if that's not bad enough, she was told to submit to him "mind, body and soul." Despite her begging and pleading to the men responsible for this union, she was made to go through with this and there was little anyone could do to help. If her mother or sisters spoke out on her behalf, they would be in deep trouble. Everything has to go through the father or husband. Women must submit and not speak out in disagreement. These women live in fear and are made to "keep sweet" in other words, don't cause any trouble.

This teenage girl never learned about sex or how babies were made so she went into this marriage completely ignorant of her own body. This is just the beginning of Elissa's struggles. The belief system of the FLDS seems so crazy to us in the outside world. What they are taught, the way to salvation, is beyond what we can imagine. Warren Jeffs took an already strange religion and made it unbearable. You must read the book to gain an understanding of this sect.

From the publisher:

In September 2007, a packed courtroom in St. George, Utah, sat hushed as Elissa Wall, the star witness against polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs, gave captivating testimony of how Jeffs forced her to marry her first cousin at age fourteen. This harrowing and vivid account proved to be the most compelling evidence against Jeffs, showing the harsh realities of this closed community and the lengths to which Jeffs went in order to control the sect's women.

Congrats to author Julie Buxbaum

2008-09-25T15:27:00.002-04:00

Anne Hathaway has signed on to star in 20th Century Fox’s "The Opposite of Love" – based on the bestselling debut novel by Julie Buxbaum.

Variety reports the movie will be produced by Tapestry Films ("Wedding Crashers"). Fox picked up the screen rights to the book in June and has signed Kara Holden to pen the script.
Hathaway will handle the role of a commitment-phobic attorney who turns down her boyfriend’s marriage proposal as her life starts to fall apart. source

Congrats to Julie who must be beyond thrilled with Anne Hathaway in the lead role! I am so excited for my author friends whose books are being turned into movies. Way to go writers!!

A must read...coming soon

2008-09-25T14:59:00.003-04:00

Did you read The Friday Night Knitting Club? If you didn't, then get to the bookstore and buy a copy. I read it in a day. Maybe not one day but close. I know I stayed up late in bed reading, using the sheets as a tissue as tears streamed down my face. It was so good.

And now Kate Jacobs is coming out with a sequel! This thrills me to no end. When I find an author I enjoy reading, I want to get my hands on every thing this person has ever written.

Knit Two returns to the Manhattan knitting store Walker and Daughter five years after the death of its owner, Georgia Walker. Georgia's daughter Dakota is now an eighteen-year-old freshman at NYU, running the store part-time with the help of the members of the Friday Night Knitting Club. Drawn together by their love for Dakota and the sense of family the club provides, all the knitters are struggling with new challenges.

I will post an excerpt from the first chapter soon so check back!

Revolutionary Road

2008-09-25T14:30:00.002-04:00

I'd love to know the scoop behind this book- to- screen adaptation. Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates was published in 1961 and is now a movie starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo diCaprio. Its their first on screen pairing since that little movie ten years ago...something about a small boat sinking?

Here's a synopsis taken from Amazon.com:

April and Frank Wheeler are a young, ostensibly thriving couple living with their two children in a prosperous Connecticut suburb in the mid-1950s. However, like the characters in John Updike's similarly themed Couples, the self-assured exterior masks a creeping frustration at their inability to feel fulfilled in their relationships or careers. Frank is mired in a well-paying but boring office job and April is a housewife still mourning the demise of her hoped-for acting career. Determined to identify themselves as superior to the mediocre sprawl of suburbanites who surround them, they decide to move to France where they will be better able to develop their true artistic sensibilities, free of the consumerist demands of capitalist America. As their relationship deteriorates into an endless cycle of squabbling, jealousy and recriminations, their trip and their dreams of self-fulfillment are thrown into jeopardy.

I'd like to read the book and see the movie. Here's a trailer from the film. Even though its set in the 50's, the story of being unsatisfied in marriage, work and life will surely resonate with today's audience.

Five Minutes with Maggie

2008-09-24T17:49:00.002-04:00

The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story

Marian Henley's memoir, The Shiniest Jewel, captures the true depth of love within a family. The memoir traces Henley's own journey of trying to adopt a baby from a Russian orphanage. That central storyline is placed within the context of the growth of her own romantic relationship and of her aging father's illness. However, Henley's book is different from any other that I've read. Instead of a straightforward memoir, the book is actually illustrated, just like a comic strip in the Sunday paper. Unlike a comic strip, though, the book is almost 200 pages long and the story is incredibly eloquent.

The illustrations that accompany the story add a compelling visual element that strengthens the writing. Because of the story's format, the book is a very fast read; I read the book cover-to-cover in a couple hours. The message of strength and love within a family, though, sticks with you long after you've finished the book.

Here is your PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

2008-09-18T20:00:00.004-04:00

I've been to a few lukewarm writers events in the past but this sounds well worth your time if you are an aspiring writer. Publishers Weekly is awesome and Wally Lamb, what I wouldn't give to hear words of wisdom from him. Did you read She's Come Undone? A must read for all book loving women (and some men). Its in New York....Washington Square...oh I miss the city.

In a full-day seminar, experts from Publishers Weekly will guide aspiring writers through everything they need to know about the business of getting their books published. With the help of top agents, authors, editors and marketing professionals, PW will show writers the way to get published. The seminar will take place on Monday, September 22nd at the NYU Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012 from 9 AM to 6 PM.

The seminar's keynote speaker is Wally Lamb, the New York Times bestselling author and two-time Oprah Book Club pick, whose work includes I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE, SHE'S COME UNDONE and THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED (Harper, November 11, 2008). Each attendee will receive a complimentary copy of I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE.

The program includes:
-Continental breakfast
-Welcome remarks from Sara Nelson, editor-in-chief of PW and Andrea Chambers, director of the Center for Publishing, NYU
-Keynote address from Wally Lamb
-The Nuts and Bolts of Publishing panel
-Lunch and networking
-Agent/Author/Editor Relationship panel

Attendees will also attend two breakout sessions in the afternoon for more interactive discussions; each track will be repeated twice. Breakout session topics include:-Alternative Publishing-Marketing & Publicity-Writing for the Children's and Young Adult Market

The day will conclude with an on-site Cocktail Reception

More information on the panelists, breakout sessions and details on cost and registration can be found online at: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pub101.
NYU students can receive a 50% discount.

The most interesting news of your day

2008-09-17T16:46:00.005-04:00

Not for nothing but I've been at this writing thing for a long, long time. I wrote my first children's book when I was a teenager and kept a notebook full of short stories from the time I could hold a pencil in my hand. My first non-paying job was writing book reviews at the local library; I was six.

So when I read the following news of Lauren Conrad's book deal (via Publishers Lunch), well, I couldn't help but feel a wee bit of what-- envy? jealousy? disbelief? If only I had made it on to Survivor (the only reality show I've ever tried out for and my husband nearly fell over imagining me in the wilderness, without a blowdryer) ... if only I had the chance to be on a reality show, then perhaps I'd be a famous author now. Here's the news on her deal:

Star of MTV's reality show The Hills, Lauren Conrad has a three-book YA series LA CANDY, loosely inspired by her own transformation from ordinary teen to reality TV darling and fashion designer, about a girl who moves to LA and unexpectedly stars in a reality show, finding wealth, famous friends, fabulous clothes, and romance -- as well as the darker realization that everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it appears to be.

Just wondering if there will be characters in the book named Speidi and Hencer? You might also be interested- and if you're not, just keep reading anyway- to learn that Candace Bushnell is coming out with a book about Carrie Bradshaw's highschool years. I think it was called Square Pegs? According to US Weekly: "I've always been interested in exploring Carrie's teenage years," Bushnell said in a statement. "Carrie in high school did not follow the crowd - she led it. It was there that she began observing and commenting on the social scene." The novel, part of a two-book deal, is due for global publication in fall 2010.

Made in the USA

2008-09-16T17:26:00.003-04:00

I was introduced to Billie Letts by Oprah many years ago. Not formally introduced of course, wouldn't that be something? But I read Where The Heart Is and watched the author on Oprah. And I saw the movie because I not only loved the book but liked the pairing of Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman on the big screen. Here is a link to the trailer in case you never saw the film or need your memory refreshed.

Since then I've read all of Billie's novels which have been few and far between. Some authors bust out a book every year like clockwork. Not Billie. Since Where The Heart Is back in '96, she's written The Honk and Holler Opening Soon, Shoot the Moon and now Made in the USA.

Here is the premise of Made in the USA: Lutie McFee's history has taught her to avoid attachments...to people, to places, and to almost everything. With her mother long dead and her father long gone to find his fortune in Las Vegas, 15-year-old Lutie lives in the god-forsaken town of Spearfish, South Dakota with her twelve-year-old brother, Fate, and Floy Satterfield, the 300-pound ex-girlfriend of her father. While Lutie shoplifts for kicks, Fate spends most of his time reading, watching weird TV shows and worrying about global warming and the endangerment of pandas. As if their life is not dismal enough, one day, while shopping in their local Wal-Mart, Floy keels over and the two motherless kids are suddenly faced with the choice of becoming wards of the state or hightailing it out of town in Floy's old Pontiac. Choosing the latter, they head off to Las Vegas in search of a father who has no known address, no phone number and, clearly, no interest in the kids he left behind. source

I thought the book was fast paced, easy to read and enjoyable. Made in the USA provided me with a decent story, characters to root for an a happy ending. I kept imagining the book as a movie which will probably happen. Is Dakota Fanning available?

Robert Reece, Screenwriter

2008-09-16T16:38:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited- soon I will have a new name for my website, a new look to it and more information for you to peruse. My new goal is to continue writing about books and interviewing authors but I wanted a new name that would encompass my love and passion for screenwriting and movies based on books.

Screenwriters are a hard breed to pin down for an interview. Whereas novelists seem willing and ready to send a book, do an interview, call in for a book group, screenwriters are a bit tricky. That's been my experience. I'd love to be able to feature some screenwriters and learn a bit more on what makes these creative minds tick. I don't know how much luck I will have with that endeavor but we'll see.

Do not fear, there will still be books galore! Reading is my passion, my hobby and it's in my blood. If you love books, you know what I mean. Never a day goes by with out reading a few chapters.

Robert Reece is a screenwriter who I am in regular contact with. At the time I was doubting my writing career, (I love writing novels but really the agent search was getting me down) I was looking into taking classes to become a certified yoga teacher. A friend of mine told me about a screenwriting class taught by Robert and I signed up, letting yoga fall by the wayside. So interested and excited by the class, I began mapping out a screenplay and I found myself consumed with the whole process. The challenge of constructing a scene, building dialogue...its what I dreamed of my whole life, truly. Thanks to Robert, my screenwriting journey began when it did.

Robert Reece's most recent piece of work is the Disney movie, Little Mermaid, Ariel's Beginning. Imagine creating the animated world of Ariel and her cohorts, not to mention the prestige of being a writer for Disney. Here is a wonderful interview with him I wanted to share it. Let his words inspire and encourage you.

Stay tuned.

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

2008-09-12T15:36:00.002-04:00

Here's a comedy that looks like it might be worth the price of admission and an extra large bucket of popcorn with butter. How to Lose Friends and Alienate People is based on the book by Toby Young and stars Simon Pegg who you might know from Hot Fuzz.

The official synopsis reads:

In this hilariously funny fish-out-of-water tale, "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People" tracks the outrageous escapades of Sidney Young (Simon Pegg), a smalltime, bumbling, British celebrity journalist who is hired by an upscale magazine in New York City. In spectacular fashion Sidney enters high society and burns bridges with bosses, peers and superstars.

and you can take a look at the trailer here: http://www.how2losefriends.com/

If you rather read the book, here's the amazon link.

Books are almost always better than films because there is more detail, more action, and character descriptions. A screenwriter cannot possibly include everything in the movie version. But some people don't like to read- I can't even imagine that- and will see the movie rather than read the book. Either way, books being turned into movies are really big right now and I hope to feature as many as I possibly can.

Escape by Carolyn Jessop

2008-09-11T16:43:00.004-04:00

Merril Jessop surrounded by his wives. He went on to marry several more women and father many children.

I picked up Escape by Carolyn Jessop not sure of what to expect. I didn't know anything about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints before reading this harrowing story of a life marked by repeated abuse, violence and fear. A while back I read that Katherine Heigl had optioned the book for film, intending to play Carolyn Jessop. I love when books are made into movies and if done right, this could be an Oscar winner.

I began reading Escape and within a day I was so wrapped up in Carolyn's memoir that I didn't want it to end. Thank goodness I knew the outcome or I would have had to read the ending halfway through the book. How anyone could live through what Carolyn did is nothing short of amazing and shows how tough the human spirit can be.

Born into a polygamous family, eighteen year old Carolyn was married off to Merril Jessop, a man thirty two years her senior already married to three women. For the next seventeen years Carolyn endured Merril's abuse and abuse from his wife Barbara. Having eight children in fifteen years, Carolyn often would use sex as a way to receive preferential treatment from Merril. He frequently lorded his power over his wives and children and if Carolyn or the other wives dared to have a thought of their own that wasn't in accordance with Merril, they were accused of being rebellious and would receive a punishment. Believe me when I tell you there is much more to this way of life than what I can describe here.

The life that Carolyn led was nothing short of unbelievable. If you're born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints brought up on their doctrines, then you know no differently. My heart breaks for the emotionally abused women who will never know freedom of choice, who won't fall in love or get a good education.

After years of fear and intimidation, living without happiness, joy or affection, Carolyn fled with her children and after quite a battle, ultimately won custody of her children. But the road to her freedom was long, tough and scary.

I highly recommend this book. I was sad to see it end but thrilled that Carolyn is living a life where she can exercise her own free will and afford her children every comfort we often take for granted.

Next on my list of books to read is Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall. And then I am on to some happy stories! Click here to read a piece of Carolyn's book and below is a youtube clip of her.

Book Titles

2008-09-07T14:39:00.003-04:00

Do you ever chose books based on their titles? Every time I begin a writing project, I try to think of a catchy title. It's more difficult than you might think. A Thousand Dollars for a Kiss, my own book, is not about being paid for sex or kisses, its referencing a Marilyn Monroe quote. But people have their own idea of what the book is about and sometimes I think I should have given the novel a different title, but what?

Amy Bloom's short story collection titled A Blind Man Could See How Much I Love You is such an attention grabber, dramatic and fierce. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner evokes a sadness of maybe lost love, a life filled with regret? And Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro just sounds like its going to unfold like an intense love story. Broken for You came out years ago and I've been wanting to read it ever since I saw a woman in the airport with it, based soley on the title. She's Come Undone- another great title, intriguing. Who is she and why has she come undone? Wonder When You'll Miss Me, a must read novel and a fabulous title.

I am anxious to read this book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society but keep forgetting the title because its so long and I don't know how exactly to pronounce Guernsey. My friend Gayle Brandeis wrote a book titled The Book of Dead Birds. It is not necessarily about dead birds. Its about a mother and a daughter but the title leads you to believe otherwise. Book titles can draw us in, they can lead us to imagine where the pages inside will bring us and they can trick the mind with a play on words. They can be poetic or short, descriptive or blunt. As you wouldn't judge a book by its cover, we shouldn't judge a book by its title either.

Books to read this fall...and a movie

2008-09-03T15:56:00.004-04:00

There are so many good books to read. I really want to get into watching Gossip Girl because I hear so many positive reviews of the show but that would take up my precious reading time! I love to read at night, its my way to unwind. If I dont get at least an hour of reading in per day, I feel like something is missing. At this moment, I am reading about Alice Waters and Chez Panisse. Its one of the best restaurants in the country and this woman is someone I'd love to meet. If you havent heard of her, google her name and read all about her.

The books I want to read include the above, Walking The Rainbow. Its about AIDS so I know it won't be a happy book about unicorns and rainbows, but an emotional read.

Others on my shelf include:

The Tsar's Dwarf
Interred With Their Bones
A Summer Affair
The Triumph of Deborah
Cathedral of the Sea

And if you havent read Nights in Rodanthe, get to your library or bookstore and pick it up. I generally avoid Nicholas Sparks because he makes me cry, I mean his stories make me cry, but the movie is coming out soon and I plan on seeing it. Nothing like a good chick flick with Diane Lane to make me sit with a buttery bowl of popcorn and shed a few tears.

And that love song that plays? Its called Love Remains by Gavin Rossdale, from his great album, Wanderlust.

A note from Stephenie Meyer...

2008-09-02T16:41:00.002-04:00

I just read this on my newsletter from Publisher's Marketplace. I know there are jillions of Stephenie Meyer and Twilight fans out there so you will want to read it. Shame on the people who ruined Midnight Sun for the rest of us!

Stephenie Meyer Abandons Final Twilight Book after Internet Leak
Author of this year's biggest release Stephenie Meyer surprised her fans by posting on her web site that her "partial draft of Midnight Sun was illegally posted on the Internet and has since been virally distributed without my knowledge or permission or the knowledge or permission of my publisher"--and as a result, she has put the new manuscript "on hold indefinitely."

Meyer writes: "My first feeling was that there was no way to continue. Writing isn't like math; in math, two plus two always equals four no matter what your mood is like. With writing, the way you feel changes everything. If I tried to write Midnight Sun now, in my current frame of mind, James would probably win and all the Cullens would die, which wouldn't dovetail too well with the original story. In any case, I feel too sad about what has happened to continue working on Midnight Sun, and so it is on hold indefinitely."Saying "I'd rather my fans not read this version of Midnight Sun" and noting that it was "only an incomplete draft; the writing is messy and flawed and full of mistakes," Meyer decided to post what she has written on her site. "This way, my readers don't have to feel they have to make a sacrifice to stay honest. I hope this fragment gives you further insight into Edward's head and adds a new dimension to the Twilight story. That's what inspired me to write it in the first place."

Meyer tells fans "I have a good idea of how the leak happened as there were very few copies of Midnight Sun that left my possession and each was unique." While underscoring that it "the manuscript that was illegally distributed on the Internet was given to trusted individuals for a good purpose" she still "believe[s] that there was no malicious intent with the initial distribution."

But she emphasizes: "I think it is important for everybody to understand that what happened was a huge violation of my rights as an author, not to mention me as a human being. As the author of the Twilight Saga, I control the copyright and it is up to the owner of the copyright to decide when the books should be made public; this is the same for musicians and filmmakers. Just because someone buys a book or movie or song, or gets a download off the Internet, doesn't mean that they own the right to reproduce and distribute it. Unfortunately, with the Internet, it is easy for people to obtain and share items that do not legally belong to them. No matter how this is done, it is still dishonest. This has been a very upsetting experience for me, but I hope it will at least leave my fans with a better understanding of copyright and the importance of artistic control."

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

2008-08-31T15:40:00.005-04:00

I've been spelling her name wrong all this time. It's Stephenie with an E not an A! With that out of the way, I can tell you that I finished the last book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn. In the beginning of the summer, as I wrote before, I was hesitant to read Twilight. Vampires? No. I'm not into it. I never even saw Interview with a Vampire. But once I read about Bella and Edward....I admit I was hooked. Is it the fact that Bella feels she never fit in with the rest of her classmates? Was it the forbidden love between Bella and handsome vampire Edward? Whatever spell Stephenie put on me, I was under it.

I eagerly devoured -no pun intended really- the next two books and along with millions of other fans, anxiously awaited the release of Breaking Dawn. I had my own expectations and thoughts of how Bella, Edward and Jacob would end up. I read this enormous novel quickly and so did many of my friends- and millions of other fans. Stephenie ties all loose ends up and there is no question of how Bella and Edward's lives will continue.

This series has been compared to Harry Potter and with good reason. Even a reluctant reader as myself was enveloped in her writing. Fans of all ages are enjoying these books, millions of boys and girls alike are getting into them. Stephenie weaves a touching and romantic love story with intrigue and mystery and vampires. It's a recipe for success and movies. The Twilight film will be out in November. Its a franchise just like Harry Potter. Expect Bella and Edward costumes for Halloween this year. And have you seen Team Edward and Team Jacob tee shirts? There are so many websites dedicated to these books that you can be kept busy for days reading them.

I highly recommend all four books in the Twilight series and if you are looking for some well written stories to read, get to Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble and buy yourself all four books. Once you read one, you need to know what happens in the rest. You don't want to be left hanging. Kudos to Stephenie Meyer for creating this empire and allowing us to escape into another world.

Goddess Leonie

2008-08-30T16:34:00.003-04:00

Through the brilliant and lovely Christine Mason Miller, I found a link to Goddess Leonie and was immediately impressed with her art and positive spirit. Here's the thing-- if you had told me years ago that I would be actively pursuing my dream as a novelist and screenwriter, I might have not believed you. Its a really big hurdle to get over- becoming a successful screenwriter, writing books that people read. I am inclined towards seeing the glass as half empty most days. I hear the odds, like one in 500,000 writers will get their screenplay optioned and how can I not get frustrated?

So thats why people like Christine and SARK and now Goddess Leonie are so important. Who knows what little flicker of a flame these creatively inspirational ladies will ignite in you? I've learned that the key to almost everything from health to relationships to career is a positive attitude.

I copied down this list from Goddess Leonie's site below. Here is the link to her website. Read it!

10 Ways To Fly Beyond Creative Dream Frustrations & Fears

1. Let's play a little game I like to call Poignant Perspective. Inside you, there is a whole world of brilliance and beauty. Imagine the incredible inner terrain that is you: the great oceans of love, the mountains of achievements small and massive already made, the fields of wildflowers singing your name, the rose gardens dedicated to you in your honour.This whole big amazing world inside you. Try not to focus all of your attention on the little overgrow lot that needs some tending to. Remember, there is a whole world of rainbow beauty inside you.

2. Write yourself an ancient love letter. Imagine you have long, silky grey hair, whispy, in a braid. In your eyes, there sparkles a kind of wisdom, joy and compassion that can only be found after eighty years on this dear planet. Imagine this precious part of your self, remembering you as you were, smiling gently, sending you love back across the distance. Let this graceful, gorgeous Grand-Mother guide your hand, and write you a letter of all the things you need to know & remember.

3. Comparing is So Last Millenium BabyDearheart, you were born on one special moment, one incredible day, one amazing year. Nobody knows the breaths you have taken, all the steps of your journey you have taken since the first. Yes, you are the rarest mosaic of all - a rich & incandescent tapestry enwoven with all the love, lessons & life only you can know & share. Rare tapestries are not meant to be compared in a flea-market-of-the-soul dearheart, and neither are you.

4. Trust in the Universe Baby, it's got a big & beautiful plan for you so majestic & wide that you can't even dream it right now. Trust. All will be well. You are loved. All will be well.

