Interview with Maria Geraci
Q: When did you know writing was for you?
I didn’t start writing until 9 years ago. I was taking my husband to the airport for an extended business trip overseas, which was going to leave me home alone with three kids for two weeks. I was gleefully planning all the take out dinners we were going to splurge on, when the idea to write a novel came to me. Just like that. Out of the blue. I know it sounds strange, but I went home and began writing that very day. I’d always been a voracious reader, and I think somewhere in the back of my mind, the idea to write must have always been there.
Q: Where did you get the idea for your latest novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club?
The idea came after a night spent at a friend’s book club meeting. Talking about the book only took up about ten percent of the night. The other ninety percent was spent talking about work, family, husbands, kids, and I remember thinking if these women were single, they’d be talking about men they dated!
Q: You haven written two other novels, Bunco Babes Tell All and Bunco Babes Gone Wild. Now I have never heard of Bunco, can you explain what this is and why you chose to write about it?
Before I wrote my Bunco books, I thought everyone knew what Bunco was, but boy was I wrong because I get this question a lot! Bunco is a dice game played by women. It’s like men’s poker night but instead of whiskey, cigars, and cards, think frozen margaritas, gossip, and dice. It’s a great excuse for women to get together for a girls’ night out and the perfect background for a novel about female friendships. So I wrote a book about a group of women who’ve played for years, but one of them was still single and looking for Mr. Right. It’s a great mixture of chick lit and romance. I really loved writing those books!
Q: Are you currently working on another project?
I’m working on another chit lit novel with the working title, The Ugly Girlfriend. It’s about a woman who accidentally discovers she’s the “ugly friend.” It’s not sold yet, but keep your fingers crossed for me!
Q: When you begin writing, how do you start? Do you just start typing, create your characters first, plot each chapter?
I start with an idea or a concept then flesh it out from there. The characters always seem to spin off from the concept. I do have to work up a rough outline because my agent likes to know what I’m writing, but I veer off from that outline if the story calls for it. I try not to plot too much in advance because then the story can feel stale.
Q: Social networking has been becoming all the rage. How important do you think it is to have online profiles as an author?
It’s definitely important to have an online presence. Most authors have to do a majority of their own promotion and social networking is a cheap and easy way to do it. Unfortunately, it requires a lot of time! Plus, you have to stay true to yourself. If you’re not comfortable with a certain medium (Twitter makes me twitch!) then you have to stick with what works for you.
Q: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Sophie Kinsella, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Crusie, Jane Austen, Madeline Hunter, and the list can go on!
Q: What are you currently reading?
How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neal. I love her writing. She’s also a wonderful person and a great mentor to other writers.
Q: Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year?
Well, I always resolve to lose weight and become more organized. Those are works in progress and probably will be for the rest of my life.
Q: Where would be your dream vacation?
I want to vacation at the beach house from the movie Something’s Gotta Give. I want to write at the desk that Diane Keaton wrote at, drink wine and walk along that fabulous beach. Oh, and if Keanu Reeves wanted to take me out for dinner, that would be okay too. Just don’t tell my husband.
