Thanks to Jessica Gordon for stopping by with a Q&A and guest post for her Becoming Mrs. Walsh tour for CLP Blog Tours! Please visit her tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
Tell us about yourself?
Let’s see, about me. It is much easier to write about characters and think of their back story than tell your own! Long story short, I lived in New York and then moved down to Baltimore to attend Johns Hopkins University. I always thought I would move back north but I met my husband while living in DC and stayed ever since. I am now a full-fledged DC resident. I love living in DC and can not say enough positive things about living in this city.
How did you come up with this story?
I knew I wanted the setting to be in Washington. Once I knew that, the rest of the story came easily. My husband is the youngest of three boys, so when I first met his family I was introduced to many future brothers and sisters-in-law. Meeting so many new people and being a few years younger than the group inspired the idea for a story about a large family. Although the rest of course is fiction. 🙂
What are you working on now?
I’ve started a sequel, but I am hesitant to make it too official because it has to be worth reading. So many people have told me that they can’t wait for the sequel and need to know what happens, I really don’t want to disappoint! But, my goal is to put out something that people can feel excited about. I also don’t want to let the Walsh family down, they need to have a good path to continue on!
What character was the hardest to write and which one was the most fun?
I think Shoshana was the hardest to write because she is the main character. The issue with your main character as the narrator is that people really need to like her, to trust her opinions and be on board. If you decide you don’t like Shoshana early on, it will be hard to root for her or sympathize with what she goes through. It was really important to me that she is relatable and interesting. The easiest was Mark. Something about his voice flowed really naturally. It was fun to have such a charming character throughout the book.
Do you have a favorite comfort read?
I think chick lit in general comforts me. I love stories that are fun and make you think. There are so many good ones out there. It is the perfect type of book to curl up with when you just want an easy read with a great story. I think chick lit often gets labeled as a ‘summer read’ but I think it’s a great genre to read all year.
If you could live in any book what one would you choose and why?
I actually would love to live in the Walsh world. Writing about exotic places is one thing, but to live the lifestyle would be another! I think something about all of the Walsh family trips, glamorous events and parties has a mysterious Gatsby-like feel and it is very tempting to be part of that.
**Guest Post**
Selected Topic: What is the best advice you have ever received as a writer and how do you use it? What would you offer up as advice to aspiring authors?
The best advice I have ever received as a writer is to write clearly and concisely. You could have an amazing story that is covered up by pointless prose and irrelevant details. I think avoiding long, arduous sentences is really important, especially as a chick lit writer. The chick lit genre is so unique in that you can have colorful characters, vivid scenes, and an interesting premise all told in a fast-paced way. As writers, it is our responsibility to give readers a story that can be an escape whether for an hour or a day at the beach. But escapes have to be interesting and light. I want people to come away from reading one of my books with that feeling of not being able to put it down, or feeling excited to climb into bed and read it at night. There is something so special about connecting with the reader on that level.
I also love the idea of readers thinking about my characters even well after the book is over. Plots and characters that stay with you are so special. As a reader, I love when you can think about the characters long after you’ve put down your book and wonder where they are and what they are up to.
My advice to aspiring authors is to write often; the more you write the better you will get. I think it is important to remember writers are story tellers. So tell a great story! And tell it well!
**Becoming Mrs. Walsh is now only 99 cents on Amazon!**
**And 99 cents on Barnes & Nobles!**
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Jessica’s tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Becoming Mrs. Walsh before February 11 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