5. Expand your vision of reality Those five words have been swimming about in my head for a while now, reminding me:Expand. E x p a n d . E x p a n d. Expand your vision of what is possible. What is not true for you, is true for others, and it can be yours if you want it. Sit in silence, and feel the parameters of your brain. Take a deep breath in, and widen the space your mind inhabits. Widen and expand until you know that what you desire is absolutely, unequivocally possible.Inhabit a new world of Possibility.

6. Check-in at the Creative Dream Lost Baggage Counter Use the moment of blah, of blankness, of silence to check-in with your creative dream. Is it exactly what you want? Is your current dream the truest expression of your gifts?This is one my love reminds me of often. I'll be telling him how frustrated I am and he'll say simply: "Is this what you really want? Is this what you were born to do? If there was only one thing you could do with the rest of your life, what would it be?"

7. Whose thoughts are the most important?Are you waiting for the outside world to approve of you or your dream?Does it matter more what others think of you & your dreams, or is it you?Meditate for 100 breaths. See what you find inside.

8. A Plan For The Journey Forward Do a business plan - but not just a business plan. A plan for your greatest soul's desire. A map towards your truest heart's expression & your dream lifestyle.Plan it. Put it out there in the universe. And find out the path forward, seeing the trail on your newly defined map.

9. Time To Be Held Hold your dog/cat/bird/animal/mama earth. Let them love you, and remind you of every single way you are perfect.

10. Everything You Need, You Have Don't take this list for gospel. Right your own. Your own divine, wise, brave wisdom is the Gospel for your life. Inside you is an incredible Goddess, waiting to help you along your way. What does she want to say to you?All the answers you need are already inside. Write your very own list of Creative Dream Flight. You are the best expert on you. You are a Goddess. What do you want to say to the world?

Five Minutes with Maggie- Ordinary Sparkling Moments

2008-08-28T19:47:00.005-04:00

Ordinary Sparkling Moments: Reflections on Success and Contentment by Christine Mason Miller (www.christinemasonmiller.com)

What does it mean to live authentically? Must you be a painter, a sculptor, or a poet to be creative? How do you find the wisdom in ordinary moments? Artist Christine Mason Miller poses these questions, among many others, in her book Ordinary Sparkling Moments: Reflections on Success and Contentment. She challenges her readers to identify those moments that are extraordinary in our everyday lives, and she shares moments from her ordinary life – while washing her dishes, for example – that she recognized to be profound and extraordinary.

Throughout the book, Christine's honesty and openness create a connection, a tie with the reader. The story is almost her autobiography – tracing her artistic roots through her successes and set backs – but there are profound nuggets of inspiration woven into her story.

Though the book is about personal growth, Christine doesn't instruct on how to live an authentic life; she carefully asks how you live authentically. She explores big themes: family, friendship, fulfilling our wildest dreams, overcoming setbacks. She asks: What do you value? What do you wish for? How do you manifest those things in your everyday, ordinary, and extraordinary life?
Beyond the story, each page, from the front to the back cover, is a splash of colorful inspiration. The mix of printed text with handwritten passages is like a visual playground with a mix of postcards, old photographs, new photographs, bits and scraps of colorful paper, and oodles of colorful designs. The book feels personal, like a glimpse into the artist's own journal or scrapbook. This darling little book is a must-read. It's a lovely bit of fuel for the creative fire, and though it's fairly short, it's packed full of inspiration, authenticity, and creativity. -Maggie Marton

Cindy's note: The sound of this book reminds me of SARK. I love anything that will inspire my creativity and give me a sense of contentment and peace, especially through art. I need a little kick in the pants once in a while, a book to keep me on track with positive thinking and working toward my goals. This is a must-read. I'm headed over to her site right now to buy it.

A note...

2008-08-26T21:41:00.002-04:00

Just letting you know that my computer was taken over by a deadly virus- I explain it all on www.hellodollface.com

Its going to take me a day or two to get my bearings and download some new things and work on this new computer. So consider yourself warned - the XP Anti-Virus 2008 will kill your computer forever!

Five Minutes with Maggie...

2008-08-22T15:39:00.001-04:00

The Bible Salesman tells the tale of twenty-year-old Henry Dampier, an adorably naïve and diligent boy who travels the South after World War II selling bibles door-to-door. Along the way he crosses paths with Preston Clearwater, a slick criminal who looks a little like Clark Gable and wins over Henry through a series of lies: he works for the FBI, he needs an assistant, he's breaking up a car-theft ring, can Henry drive? Excited by the possibility of being a real live G-man, Henry tags along and assists Clearwater while selling Bibles on the side. Along the way, we meet an eclectic mix of Southern characters, including a love interest for Henry, a roadside fruit stand girl named Marleen Green.

This story is as touching as it is humorous. Henry is loveable and trustworthy, and throughout the book, you can't help but smile and shake your head at his mistakes and triumphs. The book is broken up into sections that alternate between Henry's present – his adventures with Clearwater – and his religious upbringing. Peppered throughout the book are Bible passages that young Henry tries to decipher. His ongoing analysis of Biblical passages adds an extra hilarious, insightful layer that demonstrates the true depth of Henry's character.

Edgerton's stylistic writing captures the vibe of the post-war South. The dialogue especially evokes the dusty roads that traversed the South, in an era where men wore suits and hats, women did their chores in housedresses, and twenty-year-old boys were wide open to possibilities and the mysteries of love.--Maggie Marton

Karen McCullah Lutz, The House Bunny

2008-08-14T15:13:00.007-04:00

I love a good comedy. And when I see a movie written by Karen McCullah Lutz and her writing partner Kirsten Smith, I know it's going to be hilarious. I'm really looking forward to seeing The House Bunny. I have high expectations that I'm going to have cramps from laughing so hard.

Karen so kindly answered my interview questions...I always like to learn from those who are experts and Karen is a very accomplished screenwriter as well as a novelist. Plus she's from New Jersey which makes her super cool. Just don't tell her a fart joke.

Comedy is so subjective but you seem to nail it. How do you approach the comedic elements in your films? You are downright funny whereas some writers are just slapsticky or their brand of humor is for teenage boys.

I think you just have to be inherently funny. It's a hard thing to learn if you're not. I've seen people try and it's not pretty. But it's all about what you think is amusing. If you're trying to write dick jokes and you hate dick jokes, they're not going to be funny. Which is why I refuse to write fart jokes. Farting is not funny to me. I'm not saying i didn't laugh in 9th grade when Mike Kicinski farted during algebra -- I'm just saying that's the last time I think I laughed at someone farting.

I think what's important is to look for the opportunities for the funniest things your character can do, while still being true to her/himself and the funniest situations you can put those characters in.

The House Bunny looks great. I want to know how long it took to write the screenplay and what happened after you were finished it. Does the screenplay go out to actresses or producers?

The House Bunny took a few months to figure out the pitch and then about four months to write. Anna Faris pitched us the character -- a Playboy Bunny who's been kicked out of the Mansion, and then we spent a couple months figuring out where that character went from there and what the story was. We had another script idea about a house mother at a sorority and we were sitting in the lobby of the L'Hermitage Hotel when it occurred to me to wed the two ideas.

I blurted it out to Kirsten (my writing partner) and my manager Seth, and immediately, we knew we had the movie. We took it out as a pitch with Anna in the room with us doing lines we had written for her, and it sold to Happy Madison (Adam Sandler's production company) and Paramount. Paramount decided not to make it because they didn't have enough room on their slate for this summer, so Happy Madison immediately took it to Sony and got them to greenlight it.

I know your fans have been anxiously awaiting the movie version of your book, The Bachelorette Party. What's the scoop?

I'm confident that "The Bachelorette Party" will get made this year. I've got two studios who want to put it in production right away. It's just a matter of getting it back in turnaround from Fox where it was originally set up. This movie is going to be so fun to make, I'm worried that I will cease functioning as a normal human being while it's in production.

We all know what a director does but tell me how producing works. Can a screenwriter be brought on board to produce?

I'm only interested in producing what I write. But yes, often times screenwriters are brought in to supervise younger writers and break the story with them, and then are given producer credit.

Do you attend the premieres of your movies?

Yes, I go to all of my premieres. And Kirsten and I usually have an opening night party for all of our friends, because sadly, writers never get a lot of tickets to the premiere.

I read something about most movies are geared towards the male demographic. (just look at the summer films being released, where are the chick flicks?) Apparently producers don't think females go to the movies! Sex and the City proved that theory wrong. What are your thoughts?

Yes, I think it's definitely wrong to assume that only men go to movies. If that were true, I'd be living in a box under the freeway overpass. So cleary, that is an absurd thesis.

Do you ever worry that you will run out of ideas? Do you feel nervous about beginning a new project?

No, I am confident that I will never run out of ideas. I have far more ideas than time to write them, sadly. In fact, that's how I usually know that someone will never make it as a writer --when they ask me how to get ideas. If you don't have them, don't write. Go be an accountant.

If you're a creative person, ideas will burst out of you. You won't be able to stop them. You will find ideas in every painting you see, every conversation you have, every song you hear, every job you've had, every past life you've led, every love affair you have -- it's endless. Ideas are the easy part. Writing them down into a coherent script is the hard work. It cracks me up when some random yahoo says to me, "I have a great idea, you write it and we'll split the money". I literally want to smack those people. It takes ten seconds to come up with an idea. They're not getting half my paycheck for that. Are they high?

I have a thousand ideas for scripts sitting in files in my office. I probably only have 60 or so more years to live and I plan to be living on a vineyard in Tuscany for the last 30 of them, so uh, sorry crazy people, I don't need your ideas, nor will I give you money for them. I only wish I could stop spending three hours a day answering email, because then I would have more time to write, but i'm an email addict and that's never going to change.

What are some of the best and worst movies you've seen in 2008? And do you find that you are a harsh judge of films because of your screenwriting background?

Best and Worst Movies of 2008: Loved "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guanatanomo Bay" laughed my ass off. Am so jealous that i did not come up with the "jam out with your clam out" line. that made me spit out my soda.

"Stepbrothers" was kind of funny, fifteen minutes of solid laughs.

There was one comedy i really hated, but i can't name it for fear of alienating people I like.

I liked "Sex in the City" for the most part, but was a bit thrown that the biggest laugh in the movie was about Charlotte shitting her pants. Seemed beneath the franchise in some way. Scatalogical humor has never really amused me.

Did Semi-Pro come out in 2008? I was not a fan of that.

And yes, sometimes being a writer does ruin a movie for me, because I'm rewriting it in my head while I'm watching it if I don't enjoy what I'm seeing. Or else I can predict exactly where they're going, because I'm used to the plotting mechanism and know what studios want.

You and I are from the same small town area in New Jersey. Ever want to go back, have you been to your highschool reunions? Might I add that the Jonas brothers and Tara Reid also hail from Bergen County.

Yes, I did go to my 20th high school reunion. I went to Indian Hills High School in Oakland, NJ -- a very small town in Bergen County -- suburb to NYC -- and I worked in Wycoff at the local McDonald's. Our reunion was at the Radison in Paramus, right across the street from Paramus Park Mall, which I was very excited about as I'd spent every weekend of my adolescence there. I was so f'ing excited to eat a funnel cake in that food court ... but no, THERE ARE NO MORE FUNNEL CAKES AT PARAMUS PARK MALL!!! I was devastated.

And I'm pretty sure the wine we had at our reunion came out of box. It was not super tasty and I was very hungover the next day. But I did love seeing everyone, as it had literally been twenty years. I moved to Virginia about two weeks after I graduated high school.

The day after the reunion, I drove to Oakland and had a slice of Tony Brothers pizza. I'd been waiting twenty years to have that pizza again and I've gotta say -- it was well worth the wait.

Five Minutes With Maggie...The Virgin's Lover

2008-08-14T15:06:00.004-04:00

The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory

I must admit: I'm the only person I know who hasn't read The Other Boleyn Girl yet, and I haven't seen the movie either! Historical novels are never at the top of my reading list, but I picked up The Virgin's Lover, with no prior experience reading Philippa Gregory. Set in England, beginning in 1588, the novel opens at the dawn of Queen Elizabeth rising to the throne. The story opens with Amy, a young woman whose husband Robert has rushed to serve the newly anointed queen. Amy is confident in her marriage and the love they shared, and though her husband is ambitious, she trusts that Robert will always be faithful. Elizabeth, meanwhile, is struggling to own her power. She's afraid of making decisions and afraid of the impending war with France. She relies on Robert, her childhood friend, to guide her every step of the way. But Robert's ambition threatens not only his own marriage but also the queen's rule. As the queen entrusts Robert to be her friend and her ally, Robert sees this as his opportunity to fulfill his family's legacy. He tries to connive his way onto the throne, while Amy waits in the English countryside for her determined husband.

Gregory unravels the mystery of the relationship between Robert Dudley and Queen Elizabeth. Her writing instantly transports you back to England in the mid-1500s. She captures the elegance of court life and paints a vivid picture of the English farmland. Her writing is captivating, and though the book is a lengthy 438 pages, it's difficult to put it down once you get started!---Maggie Marton

I think this one is a must read, especially if you've seen the movie with Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth. It was because of Robert Dudley that she swore off men forever. (ed.note)

Screenwriting, novels...and my sloooow climb to success

2008-08-08T16:51:00.007-04:00

So here's the deal. I've written four novels, one is published. I decided to test my hand at screenwriting so I took a class, studied books, read other screenplays- I've done all this obsessively. I watch movies to see how they are made, listening to the dialogue. I read other success stories and learn from those who have done it before. I take it all in like a sponge.

I adapted my Marilyn Monroe inspired novel into a screenplay called Fifty Cents for Your Soul. It's the sequel to my novel, A Thousand Dollars for a Kiss. I've been spending hours, HOURS online looking up and submitting to agents, managers, producton companies. Just FYI, here is the logline: ( a sentence summing up your screenplay)

After discovering that Marilyn Monroe faked her death, a struggling writer sets out to become famous and prove the legend is still alive.

It's a blend of drama, comedy, a touch of romance and most of all, some juicy roles for actresses of varying ages. I read all the time about actresses complaining about no good roles for women, especially older women and here you go. Mine has it all and then some. You know, not all of us want to watch Judd Apatow movies every other month, movies geared towards the male demographic ages 18-45. We don't all want to watch movies about stoners and loser bachelors cracking crude jokes while looking at porn.

When you are a new (book) writer and you are looking for resources, there are tons. Agent listings and sites directing you towards agents and what they want to represent and how to contact. There are always accomplished novelists willing to help out a newbie, offering advice and words of encouragement. Even major author Judy Blume wrote me back so many years ago when I began my novel writing. Ann Rule, queen of true crime drama, wrote me back too. Caroline Leavitt and Gayle Brandeis have been mentors to me, always giving me advice. Marta Acosta has been so helpful, Alison Winn Scotch is another writer who has been wonderful, there have been many fabulous writers out there who have guided or inspired me in one way or another.

You get the idea. Authors want to help other authors. And generally speaking, book writers are a very giving group and they understand what it's like to break in to the business. It's a nice sorority with an open door policy. Then you try screenwriting and that open door? Slammed. It's a ghost town.

You are on your own unless you have a pal in the business. Researching agents is more difficult because their preferences aren't clearly spelled out on nice websites with contact information like agentquery.net. Producers want to look at material represented by an agent, not submitted by the writer. Looking for help is fruitless because everyone keeps to themselves. Successful screenwriters don't take the time to answer emails and offer encouragement. It's frustrating. I'm trying to think outside the box and work it from another angle. I'll take a chance and a risk and do things my own way, just to get noticed. But I haven't come up with any awesome ideas yet.

I thought because I wrote novels and screenplays that I'd be a marketable screenwriter. Not too many people do both since books and screenplays are two different species. I'm now under the impression that if an agent knows you write both, they are inclined to think you do neither well.

But I persevere beause what else can I do? I've wanted to be a screenwriter since I was a teenager. I have this creative brain that follows no logic but constantly imagines what-if scenerios. I am in my element when I am in the middle of writing and the words are pouring from my fingertips. I love the challenge of the screenplay, telling a story within only 120 structured pages. Imagining the thrill of my characters and words on the big screen keeps me going. Then imagine getting paid to do what I love? Yeah, I cannot give up. And if you're a writer and trying to succeed, then you can't give up either.

My big dream is to bring good novels to the big screen starting with my own. What can you do if you give up on your dreams? So even though the door to screenwriting success is tightly closed and locked, I'll keep knocking until the door is cracked open. Then I'll stick my size 7.5 Christian Louboutin (or Jimmy Choo) in there and kick open the door just enough to squeeze through. Maybe pushing Judd Apatow out of the way just a little while I'm at it.

Here is an inspiring clip of Randy Pausch. What he says around minute 3:09 keeps me going every day. Let his words inspire you too.

Books I've been reading...

2008-08-08T16:41:00.003-04:00

Here's a light hearted novel sprinkled with humor, Moonpies and Movie Stars by Amy Wallen. I have this on my shelf to be read- I started it while I was on a trip and have to finish it.

Jane Green is a great writer. I love her British humor. Her books are really popular and nearly every girl I know has read Jemima J.

Here's my favorite book this summer. I'm serious, I really liked it! Because I'm so familiar with Tori, having watched Beverly Hills 90210 since day one of the series, I felt like I knew Tori. I did meet her once at Kitson and I have friends who knew her when she owned her bed and breakfast. That makes us practically BFF!

This was an entertaining book that moved quickly, offering up details about growing up as a famous Spelling. I admit to watching Tori's show on the Oxygen channel. Now her mother Candy Spelling, she of the gift wrapping room, is penning a book of her own. Might she tell stories about Tori?

And coming in '09 is another book from Tori called Mommywood. I know I'll be reading it and loving every page!

New Summer books....

2008-08-05T17:59:00.004-04:00

Check out these books, coming this summer to a bookstore near you....

OFF SEASON by Anne Rivers Siddons

In her stunning Grand Central debut, the New York Times bestselling and universally acclaimed author tells the beautiful, tragic and redemptive story of a woman who searches for meaning after her husband dies.

THE BIBLE SALESMAN by Clyde Edgerton

From "a Southern tale-spinning master" (Rocky Mountain News), a tender and hilarious new novel featuring scoundrels and innocents, car thievery and the holy book.

THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos

The new thriller by George Pelecanos, praised by Stephen King as "perhaps the greatest living American crime writer," is a powerful story of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal.

THE ROAD HOME by Rose Tremain

A brilliant novel of life alone in a foreign land - England - from an award-winning novelist celebrated for her "vivid, original, and always engaging" fiction.

LIVE A LITTLE by Kim Green

A darkly comic novel in which a 40something mother mistakenly gets a terminal diagnosis but refuses to relinquish the spotlight when she's told it's a mistake.

THAT'S NOT EXACTLY AMORE by Tracey Bateman

As interior designer and part-time baker for Nick Pantalone's coffee shop, Laini thinks she can juggle two jobs and two men. Can she do it all or will she just get burned? Check out this witty third book in the Drama Queens series.

THE FRUIT OF MY LIPSTICK by Shelley Adina

They say love hurts. I didn't think they meant it literally. . . . Meet Gillian Chang: A girl taking on the challenges of Spencer Academy in this second book in Shelley Adina's hip new All About Us series.

Finally!

2008-08-02T14:48:00.003-04:00

Finally! I've been waiting and waiting for this movie. The trailer should be out soon and I'm looking forward to it. You know my particular passion is books being made into films. I'm nearly obsessed with it....especially the craft of screenwriting and taking an authors vision and seeing it unfold on the big screen with actors and visuals. I have very high expectations for this movie.

The book is one of the best that I've ever read. If you are one of the few people who haven't read the book, I suggest you get your hands on a copy soon. I don't know anyone who has read the book and hasn't loved it. I might have to reread it.

Here's a synopsis....

Set in South Carolina in 1964, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Burton). To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna.

The eagerly awaited movie trailer....

New Twilight trailer...

2008-07-29T12:11:00.002-04:00

I'm not as obsessed as a lot of people but I'm definitely intrigued about how this movie will compare to the books. If Harry Potter is any indication, this could be a huge film followed by other books-to- movies in the series. Every book is super well written and suspenseful. I think the author, Stephanie Meyer, could have easily made six books out of the three she has out now. They are all looooooooonnnnnggggg. The newest novel will be out on August 2nd and I know more than a few adults who will be standing on line at 12:01 eager to see how Bella and Edward's love story ends.

All We Ever Wanted Was Everything by Janelle Brown

2008-07-22T16:04:00.005-04:00

Janelle Brown is a wonderful and promising novelist. All the glowing reviews about her book ring true. All We Ever Wanted Was Everything is the story of Janice Miller, a scorned wife whose husband runs off with her best friend when he makes millions of dollars. Its about Maggie the older daughter who is trying to save her failing feminist magazine and is in debt so deep that she hides from her creditors, and Lizzie, a fourteen year old who has spun a sticky web of boys and sex.

While the book is not comedic, there were some sentences that made me laugh at loud. Janice, Maggie and Lizzie are at three different stages in their lives, each with her own terrible secret. I could not put this book down and with all good books, I mourned when it ended. I'm so excited to bring you an interview with this talented author.

If you had to cast roles for the feature film which will happen, who would play Janice, Maggie and Lizzie? I'm casting Diane Lane as Janice because she is one of my favorite actresses. Maggie and Lizze have me stumped though.

I like Diane Lane a lot too, though she's a wee bit young for Janice – who's almost 50. Joan Allen is very echt-Janice, too: gracious and charming but a little distant and tightly wound.I've always envisioned a Maggie Gyllenhaal-type for Margaret, and for Lizzie, I always think of Abigail Breslin's character from Little Miss Sunshine, but six years later….

How long did it take you to write the book and find an agent?

I started the book in the fall of 2003. By the summer of 2006 I had a draft that I was finally ready to show agents; it took me about four months to find the agent that I signed with. And then, once I'd signed with her, I spent another six months doing revisions before we sent it out to editors. So, all told, the version that you see today took about four years of writing.

The character of Paul, the husband, is not very sympathetic. Did you want the reader to like him at all?

I think it's a function of being an author that you always have more empathy for your characters than a reader would – I've spent the last five years with these characters, and so I care for them all even in their flaws. That said, Paul is a real self-centered jerk, most concerned with his own best interests, and I certainly don't expect people to like him; but what I do hope is that they are able to understand how he thinks. I've encountered people like him in the real world, and I'm always curious what their justifications are for living the way they do.

If you had to step into a character's shoes from the book, who would you chose and why?

That's a tricky question – it's not like any of them have charmed lives that would be simple or pleasurable to live. I think, though, that I'd step into Janice's shoes: I've never done anything as reckless and self-destructive as she has, and I'm fascinated by how it must feel to just let everything go the way she does. Her life is the farthest from mine, so it would be the most unusual experience to try on.

What are some novels that you could read again and again?

Here's a few books that I've read multiple times – Blindness, by Jose Saramago; The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen; On Beauty, by Zadie Smith; Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov….

You live in Los Angeles, what are some of your favorite places to eat?

