Okay, on to The Next Big Thing:
What
is your working title of your book?
I’m calling the darn thing DUMB
BLONDE.
Where
did the idea come from for the book?
Partially from my gutter-mind, which
couldn’t help pondering the, (in my case), completely fictional question: “What
would happen if you got caught skinny dipping in your hot neighbor’s pool?” Partially
from a terrific book called LEARNING TO BREATHE by Priscilla Warner, (one of the
authors of THE FAITH CLUB), in which she details her lifelong struggle with
panic attacks. She approached this very
heavy subject with humor and courage and I took a lot of inspiration
from her journey.
What
genre does your book fall under?
Contemporary category romance …
little bit of humor, heaping dose of heart and a whole lotta sexy!
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
For my hero, I call dibs on Colin
Egglesfield (Google him, girls. You’ll
be glad you did). For my heroine, I can
totally picture Emma Stone.
What
is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Can an introverted, nervous-by-nature children's book author find love with her gorgeous new neighbor, a high-profile media personality who renders her speechless just by saying, “Hello?”
Will
your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
My Magic 8 Ball says “Ask Again
Later.” We’ll see what the query letters
reveal.
How
long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About four months. Now the second draft …
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Hmm.
To try my hand at playing the Amazon algorithm … If you liked Jill
Shalvis’ HEAD OVER HEELS you might also enjoy DUMB BLONDE.
Who
or what inspired you to write this book?
Talking with a group of friends and
discovering nearly every one of us had, directly or indirectly, dealt with panic
attacks or social anxiety. Not
surprising, really, because according to the Internet, (my trusted source for
all things), approximately 15 million Americans suffer from social anxiety
disorder. I realized almost everyone
could relate, at some level.
What
else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Did I mention the whole lotta sexy?
And now, for the cherry on the cake of my blog, here are
the five amazing, talented, holy sh*t, I can’t believe these ladies agreed to
participate in a blog hop with me (!), authors who will post their projects on
Wednesday, December 12:
Robin Covington – Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line
released her bestselling debut novel, A NIGHT OF SOUTHERN COMFORT, earlier this
year. If you’re like me, you can not wait to hear what she’s got in store
for us next! Check her Burning Up the
Sheets blog next Wed. at http://robincovingtonromance.com/burning-up-the-sheets/.
Karen Erickson – Busy, busy girl! Karen currently writes for Samhain Publishing,
Entangled Publishing’s Bliss and
Brazen Imprints and Avon Impulse. Her
latest release, an Entangled Bliss titled, JANE’S GIFT, captured my attention with a
beautiful, sweet holiday cover, but it landed on my Kindle after I read the
blurb. Christian Nelson may be my new
favorite hero. Seriously. Hit her blog on Wed., December 12th
to see what she’s bringing us next. http://karenerickson.blogspot.com/.
Lisa Kessler – Award-winning short-story writer,
musician, and author of Entangled’s popular Night Walker series, Lisa hooked me
hard with her NIGHT THEIF novella. Bedtime came and went while I powered through that book! I know she’s got a new one in the works. Hop over to Lisa’s Lair next Wed. at http://lisakessler.wordpress.com/
to see if she’ll give us a tease.
Jennifer Probst – MARRIAGE BARGAIN. Need I say more? But if the Marriage to a Billionaire series
is all you know of this New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal
bestselling author, it’s time to dive deeper.
She pens sexy contemporary romances. She weaves erotic tales. She writes family-friendly stories. Frankly, she could release an analysis of the
federal tax code and I’d read it. But what’s she working on next? Hop on her blog next Wed. at http://jenniferprobst.com/blog/ to find
out!
Katee Robert – All I can say is, if you haven’t read New
York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert’s, WRONG BED, RIGHT
GUY, from Entangled’s Brazen line, (the first of the Come Undone series), you’re
missing out. Big Time. I stalk her on
Twitter and I know she’s been writing up a storm, so stop by her blog next Wed.
at http://kateerobert.com/ for a little
glimpse at her next big thing. Come Undone
#2?
Have googled Colin. You're right, I was not disappointed. Isn't Emma Stone just adorable? She'd have blond hair in your book though right?
ReplyDeletethanks for the fun quickie interview. I know you are a fabulous writer, so this story will be great!
Regarding Colin, you're welcome! ;) And Emma Stone really is just adorable. I came across a photo of her all big-eyed and blonde-haired for her role in Spiderman and thought, "Wow! That's my Emily."
DeleteThanks too for writerly luv!
Sounds great! Let's get that Dumb Blonde out there and on the racks. : )
ReplyDeleteFrom your lips to an editor's ears!
DeleteWooT!! This sounds like a fabulous book - I would SO read this!
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get the chance!
DeleteSounds like a fun way to open a book!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI suffered from some nasty anxiety attacked at the end of my first marriage. One of them sent me to the hospital... Way no fun... :-/
But my entire life flipped upside down and the attacks ended (YAY!) The book sounds awesome!
Lisa :)
I couldn't believe how many people in my own little circle of family and friends had experienced panic attacks. Some, like you, suffered temporary episodes, stemming from a specific life-changing and difficult event. Others told me it has always been part of their life ... early childhood memories of panicking at pre-school or swimming lessons. Luckily, we know more about panic and anxiety disorders nowadays, and there is help. I learned a lot about Klonopin and meditation while researching this story.
DeleteWhat a great hook for this book! Sound yummy and fun - and I loved going behind the scenes to see how you came up with it! Thanks for the lovely introduction Samanthe, you are a sweetheart! And now I get to stalk my other fave authors on the list and see what they are doodling!!
ReplyDeleteThe stalking is the BEST part of the blog hop! I'm thrilled to have you and the other ladies participating. Thanks!
DeleteThe book sounds like a fun and delicious romp. Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteGlad the concept grabbed you! Now that I've blurbed it, discussed the inspiration for the story, cast the lead roles, etc., I feel like maybe all I need to do is design the cover. Hmmm ....
DeleteLOVE the premise of Dumb Blonde! And I *know* we'll see it for sale! I can't wait to read it! Thanks so much for your kind words about Worth the Risk! You are seriously awesome. And I'm not just saying that because you loved my book. LOL
ReplyDeleteYou sure know how to round up a crew! Can't wait to visit Robin, Karen, Lisa, Jennifer and Katee next week!
Thanks Robin!
DeleteI have to admit, I'm can't-sit-still excited to have Robin, Karen, Lisa, Jennifer and Katee to hop to next.
One of my fave premises of all time.
ReplyDeleteGreat roundup of authors. So looking forward to checking their sites to get the inside skinny of their upcoming projects.
And as or last week's blog (yes, just catching up) how do you just window shop at South Coast Plaza. When I was at SCR, I was like a retail stalker!
I'm so stoked every time I see next week's line-up, I keep forgetting I put them up to it. Turns out those girls with do anything if you promise them chocolate! (Kidding of course. They're all more professional than I can ever hope to be).
DeleteRetail stalker ...hah! I think, for me, SCP is more like a museaum than a mall. Everything's so gorgeous and out of reach.
Dumb Blonde sounds like a lot of fun Samanthe. I want to read it! ;) Thanks again for asking me to participate in the Next Big Thing!
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for being one of my "tags". Karen's latest release, JANE'S GIFT is one of the top ten finalists in the Holiday Favorites Cover Contest over at the Cover Cafe site. The cover that receives the most votes will be the winner so....go cast your vote!
DeleteHere's a link:
http://www.covercafe.com/Holiday/2012HF/HOL.html