That's a question I could spend days answering: I am definitely a closet gourmand. For a fancy meal, there's this terrific gourmet chophouse called Jar, which I go to for special occasions; and I love the California-Mediterranean restaurants Lucques and AOC.In LA we have amazing ethnic food, and I love Korean BBQ at Parks BBQ, or dim sum at Triumphal Palace way out in the San Gabriel Valley.

There's a little taco shack called Yuca's near my house that makes the most amazing carne asada taco; and a Vietnamese place called Viet Noodle Bar which makes a dish with turmeric fish and home-made noodles that is my favorite comfort food.

Who do you admire and why?

It's funny – I've been asked the "who do you admire most" or "who is your hero" question for years, and I've never had a good answer. I remember being asked it first at a live interview when applying for college, seventeen years ago, and being stumped even then. (I think I said Winston Churchill, for no other reason than that seemed like an answer a very well-educated person would offer).

In general, I admire anyone who has a passion for something that they actively pursue, no matter how challenging that pursuit may be – whether that means starving while you make your paintings or climbing the Himalayas in a blizzard or living in a filthy tent while helping refugees in Sudan.

Are you working on another book at the moment?

Yes. But I'm not ready to talk about it yet - too soon!

Writing is a solitary activity….are you a person who likes to be around a lot of people or do you enjoy your quiet time?

I definitely like to be around people. Too much time alone and I get very antsy. I find I work best at cafes with lots of people around, with my headphones on to tune out the noise. Somehow the presence of other people helps me focus more. Also – being far away from the Internet helps, too.

What's next for you?

My second novel, and, hopefully, the screen adaptation of my book...

Books to Film....

2008-07-19T17:07:00.005-04:00

fresh from the Dark Knight, Maggie Gyllenhaal

I just read some interesting Book to Movie news. Here's the scoop about the book first,

Crazy Heart By Thomas Cobb

Singer and guitarist Bad Blake was once a first-rate country-and-western star, but now he's 57, an alcoholic, a failure at four marriages, and playing in third-rate clubs. The biggest gig he can get is opening for Tommy Sweet, the kid Bad got started and whose career has now eclipsed Bad's. Bad meets Jean Craddock when she comes to interview him and they fall in love. Her little boy, Buddy, inspires Bad to search for his own long-lost son, but there's no happy ending there. And when Bad, hungry for a drink, loses Jean's son, things take a downturn, despite Bad's fling with AA. This first novel has the authentic patter and ambience of those seedy one-night-stands, but the plot is thin and the ending is very downbeat.

The movie is set to star Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jeff Bridges. Now here's the thing- the book came out in 1989 and on Amazon, there are only 2 reviews and not even a book photo! Not exactly a blockbuster. In fact, have you ever heard of it before right now? Probably not. I know that there is a lack of Hollywood movies coming out in '09 thanks to the writers strike. So are the writers studying novels from the last twenty years to see what can translate to the big screen? Is there such a shortage of good scripts these days? I wonder. I know there is a real dirth of screenplays with strong female leads, that is a fact. (naturally this makes me want to point out my own screenplay which has meaty female roles than span ages and decades.)

I am always interested in good books, especially books chosen to be adapted for the big screen. Right now I'm reading Janelle Brown's All We Ever Wanted Was Everything and it's only a matter of time before this is optioned for the big screen. It will be, I know it. Until then, pick it up for a fun read. And while you're at it, check out some older books, certainly there are a few undiscovered gems out there.

Five Minutes with Maggie-Sin in the Second City

2008-07-15T16:52:00.004-04:00

In turn-of-the-century Chicago, one neighborhood, the Levee district, houses the city's vices – casinos, dance halls, saloons, and brothels. One such brothel, the Everleigh Club, boasts international renown. Karen Abbott's book, Sin in the Second City: Madams, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul, chronicles the rise and fall of Chicago's vice district through the eyes of the Everleigh sisters and their famous club. The two sisters, Minna and Ada, ruled the Levee district. They treated their girls well and their customers better. In the earliest years of the 1900s, Chicago's streets teemed with unruly criminals clashing with staunch reformers. The unrest infiltrated the city. Violent protests forced the city's government to act. Throughout this turbulent point in Chicago's history, the Everleigh sisters watched and weathered changes in government and popular opinion. Abbot uses their experiences running their brothel to unravel the city's sordid history and to shed light on the conflicts at that period in American history.

The best nonfiction reads like a novel – intriguing dialogue, interesting characters, plot and action. Abbott's book accomplishes all those things, while providing an incredible amount of information. She meticulously reports on her own research methodology in both the introduction and conclusion of the book. Sin in the Second City is as entertaining as it is informative. From cover to cover, Abbott sucks the reader in with the sisters' charming personalities, the fascinating history of Chicago, and an underlying humor that makes this book a must-read!

I'm off...

2008-07-09T22:52:00.001-04:00

I am off for a long weekend in San Francisco! I will be back on Tuesday...

xoxoxo

The Stone Angel: Books to film

2008-07-09T17:17:00.004-04:00

When I heard about this movie, I thought it sounded somewhat similar to the screenplay that I've been writing. Of course, the two films are nothing alike except for the fact there is an older lady reflecting on her life to a younger, less wise woman. The Stone Angel stars Hollywood actresses Ellen Page and Ellen Burstyn. Two Ellens for the price of one! I saw a clip of the film on the TV Guide Channel and I got chills. This is a must-see!

As so many movies are, this one is based on a book by Margaret Laurence. The book was published many years ago and I haven't read it but am intrigued by the story. I find it interesting that a movie would be made from a book that's not currently on the best seller lists.

Good material will always stand the test of time though. You can click here for the official movie trailer.

Kristin Chenoweth: memoir due in '09

2008-07-05T12:01:00.003-04:00

I am stunned at this pint sized lady's amazing talents! Her voice alone will give you chills. Check out the video below with the also incredible Idina Menzel. I wish I had just a tiny drop of the singing talent they have!

Kristin Chenoweth and her publishers have announced the title of her memoir, "A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love and Faith In Stages"."The book will be a candid account of the Oklahoma-born actress's life, from her adoption shortly after birth to her Tony-nominated turn in Wicked to her work in Hollywood. Chenoweth will address the challenges she's faced in balancing her faith, family, private life and public persona." describe Publishers Weekly Notes.

The book will hit stores on April 14th, 2009 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.Chenoweth, who was nominated for a Tony for her performance as Glinda in Wicked and who won for her Sally Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, also played the roles of Eve, Barbara and Passionella in The Apple Tree. She has also been seen in Scapin, A New Brain, Steel Pier, Epic Proportions, in the Lincoln Center concert production of Candide, and the Encores! productions of Strike Up the Band, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and The Apple Tree. "As I Am" and "Let Yourself Go" are her two solo CDs. She also played Annabeth Schott on TV's "The West Wing." Film credits include Running with Scissors, Stranger Than Fiction, Deck the Halls, R.V., Bewitched, and The Pink Panther. (source:ohnotheydidnt)

I read it: Twilight

2008-07-02T19:05:00.006-04:00

Okay, I finished the book. I did not expect to like it as much as I did. It flowed well with a love story so passionate that If I were a teenage girl, I'd be clutching my pillow at night praying and waiting for an Edward of my own.

I finished Twilight quickly because I was engaged in the story despite the subject matter. I can see where girls go crazy for the character of Edward, the most gorgeous bronze haired boy to roam the earth. And beautiful Bella, who lives in the dreary town of Forks, Washington, is swept up in Edwards' beauty and his strength. The love between the two is dangerous and forbidden so basically, it's the stuff girls (and some women) dream of.

Now that I finished Twilight, I moved on to the second book in the series. I want to see what happens to the characters and what better time to read this kind of book than the lazy days of summer? I have to throw in that some of my friends, girls in my book club, mind you these are mothers and wives in their thirties, will be at the bookstore at midnight in August waiting for the fourth book in the series. Nothing but the release of my own book (or movie) can get me out of the house at that hour!

Yesterday I spent about two hours online reading interviews with the author, Stephanie Meyer. I am always interested in how ideas drift into an author's head and become so much more. Here's a clip of behind the scenes of making the film which is where my interests lie.

When You Are Engulfed In Flames

2008-06-29T19:31:00.004-04:00

I remember talking about books with a friend one day many years ago. She was raving about this hilarious book called Me Talk Pretty One Day. I assumed it was about . ..how do I say this...a mentally challenged person. "You HAVE to read it!" she yelled. So....I checked it out of the library and didn't get past page one. I'm a tough audience. I'm hard to make laugh. I'll smile politely at a joke, offer a giggle but to solicit a guffaw, it just doesn't happen too frequently. I guess I imagined the book would be like a collection of knee slapping jokes.

Sooooo when I heard about this book, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, I figured I'd try it. I do have a soft spot for funny gay men. And funny gay men writers? Love them.

I began the book last night and am already halfway through it. Its so ...funny! Entertaining. And I did laugh out loud a handful of times. Its an amusing and fun read and I can't wait to finish it up tonight. And now I'm going to have to go back and try out Me Talk Pretty One Day and all the other books in between.

Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs

2008-06-26T19:47:00.004-04:00

The Friday Night Knitting Club author Kate Jacobs, is back on the scene with a new novel Comfort Food. You will love it. Here's what it's about:

Cooking with Gusto! host Augusta Gus Simpson, a widowed mother of two adult daughters who's about to turn 50, is tiring of her many obligations, which include throwing an annual birthday bash for herself. That trial pales, however, in comparison with the introduction of saucy former beauty queen and YouTube star Carmen Vega as Gus's cohost. Click here for the full Amazon page.

I am so into everything cooking these days. Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen, Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, reading cook books, and magazines like Taste of Home and Cooking Light...I wonder how I can take a cooking tour of Tuscany to culiminate my latest obsession. It's no wonder that I devoured Kate Jacobs's newest novel in a day! She has a easy, page turning style and the story flows. You want the best for her characters because they become your friends. As with The Friday Night Knitting Club, I was sorry to reach the end of the book. So now I anxiously await another Kate Jacobs masterpiece!

This book centers on food and cooking. Are you much of a cook?

I’m not a gourmet, that’s for sure! But yes, I like cooking. And I am addicted to Food Network. I get all excited when I see they have that darn cake special. Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss cakes? In my own home, I enjoy experimenting and I love to have people over to dinner, but I tend to stay within a comfort zone. If I can make a dish and have it turn out well then I like to try it again (and again and again). Ask my husband how many times I’ve served tenderloin and roasted veggies. But, when I was younger, I really didn’t want to know anything about cooking. For me,the process to enjoying the domestic realm has been evolving, as I’ve gotten older and as I’ve discovered that I can enjoy being homey while still spending most of my time focusing on work. For my mom, it’s highlya musing that my debut novel was The Friday Night Knitting Club and nowI’m writing about cooking in Comfort Food. When I was a kid, you could barely get me in the kitchen unless it was to eat…or bake cookies. I break all rules for cookies.

I love to bake and I think I'm pretty good at it. What is your specialty n the kitchen?

Chocolate chip cookies, with a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate.I get out the ingredients whenever I need a bit of a stress relief. Writing Comfort Food was one long cookie: I baked, I snacked, I wrote, I baked. And then I did it all again. Plus, when I’m really grouchy, I do all the mixing by hand to burn off a little of the tension!

How are you alike/different from the main character of Gus?

Well, Gus is this wonderfully elegant hostess. I’m a bit more harried. Or maybe a lot more harried! She’s older than I am, and a mother. Though as she is surprised by turning fifty, I must admit that I am shocked – truly – to realize I am going to be 35 this year. It’s not that I feel old. (Well, maybe a little.) It’s that I am amazed at how quickly life is moving. Just the other day, I swear, I was arriving in Manhattan to go to grad school. Except that was 13 years ago! Her best friend’s last name is Levine, and so is one of mine. That was a little intentional thing I threw in there.

There is one thing Gus and I do share in a deeper way, though, and that similarity really helped me into herc haracter. It’s not something I talk about very much but right before myf irst novel went on sale my husband was seriously ill and hospitalized. He experienced what’s known as a mini-stroke, or TIA, and it was very frightening. We hadn’t lived in California for long and I realized, once I got to the hospital, that I didn’t have the phone numbers for anyone we knew nearby. I wasn’t able to call anyone to come and be with us. (Of course I called our families, who began arriving the next day. But they live long distances away.)

So that night, it was just me and Jon, except he couldn’t speak intelligibly or move his limbs. There was a pervading fear of not knowing where we’d be the next morning and it was horrible. Now, he recovered fully. He’s great. But what a scare! Talk about putting things in perspective. I was excited to have that first book published but a heckuva lot more excited to still have my husband around. I just felt sort of stunned for months afterwards, even as I was on tour promoting the book. And then later, when I sat down to write Comfort Food, I made Gus around the same age as I was when Jon was ill. She became a widow – my big fear that night – but then I balanced it out by giving her children, which we realized then is one of our deepest and as yet unfulfilled wishes. Comfort Food is my own comfort, in its way.

What research did you do while writing Comfort Food? I'd guess a lot of time spent watching the Food Network!

Absolutely. I watched a ton of TV and, of course, many hours of Food Network. I’m so glad someone started Food Network because it is just sosoothing. How can you not be happy watching someone simmer away? I’m also a big fan of Top Chef though that’s not soothing at all! More exciting.I’m always very invested in Judges’ Table and enjoy reading the blogs. For me, in general, I don’t go overboard with the research – I prefer to stay within my imagination. Because my background is as a journalist I don’t want to get caught up in feeling I have to report what goes on in the real world. I’m writing fiction here! So I wouldn’t describe Comfort Food as a blueprint of how a cooking show operates. It’s more an imagined behind-the-scenes story of the tensions and relationships that go on in aworkplace – only this “office” happens to be a kitchen!

Your first novel was about knitting and this one features food. What will your next book be about?

People. That’s actually the core element that unites my stories. Iwant to write about emotions, about relationships, about getting to know each other and getting to know ourselves. And through writing The Friday Night Knitting Club and Comfort Food I have learned many new things about myself. Each of those novels, in their own way, has surprised me by providing me with a deeper understanding of some of the experiences I have had. Now, that said, will my third book have a domestic element? It very well could. It doesn’t have to, of course. But it might.

What is the last book you read?

The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper. Loved it. I also just read I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley, which was also great. I read so many books that I literally FedEx them back to my house when I’m on the road on a book tour – right now I’m out and about promoting Comfort Food-- so I can lighten up my suitcase and make room for a new one.

Has there been movie interest in Comfort Food? I know Friday Night Knitting Club was optioned and I can easily imagine this book as a movie too.

Well, there is some interest. But nothing I can talk about yet! I’d love to see Comfort Food as a movie; I think it would make a hilarious romantic comedy. As for casting it, I leave that up to Hollywood…

What are the best and worst aspects of having a book hit the bookstores?Do you get nervous about reviews, critics, book sales?

I’m a worrier. ‘Why wait until tomorrow what I can worry about today’is my motto. So, on the one hand, it’s tremendously exciting to have a newbook hit stores. Especially, with Comfort Food, I feel a certain joy that I didn’t with FNKC because that one came on the heels of Jon’s illness. On the other hand, who knows what will happen? You work hard on your craft and throw the book out there and who knows? Some reviewers love a book and others don’t, and that’s just real life. Opinion is subjective. You know,I aim to create fun, easy-to-read stories that offer a bit of respite during a busy, stressed day. I’m out to entertain.

How do you like going on a book tour? It must be exhilarating and exhausting! How do you unwind at the end of a busy day?

Book tour is a peculiar thing for me. I love meeting readers; everyone is always so kind and welcoming. But the truth is that I hate to leave home. I am very much into my comfortable space. I like being with my husband and our dog; we’re a little pack. And was I ever nervous when I first went on the road with Friday Night Knitting Club! But now I’ve eased into it a bit. Without exception, I meet great people on tour. What more could I ask for? And I really enjoy staying in hotels, for example, and trying out all the little soaps and shampoos. I tend to have a little collection of bottles by the end of my travels and that’s neat. It’s like bringing home a goodie bag.

What’s next for you?

Two books are in the works, and I have pages written in each of them. Neither has a title yet but I’m working on that, too!

Amazon Top Picks for June

2008-06-20T15:43:00.005-04:00

Out of all the top picks from Amazon for June, there are only two on this list that I want to read. When You are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris and Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. Two books which I am anxious to dig into are The German Bride by Joanna Hershon and Janelle Brown's All We Ever Wanted Was Everything.

I suppose I'll get around to reading The New Earth but after seeing everyone and their mother reading it, I got sort of turned off. Like when you hear a song on the radio and you like it and then suddenly its playing so often that your ears feel like they are being violated after the three hundredth time you hear it. When I see people toting The New Earth, I'm thinking...can't you find another book, one that Oprah hasn't read yet? Is there not another book on this planet that you can find? Yes, there are so many choices.

Check out The Painter from Shanghai, Comfort Food, Away, Swim to Me.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
What Happened by Scott McClellan
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Big Russ and Me by Tim Russert
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Wisdom of Our Fathers by Tim Russert
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
The Shack by William P. Young
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebook Gift Set, 4th Edition (what!?)
The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria

oh and if you are bored, check out www.hellodollface.com where I write about celebrities and beauty. I am running a contest right now for one lucky reader who lives in New York City so scope it out. Drop by and say 'ello.

Writing and agents and screenplays...

2008-06-18T16:22:00.007-04:00

A must for every writer, Screenplay by Syd Field

Growing up I dreamed of three things. Finding my soul mate, moving to California and being a writer, preferabley for the big screen. I wanted to write novels too but felt that I needed life experience to actually type out a full length novel. Sometime in my twenty-nineth year I decided I had enough observations and details accumulated so I pounded out a four hundred page missive. I was positive it would be published within a year. I sent off a round of query letters. I re-edited the book and sent off more queries. I waited. I sent more letters. I tooled around with the book again. But no bites. Mind you, I must have sent off about two hundred and fifty queries and received back almost as many rejection letters. Prone to depression, its very easy for me to get down and negative but hey, I read The Secret. I knew all I had to do was be positive...right?

Marilyn is a character in Fifty Cents for Your Soul

Over the next several years I went on to write more novels with female lead characters. My hook was that every book was somehow either about life in Hollywood or set in Los Angeles, entertainment capital of the world. I always felt somewhat confident that somewhere in this great country was the perfect agent for me. I just had to find him or her, like a needle in a haystack. I remained hopeful- for a while. It has not happened. I want to say I've sent off a total of maybe six hundred query letters, shouldn't that be a record? Is there a prize? I don't know if there is an agent alive who represents womens fiction that hasn't heard from me.

When I finished with A Thousand Dollars for a Kiss, I was so fed up with looking for agents and sending letters and emails and waiting, and waiting and receiving those cold, brutal rejection letters, that I decided to go with a small publisher and just get my book out into the world. The publisher did not do any marketing or advertising and left to do it myself, I truly didn't know what to do or where to do. Calls to magazines to review the book went unreturned. Book Soup told me basically that since I was a nobody and couldn't bring in five hundred guests, I was not permitted to come in for a book signing. I persevered.

Another must read!

After writing my Marilyn Monroe book, Fifty Cents for Your Soul, I was determined to edit and revamp and perfect the novel before the giant agent search took place again. At this point, I felt like a true pro at not only crafting a query letter but writing a synopsis and researching agents. A very smart and successful novelist read my book, suggested a few changes so I rewrote the book.

Another round of queries and another round of rejections- although most query letters go unanswered. I'm beginning to think its me. It's not going to happen, is it? At what point does one give up, throw in the towel and say, screw it. But I can't give up because somewhere I do believe there is a person who will love my writing and my stories.

Sooooooo, having always dreamed about writing a screenplay, I am now finishing up on the screenplay version of my novel. I thought maybe if I can do both novel and screenplay, that would make me so much more valuable. But of course there are queries to send and agents to find....

The thought of sending out even more query letters and waiting fills me with a dread as heavy as cement boots. I figured surely when I hit five hundred query letters sent, statistically, the odds were in my favor, right? My writing is good, fun and light novels. My (unpublished) book got rave reviews from those novelist-friends who read it. What more can I do but keep moving forward?

In my mind, the movie of Fifty Cents for Your Soul is already cast. Rachel McAdams as a young Marilyn Monroe. Amy Adams as the main character of Barrett. Isla Fischer as Carly, Barrett's rap talking sister. Carol Kane as the mom, Lydia. Shirley MacClaine as Letty. It's just what female actresses say they want- an emsemble cast of strong females.

When I was nineteen years old, I started persuing my dream of being a writer. I wrote children's books and sent them to Harper Collins in a white envelope, saying Dear Sir or Madam...In my twenties I wrote and illustrated books and I learned more about writing and the whole query letter and agent deal. In my thirties, I wrote my celebrity gossip blog and tried vigorously to parlay that success into a publishing deal like so many other bloggers before (and after me).

I suppose if you want something bad enough, which I do, you just keep going and you don't give up. And if you hang in there long enough, maybe you will reach your goal. I don't know. We'll see.

Twilight movie trailer. Bite me.

2008-06-17T21:44:00.004-04:00

I am not a horror fan. Not a vampire fan as you know. But I mentioned that our book club has chosen Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and I have not cracked it open yet. While looking for books to movie news and trailers, I found this one of- ta-da- Twilight. Check it out.

Have you read City of Ember? Yet another book to movie!

Books to Film, Sex and the City

2008-06-16T12:53:00.004-04:00

I just love going to the movies. There's something exciting about sitting in the dark theater, watching the trailers for upcoming films, waiting for the feature to begin. The title credits roll, the action starts and hopefully if the movie is good, you will be transported to another place for about 120 minutes.

Last week I saw Don't Mess With The Zohan. What could have been really funny turned about to be over the top, crossing the line of what makes me laugh and what disgusts me. This had potential to be laugh out loud funny for everyone but I think the laughter came from the teenage boys in the audience. Judd Apatow, Adam Sandler and Robert Smigel needed a woman's touch when it came to writing the jokes. Mentions of hummus in every scene and Adam Sandler with a hugely padded codpiece? Not so hysterical. Neither is Adam's character having sexy times with all the old women whose hair he styles. Eh, skip it and watch it on dvd.

I saw Sex and the City this past weekend and loved it. Over two hours long, its like an extended episode of the show. It made me nostalgic for the life I always thought I would have- a writer in New York City with a tiny apartment filled with great shoes. There were funny parts, sad parts and happy endings all around. I've read mixed reviews about the movie but if you enjoyed the show, there's no way you won't walk out of the theater wishing you were friends with Charlotte, Miranda, Carrie and Samantha. Based on a book by Candance Bushnell, Sex and the City is a must-see film with your best girlfriends.

During the previews, there was this trailer for He's Just Not That Into You. I'm marking my calender now for this film which comes out in October. An all star cast based on the book of the same name, this movie is for any girl who ever dated, period.

Books! and more...

2008-06-11T19:09:00.006-04:00

I am online everyday but my time is dedicated to researching the most fuel efficient automobiles because my 4Runner is not cheap to fill. The Prius tops my list even though it looks like Judy Jetson is going to pop out with Elroy.

I feel like I haven't been on the ball with this site lately and here's why: I'm deep into adapting my modern day Marilyn Monroe novel, Fifty Cents for Your Soul into a screenplay. After taking a class this past winter, I was very inspired to take the sequel to A Thousand Dollars for a Kiss, and turn it into a script. I hope that being a writer who can complete both novels and screenplays will benefit this writing career I am trying to get off the ground. My literary agent search continues and sometimes I feel like giving up on trying to find one but I don't, I keep going.

Adapting the novel has proven to be a wonderful project but one that requires a lot of time and attention. Not to mention taking care of two young kids, running Hello Dollface and keeping up with my reading plus family and friend committments. Im planning a trip to San Francisco in July and I read reviews on TripAdvisor every day as I look for hotels and restaurants.

I have an interview to post with the author of Comfort Food (Friday Night Knitting Club), Kate Jacobs. Be sure to get your hands on this enjoyable novel!

Another noteworthy book is Love The One You're With by Emily Giffin. I read this a while back and liked it a lot. The premise is this: a woman reconnects with an old flame and wonders if he's the guy she should have married. It's a light summer read which Emily's fans will certainly enjoy. Her writing is so smooth and easy that you can get through the entire novel within a couple of days.

The next novel chosen in my book club is Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Let me tell you that I am so NOT a supernatural, science fiction or vampire fan. I really liked Marta Acosta's books but that's because the author writes with such humor. I am anxious to read Marian Keyes newest, This Charming Man.

You can be my friend on Good Reads, click here!

Congrats to Allison Winn Scotch!

2008-06-06T18:03:00.002-04:00

As I always talk about, it's been a dream of mine for a long, long time to have my books adapted into screenplays and made into major motion pictures. Someone who is living my dream right now is Allison Winn Scotch. Many writers who have appeared on this site have gone onto have books made into films! It's so exciting. Allison's is a huge, major deal and I expect to read all the juicy details every step of the way on her website, Ask Allison.

I am beyond thrilled for Allison. This must be the most amazing time of her life! I want to give you all the details (below). It gives hope to those of us who keep ambitiously pursuing our own dreams. Sharing in Allison's joy is such an honor. You go girl!

THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY ACQUIRES FILM RIGHTS TO ALLISON WINN SCOTCH'S SECOND NOVEL"TIME OF MY LIFE"

Project to Serve as First Collaboration between TWC and Producer Meryl PosterNEW YORK, NY (June 3, 2008) -- The Weinstein Company announced today it has acquired the worldwide film rights to Allison Winn Scotch's second novel TIME OF MY LIFE. Book was brought to TWC by Meryl Poster of Superb Entertainment. Poster, former president of production at Miramax, has a long-standing relationship with the Weinsteins having played a key role in classic adaptations such as "Emma," "Cider House Rules," " Chocolat" and "Cold Mountain."

This project marks their first collaboration with TWC since Poster's Superb Entertainment struck a first look deal with NBC Universal in 2005. Superb Entertainment's head of development, Kate Schumaecker, brought the project to Meryl Poster who passed it on to Kelly Carmichael, svp production and casting at TWC. The announcement was made today by Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company.

TIME OF MY LIFE is the story of a thirty-something housewife who is at an emotional crossroad in her marriage and gets the chance to go back in time to squelch those tiny, lingering doubts that send women googling old friends and exes or wistfully pulling out pictures of days gone by."We are thrilled to be finally working again with Meryl and thankful she has brought us this incredible project," stated Harvey Weinstein, "Scotch's writing is both outright honest and at the same time comically engaging. She provides a strong female voice with characters that easily relate to the screen. Considering our strong track record with Meryl, we are very excited to begin moving this project forward. There is no finer film executive that can single out talent and maximize theatrical potential."Meryl Poster added, "What struck me about this project is that it speaks to women who have reached a very specific and self-reflective moment in their lives. The material is both relatable and romantic with a fabulous starring role for an actress."

"I am honored to be working with Meryl on this project as she is known for her passionate, hands-on approach to filmmaking," stated Allison Winn Scotch. "I am thrilled at the prospect of TIME OF MY LIFE joining her incredible resume. What more could an author ask for? I feel like I died and went to Hollywood adaptation heaven."

Read it, love it- Driving Sideways by Jess Riley

2008-06-03T15:16:00.004-04:00

I read so many good things about this book even before it came out. So you can only imagine how exciting it was when the author, Jess Riley, sent me an email asking if I would be interested in reading it. Did I even hesitate? Not a second. I have piles of wonderful books sitting next to me, books that I can't wait to dig into. But the timing was right and I packed Driving Sideways with me for a weekend trip to Las Vegas and I read it within two days. While my husband was wasting time and money at the Texas Hold Em table, I was sitting in my hotel room, snug in the bed reading. Who goes to Las Vegas to read? Me, that's who.

Jess Riley is as nice and funny as you would want the writer of a great book to be. It's a book about a roadtrip, a kidney disease, a juvenile delinquent and an absent mother. I'm not telling you any more. You just have to read it.

I love to hear how writers find their agents and become novelists. Tell me about your path to becoming a published writer?

Well, Driving Sideways isn’t actually my FIRST novel. My first attempt (what I now call the ‘practice book’) was written before I had any idea what makes a compelling novel: it was all scenery and character, no story arc to speak of, no real hook to make it stand out from the pack. But I secured enough of the right kind of rejections to both keep me writing and more importantly, teach me how to improve my craft. After the idea for Driving Sideways came to me, I wrote a few chapters and entered them in two contests: the James Jones First Novel Fellowship and one sponsored by the Chicklit Writers of the World, which appealed to me because the final judges included an agent and an editor.

Driving Sideways (then called Riding with Larry Resnick) was named one of 8 finalists from more than 600 entrants for the James Jones fellowship and placed first in category in the chicklit contest—I also had a request to see the full manuscript from the editor judge. I chose the contest route because I didn’t have much of a freelancing portfolio (unless you count grant proposals), and I wanted something to put in my query letter that would catch an agent’s eye…like the fact that an editor they know has already asked to see the full manuscript.

I finished the book, this time passing it by a dozen objective readers to make sure it was the best it could be—I subscribed to publishers’ marketplace, looked up every agent who had ever sold to the editor asking to see the full, and queried ten. I ended up being able to choose which agent I wanted to represent me, which I never thought I’d be able to do.

I love the photos throughout the book. How did your pictures make their way into the book?

Thanks! My editor actually campaigned for that addition, and I took the Driving Sideways road trip a second time to get the chapter opener shots and fine-tune the story before copyediting.

Do the feet on the cover belong to you? Because they really look like mine (with a pedicure). Except...I never hang my feet out the window. Dashboard, sometimes. Window, never.

Everyone who has ever seen my bare feet say that the cover toes look like mine, too! But no, I have no idea whose feet they are. They started out with bare toenails, however—I asked them to photoshop in some polish. (Nobody I know is a fan of the naked toenail.)

Why did you chose to write about PKD versus another disease? Do you have a personal interest in the disease?

I actually stumbled across PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) by accident, because I was working backwards from my story premise on the possibility of cellular memory in organ transplants. When I learned that PKD is actually the most common life-threatening genetic disease in the world—more common than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and muscular dystrophy combined (and there is no cure)—I was shocked.

I’d heard of every one of the other conditions, yet I’d never heard of PKD. So I decided to include it in the story to help put it on the map for people like me who had never heard of it. Since I don’t have PKD, it was critical that I got input from people who do. Two wonderful PKD patients read early drafts of the book and I feel lucky to now call them friends. I have also discovered that other friends and colleagues have family members affected by it, and it’s now one of the causes I support.

If you could fast forward to Leigh's future, what would she be doing?

I like to imagine Leigh smiling more and worrying less…I do think she will be healthy (without giving too much of the story away), and I do think she will be in love. I’m actually thinking of having Leigh make a cameo in my next novel. She may have some good advice for a character at a crossroads in her own life.

What's the most difficult thing you have ever done in your life, so far?

Oh, this is a good one: telling my family that just one year after getting married, my new husband and I were getting divorced. Securing a publishing contract was also very difficult, but on a completely different level.

What is:

the last book you read? Suzanne Finnamore’s Split: A Memoir of Divorce. She writes so well I could weep.

movie you saw in the theater? Ironman, on my husband’s birthday. This was also the first movie I saw without prior vetting (I’m a Rotten Tomatoes addict.) I was very pleasantly surprised!

movie you rented? Oh, it’s been awhile! Lars and the Real Girl?

item of clothing you purchased? Probably a shirt at Target. I dislike my entire wardrobe right now, but I never find time to change it.

your favorite travel destination?

Bayfield, Wisconsin. Some people say Door County is the Cape Cod of the Midwest, but to me, I have to give that nod to Bayfield, way up north on the shores of Lake Superior. Bayfield has a vibrant artist community, no chain restaurants or motels, and dozens of quaint wineries, farms, bed and breakfasts, and shops. It’s peaceful and breathtakingly gorgeous.

Tell me some of your hobbies?

Wishing I could be less ‘class clown’ and more ‘elegantly polished author.’ I swear, some days I feel like the soundtrack to my life is the Benny Hill theme song—like the day I got lost in a parking ramp and couldn’t find my way out, driving around and around. These kinds of incidents always find their way into my stories, probably because I like to imagine someone reading merrily along and then suddenly laughing out loud. (I LOVE those moments in books! My own favorite laugh-out-loud moments were courtesy of Garrison Keillor’s Love Me and Paul Feig’s Superstud.)

But to really answer your question, my hobbies are pretty typical fare: gardening, hiking, reading, watching movies and bad reality TV, cooking. I always talk about taking up running, but that’s usually as far as it gets. One strange hobby I started last year was planting milkweed and raising Monarch caterpillars … and it turns out lots of people do this! They call it “Monarch Ranching.” By October, I’d released about 48 butterflies in my backyard. That was a hobby that got a little out of hand—i.e., “I must save them all!” And then my brother said, “Well, I guess if you want to do that…just don’t turn into the Silence of the Lambs moth dude.”

Ideally how do you want the next ten years of your life to play out?

I’d like to travel more, maybe start a family…I’d like to finish remodeling my house so that potential buyers don’t faint or run screaming down the street when they see the upstairs bathroom. And I will always be writing.

What were you like as a child? Did you like school?

I was a mischievous, talkative child. I loved school, but I was at odds with certain school policies and procedures—such as passing notes and talking during class. I had my name on the board with checkmarks behind it nearly every day. We recently found some of my old report cards, and nearly every teacher wrote this in the comments section: “Jessica enjoys socializing in class far too much.” Oh! And my kindergarten teacher wrote this: “Jessica is a fine student, but I don’t know where she gets the disturbing idea that parents who do not want their children BOIL THEM ALIVE.” (My dear, sweet parents never would have told me such a thing, so I don’t know where that came from, either.) Yes. Precocious. That was me.

If you won the lottery tomorrow, how would you spend the money?

In my current and previous careers (teaching in a medium-security men’s prison and writing grants for public schools), I learned that several states estimate the number of prison beds they’ll need in ten years based on the number of fourth graders failing standardized reading exams. That is a statistic that has always haunted me, so if I had a ton of money, I’d invest it in some kind of literacy programming for young children. I love what Dave Eggers has been able to do with his tutoring programs.

I’d probably also fix my upstairs bathroom.

Such A Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster

2008-05-30T17:46:00.004-04:00

A tribute to Jen Lancaster.

Not featured is Bravo TV, Olive Garden Breadsticks, expensive purses and German cars.

Jen Lancaster, the popular blogger of Jennsylvania, has- hold the applause- written another book. This ones rounds out the troika of memoirs under her belt. Such a Pretty Fat is the latest. It's about Jen's discovery that, despite having a nice hair and a good tan, her health may be in danger if she doesn't lose a few pounds. Jen's wit can be subtle and I had to read a few passages twice, thinking, did she mean what I think she meant...? The answer was usually yes.

I can totally identify with Jen from her love of Olive Garden breadsticks to songs on her ipod play list to shows on Bravo to my favorite, the "HHT credo." The HHT basically means you can't be held responsible for actions while feeling Hot, Hungry, Tired. I've adhered to that one for years. She puts into words what we think and feel. What makes Jen so popular is that we can ALL relate to cringing at the thought of a mind numbing working out vs. taking a nap. Wouldn't you rather eat something buttery and delicious than hop aboard the treadmill? I laughed out loud so many times that I wanted to pick up the phone to call her and say, "YES, ME TOO!"

Peppered with Jen's trademark snark and wit, Such a Pretty Fat is a quick read. I can't believe Jen toiled away for years being an office temp because she is such a talented writer, a wordsmith if you will. Words flow, incidents are described in a way that you will bust out in a guffaw. She is vain and self centered but so endearing that you want to be her friend which is why she is so well liked. If you want to grab your pink Crocs, your Izod shirt and a strand of pearls to see her live, click here because she and her Chardonnay might be headed to a city near you. Want to buy Such a Pretty Fat? Here's the Amazon link.

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

2008-05-27T15:47:00.002-04:00

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

Twenty-eight-year-old Lexi wakes up in the hospital and can't remember how she got there. Her confusion worsens when the nurse tells her she wrecked her Mercedes the night before – because she'd never gotten her driver's license. Or owned a car, for that matter. Lexi soon discovers that she suffered a head injury in the accident, and the injury caused amnesia. She's lost the past three years of her life and can't figure out how she went from a 25-year-old struggling sales girl to a 28-year-old successful, married businesswoman.

Sophie Kinsella's novels, like the Shopaholic series, always mix an adorable main character with a funny plot. Though the amnesia storyline is somewhat predictable, the novel is hilarious and charming. It's the perfect summer read! ---Maggie Marton

Ads and BlogAds Needed!

2008-05-22T13:22:00.005-04:00

If you read this site and have a book or product or service you would like to market or advertise, please place an ad through Blog Ads or directly through me (distressedbluejeans@gmail.com) Rates are inexpensive and you will be seen by a thousand viewers per day from around the world. I've gotten hits from places like the Middle East and Australia. Amazing that my words reach so far!

I need an income to keep this site going, after all who works for free? In addition, if you are an aspiring writer and need help with your query and synopsis, I will help revise for a small price.

Thank you!!

Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano

2008-05-19T16:13:00.005-04:00

When my husband came home with energy saving light bulbs a few years ago, my friend laughed because she thought he was cheap. Who’s laughing now? One of the easiest no brainer things to do to save energy is to switch out the light bulbs. What began as a way to save on our energy bill became a very popular way to conserve energy. My kids know not to let water run while they brush their teeth and to not waste anything. We all recycle and have been doing so for years. I think I'm on the right path to becoming “green”.

Sophie Uliano’s book, Gorgeously Green, is a down-to-earth, friendly book offering loads of eco-friendly tips and ideas. This is not only an inspiring read but a fun one too. With all the talk of saving the earth and becoming environmentally aware, I strongly hope we as a country are shifting our awareness and realizing how important it is to make wise choices, conserve what we can and treat this earth with respect.

Sophie seems like a fun person, a gentle spirit and a kind soul. I hope to meet her someday, after all, with both have daughters named Lola, (my girl is a Great Dane) live in Southern California, love beauty products and yoga. Seriously, what better basis for friendship? Gorgeously Green has a permanent place on my bookshelf and I plan to refer back to it again and again. I can't want to see what else Sophie comes up with! Buy the book, implement the ideas and live green!

What is the #1 thing we can all do to live Gorgeously Green?

The #1 thing we can all do is to sit down and think about one powerful change that you can make in your life today. For some people, this may be to start composting their food waste, for others it may mean buying a bicycle and using it for one of the many short car trips you take a day. If you live in a big city, it may be that you will commit to taking a reusable coffee mug to the coffee shop from now on. Tell your friends and family about the one change you have decided to make, so they can call you out on it! This one change will, I promise, not only inspire others around you, but it will also act as a springboard for many other changes that you will wind up making.

What made you decide to put this excellent book together?

I was a little overwhelmed and confused about the amount of information there was out there when I first started researching eco-friendly living. Once you start digging, it’s an endless tunnel! I also found that eco-tips tend to go in one ear and out the other, so I wanted to distill all this incredibly useful information down into 8 simple steps that any woman can follow regardless of her circumstances. I also wanted to reassure women that they can still be gorgeous while being green – yes nails, hair salon and fancy shoes are all part of the deal!

Although I’ve interviewed several authors who have been on Oprah, I have yet to meet her. So please tell me the details of your visit on Oprah’s show! How was she? Were you nervous?

Oprah was quite wonderful. She has an amazing energy about her that literally sets the studio ablaze – it’s infectious! Oprah is so down-to-earth and human that she puts you at ease immediately. I was very nervous: as a first-time author, it seemed almost surreal to be walking onto that stage, however, Julia Roberts and Oprah are old-hands at this kind of stuff, so I felt very taken care of. Julia is a very calming presence too.

I love the fact that here in the United States we are very aware of environmental issues. But what about the rest of the world, places like China and India where they may not have the resources to make positive changes?

Most people can make positive changes, regardless of their resources. Going Green doesn’t mean you have to have the resources to buy solar and hybrid cars, it simply means finding a way of living where you are using up less of the planet’s finite resources. In this way, it often means saving money: recycling, reusing and reducing are actions that everyone can take. I think the larger issue is that countries such as China and India are not far behind us in becoming mega-consumer nations. What’s most important is that China and the U.S. get with the program in terms of signing the Kyoto agreement etc and stop pointing the finger at each other. This is a global problem- we all share the same air. You got me going now!!

What kind of indulgences do you allow yourself?

Too many actually! I indulge in fantastic food because I LOVE eating and cooking, so I always indulge in the best ingredients I can find. I love getting my nails done and I indulge in clothes and shoe shopping every once in a while, however, I’ve stopped buying cheap inexpensive and often badly made clothes. Instead I shop less and save up for one or two pieces that have been made with great care. Oh and maybe once a week, when it’s chilly, I’ll run a nice hot bath and add essential oils. I am well aware that it is a 20- gallon indulgence that I feel horribly guilty about.

Do you live a strictly “green” life? In what areas do you find the biggest challenge?

I live as green a life as I possibly can, but I’m not extreme. I eat meat, shop for fun things, wear designer shoes etc, however, I am mindful that most everything I do doesn’t have too much of a negative impact on the environment. I shop consciously, eschewing as much packaging as I can and making sure that all living beings were treated fairly.

I think the biggest challenge for me is driving less. I live in Los Angeles, where everything is spaced quite far apart. I am trying to keep everything local: my daughter’s school, her play dates, where we shop, where we go out to eat. I also try to walk or cycle anyway that is within a two- mile radius of my home.

Do you drive a Prius? How can people switch to fuel- efficient cars when they are so expensive?

I drive a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I love it as it’s pretty fuel-efficient and does a great job of carting my daughter and her friends to the beach with all the requisite beach supplies! I don’t, however, think you need to go the hybrid route to save gas. There are plenty of small, very fuel-efficient cars on the market. One of the greatest gas-saving tips is to ALWAYS drive below the speed limit. I have a gauge on my hybrid that shows me exactly how much gas I’m using and when I put my foot on the pedal (if I’m in a hurry), it suddenly starts guzzling. So my driving habits are now safer and more cost-effective.

If every person reading this interview vowed to make a few simple changes in their lifestyle to become “Gorgeously Green.” What kind of an impact could we make on the environment?

Huge impact, because it’s not just the people reading this interview. When you make a positive change, it affects everyone around you and soon they too will inspire others.

Think of your change as a pebble in a pond – it will make ripples that will get bigger and bigger. Yesterday, at a book signing, a girl traveled two hours to come up and meet me and buy books for her friends. She dragged along a reticent boyfriend and 3 other foot-dragging girls. She bought them all a book. I was so touched by her commitment to try to get these young people to become conscious. Kudos to her.

I had dinner at someone’s house recently and as shocked that they didn’t recycle! What’s a nice, tactful way to strongly hint that they should toss those cans and bottles into the recycle bin?

I just start helping and then innocently ask “where is your recycling bin please” and if they say they haven’t got one, I innocently ask if there is anything I can do to help them get set up. I try to never to judge (or pretend not to), as I want to encourage, rather than alienate people.

What is your favorite way to relax on a weekend?

I just love to chill out on the weekends with my husband and daughter. We just hang around and laugh and play and I’ll bicycle to the farmer’s market and get all the veggies for the week. Most Sunday evenings, we grill a bunch of veggies out on the grill and sit outside with a bit of Bob Marley playing and a chilled bottle of organic wine – heaven!

Do you read? Who are your favorite authors?

I eat books! I adore reading. Recently I have read books by Barbara Kingsolver, Scott Spencer, Maya Angelou and dozens of environmental books!

What are your future plans and goals? And what will we see you doing in five years from now?

I am about to start working on my next book (I’ll keep you posted!), I am also working on a line of Gorgeously Green home and beauty products and there are a number of television projects in the pipeline. Five years from now, I will hopefully have another three books out on the shelves. I’m passionate about writing and have many ideas. Technology is going to have changed so much in 5 years time that I’m not sure virally what will be happening, however, Gorgeously Green will be a mega-movement and social-network where through the web and television, we will be creating change on a huge scale. More than anything, I hope you will see me continuing to be grateful for and to enjoy what is still gorgeously green about this planet.

The Divorce Party by Laura Dave

2008-05-15T17:58:00.003-04:00

Laura Dave is a great, great author. She has this incredible way of creating characters who are so flawed and normal, like people you or I might actually know. It's as if she can climb into their skin and become that person. Laura weaves the story together in a seamless fashion which satisfies those who like to read light women's fiction as well as the more serious kinds of books. Some writers have a literary talent that cannot be denied. Laura was born to write, I think.

Laura's first novel London is the Best City in America was very warmly received and now The Divorce Party is getting rave reviews. Let's just say this is a smart writer and her career is full of promise. Both her novels have been optioned to become major motion pictures. She's living my dream. You go, girl! I can't wait for her next book which I hope is about a lovely girl named Cindy who runs a website and gets discovered by Hollywood... umm...anyway, I'm very excited to share this interview with you.

How many times did you drive out to Montauk to visit the location for the book? What is it like there?

I drove to Montauk too many times to count. It is a beautiful town which is, quite literally, on the end of the earth. Because of that, it requires something different of its inhabitants. Living in a city, there are so many distractions—so many ways to avoid knowing what is really going on inside of you, inside of your closest relationships.

The quiet in Montauk—the solitude and isolation there—requires an attention to one's own life and surroundings that I greatly admire.I am also fascinated by the people who live in Montauk year-round versus the summer people, who come in and try to take over for a while. There seems to be this reclaiming that occurs perennially—an acknowledgment each September from the year-rounders that this place is ours. That type of devotion to one's home isn't unlike what is necessary to keep a marriage strong, or to keep a family together. This is part of what I ended up exploring in The Divorce Party, which made Montauk a great setting for it.

How do you chose your character's names?

That's a really interesting question. A lot of the time, a character's name will just come to me. In fact, when they are coming to me and feel right, it is often an indicator that the story is moving in the right direction. When I am having trouble naming someone, it usually means that I haven't gotten to the heart of that character quite yet.The first character I named in The Divorce Party was Champ Huntington, the family patriarch, quickly followed by my narrators: Champ's daughter-in-law, Gwyn, and Maggie—who is engaged to Gwyn's son and on her way to becoming the newest Huntington. I had the most trouble naming Maggie's fiancé, Nate, who kept changing his mind on me. He was Jacob for awhile, then Jack, then Lucas. But I can't write about anyone named Lucas and not think of Lucas: the movie (staring Charlie Sheen!)

Your books are very in depth giving each character lots of personality and detail. It's almost like you studied psychology. How do you form your characters?

I am not one of those writers who sits down and maps out everything about a character before I start writing. I usually know a few defining things about each character, (like what you would know after spending an afternoon with someone for the first time), and I let myself learn more as I go. This creates a situation in which my characters are allowed to surprise me—and, occasionally, make things very difficult for me too. I created a character in The Divorce Party who is 8 months pregnant by a man she has known for 10 months. Not necessarily a typical recipe for lasting love. But this character is adamant that it is, in fact, a love that is meant to last a lifetime. And about a hundred pages into the book, I started to believe her. This meant a complete rewrite. But, for me, that is also the fun part.

While I have never formally studied psychology (unless you consider Psych 101: Freshman year of college, which no one should!), I am fascinated by what makes people move, make decisions, change their lives. Informally, these are the questions I am always trying to answer for my characters.

What is the last book you read?

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. Amazing.

What is one movie that you could watch over and over again?

The Insider (the Michael Mann movie with Al Pacino and Russell Crowe). I love love love that movie. I'm not even sure why, but there you have it. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if I happen to turn on the television and see When Harry Met Sally, I'm fixated until the final time Meg Ryan says "on the side."

The Divorce Party is being turned into a film. How did producers get the book ahead of the release date?

I have a great film agent. That's the simple answer. She loves books, and takes on ones that she cares deeply about—then she finds the right people to be involved in turning them into movies. I don't know how she does it, exactly, but she is truly awesome.In terms of The Divorce Party, Universal Studios acquired the rights with Echo Films, Jennifer Aniston and Kristin Hahn's new production company; and Gwyn Lurie, who wrote the screenplay for my first book, is back on board to write this screenplay as well. I'm very excited.

What traits do you admire in each of your characters?

I admire in my characters many of the same traits I admire in real-life people who inspire me: a surprising sense of humor, a comfort in their own skin, a willingness to stand up and take risks. We are often on journeys in our lives to, quite simply, get out of our own way—to be braver and happier and more giving. I admire when my characters set out on these journeys and figure out how to come through for themselves and for the people who matter most to them. And I always, always like when they can figure out how to laugh instead of cry.

How long did it take you to write the book? Do you have a complete outline before you sit and write it? How do you tackle the process of writing a novel?

I am never sure how to answer the question of how long something took to write. Technically, I started putting pen to paper about twenty months ago (and by pen to paper, I mean: I opened my Mac). But there was this specific image that got the ball rolling for me, which has been running through my mind for years: a woman driving down a driveway to her future-in-laws house, and realizing that she is not signing up for the life that she thought she was. I couldn't let go of that image, which makes me unsure when the work actually started. Maybe I was doing some of it all along, and just waiting to figure out how the pieces all came together.

A trip I took to Montauk to visit friends in the spring of 2005 really helped me begin to see the entire picture.Even as I'm writing a book or a story, I always work toward that sense of discovery. I only outline minimally. But, something happens in the writing that lets me know if I am on the right track. I usually write several drafts before I show anyone a word.

Are there things you wish you could change once the book is printed and published and sitting in book stores?

Of course. In fact, many times I have seen writers make changes to their books while they are giving a reading. I totally understand that impulse. I once heard one of my favorite writers say that the best thing he ever wrote he left on a bus. He didn't mean it literally, but was speaking to a point that I can relate to: once a book is out there in the world, the parts you want to change become so large. While it is lost on a bus, it is perfect.

What is the status of the film version of your first book, London is the Best City in America?

These things seem to take a long time. My first book is still in development at Universal Studios and a great screenplay has been written. I promise--I'll keep you posted as I know more!

If you could write a movie of your life, what would the title be? And who would play you?

I would definitely need to title the movie after one of my favorite songs, maybe a Rolling Stones song, like Ruby Tuesday or Moonlight Mile—though Moonlight Mile has already been taken (and for such a sad movie!), so I guess I'll go with Ruby Tuesday.I love music so much--I would want to be in charge of the soundtrack. I have a lot of ideas already. But, I'm not sure what the movie would be about, or who would star in it. Maybe I would start with the music and take it from there. Two tracks that would definitely make the final cut? If I Should Fall Behind by Bruce Springsteen and ANYTHING by The National.

Read it now, Dark Summit

2008-05-12T15:44:00.003-04:00

I have had to slow my reading down a bit because I've been working hard at rewriting my new novel. I'm almost finished. This book, partly about Marilyn Monroe and the glamour of 1950's Hollywood, has been a huge labor of love in which my character needed a major overhaul. Agents didn't like her vain, self centered, celebrity loving personality. I really want a great agent and if rewriting Barrett is what I had to do then so be it. I never thought it would take years to work on a book but between writing, editing, rewriting, sending query letters and taking in the feedback and having a trusted friend and book reviewer for People magazine (hello Caroline!) read the book and give me constructive criticism, well, that's just what goes into writing a novel that people will want to read.

One of the books I have on my book shelf to read is this gripping true story called Dark Summit by Nick Heil. It is the story of the climbers who tackled Mt. Everest and lost during 2006. It's a year that saw incredible tragedies from people who tried to climb this mountain. I'm always intrigued with this kind of dare-devil hobby. Climbing is hard enough (I've only climbed a rock wall) but add in snow and wind and freezing temperatures and precarious topography and its a sure recipe for disaster. Dark Summit has received good reviews and it's definitely

going to be read and passed around. Perfect summer reading- an intense story based on real life events.

The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein

2008-05-07T15:40:00.005-04:00

Here's a fantastic novel to keep you busy while your favorite TV shows go on hiatus. I do the most reading of the entire year during the summer after May sweeps. What else is there to do? Grab a book. Reading is better than watching television anyway. I'm pretty hooked on my reality shows right now but I always have a book or magazine next to me.

Jennifer Cody Epstein, the author of The Painter from Shanghai...oh, where do I begin? I received this book and thought it would take me a month to get through. It's historical fiction which requires more concentration. You don't want to miss a single description or miss a date or event. Jennifer is brilliant and I'm not exaggerating. This book is so rich in detail and I greatly admire and appreciate all the very hard work and dedication that went into this jewel of a book.

The Painter From Shanghai is about Pan Yuliang, a painter from guess where? Shanghai! This is the story of her life starting from when she was sold into prostitution by her uncle then taken as a concubine. The novel sweeps from pre war Shanghai to the glamour of 1920's Paris. We are consumed with her struggle to become who she is meant to be, a painter of provocatively beautiful paintings. Yuliang's life is difficult but her desire to be a painter keeps her moving forward. If you have never seen her art, you must visit Jennifer's site and view these works. They are gorgeous and colorful and by today's standards, not very risque. But back in Pan Yuliangs time, they were outrageous hence the trouble and hardship Pan Yuliang encountered. Don't miss this novel. Head to your favorite bookstore and buy it now.

Jennifer, the book is amazing. Tell me about the huge task of researching for The Painter from Shanghai.

Huge is the word! Although as a former journalist and erstwhile academic (I love universities and basically try to spend as much time as I can at them) the research was actually far less intimidating for me than the writing. For about two years I really just researched, without writing a word (or, rather, writing mediocre short stories that never seemed to go anywhere). At some point I realized that I was using the research as a crutch to keep from starting the novel, because the idea scared me so much. So I had to wean myself off the books and onto Word.

In terms of subject: basically, I read everything I could find on China during this period in English, online, in texts and novels. I also enlisted the help of Chinese- and French-speaking friends to help translate and research relevant texts in those languages (one friend, for example, spent hours on my behest at the Beaux Arts library in Paris), and to vet what I was writing for mistakes. I interviewed a few art historians, painters and the curator of the Guggenheim exhibit at which I first discovered Pan Yuliang, about ten years ago. I also took a couple of painting courses to get a sense of the process and the feeling of painting (although the strongest sense I got was that I’m a far better writer than painter!)

You didn't skimp on the details of Pan Yuliang's life from beginning to end. Did you give yourself a broad creative license to fill in the blanks?

Happily, this was one of those subjects where I actually had to use creative license—even the art historians I spoke to confirmed that there is so little actually factually known about her (even the birthdate on her gravestone in Paris is generally agreed to be inaccurate) that in order to get a full sense of her story, one has to simply imagine. Once I’d come to terms with that, the task of telling a story—rather than, specifically, the story—came much more easily.

Her nude paintings caused a huge stir. Did men painting nude women have the same effect back in those days?

I think it was pretty forbidden on both levels. But in some ways, a man painting a woman nude was even more of a transgression, as women were supposed to be essentially shielded from male eyes well into the twentieth century. “Proper” women, in the old Confucian traditions, left home as rarely as possible, and even when one was ill she wasn’t supposed to be physically examined by a doctor. Rather, she’d be presented with a statue of a woman, and would point to the areas that were likely affected.

The idea of a woman painting a man nude was probably the most scandalous option of all—which in part may explain why there are so few paintings of men in Pan Yuliang’s work—even fully-clothed ones—and why the response when she did do it was so vehement (the painting I have vandalized in the book is based on one that really was vandalized in real life, and scribbled with obscenities referring to her history as a prostitute). What I love so much about her, though, is that she simply didn’t care—in life as in her work she challenged concepts on gender and propriety, and once really did dress up as a man to get into a painting class in Nanjing that was open to men only because they were painting male nudes.

I have always loved Monet, Georgia O'Keefe and Van Gogh, Who are some of your favorite painters?

I didn’t actually know much about painting before I began this project, believe it or not! I do love Manet, Matisse, Cezanne and Rembrandt; I also love Sargent, Valedon, Cassatt, Hiroshige, and—believe it or not—Norman Rockewell, who I think does Americana so beautifully and humorously. Of the Chinese artists, I must say Pan Yuliang has been my favorite. But I’m probably a bit biased J

If you had to delve inside the life of another person for your next book, who would you choose?

There were a few characters I came across in doing this who really fascinated me; Tokyo Rose (one of the English-speaking presenters who taunted US forces on-air as part of Japan’s propaganda efforts during World War II) was one of them, as was Yoshiko Kawashima, a Manchu princess brought up in Japan who later became a spy for the Japanese during World War II in Shanghai. (Obviously, there’s a theme of some sort at work here!).

What I’m actually working now on a non-real-life character for a novel about Tokyo during the end of the war. It’s still pretty rough, but I envision her as an adolescent and am really looking forward to seeing both pre- and post-Occupation Japan through her eyes.

There are so many intriguing and interesting women in history. My favorites include Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth I, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart…what about you?

Hmmmm. Those are good ones. There are so many…some of my writing heroes are Pearl Buck, Edith Wharton and Toni Morrison (whose Beloved ranks as one of my favorite books of all time). I also greatly admire Eleanor Roosevelt, Madame Curie, Helen Keller, Margaret Sanger, Rosa Parks…the more I think the more I’ll come up with, so I’ll stop now!

What was your writing schedule when you were working on the novel?

These days it’s pretty civilized; we have a sitter and I generally try to fit in three or four hours four days of the week on writing or book-related activities When I was a new mom and we had absolutely no money (as opposed to a little) it was kinda insane—the only hours I had to work were when the baby was sleeping. So I’d try to get from 5-9 in (until my husband left for work) and then would add a couple of hours when she was napping, if I wasn’t too tired. I believe I spent much of the first half of the book in a state of sleep-deprived psychosis—I really don’t remember writing a lot of that stuff!

Why don't we know of Pan Yuliang? I'd never heard of her before the book. It seems like we should know her beautiful work.

That was actually the first question I had when I saw her painting at the Guggenheim: Why don’t we know this woman?! She strikes me—not just in terms of talent, but raw perseverance—as a true heroine and inspiration. The only thing I can come up with in terms of her relative obscurity—at least in the West—is that she was Chinese, and most Westerners aren’t very familiar with China’s history or its arts. I also think the fact that she’s a woman had a lot to do with it; women—particularly in her time—were given even lesser opportunity for advancement then they were here, and I think her history as a prostitute made it seem in bad taste to many to appreciate her art (even now I get the sense that it casts a disproportionately long shadow over her accomplishments in China). Though I also think it can be argued that women are largely being left out of the current Asian art boom—for whatever reason that might be.

Are you an avid reader? What genres do you enjoy reading?

Absolutely. With books, as with food, I’m pretty much am an omnivore and a glutton. I love historical fiction in particular. Right now I’m simultaneously reading Max Hasting’s Retribution, Elsa Durante’s History, Elisa Albert’s The Book of Dahlia, Dazai Osamu’s The Setting Sun and (with my daughter) The Horse and His Boy, Through the Looking Glass and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. (Yes, I’m already encouraging her in my bad habits!)

What will we find you doing on the weekend?

Reading. Yoga. Running with my dog. Watching Disney (princess movies or Hannah Montanna) with my daughters. Struggling to get my daughters into bed so I can have a civilized conversation with my husband. Sleeping (if I’m lucky!).

What do you have planned next?

As I said, something set in Tokyo during World War II. I actually have far more experience in Japan than in China (I lived there for five years and speak the language fairly well) so it’ll be a nice change!

New in Paperback!

2008-05-04T22:34:00.003-04:00

I enjoyed this fun, quick read and I know you will too. Laurie Viera Rigler's novel is now in paperback which means when you grab your latte at Barnes and Noble, you can pick up this book too. If you love Jane Austen, want to escape to another time and place and/or are a book addict, then this novel is for you.

Here is the official write up:

CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT is the comical tale of a modern Los Angeles woman, Courtney Stone, who’s trying to heal a broken heart with Jane Austen novels and Absolut. One morning, she wakes to find herself in early nineteenth-century England, in another woman’s body. Nothing can prepare Courtney for the chamber pots and filthy coaching inns of nineteenth-century England, let alone the realities of being a single woman who must fend off suffocating chaperones, condomless seducers, and marriages of convenience. This looking-glass Austen world is not without its charms, however. There are journeys to Bath and London, balls in the Assembly Rooms, and the enigmatic Mr. Edgeworth, who may not be a familiar species of philanderer after all. But when Courtney’s borrowed brain serves up memories that are not her own, the ultimate identity crisis ensues. Will she ever get her real life back, and does she even want to?”

Here's a homage to all Jane Austen movies I found on YouTube. It puts me in the mood for renting Jane Austen movies for days on end. Ahhhh, I love romance.

Author Stephanie Laurens Eco House!

2008-04-29T13:02:00.007-04:00

I'd love to have a home on this land!

I've always wanted a spiral staircase. I really like the modern touches.

I can easily imagine myself dramatically draped over this chair.

When my husband tells me our curren home is the house we will stay in forever, I have to disagree. I love my comfortable refuge but I have big plans for our future residence. My ideal home would be completely eco friendly like author Stephanie Laurens' home in the above photos.Recycled everything, solar panels, modern and cool, that's my dream home. I would decorate in neutral, soft colors with pops of orange and red. You'd walk into my house and feel completely relaxed because it would be arranged with the art of feng shui. Stones and glass and water, maybe an indoor waterfall with recycled water, why not?

Stephanie's house looks pretty incredible doesn't it? Let me play like a broken record and remind you again to make small changes like replacing light bulbs with the energy conserving bulbs, recycle bottles and cans and paper. Learn more here.

This gorgeous eco house will be featured on the Discovery Channel and HGTV. You can learn more about the authors house by clicking here.

Books to Movies and Movies

2008-04-28T16:26:00.005-04:00

I am so excited to see the movie version of Love and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman. I learned today that Jennifer Lopez is starring in the film. I wonder if Jennifer and Ayelet will become BFFs? Imagine being buddies with a diva like Jennifer?

If you haven't read the book, go out and do so. This way you will be fully prepared when the movie comes out. I read an interview with Jennifer from a year ago and she said, "I think I'm gonna do this movie with Don Roos. It's something that he wrote. It's called Love and Other Impossible Pursuits. I'm very excited."

J.Lo, lets get one thing straight. Don Roos may have penned the screenplay but the book was written by Ayelet Waldman. Let's give the novelist credit where credit is due. Books turning into movies are happening all the time right now and I want to be sure to mention the novelists name. After all, that's where the idea came from. The creative seed was born in the writers mind.

Here is a link to learn more about the book. As soon as the trailer is up, I'll post it. I think we have another year to wait which gives you plenty of time to read that novel first!

And talking about movies, I went and saw Baby Mama this weekend. I don't know if you are a casual reader or have been following my every post, goal and dream but I long to be a successful screenwriter and Baby Mama is the kind of film I'd like to write, something humorous and fun and happy with a nice ending.

It was a cute movie, suitable for all ages (except people, please don't bring your infants and kids under 13 to a PG-13 movie) and didn't have a lot of profanity. No nudity either. I adore the comedic coupling of Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. Hit with inspiration, I now know exactly who I want to play Barrett and Kat in the movie version of A Thousand Dollars for a Kiss!

Enjoy this clip of Baby Mama!

The Sound of Meat

2008-04-24T21:19:00.005-04:00

I want to introduce a book to you that has been released by my publisher, Ephemera Bound Publishing. Randy Radic got in touch with me years ago, when I first began this site. He wrote a book and was sending out query letters. I offered to help with his letter because as you might know, the query is essential in getting an agent's attention. Fast forward to the present when Randy's book, The Sound Of Meat is available. The title may lead you to think the book is about a butcher, a Sweeney Todd of a memoir but Randy was the pastor of a church and well, you need to click this link to read the full scoop.

Randy's story is intriguing (pastor, embezzlement, church, prison and a pricey BMW) and I think it would make an excellent movie, a dark film with sinister undertones. You know how I'm all into books becoming films. Well, here's a juicy one. I'm not giving all the information away, you have to click here to read the synopsis. I wish Randy the best with The Sound of Meat.

Contest at Hello Dollface, don't miss out!

2008-04-24T14:22:00.006-04:00

I don't know how many of you venture over to my other site, Hello Dollface, but I have been running several reader giveaway contests recently and don't want my book loving friends to miss out. Two things I love: reading and beauty. I also write about other things, it's a fun site to write and I want you to see it.

This week I am giving away a pair of Tummy Tuck Jeans and YES Skincare Duo. Please click here to enter. I also feature the Daily Dollfaces so if you remember my gossip site and those days of sarcasm and snark, you might be interested in seeing recent pictures of our favorite actresses and their clothes and shoes (I'm talking to you Gwyneth Paltrow with your bizarre designer heels!).

Ten Years Thinner

2008-04-22T17:48:00.004-04:00

I received Ten Years Thinner months ago and have had it sitting next to my stationary bike ever since. I have been constantly refering to it and doing the exercises almost daily. The program is so simple and doesn't take a lot of time to complete. All you need is a step stool, a set of light hand weights (even soup cans will do), a mat and a pillow. You can do this routine anywhere in your house, yard, while you are on vacation. For someone like me who dreads any kind of cardio, this program is ideal.

I keep picking the book up again and again to reread certain chapters. It has a perpetual bookmark where the exercises are featured. Your heart rate gets up, don't be fooled by the simplicity of the movements!

The exercise program features lots of squats and lunges. These two exercises help tone the thighs and buttocks- perfect for the all too quickly approaching summer season. Bathing suits...yuck! Unfortunately for me, I have lower back problems stemming from wonky hips so I have to stay away from lunges but I can easily do everything else.

I am not a fan of going to the gym- I always felt compelled to primp and dress nicely to work out (remember spandex?) this is why I love books like Ten Years Thinner. The exercises are tailored for the busy person who is pressed for time or someone like me who can't (or doesn't want to) get to a gym. Spend twenty to thirty minutes a day on this exercise routine and your body will shape up quickly especially if you follow Christine's eating program which includes so many healthy foods, you won't be lacking in tasty meals.

Click here for the The Years Thinner website!

Department of Lost and Found

2008-04-21T10:58:00.004-04:00

In case you missed The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch the first time around in hardback, tomorrow is the release of the paperback version. You must not miss this debut novel by one of my favorite writers. Allison is not only an uber successful freelance writer but is a smart and savvy novelist too. I wanted to include the cover for her next book too because its so pretty. I am anxiously awaiting the release but it wont be out until the fall. Something to look forward to!

Allison's blog is one that I read on a daily basis. She is so prolific and willing to share all her knowledge of writing and publishing which makes me completely adore her. Here is a link to her website, blog and Amazon.com link so you can buy the paperback. Happy reading!

Jennifer Weiner, Certain Girls

2008-04-16T16:00:00.008-04:00

I read Jennifer Weiner's first novel Good In Bed back in 2002 along with the rest of the world. After GIB she became a household name and followed up with one of my all time favorites, In Her Shoes (the only book I've read twice). Jennifer is an author we all adore and wait for her books with high expectations. She updates her SnarkSpot regularly and here and there we learn about her life, both personal and professional. She is not only funny but intelligent. I've seen her on television, in magazines and of course on all the best seller lists. Her's is the kind of career I wish for myself. And here is where I start to drool:

Best-selling novelist Jennifer Weiner has inked a two-year overall deal with ABC Studios. Under the seven-figure pact, she will create and executive produce series projects for the studio. Several of Weiner's books have made the transition to the big screen. "In Her Shoes" was made into a 2005 feature starring Cameron Diaz. "Little Earthquakes" is in development at Universal, while her short story "The Guy Not Taken" is in the works at DreamWorks.

She is living my dream! Congratulations on the success, Jennifer. Or can I call you Jen?

Certain Girls catches up with Cannie, the heroine of Good In Bed. Cannie is mother to Joy, a fiesty hearing impaired teen. The book alternates between Cannie and Joy so we can understand both points of view and sympathize with them. Joy discovers a novel written years ago by Cannie which may or may not be based on real life events. It's quite a steamy, emotional read. Joy tries to put the pieces together and figure out who her mother really is at the same time she struggles with her own identity. Oh, the joys of being a teenager. Joy and Cannie are at odds on planning Joy's Bat-Mitzvah and the center of their squabbles is a sexy ( for a thirteen year old) designer dress. Seriously, mothers and daughters will fight over anything and everything. And in Certain Girls, they do.

Cannie is dealing with her own crisis of whether or not to hire a surrogate to carry a baby for her and her husband Peter. Of course just when we think Cannie has it all under control, life unravels like a cheaply knitted sweater. I know this book is going to sell millions of copies and everyone will be carrying a copy of Certain Girls no matter where I go. To be honest, that will be a nice change from seeing people toting around A New Earth. Fans of Jennifer Weiner's will love Certain Girls. I bet its only a matter of time before Dakota Fanning is cast as Joy and we see an A- lister play Cannie. But who will play Nifkin?

Which of all your characters is your favorite?

You can’t ask me to pick! It’s like asking a mother to tell you which kid she likes best!
That being said, though, I do like writing some of the supporting characters, like Mrs. Lefkowitz in IN HER SHOES, or Janie in GOODNIGHT NOBODY, or Samantha in CERTAIN GIRLS.

Are any of Cannie's experiences based on your own life?

Let’s see: I’m not married to a doctor, don’t have a thirteen-year-old, still have a uterus (not that I’ll be doing anything with it anytime soon), have not lived through my kid’s bat mitzvah (but oh, it’s coming) and have not hired a surrogate to have my baby. I’d say that Cannie’s voice is a lot like mine, and the general contours of her life have things in common with the general contours of mine, but as far as specifics, she’s her own girl.

I think I'll be okay if I never see the word Nifkin again. What made you name the dog after that particular part of a man's anatomy?

Basically, I have the sense of humor of an eight-year-old, and I am endlessly amused by fart jokes, anatomical references, and menstruation humor (there’s a whole riff on that in CERTAIN GIRLS, when Cannie’s asked if she wants to be the spokesperson for a new brand of tampons, and she keeps asking, “Does this offer come with strings attached?”)

So where did Nifkin come from? A long time ago, I heard my brother Jake say the word, and I was so taken by the sound of it that I basically tortured him until he told me what it meant…and by then I was so in love with it as the name of a fictional dog that I was kind of stuck. But (spoiler alert!) Nifkin dies in CERTAIN GIRLS….so you won’t have to worry about that word ever again.

How have you changed since Good in Bed was published?

Girl, I’m old! Old, old, old! When I wrote that book I was twenty-eight, single, and broken-hearted. Now I’m thirty-eight, married, and exhausted. (Well, not always, but my four-month-old only sleeps through the night about half of the time, so I am pretty tired these days). I just did a podcast with my editor when we were reminiscing about the good old days when we first met, and when we colored our hair because we wanted to, not because we had to!

But essentially, I don’t think I’ve changed too much at all. I still live in the same neighborhood as I did when I wrote GOOD IN BED (although now I’m in a house, not an apartment), I have the same friends, go to the same restaurants, do a lot of the same things. I still get frantically jealous of big-deal literary authors and all of the publicity they receive, and I go around gnashing my teeth at the unfairness of the attention lavished on someone like Charles Bock. Then my husband reminds me that my books sell okay, too, and that’s even without me having tattooed their first sentences anywhere on my person. Then I eat a cupcake, and everything’s okay again.

What is the last book you read?

I tend to read a bunch of books at a time, so, recently, I’ve finished THE JEW OF HOME DEPOT, a short-story collection by Max Apple, ATTACK OF THE THEATER PEOPLE by Marc Acito (madcap coming-of-age-in-1980’s-New-York story), and SO THAT’S WHAT THEY’RE FOR, which is a breast-feeding guide.

Currently working on the new Jonathan Kellerman and the new Jhumpa Lahiri, with new Suzanne Finnamore on deck. Happy happy!

Do you think the publishing industry is more open towards male writers? In other words, do you believe women have a harder time breaking into the industry?

Breaking into the industry? Not so much. Women still read the vast majority of fiction in this country, so I don’t think it’s harder for a woman to get published than it would be for a man. However, I do believe that women have a much harder time becoming critics’ darlings, or seen as the next big new thing on the literary horizon. Those slots are still mostly reserved for the Jonathans.

I write a beauty website too so I am compelled to ask about beauty products! What are some of your favorites?

Just promise me that if you ever got one of the Jonathans to answer your questions, you’d ask him this, too! Right now, I’d have to say that the Shu Uemura hair-care line is genius. I have really fine hair that basically lies there doing nothing (it is the follicular equivalent of a drunk guy on a couch), so I need a lot of product to coax it into any semblance of style, and their stuff is great.

I finally splurged on a BaByliss blow dryer and a ceramic straightening iron, both of which have improved my life and appearance immeasurably. Also, now that I am old, it’s all about the Laura Mercier concealer.

Once you write a book, do you go back and obsess over it? Are there things that you would change in Certain Girls if you could?

I am definitely the obsessive type, so I try not to even read my finished books. I’m certain that if I did I’d find a few hundred things I’d want to re-do so, in general, I stay away (if you come to one of my readings, you’ll probably notice that the passage I read is from the advanced reader’s copy, not the finished product).

What do you remember most about being Joy's age? The teenage years were the absolute worst. I looked like Ugly Betty!

I was actually looking at my own bat mitzvah pictures not too long ago. Thirteen was so tragic. I had the short, feathered hair – with bangs, of course, because what short, feathered ‘do isn’t improved by bangs? I also boasted the double-thick helping of braces, and my boobs and nose had both attained their adult proportions while the rest of me had not. It was not good. I have vivid memories of begging my parents for a subscription to Seventeen, thinking that if I used all of the products and did all of the things the advice columns said to do, I could be magically transformed into one of those girls. Which didn’t happen…and now it’s probably too late to get my money back.

What are some movies that you would watch over and over again?

“Working Girl” is one of my all-time favorites (Harrison Ford never looked better). Lately, every time “Primary Colors” or “Trading Places” comes on TV, I’m like, “Oh, I’ll give it five minutes,” and end up watching until the end.

As an outsider looking in, your life is pretty spectacular. Is there anything else that could possibly top all of your success?

I have to say, things are pretty good. I’ve got two healthy, funny, sweet girls, a wonderful husband, great friends and a great neighborhood, and I get to spend my working days making stuff up. I’d have a hard time imagining how things could get much better. Hmm…maybe I could host a game show?

What's next for you?

Immediately next is my daughter Phoebe’s baby naming. The ceremony will be at our synagogue, then we’re having about 70 people back at the house for a party with a bouncy castle for the five-year-old set.

Work-wise, I’m playing around with a few different things, fiction and non-fiction. I’ll see what shakes out in the next month or so.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

2008-04-15T12:33:00.004-04:00

On Saturday night I went to dinner with a friend at a restaurant called BJs. I had an Italian Margarita- regular margarita with Amaretto- delicious!- and a chopped BBQ Chicken salad. I know you would spend the day wondering what I ate if I didn't tell you. We also shared a spinach dip which can be tricky because that green spinach has a tendency to get lodged in the teeth. After dinner, we decided to see a movie, we were in the mood for a light, sweet film. The only one that fit the bill was Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. I read reviews in magazines and online and all the critics had lovely things to say about the movie so I was game.

I was not disappointed. Amy Adams, fresh from her role in Enchanted, is very twinkly and cute with her red hair and round eyes and impish smile. Frances McDormand, who I loved in Fargo, is terrific as a dowdy, down-on-her-luck Miss Pettigrew. The film takes place in the 1940's and the music and costumes are wonderful, a visual treat to behold! The movie itself is exactly what I had hoped for with funny scenes and emotional scenes and moments that are touching and sweet. The ending is happy and satisfying.

I didn't know that it was based on a novel by Winifred Watson back in 1938. See, the best films come from good books! Here is a quote from Winifred to her publisher, regarding Miss Pettigrew:

Miss Pettigrew was always rather a pet of mine but my publishers were horrified when they first read it. I had written two rather strong dramas before it so when they received a book that was fun they wouldn't accept it. I can remember to this day looking up at him and saying, "You're wrong: Miss Pettigrew is a winner." But he just looked stubborn. I wrote another straight novel and then, when they did publish Miss Pettigrew, I was proved right and they were proved wrong.

Her quote gives great hope to those of us who get a little down with our own pursuits of literary success. I can't wait to read the book, I'm sure it's wonderful. Enjoy the trailer below.

Then She Found Me

2008-04-11T17:26:00.003-04:00

This is a picture of the sheff where I keep my books. As you can see, there are tons. I'm running out of room and my sloppy nature is partly to blame. I keep stacking books on top of books on top of other stuff. How nice it would be to have some kind of modern IKEA-esque shelving in my teeny tiny office. I get emails from authors and PR people all the time asking if they can send books to review. I say yes, of course but they might end up in the black hole of the office. I try to read everything but sometimes a book will catch my interest and I will drop everything, run to the library and borrow it.

I know people who don't use this fantastic resource. GO. Check out books for FREE. I love the books both old and new filling the shelves, so much information available to everyone. When I was younger, I would go to the library and look at random books- cookbooks, biographies, travel. I sat in the lounge chairs and paged through magazines. All the librarians knew me by name. It was a home away from home.

You can find your local branch of the library online and reserve what you want. I check out what's new on Amazon and then place holds on books at my library. If the library doesn't have the book I want, then I buy it. I may end up donating the book so others can enjoy it. It's not fair to keep a good book to yourself. I loan books, give them away, donate.

I just finished reading Then She Found Me by Elinor Lipman. I LOVED the book so I am recommending it to you. Helen Hunt took the novel and fashioned it into a screenplay. Then she directed and starred in the film. I think she's one of my new heroes. Bette Midler will play her mother. You have to read TSFM in order to appreciate this casting. No one else but Bette could play the role of Bernice. The screenplay didn't follow the book exactly but I'll forgive. The film is based on a book and I love that. Read it, then see it when it opens on April 25th.

The English American by Alison Larkin

2008-04-08T16:19:00.005-04:00

I loved this book from page one and zipped right through it. I know you are going to enjoy it too. The English American is perfect mix of excellent writing, a fun story line, and a dose of humor. And it's sweet too, with characters that are flawed yet likeable, you know- like real life. Alison Larkin's writing style reminds me a little bit of Sophie Kinsella, the popular author of the Shopaholic books.

When British reared Pippa finds out her birth mother is from the southern region of the United States, she feels a pull towards discovering the woman who gave her up twenty eight years earlier. This tale follows Pippa to the south where she develops a relationship with Billie, a creative and flaky soul who gave Pippa up for adoption and her father, a business man in Washington DC. Imagine you are born and raised in England with your very proper parents who enjoy Scottish dancing and gardening when suddenly you are in Georgia, coming face to face with the woman who gave you up for adoption, a woman who is crazy and undependable and artistic. Yes, this makes for a culture clash!

You can read more about author Alison Larkin on her website. Alison has worked on television, in theater, she's done comedy shows and a variety of voices for animation. How cool is she? I want to meet this lady!

I have to ask about the hyper-focus, self sabotage and messy characteristics of someone like Billie. Did you research the tendencies of highly creative people because I identify with all of it!

I didn't need to do any research, because, like you, Billie and my heroine Pippa Dunn, I identify personally with all of that too.

I loved your book, I thought it was wonderful. How long did it take you to write?

I'm thrilled you loved my book. It took me about a year writing four hours a day, five days a week to actually write and re-write it before it was ready to send out to publishers.

How much of the book is based on your own experiences?

Although The English American is definitely fiction, my heroine Pippa's emotional journey mirrors my own. Like Pippa, I was adopted at birth into a very happy English family, who were as neat and practical as I am untidy and impulsive. Like Pippa at the beginning of the book, in my early - mid twenties, I was afraid every time I fell in love that 'he' would leave me, and everything became about trying to make sure that didn't happen. It was not wanting to live – or love – like this for the rest of my life that spurred me to seek out my own birth mother. As Pippa says in the book "Maybe if I found out that my mother gave me up for adoption because she had to, and not because she took one look at me and went 'yuck' – I'd no longer have a fear of rejection. And then I might finally be able to fall in love totally. Absolutely. Maybe even honestly. Like normal people."

Like Pippa, when I found my birth parents, it answered key questions about my identity – both personal and cultural - and ultimately brought me even closer to my adoptive family. Like Pippa, I am eternally amused by the very real differences between England and America, which I write about throughout the novel and which are embodied in the differences between Pippa's English and American parents.

However, unlike Pippa, I am definitely not a cabaret singer, my birth mother doesn't run a company called "Art Buddies", she doesn't live in Georgia and my birth father isn't a neo-conservative, enigmatic, politically involved businessman. The mysterious Nick who seduces Pippa by email didn't exist in my life, although he may have existed in my dreams. My Dad isn't Scottish, my Mum isn't blonde. I don't have a non-adopted sister, a dog called Boris or a penchant for fig newtons. Sure, we both prefer overalls to any other kind of clothing, and spill things on a daily basis, but Pippa has long red hair and is achingly beautifull while I have blonde hair and can look quite cute on a good day. The list goes on and on. In other words, it's fiction.

What is the major difference between English women and American women?

American women will tell you they hate at least one thing about the way they look. English woman will feel just as insecure about it, but won't admit it to anyone. You have to go to India or China to find a woman who is genuinely content with the way she looks – perhaps because she lives in a culture that values the wisdom that comes with age far more than weight gain or wrinkles.

What do you watch on tv?

Not much, because I get up really early in the morning, so I go to bed early. Occasionally I'll watch Bill Maher or Chris Matthews .

I had a British friend growing up. We would head to Ridgewood (small town in New Jersey) to visit Best of the British where we'd buy Turkish Delight and Weetabix. What are your favorite British foods?

My husband's the owner of http://www.britishgiftbaskets.com/, thus we have all the great British delicacies in our basement (and, alas, my tummy.) Maltesers, marmite., marmalade, Horlicks, Reddy Brek, McVities Chocolate Digestives, and - tell your Ridgewood pal - Weetabix and Turkish Delight,

What would I find you doing on a Friday night?

Hanging out at home playing with my husband and kids..

Your idea of a good time is...

Camping, roasting marshmallows over an outdoor fire, swimming across a lake or a river, singing songs from musicals around the piano with friends, writing, hiking, skiing, and, of course, eating chocolate.

What's next for you?

In March, April and May I'm continuing the book tour I've just started, speaking and reading in Portland Oregon, San Francisco, LA, Denver, New Jersey, Cambridge Mass, Connecticut and New York. (For details go to the appearances page at http://www.alisonlarkin.com/.) After that I'm hoping to sit down at my laptop and find out what happens to Pippa next! I feel a sequel coming on.

No Country For Old Men

2008-04-07T15:34:00.005-04:00

Yea, sure now you're all smiles Javier! After you scared me to death in No Country for Old Men!

You know I am a big fan of books that are turned into movies. I read all the glorious reviews of No Country for Old Men which is based on a novel by Cormac McCarthy. This weekened we rented the movie. Honestly, I don't think I have the patience for the novel which is why the film suited me just fine.

I heard that it was completely gory and violent so I was prepared. The landscape of the film is very dry, think sweeping views of old towns and desert regions. Tommy Lee Jones is a crusty old sheriff (Bell) who is searching for the person who committed a trail of murders using some kind of cattle prod. Josh Brolin (Moss) is the twangy son of a gun who stumbles upon millions of dollars in a suitcase along with a group of dead Mexicans and rusty pickup trucks. Do you see where this is headed? Javier, (Anton) with a psychopathic glimmer in his eye and a very bad coif, is after Josh who is running away with the money. Too late in the movie Moss realizes the money has a tracker on it which is how Anton is followng him. Ooops! Note to self- if I find a suitcase full of cash, must check for tracking device!

Bell is after them both- to arrest Anton and help Moss. Woody Harrelson shows up and I wanted him to live because, hello! It's Woody Harrelson (minus the hemp and weed). You will be on the edge of your seat during the entire film. Because I am of a delicate constitution, I covered my eyes anytime I thought the movie might get bloody. It worked well for me.

Book Clubbing

2008-04-02T10:59:00.005-04:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, I chose Julie & Julia for my book club. Now choosing the right book is difficult. You can't just pick a random book and tell everyone to read it. I mean, of course you can, but I don't roll that way. I think about it, mull over it, read reviews on Amazon then make my choice. I wanted to pick a book that had some kind of univeral appeal. We are all women and we all have to cook for our families so at least that was a relatable platform.

I'm almost done with the book and I am happy to report, it's wonderful. Now, I would never make many of the French foods that Julie attempts to master. Eggs in aspic? Calves feet? Bone Marrow? No. But I like reading about it. The potato soup especially sounds delicious.

Julie was a bored secretary when she came up with this brilliant idea (and it is brilliant because Meryl Streep and Amy Adams are starring in the movie version of the book!) to blog about her experiences cooking her way through Julia Childs' book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Slowly but surely people began to take notice of her blog and the rest is history.

I recommend this book to you, my lovely readers. It's a few years old but that's okay. A good, entertaining story will stand the test of time. I have to say, all the time Julie spent writing about being secretary in a job she didn't like, I can't help but think...didn't you know you were such a talented writer?

Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello

2008-03-27T19:20:00.007-04:00

What other bag can create such a frenzy? Victoria Beckham has more than one, Lindsay Lohan possesses a few. Of course Gisele Bunchen has a couple as do Nicky Hilton and Kelly Osbourne, just to name a sliver of the celebs who carry the luxurious and highly regarded bag. I'm talking about a Hermes Birkin of course!

I knew I would just love Bringing Home The Birkin by Michael Tonello. Reading this book was probably as close to holding a real Birkin in my hands as I'll ever get!

Michael fell in love with Barcelona, Spain on a trip. So he went home, packed up his belongings on the east coast and relocated himself to Europe. But what would he do to earn a living? Call it luck, good fortune or a case of destiny, Michael found himself brokering Birkin bags for women all over the world! He was a dealer, an import-export professional of the status symbol known as a Birkin. He writes about his escapades in the new book, Bringing Home the Birkin which is a fun and entertaining book. I ended the book not knowing whether I wanted to hang out with Michael in Barcelona or obtain a Birkin. I'm leaning towards Barcelona.

The book was really funny and charming! I think you did a great job of infusing the book with your personality. What kind of comments do you get most from people who have read the book?

Not a huge number of people have read the book yet because the publication date is April 22....so at this point, it has been read by people who fall into three categories--those working with the project at HarperCollins, those who know me personally or professionally, or those who are somehow involved with the book or media industry as a whole.

However, those that have read it say that they expected the book to be about handbags (namely the Birkin) and come away pleasantly surprised that it's so much more than that. Some have mentioned staying up late to finish it, which is a wonderful thing for an author to hear. And those who know me personally are always telling me that as they read it they feel like I am in the room, telling them a story. I always think that particular feedback could go either way, depending on how they feel about me!

You have traveled extensively. Tell me your favorite places. If I could only visit one place in Europe , where should I go?

I'd love to own a small home on Capri....that is my "if i won the lottery" dream. But if you can only visit one place in Europe, make it Barcelona. It has it all...style, culture, big urban vibe, small town manageability, great food and wine, amazing architecture, centuries of history....I could go on and on. I guess I am probably biased, considering I live there, but it really is an amazing city.

What were some of the low points during the Birkin days?

The endless travel with accumulating baggage. It's not easy traveling with huge shopping bags. People often think that sounds silly and I say to them: okay, you fly to Zurich with two suitcases and then take the train to two or three other cities and collect a shopping bag (keeping in mind that an Hermes shopping bag with a Birkin in it is bigger than most suitcases) at each of your stops and then continue on....and on and on. It's not fun. There are no porters standing on street corners or at entrances to train stations after the taxi just dumps you there. I only have two hands.

On a more serious note, it also began to distress me how obsessive some of my clients were. After all, at the end of the day, a Birkin is just a really, really nice purse that costs a lot of money. It isn't a life or death situation, but sometimes when my Blackberry was beeping, my cell phone was vibrating, and my inbox was overflowing, all with Birkin requests, it was difficult to remember that I wasn't some kind of heart surgeon or something! You do start to think about where people place their priorities.

How did the book come about?

I bet my cousin (who had often talked about writing a book) that I would write my book first....and I only said that to get her to write hers! I really had no actual plan of writing a book. Then a week later on an extra-long flight i started making notes of all the strange things that happened to me in my little "Birkin world"....and it just went on from there. So I did end up winning the bet, too.

What are some of your hobbies?

Fine dining...cooking, travel (for pleasure!), theatre, film.

Living in Europe you get to see a lot of art, culture and history. Who are some of your favorite artists? Dali, Picasso and George Condo. On a related note, I have toured one of Dali's homes (it's in a tiny village in Spain), and it is one of Europe's best-kept secrets, in my opinion. His home decor ideas are as original (and occasionally disturbing) as his art.

Do you keep in touch with the women you procured Birkins for?

A few. Some have become friends.

What is the attraction of such an expensive bag- is it that is so well made, beautiful or the thrill of the chase because obtaining one is so difficult?

All of the above. They are amazingly well made and luxurious, there is no question of the quality. And beauty, while in the eye of the beholder, is sort of a given for any item that is made with such exquisite care to detail. But I believe that in some degree or another, it's the mystique of the bag that is the big allure....the idea of not being able to get it. Hermes took the old adage of wanting what you can't have, and used it as a marketing paradigm. In doing so, they created the ultimate it-bag, and an enduring symbol of luxury.

What are you doing these days?

Getting ready for book tour. Writing. I'm collaborating on a childrens book set in Barcelona, featuring my two Bengal cats, Gala and Dali.

Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

If you mean geographically, chiefly in Barcelona. Professionally, I see myself continuing with the childrens' books (I envision a series.). And who knows....maybe making them into movies. Maybe making this book into a movie. I don't see myself toting orange Hermes bags all over creation again, that's for sure. I have always been a "carpe diem" kind of person, so I would have to say I will go where opportunity beckons. And if I knew where I would be in the future, where would be the fun and excitement in the journey?

Celebutantes and other books

2008-03-24T17:44:00.004-04:00

To view the trailer for this book- click here! I was all kinds of excited to read Celebutantes. Gritty details of the Hollywood lifestyle is what I expected and to that extent, the book delivered. There is name dropping aplenty which makes the book super contemporary and of the times. It's light and has some humerous parts but at the end of the day, I didn't connect with it.

Celebutantes got some very good reviews so if you can't live without your weekly People, US Weekly, Ok and Star magazines, this book is for you.

I'm a moody reader and have to be in a certain state of mind for a certain kind of book. I've been really into historical books lately and have Elizabeth 1 by Carolly Erickson to read next. For my book club read, I chose Julie and Julia by Julie Powell.

Wife Goes On by Leslie Lehr

2008-03-20T16:28:00.004-04:00

Wife Goes On is the perfect book to take on vacation with you. It's an easy and entertaining read, alternating between four woman who find themselves divorced or about to get a divorce. There's the highschool beauty who married the handsome quarterback only to find he's not her Prince Charming. There's the high powered attorney who husband turned out to be gay. The gorgeous former actress who is now working at a furniture store. And last, there's the mom of two whose life unravels when she decides to leave her gambling husband.

Author Leslie Lehr does a good job of giving each woman her own distinct personality and storyline. All the woman have something in common- they are all much stronger and smarter than they give themselves credit for.

I zipped through this book quickly and found that Leslie is a great storyteller. Whether you are divorced or married, this is the ideal summer read. It's juicy and sexy in parts, funny in other parts and ends with a satisfying resolution for all four women.

Which of the four women you wrote about do you relate to the most? And you can't say a little bit of all four!

Diane. She began as the main narrator before I switched to rotating chapters. She's the most real to me, the everymom who sacrificed so much and has little to show for it except starting over and trying to be there for her kids in a way that will be best for them all later. I truly wanted to start a business for divorced women -- the learning curve is so huge then the information is wasted and why not have a AAA discount for women who need it.

I got one from many sources unofficially, free coffee, a discounted coffee table, I even got off a speeding ticket, when I shared my woe in a cheerful way with others who had been there, done that and knew the struggle. Mi Piace is a real restaurant where the manager made me feel comfortable dining alone and gave me champagne when I had my final divorce decree and told me I should have whatever I want.

My best friend from London sent me the first sex toy I'd ever seen, and my teenage daughter and I were both warned about being sexually high risk from my doctor! It's also true that each character shares other experiences I've had: Bonnie and I are both Buckeyes and had our cars stolen from a grocery store right in the thick of things; Lana and I share film experience and a love of the beach; and Annette and I both had a heartbreaking fling that taught us more about what we want than what we lost.

If you could be one of the women for a day, who would you chose? I think Id like to look like Lana! And be her too.

Oh yes, Lana has the most fun. And yet Annette is the coolest, I think, the ice queen in Armani.

Where did the idea of Instant Pleasures come from? Would Diane's storyline have been different if she chose to sell...oh I don't know...gourmet dog food?

The idea was inspired by a gift my friend sent to help when I was down - it prompted a sexual rebirth which turned out to be not only common, but instrumental with many women beginning a second act. Gail Sheehy's book, Sex and Seasoned Woman allowed me to talk openly with others about what used to be a taboo topic. And when I went to have sushi for the first time by myself, I happened to sit by another woman dining alone - who had a sex toy company! It was perfect, because wanted Diane to be smart enough t have an MBA but have a rough time on ramping back to work like so many of us do with hours and pay and experience.

The divorce laws that profess to be fair to educated women are way ahead of the reality. And Diane needed to have tough choices in terms of what was considered respectable in her new career: challenge some boundaries. Is divorce respectable? Despite the numbers, doesn't feel that way when you have so much invested in it - dreams and kids and years on the softball field. This business was a thematic metaphor for the divorce -- you can have sex with or without a partner, just like life. And when I discovered Pure Romance, Inc., this fabulous Fortune 500 company begun by a woman and empowering women to support themselves and encourage our natural sexuality, it just clicked for the story. While the company is behind this book 100%, I wasn't sure of legalities, so Diane ultimately uses the name of a Rufus Wainwright song my daughter played. The lyrics shocked me until I realized that they end with a plea of how tough it is to truly find love.

What is the last book you read?

The Female Brain by Dr. Luanne Brazelton, has a whole chapter letting me off the hook with my teenage daughters. It was a relief to know that, as they would say: it's so not about me. I also like Anatomy of Story - the author is a genius. As for novels, I'm all over the place, but have a soft spot for Caroline Leavitt and Laura Zigman.

Imagine you're let loose in the mall with five hundred dollars to spend. How do you spend your money?

A fabulous dress. I love dresses, but there are not enough fabulous ones to choose from. Then again, maybe with $500....

Do you ever read self help books or practice the ideologies from The Secret? I love to hear how successful people become successful.

I used to think that self help books were for the weak. Then my husband left me. Then he wanted to come back and I wasn't so sure.... and I found this great self help book about how to decide and I was hooked. Wayne Dyer's Power of Intention saved my life. Out of the blue, a friend's husband gave me the tapes and I listened in the car. I still do. When The Secret came out, one of my friends, the one married one who stuck with me through my divorce, called me all excited that she read it and recognized that I already knew it.

I think there's a lot of good information out there people have gathered wisdom forever, after all, but it's a matter of timing and luck -- and your intention - about when, and exactly what, works for you. That said, I can tell when I need to listen to Wayne again, have the faith that things will work out, and believe in myself and the universe enough to take the steps to make it happen.

Would you rather date Ben Affleck or Matt Damon? Did you see the infamous Jimmy Kimmel-Sarah Silverman videos?

Neither, and no. I still resent the boys' Oscar too much to crush on either type. They had so much help with a formulaic script, I can't get past it. Plus, I'm old enough to appreciate Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and was very happy to linger on that end shot of George Clooney in Michael Clayton. And lately my reality is better than any fantasy, being adored by a flesh and blood man who shows up on time with flowers and is taking me to Paris - is better than someone reading lines someone wrote anytime!

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Oops, think I covered that one. A Wrinkle In Time by the late Madeline L'Engle is my all time favorite book. I read it to my kids' elementary school classes and always embarrassed them by crying when Meg calls out to her little brother to break the spell of the evil "It" : "I love you Charles Wallace!" Still makes my heart pound. Still embarrasses my kids.:-)

Do you have any words of phrases that you use on a daily basis? I use words that were last heard during the eighties.

Like what? Since I am trying not to work on weekends, I probably say TGIF way too often. Mostly, I try not to repeat my girls' use of "like."

Where did you grow up? How was your childhood and teen years? Did any experiences prepare you for becoming a writer?

Yikes! I grew up in Ohio and both of my parents were professors at Ohio State. I was a big reader and I always wrote, but I never wanted to be a writer. In fact, I would still discourage people from writing if they have a better career option - something with better hours and guaranteed pay. But when you have something to say, it's really hard not to take advantage of any opportunity to say it. I think it's important. On the personal side, my parents had a long and violent divorce, which made me more determined to stay married despite not having a good role model fora husband. That, in turn, prompted my absolute shock at how happy I was once I finally made the heart wrenching decision...and led me to write this book so other women don't waste so much time being afraid of being alone. We are not alone! This is not our mothers' divorce! They didn't air their dirty laundry, now we wash it together. Husbands may come and go, but friends are forever.

I'm so excited that you wrote a movie which will be on Lifetime TV. Now that the writers strike is over, what's the scoop with the movie?

Right now, everyone is really excited about Wife Goes On, so my screenplay for them, "Welcome to Club Divorce," is on hold until my tour is over. Lifetime has made a lot of changes in the past year, lots more humor and modern takes on life, so I expect to be writing a new draft that reflects their new direction. Rumor has it, they want my project to be their answer to the "Starter Wife" series. It's all good. Plus, I'm almost finished with another book, I'm teaching a bit for the Writers Program at UCLA, raising my daughters...this Wife Goes On!

Have You Found Her by Janice Erlbaum

2008-03-17T17:03:00.003-04:00

Get yourself to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and buy Have You Found Her by Janice Erlbaum today. It's so good that I know everyone will love it as much as I did. I started out with limited time figuring I would read just a couple pages but I ended up reading it late into the night. Sometimes I read a book and think, "WhenI know what I'm doing with screenwriting, I'm going to take these fabulous books and turn them into movies." This was one of those books. Maybe it's just that some authors paint an amazing picture of their story and it comes alive for the reader.

Janice Erlbaum's writing is incredible. Some writers are good story tellers, some have a way with words fashioning their sentences like poetry. Other writers know how to hook you and never let you go. Some writers write purely to entertain. Janice is a combination of all of these. Her memoir of her relationship with a smart, tricky street kid named Sam, is a story that will have you turning pages quickly. Sometimes you want to slap Sam, then you want to hug her. You want to do the same to Janice.

I read this book in record time wishing it was just a little big longer because I didn't want it to end. The story, the writing, the descriptions, New York city as a backdrop, its all blended together into one fascinating memoir that you simply can't miss.

I have to tell you that I've taken the liberty to cast the movie version of your book, at least mentally. All the way through the book I kept thinking that it MUST be made into a film. I cast Angelina Jolie as you, Brad Pitt as Bill (why not? they work well together), Halle Berry as Nadine, Jennifer Lopez as Maria, one of the Olsen moppets as Sam, I'm stumped on who should play Jodi. What do you think?

Cindy, I am hugely complimented by your casting! I was thinking Lauren Ambrose or Chloe Sevigny as me, and Bill claims he should be played by Jack Black, but I like Brad and Angelina much better. I mean, me and Angie have so much in common – she likes adopting needy children, and I almost did the same. So that’s perfect. Jodi’s a stumper, though – maybe Laura Linney with a Brooklyn accent?

The scene where you and Sam played Would You Rather...made me laugh so hard! I've never played the game. But here's one for you: would you rather see Sam healthy and be friends again or see Have You Found Her hit the New York Times bestseller list for a year?

I would rather see Sam healthy, and not be friends again – I think we caused each other too much pain for the relationship to be repaired. But if I heard, by some miracle, that she were alive and doing well, I’d be immensely relieved and gratified, more so than by a bestseller. I don’t need my books to be bestsellers in order to feel like they’re successful – more than two years after publication, I still get emails from people who have just read Girlbomb and are writing to say that it touched them, and that, to me, is the greatest feeling of success.

Was writing the book cathartic in any way? Could you work through any unresolved feelings while writing?

Writing the book was cathartic in every way! But it was a hard catharsis. I had to write the thing while I was still recovering from the loss of Samantha, still dealing with all my anger, grief, shame, and frustration. I bitched to my shrink constantly, and threatened to ask my editor to push the book back a year while I took the time to deal with the emotional fallout. But now I’m glad I sucked it up and just wrote it, you know? I stared my pain in the face for months, and now I know for sure that I am stronger and bigger than it is.

What do you think Sam would say if she read the book?

I think Sam would be smart enough to avoid reading this book, as it would only cause her anxiety and unhappiness. She was such a damaged kid, and I presented that damage in all its glory. Even though parts of the book are highly complimentary to her, I don’t think she’d want to read about the pain she caused, and I know she’d be ashamed to be exposed for some of the lies she told. If she were somehow able to read it, I think she’d deny all of it. And I think people would believe her.

Was it different writing this book versus Girlbomb? (which I intend to read very soon)

Absolutely. Girlbomb was written about events that had taken place almost twenty years ago, whereas the events of Have You Found Her were still fresh when I was writing the book. But in some ways, the process was the same – I went back over my old journals and notebooks and saw what I had written about the events at the time, then tried to apply a more mature understanding of what had happened as I wrote.

If music went with a book, what would be on the soundtrack to Have You Found Her?

I actually made a playlist for the book at a great site called Large Hearted Boy – you can find it right here:
http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2008/02/book_notes_jani.html
It includes everything from Beethoven to Kelly Clarkson, from Drowning Pool to The Little Mermaid. An eclectic list, to be sure.

My guilty pleasures include chips and salsa, cheese and crackers, wine and the Bravo show, Millionaire Matchmaker. What are your guilty pleasures?

Oh my god, all of my pleasures are guilty! Definitely cheese, lots of cheese, and tons of reality TV – I don’t have to feel guilty about Amazing Race, because it’s a great show, but VH1’s Rock of Love? I hang my head in shame. I’ve tried to justify my love of the show by saying that it’s a metaphor for how women have to debase themselves in order to get recognition for society, but really I think I just enjoy watching what Salon.com’s TV reviewer calls “whoring sea donkeys” on parade.

After two memoirs, what's next for you?

I’m working on a book about yet more horrible relationships I’ve had with women. I’m not sure whether I’m doing it as a memoir, or whether I’ll call it fiction this time, but right now I’m writing the true story – I may “fiction it up” when I’m done with this draft. I think writing too many memoirs becomes unseemly, after a while – it’s like, “Use your damn imagination, bitch!”

Five Minutes with Maggie...

2008-03-12T17:38:00.002-04:00

A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style by Tim Gunn

For those of us who never miss an episode of Project Runway, this book provides a further look into Tim Gunn's style genius. For those who haven't watched the show, his expertise comes through within the first few paragraphs of this delightful book. This guide is full of useful information about style, fashion, and shopping. His overall message seems to be that style doesn't necessarily mean the latest trend, and, most importantly, it's important to know and understand yourself before you go shopping – otherwise you end up with a closet full of overpriced, ill-fitting garments. Rather, you should strive to create your own unique signature look and shop with that style in mind.

The book is a very quick read – dedicate one afternoon to read it from cover to cover. However, the lessons and insights provide an invaluable resource that can be referenced often, like the chapter on decided what to wear to an event based on the invitation. On Project Runway, Gunn's intelligence shines through in each critical review of the designers' garments. In the book, he uses cultural and literary references to illustrate points or French phrases to convey an emotion. One note, though: Read the book with a dictionary on hand to really understand the full depth of meaning. -Maggie Marton

Into The Wild

2008-03-10T17:14:00.005-04:00

There is something hauntingly beautiful about Alaska. Maybe it's the fact that the state is so remote, so removed from the fast pace of my home in southern California. It could be the raw and natural beauty of rugged, snow capped mountains rising majestically into the vivid blue sky. Perhaps it's the verdant green trees where eagles nest in the top branches. Whatever it is, Alaska is intoxicating. I've been there twice and can't wait to go back for more. The pictures I posted in my last entry were from a trip I took to Alaska a few years ago, along with these above.

The air is clean, the sky unmarred by smog and pollution. Seeing an eagle circle the water and dive, coming up with a salmon in its mouth is something you don't shrug off and forget. Old fishing boats with peeling paint bobbing in the harbor, the crusty fisherman in a warm coffee shop eating an early morning omelet before a busy day, the light misty rain that escapes from the dense clouds on a foggy day, its etched into my mind forever. There's no doubt about it, once you've experienced Alaska, you try to find a way to get back.

During this last week, I was on a cruise to Mexico. and I brought along the book Into the Wild. I read it with intense interest. I loved it- I can understand the motivation behind Chris McCandless's journey into the heart of Alaska, leaving behind any modern conveniences to live off the land. I understand the wanderlust element. The story is heartbreaking, sad, beautiful. Coincidentally, the ship was showing the film Into the Wild. I eagerly placed myself in front of the thirteen- inch television in our cabin to watch the book come to life for me.

The movie depicted Chris as an intense drifter. The fact he was able to survive as he did amazes me, then again I'm a girl who can't live without lipstick and a blowdryer. Into The Wild, both the book and movie left me with a lingering sadness, I thought about Chris for days. The cinematography was incredible and the soundtrack, with Eddie Vedder's soulful voice, really added to the gloomy vibe- you know ahead of time that it's not going to end well.

I highly recommend the book by John Krakauer and the movie, which was written by Sean Penn. Kudos to Sean! You know how I love movies based on books.

Taking a break...

2008-03-02T00:25:00.005-05:00

Check back in a week for some new books!

What I'm Reading Now...

2008-02-28T21:24:00.003-05:00

I've been having a busy life lately. Besides taking a screenwriting class so I can turn books (mine and others) into movies, I went up to Hollywood for a night of pre-Oscar clubbing (see www.hellodollface.com) and it took me days to recover. I'm trying to update my websites and stay on top of all the happenings in Hollywood, plus work on a new Victorious Girls book and read every day. I read something whether it's a magazine, self help book (usually something on positive thinking) or a novel. My latest passion is reading screenplays which might seem dry and boring but I am loving it.

I started Bringing Home the Birkin which is a funny, true tale of one man's Birkin brokering. I also have Oscar Season next to my bed, I thought it was the perfect book for this time of year. Two books I'm anxious to dive into are Leslie Lehr's Wife Goes On and Alison Larkin's The English American. For my book club, we are reading Jane Austen's Persuasion which is accruing overdue fines from the library this minute. Into The Wild by John Krakauer is high on my list of books to read and Four Queens by Nancy Gladstone will go perfectly with my quest to dig into intriguing historical novels.

I was sad about the Writers Strike but that did give me more time to read because I spent less time in front of the television. Then my husband decided to upgrade our cable TV package and I was suddenly obsessed with the healthy living channel, Veria. And now I get the Style Network! And more movie channels! And we have a DVR now too. I really need an extra couple of hours in my day to sit down and read books.

We are leaving for vacation soon and vacation to me means time to read because I don't have to be cooking and cleaning like a modern day Cinderlla in Chuck Taylors and Lucky jeans. I can't wait to see how many novels I can get through while I'm sitting in the shade with a huge hat, oversized sunglasses and my SPF 60, drinking exotic drinks like...water with lemon. Happy Reading!

Julie Buxbaum, The Opposite of Love

2008-02-25T17:31:00.004-05:00

I was looking for author Julie Buxbaum's website when I ran across this little article with the title of Harvard Hottie. Hmmm, I don't know what to make of that.

Harvard Law School grad Julie left the world of law to write a fabulous debut novel called The Opposite of Love. I began reading the day the book arrived on my doorstep and didn't put it down until I was finished. It's the kind of well written, modern and thoughtful book I was in the mood for. If you have ever been in love and have lost that love and wanted it back so badly that it's all you can think of, then you MUST READ THIS. So you can bypass any other Harvard Hottie references, Julie's website is here.

Its really interesting that someone so smart like Julie can be a lawyer and then turn around and write a brilliant debut novel. Some people just have bucket loads of talent!

I like to know where titles of books come from. How did you settle on The Opposite of Love?

As soon as the phrase popped into my head I knew it was the perfect title for the novel. I was writing an important scene where my main character hits bottom; Emily is stuck in what she calls a “couch vortex,” and in the midst of a week-long soap opera marathon. And as she sits alone in her apartment, it occurs to her that what she is feeling is the opposite of love: a complete emptiness and numbness of self. As soon as I formulated the thought for Emily, I realized that the expression not only speaks to how she feels at that moment, but how she has felt for much of the fifteen years since her mother’s death. Emily’s journey is about what happens when we delay grief, and the numbness that denial can leave in its wake.

It's a love story, isn't it? Are you a big romantic?

I’ve always been a sucker for a good love story. With Emily, though, I created a character who isn’t a big romantic, and who is her own worst enemy when it comes to love. I wanted to explore the idea that it takes courage to love someone, and that though we’ve all been indoctrinated with a million novels and movies that suggest that love is simple and straightforward and obvious, it doesn’t seem to happen that way in real life. Emily is forced to tackle the complexities of all sorts of love, and its attendant ambiguities. I think that is something a lot of us can relate to.

You were a lawyer and now you're a novelist. That's not uncommon, I know many writers with law experience. Is law and writing connected somehow?

I think in order to be a lawyer or a writer you have to be in love with the written word. Much of my time as a lawyer was spent spinning language and making arguments. As a writer, I get to do much the same thing, but with full creative license. As a lawyer, sadly, (and contrary to the reputation of the profession) I never got the pleasure of making stuff up.

How would you describe the main character of your book? Tell me about her in five words.

Five words! I am a novelist; I need about three hundred pages to answer that one. Okay, here goes: Confused about love, loss, life.

Imagine that you have an unlimited credit card to use in any one store you please but you only get two hours to shop. Where would you go and what would you buy? I'd totally head to Nordstrom. (although after reading your answer I'll change mine to the Apple store too- we all need new computers in this house!)

Since I am a terribly indecisive clothing shopper, and with only two hours I’d be lucky to pick out a pair of socks, I’d have to say the Apple store. Dorky, I know, but it’s the truth. I’d grab a backup laptop (maybe one of the cool new Macbook Airs), a flat screen monitor, extra batteries, music for my ipod, an iphone, and the list goes on and on. No doubt about it, I’d clean the place out with twenty minutes to spare.

What are you most proud of in your life?

I feel incredible pride every time I see THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE in a bookstore. It is nothing short of a dream come true. A cliché yes, but I’m not sure there is a better way to say it.

What's on your ipod? If you have one.

Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of folk tunes and more moody pop. Right now, I’m enjoying the goofy soundtrack to Dan in Real Life, followed by the mournful longing of the music from Once, both for some reason, on endless repeat.

Do you listen to music while you write? I need complete silence or else I cannot concentrate but a lot of people like music to inspire them.

Since I live and work in a small one-bedroom apartment, and write at my dining room table, I use music as a way to delineate my space. As soon as I put on classical music in the background, I know it’s time to sit down and start writing. Unfortunately, I can’t concentrate when the music playing has lyrics. My brain can’t hear my own sentences.

What genres do you like to read?

I read anything I can get my hands on, and like to juggle a bunch of different genres at once. Right now I am in the middle of three novels (one commercial, one more literary, the third a blending of the two) and two non-fiction. I do find that I tend to read much more fiction than non-fiction; the latter ends up sitting on my nightstand longer, and gets started much more often than it gets finished.

I think the writing community is so supportive and wonderful. Have you found this to be true?

Absolutely! I had trouble keeping the acknowledgements section of my book under control because of all the generous people who lent help and advice while I wrote THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE. I couldn’t be more grateful for the support I’ve received from the writing community.

I'm sure you've started on another book - tell me what it's about?

I am currently working through the rough draft of my next novel. Unfortunately, I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet. I feel like if I say too much I may jinx it! I am a bizarrely superstitious that way.

Spoof of Diablo Cody

2008-02-24T13:57:00.001-05:00

Now in Paperback! Self Storage

2008-02-20T19:08:00.002-05:00

I saw my friend Gayle Brandeis today. Its always a treat to see her. Gayle has been a wonderful mentor and friend and if you don't have a Gayle in your life, someone who cheers you on and believes in you, then you must get one.

She told me about the video she created for Self Storage and I wanted to share it with my readers. The whole video- for- books thing is new to me. I was reading about a book on Amazon and there was a video to accompany the synopsis! Wow, I'm so late to the game here.

If you haven't read Self Storage, you absolutely have to, it's brilliant as is her novel, The Book of Dead Birds. I love Gayle's writing. Also it's rumored to be a Target Breakout Book soon so consider yourself in the know. Enjoy her video!

Five Minutes with Maggie, Merle's Door

2008-02-18T15:05:00.002-05:00

Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote

I will be the first to admit it: I'm obsessed with my dogs. They are two of the smartest, funniest, most loving creatures I have ever known. Every single day is a delight as they snuggle me and entertain me. While many of my friends tease me about my puppy obsession, in Merle's Door, it's clear that Ted Kerasote knows how I feel. In the opening chapter of the book, Kerasote is out camping with friends when a young stray wanders over to their group and makes camp with them. Kerasote names the young dog Merle, and that is the beginning of their friendship. Like most dog owners, Kerasote delights in Merle's accomplishments and tries to teach him good behavior. Unlike many dog owners, Kerasote also allows Merle many freedoms. He installs a dog door so that Merle can come and go as he pleases. He allows Merle to roam the town during the day and explore the great outdoors. It's a unique, trusting, and very loving relationship full of ups and downs.

Kerasote's writing is entertaining and engaging. The book is fascinating because he incorporates the science behind what causes a dog to be a dog. He uses anecdotes about Merle to illustrate many findings in animal behavior. The scientific research that makes up the meat of this book helped me to understand why my dogs behave the way they do, and it made me really see the importance of the bond I have with the two of them. This book is a must-read for animal lovers of all kinds – though many of the moments are so touching and so heartbreaking that you need to have a full box of Kleenex on hand. --Maggie Marton

Midori by Moonlight by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

2008-02-14T16:26:00.003-05:00

A long time ago, Wendy Nelson Tokunaga and I were email buddies. I read a chapter of one of her books and there was no doubt in my mind that this talented writer would one day be published. We were both working on our stories and looking for agents and we lost touch. So imagine how excited I was when Wendy emailed me to say that her novel, Midori By Moonlight was coming out!

Midori By Moonlight is a thoughtful, fun story about Midori, a young Japanese woman who comes to the United States with her American fiancee, only to have him break up with her before the wedding! This sets in motion the call to adventure for Midori who is determined not to go back to Japan. Midori must navigate through the cultural maze and figure out how to succeed on her own. You will devour this book as quickly as Midori eats the sweet treats she loves to bake!

Wendy- there are so many aspiring writers out there. What is the best piece of advice you can give to someone who wants to see their book published?

Keep improving your craft by reading and studying other authors, and find trusted readers who know what they’re talking about who can give you the best possible feedback on your work.

Tell me about your search for an agent. Its like finding a needle in a haystack while blindfolded with your hands tied behind your back. At least, that's been my experience!

MIDORI BY MOONLIGHT is the fifth novel I’ve written, but the first to get published (unless you count my self-pubbed novel, NO KIDDING, which came out in 2000). After hundreds and hundreds of rejections I managed to find an agent for my third novel, but he couldn’t sell it. Couldn’t sell the fourth either. He ended up rejecting me. I was still rejected by a number of agents for MIDORI before signing with my wonderful current agent Marly Rusoff. Finding an agent for a non-fiction project is hard enough, but for fiction these days it is even more difficult. This is a tough business and you have to have a tough skin to survive. Not recommended for the faint of heart. :-)

Clearly you love the Japanese culture, what is so intriguing to you about it?

Early on I was struck by the beauty of the Japanese language and how different it is from English (completely different word order, a writing system that is pictographic and virtually unpronounceable). I like how the culture is built into the language and vice-versa and how different language is used for different situations and people, such as levels of politeness. There is a politeness code that is generally adhered to that is very fascinating to me.

Are you a fan of Midori liquer? I'm not such a fan of melon flavor but I dig the green.

I have never had Midori liquer. I did name the character Midori because, yes, it does mean green and she is a bit naive and “green,” if you know what I mean. :-)

Has the writers strike affected you?

No, but I think what they’re striking for is very important.

What do you want to be doing in ten years from right now?

Continuing to write books.

What's the last cd you bought? What is your musical taste?

I just bought a CD by Booty Luv, a British girl pop group. I love all kinds of music; my tastes are quite eclectic. On my XM Satellite Radio you’ll hear me listening to anything from heavy metal to electronica to international pop to traditional country. I also like J-pop and enka, two types of Japanese music.

What is the last book you read?

Run River by Joan Didion.

What's next for you?

Very soon my agent will be handing in my second novel for St. Martin’s, part of the two-book deal I received. I hope they’ll be pleased with it. Here’s a blurb I wrote for it:

After receiving a puzzling phone call and a box full of mysteries, 33-year-old fledgling singer Celeste Duncan 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. Lost in translation, she stumbles head first into a weird, wonderful world where nothing is quite as it seems; a land of gaijin worshippers, karaoke boxes, sushi fortune tellers, and unbearably perky TV stars. But when she learns to sing a Japanese song called “The Wishing Star” Celeste finds herself on a path to finding real love, understanding the true meaning of family and, most of all, discovering her own voice.

More on Diablo Cody

2008-02-12T20:20:00.002-05:00

I've been totally sucked into the vortex that is Diablo Cody mania and I can't help it. I am wishing and hoping for a career trajectory similar to hers- I've done the blogs, published the book, am working on a screenplay. Sure I lack the lapdancing and phone sex experience she has under her belt but at the same time, I've birthed two babies, have been a military wife, I've lived in Hawaii and have been married for twelve years. Certainly that counts for something?

She began with a blog which turned into a book and then there was Juno. Now she's lunching with movie legends and as I write this, she's being fitted for her Oscar gown, something to show off her newly purchased boobs.

Why do I care so much about this girl? Because Diablo shows us, the writers and dreamers, that a person can be shot into the stratosphere of fame seemingly overnight. That once in a while, a person gets a huge break and its possible that the next time might be you or me. Writers go unnoticed most of the time but there's Diablo, right next to Ellen Page doing the press junkets and flying around the world to promote the movie. I want to fly around the world too.

I read the articles that come up on Diablo Cody because I find her story inspiring and exciting. I found this one on FourFour. Check it out. What do you think?

Reader Giveaway- OIL By Upton Sinclair

2008-02-09T18:22:00.000-05:00

I have FOUR COPIES of Oil! by Upton Sinclair to give away to some fabulous readers! As you know, the book is the basis for the Academy award nominated movie, There Will Be Blood. All you have to do is email me (distressedbluejeans@gmail.com) with the subject line OIL for your chance to win a copy of the classic book.

I also have a reader giveaway on Hello Dollface so please check out my contest for a Valentine Gift from Linden Leaves, a body care company from New Zealand. All these giveaways and its my birthday next week! Im turning..uh, twenty nine. Again.

Read these now

2008-02-07T16:45:00.001-05:00

The Rowing Lesson by Anne Landsman

The Pulpwood Queens by Kathy L. Patrick (I love the leopard coat!)

The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips

Four Wives by Wendy Walker

The Sweet Potato Queens Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit by Jill Conner Browne

I am just swamped lately! Between working on a screenplay, taking a screenwriting class, rewritting the sequel to my book, running Hello Dollface, working on Victorious Girls, trying to keep up with my reading, taking care of my family, I don't have enough time in my day to do everything I want to do!

I don't want these books to slip through the cracks and not get the attention they deserve from me! All the above books will be read in the future but they are hot on the shelves right now. There are four star books, written by amazingly talented women. If you're looking for a good book to read, give one of these a try.

I have this book sitting next to my bed, as well as this one. And I always have a yoga, positive thinking books and a writing book somewhere around the house.

How Do You Become a Writer by Amanda Eyre Ward

2008-02-06T14:46:00.000-05:00

How Do You Become a Writer?
By Amanda Eyre Ward, author of Forgive Me

I remember going to hear Joyce Carol Oates read when I was in college. I wanted desperately to be a writer, and I hung on her every word. When she mentioned that she wrote by a window, I noted write by a window. When she said she drank tea, I wrote tea. Whenever I met a real writer, I asked them where they wrote, how they wrote, and when. I wanted to know the rules, how to organize my life in order to succeed.

I know now that every writer makes his or her own rules. The advice I give to beginning writers is to have faith, love the process, and to value writing, to put it in the center of their lives.
Having faith is hard as rejection letters and bills come regularly in the mail. But of my friends and colleagues who studied fiction writing with me at the University of Montana a decade ago, the only ones who have not published yet are the ones who gave up. The rest of us make a living now by writing. (Or writing and teaching.)

Valuing writing is the fun part. Set aside a desk for writing, set aside a day. Spend some money on your favorite tea, an important pen, a book you want to read. Play music, and feel proud when you’ve written a page. Take a walk if you need to. Get a sitter. Surround yourself with objects that inspire you. The rest of the writing life is difficult, and can be heartbreaking. This is what you get: a solitary morning, a cup of coffee, the luxury of bringing words into the world, the joy of a perfect sentence.

Putting writing in the center of your life is also challenging, when so many other important things beckon. Oprah and everyone else tells me I can make time for an exercise routine, but I can’t seem to do it. But living as a writer doesn’t always mean being alone. You can take care of children, or a job, or a spouse while you think about writing. When you see a movie, ask yourself why it is working or not. If you lose interest in a friend’s story, ask yourself what she could have done to hold you. What magazines are you reading, and why? What could be going on with the bank teller and her strange expression? Living your life as a writer is a way of participating fully, but also taking notes as an observer. It’s something that takes practice, but I have found it to be essential. I have been completely stuck in a novel, left it for the day, and then found my answer on the playground or at the library. I am always thinking about my novels.

And, thanks to Joyce Carol Oates, I always sit by the window.

AUTHOR Amanda Eyre Ward is the award-winning author of How to Be Lost and Sleep Toward Heaven. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her family.

The Double Bind

2008-01-29T13:43:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading this book last night, The Double Bind. I can't quite pronounce the author's last name and end up calling him Chris Bojangles. I'm sure he would appreciate that. Its Chris Bohjalian and you might remember him from the Oprah book club book, Midwives. If you haven't read that one then get it now because its one of those must- read books.

The Double Bind starts off with a brutal near rape and follows the character of Laurel through her search for information about a homeless man. Laurel is a worker at a shelter who and she befriends a man named Bobbie Crocker. He was living on the streets with nothing but a bag full of photographs. When he passes away, Laurel delves into the photos, researching and becoming nearly obsessed with the indentity of this man and his relationship to the people in The Great Gatsby. There is much more to the story but I can't give it away, you will have to read the book. The second half of this novel will have you turning pages quickly as you start to piece together who this Bobbie Crocker was, why Laurel is nearly manical in her interest and what Jay Gatsby has to do with the whole thing.

All I can say is WOW, the author has an amazing imagination! I'm not giving anything else away.

Because of the Writers Stike (no new tv episodes) plus the cold, damp, rainy weather, I have been reading non-stop. If I am not on the computer, I am sitting with a book in my hand.

Abundance

2008-01-25T15:42:00.000-05:00

I have been on a historical novel kick lately. I have tons of good books to read on my shelf but I keep heading to the library for more thick novels to sink my teeth into. A fantastic book, no matter what the genre can transport us to another time and place. There have been times when I am standing at the stovetop, cooking with a book in my hand. Other instances find me with tears running down my cheeks because I get so emotional. And who can resist a book that makes us laugh out loud? Then you try to explain to who ever is sitting next to you what is so funny but they don't understand because they aren't reading the book.

Last year I took an eleven day Panama Canal cruise and probably, one of the best parts of the trip was the fact that I read almost a novel a day! When my husband was doing his thing and the kids were off playing, I was back in the cabin or sitting somewhere relaxing with a novel in my hand. I read a book about Marie Antoinette which really whet my appetite for learning more about the young, frivolous Queen.

Last night I could have watched Celebrity Apprentice or something fun on HGTV. But I decided to head to bed, lounging under the covers with my novel. I finished Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund. This is a huge book which I'm sure took the author a long time and a lot of energy to write and she did an amazing job. It's so chock-full of information and details of locations and people. I highly recommend Abundance! It's incredible and you will love it. I found myself very sympathetic towards Marie Antoinette and her husband. Last night I was google-ing images of Marie to see what she looked like, this queen with her towering hair do's and extravagent dresses.

I wish I paid more attention to history when I was in school. Now as an adult, I am so intrigued with these famous ladies. I just got a book about the last wife of Henry the VIII and rented the film with Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth I.

A few years ago we were traveling across the country via airplane and I was in the middle of My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. First of all, I never take library books on vacation with me in case I lose them. Second, I do not travel with hardbacks because of their size. Well this book was both from the library and a hardback. I simply couldn't leave it behind though; I HAD to finish it. I was somewhere over Colorado when I finished the story and OH MY GOODNESS. If you haven't read the book, I don't want to spoil it for you but I was thunderstruck by the ending. I looked around for someone to talk to about this fantastic novel but of course everyone was paging through Sky Mall or sleeping. See, that's what a terrific book does, it leaves you wanting to tell other people about so they can experience it too!

Good books, seriously what's better? Check out Abundance if you are looking for a thick, juicy historical novel!

Victoria Zackheim, For Keeps

2008-01-24T15:57:00.000-05:00

It would be so nice to look in the mirror and not see the hundreds of little (and not so little) things that I would change about myself. I wish I could take into consideration that this body of mine has traveled across the country and back, my body has weathered the storm of birthing two babies, has been through several surgeries, my body has swam in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, has zip lined, rock climbed and snorkled and has published a book and is raising a family. But. But I keep seeing those imperfections on a daily basis despite the fact that this body has been the vehicle to experience a wonderful and exciting life.

I loved Victoria Zackheim's book, For Keeps Women Tell the Truth About Their Bodies, Growing Older, and Acceptance. Twenty seven smart and accomplished women have written essays relating to body image or experiences they have gone through which has shaped who they have become. I find it body image a fascinating topic, the book is brilliant. I For Keeps next to by my bed so I can dip into it now and then for strength and wisdom, learning from women who understand, who know what its like to look down and see a scar or glaring imperfection. This is a book you need to own. Buy it for a friend because it's a meaningful gift. And props to the women who wrote the essays, thank you.

I won't go out of the house without my…

tinted glasses (one must see, after all!) and presentable underwear. (Yes, my mother was one of those moms who warned me that I should never wear holey knickers...just in case I'm hit by a car and my skirt flies over my head. Haven't worn a skirt in years, but the undie thing stuck with me!)

I feel most beautiful when…

I'm fully clothed and engaged in a project that I find stimulating, challenging...and thrilling.

Which essay affected you the most?

I was deeply moved by all of them, but I was most affected by the process of writing my own. I had never revealed such intimacies and it was quite terrifying.

How do you stay focused on what’s important- health, friends, family etc.?

Not very well. That is, I lose my focus quite easily when I'm concentrating on my work. What suffers most, however, is my physical well-being.

Do you think the models in magazine and celebs are partly to blame for women being so hard on themselves physically?

Partly? Oh yes, and the magazines, photographers, and fashion mavens as well. As long as we continue to buy into what 'they' consider beautiful, women will never be able to see themselves, imperfections and all, as beautiful and valuable women.

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?

Could I be thirty years younger, please? I've got so many projects and time is slipping by! (And while you're doing your magic, I wouldn't mind being 30 lbs. lighter, thanks!)

What are you most proud of?

My children. They have grown into lovely and loving adults, grounded and kind and creative. After my children, I would have to say my books.

When do you feel strongest?

When I try to make something happens...and it does. A book, an event, getting an invitation to appear or read. That big Yes! makes me feel empowered.

What do you hope women get out of reading this book?

A sense of how wonderful they really are. Thin, overweight, plain, beautiful, fair, dark, whatever size, shape, and color, I want each woman to read these very personal essays and think, "She's talking to me, I've been there, and now I'm feeling better about myself."

Five Minutes With Maggie...

2008-01-23T14:09:00.000-05:00

When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton

Newlyweds Madeline and Aaron were happily and madly in love. But when a tragedy befalls Madeline, she suffers brain damage that reduces her to the mental capacity of a small child. Aaron refuses to abandon his wife even though her own parents have seemed to disappear, unable to cope with the tragedy. Aaron decides to care for her as though she is his young daughter. Aaron remarries, and he and his new wife Julia have two children. Though Julia readily accepts care of Madeline, the daily life of this family is unique and it affects their two children.

This story, told through the eyes of Aaron's now-grown-up son chronicles the rise and fall of his extended family through the political struggles of the 60s and 70s. Madeline's story - heart-wrenching, touching, and emotional - provides the delicate undercurrent and the binding factor for this family. Throughout the novel, questions are constantly and subtly posed: Was this the right arrangement for Madeline? Did her care help or hurt the family bond? And if this happened to someone in your family, what would you do? -Maggie Marton

Author Marta Acosta interviews me!

2008-01-20T20:25:00.001-05:00

Have you read Marta Acosta's novels? Funny and entertaining, check it out.

Talented and lovely author Marta Acosta has posted an interview with me on her blog. She is so cool!

You must head over there and read what she has written. Also there is a free book giveaway so hurry on over and post something nice about me. Now git!

27 Dresses

2008-01-20T20:08:00.000-05:00

If you are in the mood for a funny, sweet movie with a satisfying and happy ending then go see this movie! Written by Aline Brosh McKenna (fellow Jersey girl, woo!) who penned the screenplay to The Devil Wears Prada, this is your perfect chick-flick movie to see with your best girlfriends.

I adore Katherine Heigl and have a little bit of a crush on James Marsden after seeing this (and Enchanted and Hairspray)! Also noteworthy is Judy Greer who plays the sarcastic best friend and Ed Burns who plays the object of affection. Malin Ackerman rounds out the cast, she reminds me of a Kirsten Dunst/Cameron Diaz hybrid.

Cute movie! Two thumbs up.

Marla Martenson, Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate is Waiting

2008-01-17T15:42:00.000-05:00

When I was a teenager, all I would dream about, besides being a famous writer and living in California, was having someone to love me. I wanted a boyfriend who would treat me nicely and appreciate me and love me and shower me with affection and compliments. I never longed for having babies or being a mother but being a wife, yeah. I liked that idea. Of course I had a preconcieved notion of what he would be like, which is NOTHING like the man I married.

Fast forward to now, I have been married for twelve years and hopefully the husband seeking, soul mate searching is over forever. But had I not met him, what would I have done? Author Marla Martenson's new book is called, Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate is Waiting. This is the book I would have consulted if I didn't find my Mr. Right. Who doesn't want to find love, have a partner to share their life with? The book is about how to use the Law of Attraction to attract your mate. This is an easy to read book, never preachy, always positive and upbeat. And Marla herself is a gem! Click here to visit her website.

How has the Law of Attraction worked in your life?

The Law of Attraction has and continues to work in my life in all areas. Since I really started to apply it, especially using the techniques in Lynn Grabhorn's book Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting which I review and teach in my book Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate Is Waiting, my whole life has changed. I got a new career in matchmaking which has been incredibly rewarding, I met my husband who is my soul mate, I got a book deal with Hampton Roads and new and wonderful opportunities are appearing continuously.

Do you believe in the notion of a soul mate?

I believe that we all have many soul mates. My dog Daphne was my soul mate, my husband is my soul mate and many of my friends are soul mates teaching me and bringing something much needed and special into my life. As far as a romantic, life partner soul mate I do believe in it and believe that I have finally met mine.

What is the most important lesson you have learned about love?

The most important thing that I have learned so far is that love means non judgment, patience, and accepting people for who they are and not trying to change them.

Everyone imagines love as a fairy tale. Do you believe in happily ever after?

I believe that happily ever after does indeed exist. My husband's parents were married over 50 years until his father passed away last year. They were best friends as well as husband and wife. The happily ever after seems rare nowadays with the divorce rate so high, but it is definitely possible.

How can someone tell if their partner is "the one?"

I discuss this at length in my book, ask yourself some important questions early on about the person and be honest with yourself. Often times people mistake attraction or lust for "soul mate." Does this person treat you and your loved ones with respect? Does he talk about future plans together? Does he introduce you to his friends and family? Is he proud to be with you? Do you feel like you could spend the rest of your life with this person and be happy and fulfilled?

What was your path to becoming a matchmaker?

I honestly think that my becoming a matchmaker was meant to be. I never intentionally planned to become one. I didn't even realized they existed. I fell into the job by answering an ad in the back of an actor’s newspaper. I was looking for a part time job and ended up having a 6 year career in the field, helping countless couples to find "the one" and to go on to get married and write a book about it.

Do you watch TV? What are your favorite shows?

I do watch TV. When I get home from a long day at the office, about 7:45 p.m. I love making myself a cup of tea, putting on my sweats and curling up to watch my favorite shows, Larry King Live, Oprah, Nancy Grace, Show Biz Tonight, The O'Reilly Factor, Glen Beck. Then for fun, my husband and I love watch Forensic Files, Dexter, The Tudors, The History Channel, and basically most of the HBO and ShowTime series.

If you could match a couple of single celebrities, who would you pair up?

Paris Hilton and Hugh Hefner would be pretty wild!

What is the mystery of David Spade? That guy has dated every eligible and gorgeous actress in Hollywood!

Well, I don't know what his mystery is, but it seems like he is having the time of his life!

My husband and I are so different. he loves sports while I like museums and art. I am creative while he is logical. Please explain the "opposites attract" theory.

Well, I believe the opposites attract theory means looks wise opposites attract. I am a red head and have always been approached by more dark or ethnic men and I love dark guys. As far as having different interests, that's okay as long as you respect each other and give each other space to do your own thing. It's also important to share in each others interests for example if your husband loves sports, watch a game with him now and again, or make him sandwiches and get his favorite beer. And hopefully he will go to the mall with you once every couple of months and hold your purse while you are pawing through the sales rack!

Do you plan on writing another book?

Yes, as a matter of fact I am halfway through a novel and I would love to write more non fiction self help type of books.

What is your five year plan?

My five year plan is to continue writing and build a speaking career, travel and enjoy life.

Celebs who hated school

2008-01-17T14:54:00.001-05:00

Its no secret that I hated junior highschool and highschool. There was nothing fun about it. I was teased and picked on, humiliated and made fun of consistently. My husband wishes he could hop in a time machine and go back to 1988 but for me, the only good memory is when I was handed my diploma and knew I would never ever have to go back to highschool, ever.

The thrust of my ambition is probably due to shaking off those feelings of inadequency. Prove that without braces, a headgear, short hair and a most sensitive nature that I have made something of my small town self.

I was looking online to see if there was a new book coming out from Plum Sykes in the near future. I didn't see any book information but I did stumble upon this interview. Here is a woman who resembles Jackie O, who probably wears cashmere pajamas to bed, who is very successful and lovely and she? Hated school too.

I don't know why I'm even thinking about this topic, school and how happy I am that I never have to go back. But here are some celebrity quotes that I found:

Plum Sykes-

Did you enjoy school?

There are no words for how much I loathed my school days. I remember on the last day everyone except myself was crying. I was thrilled to be leaving: I couldn’t understand what there could possibly be to miss about school.

Victoria Beckham also had a hard time:

"They were literally picking things up out of the puddles and throwing them at me. I just stood there, on my own. No one was with me. I didn’t have any friends. People would push me around, say they were going to beat me up after school, chase me. It was miserable, my whole schooling, miserable. I tried to be friends with people, but I didn’t fit in. So I kept myself to myself.”

Anthony Hopkins of all people!

"I thought I would defy them all. That has stayed with me the rest of my life, the thought that I would show themall one day. And that's why I became an actor."

Sarah Michelle Geller:

"I've always been the nerdy, geekish outsider who still remembers how a lot of my classmates used to torture me."