Ramblings and Musings of an L.A. Writer

New Moon - Movie Tie in Edition!

2009-06-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Ooh...I'm so excited about this. I might have to buy the book AGAIN just to get this cover!

Jacob looks SOOOO hot!

Guest Star: Sheila Curran

2009-06-22T14:45:00.001-07:00

Welcome Sheila Curran, this week's guest star author! She's just released a brand new novel, EVERYONE SHE LOVED and she's taken the time to answer some of my questions about her work.

Here's an overview of the book:

A wise and triumphant novel about powerful bonds among four women who’ve come of age together only to discover that – when it comes to the essentials – life’s little instruction book will always need revising.

Penelope Cameron, loving mother, devoted wife and generous philanthropist, has convinced her husband and four closest friends to sign an outlandish pact. If Penelope should die before her two daughters are eighteen, her husband will not remarry without the permission of Penelope’s sister and three college roommates. For years, this contract gathers dust until the unthinkable happens. Suddenly, everyone she loved must find their way in a world without Penelope.

For Lucy Vargas, Penelope’s best friend, and a second mother to her daughters, nothing seems more natural than to welcome them into a home that had once belonged to their family, a lovely, sprawling, bed and breakfast on the beach. This bequest was only one of the many ways in which Penelope had supported Lucy’s career as a painter, declaring her talent too important to squander. But now, in the wake of a disaster that only lovable, worrisome Penelope could have predicted, Lucy has put her work on hold as she and Penelope’s husband, Joey, blindly grasp at anything that will keep the girls from sinking under the weight of their grief.

With the help of family and friends, the children slowly rebuild new lives. But just when things start to come together, the fragile serenity they have gained is suddenly threatened from within and the unbreakable bonds they share seem likely to dissolve after all.

In this moving and uplifting novel, Sheila Curran explores the faith one woman placed in her dearest friends, the care she took to protect her family, and the many ways in which romantic entanglements will confound and confuse even the most determined of planners. A story about growing up and moving on, about the sacrifices people make for one another, about the timeless legacy of love, Everyone She Loved is, above all, about the abiding strength of friendship.

Order it on Amazon now!

Check out my interview with Sheila Curran:

1. How do you come up with the names for your characters?

Often I have the name as soon as I think of the character. I’m not sure why.

2. What’s your favorite part about the publishing process?

Working with my agent and editor to get the book ready and in shape and hearing from readers that they loved it. Your least favorite part? Worrying my novel won’t catch the eyes of readers. I know they’d like it if they picked it up, but how do you stand out in the crowded marketplace? I know that when I go to a bookstore, I’m overwhelmed by the choices and so I know that my prospective readers face the same obstacle.

3. When you got that first phone call announcing your had sold a novel, how did you react?

I called my husband, then my parents. My mom had had knee surgery that day.

How did you celebrate?

Oh, I believe there were festive beverages involved.

4. If your book were to be made into a movie, who could you see playing the lead role? Patrick Dempsey (McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy) or Liam Neeson could play Joey Adorno. Jessica Sarah Parker or Kyra Sedgewick could play the interloping nutritionist. Penelope Cruz or Holly Hunter would be great as Penelope. Lucy, Kate Winslet, Scarlett Johannsen, or Catherine Keener, who played Harper Lee in Capote and the love interest in 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN. Martha, Cameron Diaz or Ellen Barkin. Susannah, Sandra Bullock, Tea Leoni or Kate Hudson.

5. What was your inspiration behind the book?

For the full story, readers should go to my website and click on Backstory. But the short version is this: in some states, if a parent hasn’t named a guardian in an official will, their children can be taken into foster care if the parents die. I was talking to a friend about how difficult it is to make the choice of who, among my siblings and friends would be the best replacements for my husband and I. Suddenly, I said, “Oooh. You know what would be worse? What if I died and John fell in love with someone who was just awful?” I thought for a minute more and said, “I know. What if he couldn’t remarry unless my sisters and best friends approved?” I knew, deep down, that whatever happened, as long as my friends and family approved of the new wife, then she’d be good for my kids. So I began to imagine a character like me, except she’s really rich, has had even more reasons in her life to become a bit of a control freak than have I and she is so charming in her ridiculous catastrophizing that her husband and friends finally say, “Enough, already! You’re not going anywhere, but if it makes you feel better, we’ll sign the damn thing.” So begins the premise for my novel, the plot of which is set into action by my character’s codicil. It’s about motherhood, wifehood, childhood, and most of all, the sisterhood of great friends who’ve come of age together.

For more information, check out Sheila's website at: www.SheilaCurran.com

The Good Girl's Guide to Bad Men

2009-06-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Attention all UK dwellers! The follow-up to THE FIDELITY FILES is being released across the pond on October 1, 2009 under the title, THE GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO BAD MEN. And I just received the final cover image. Are you in love with it as much as I am? I hope so! Because I really, really love it!

It's available for pre-order on Amazon by clicking here!

Happy Monday everyone!

LOVE UNDER COVER trailer!

2009-06-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

The countdown begins...the anticipated new trailer for LOVE UNDER COVER launches on July 1, 2009 at: www.JessicaBrody.com

Don't miss it!

Happy Birthday...to The Fidelity Files

2009-06-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

Today,The Fidelity Files is exactly one year old! That's right, exactly one year ago, on June 10th, my debut novel officially released! And since I think of all my books as kind of like my babies, I figured it was appropriate to celebrate.

Or maybe I'm just always looking for an excuse to eat Red Velvet Cupcakes.

That might be more like it.

Happy Birthday, Fidelity Files! Let them eat cupcakes!

New Moon - Official Trailer!

2009-05-31T19:56:00.001-07:00

It's here! It's here! It's here!

One word: AWESOME!

New Moon Movie Companion Book and Twilight Store!

2009-05-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, so since I'm still (impatiently) waiting for news of my own to share (I promise they'll be some soon!) I decided to live vicariously through New Moon and share more exciting news on that front.

And here's the latest to report from Operation New Moon Watch (my favorite new hobby!):

The New Moon Movie Companion Book is now available for pre-sale on Amazon!!

After I pre-ordered it myself (duh!) I got so excited that I decided to create an "Everything Twilight" Amazon Store. And had so much fun "stocking the shelves"! Check it out here!

Official New Moon Movie Poster Released!

2009-05-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know we've had a lot of false alarms with New Moon movie posters over the past few months. But this one is being called "the one"...as in straight from the official New Moon publicists themselves! So I'm gonna take the risk and call it "the first official NEW MOON movie poster!" Yay! And I love it! The symbolism of Jacob standing between Edward and Bella is great!

Christmas in May

2009-05-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

The UPS man and I have formed a special relationship. No! Not that kind of relationship. Geez, get your head out of the gutter. He's become my year-round Santa Claus, bringing me gifts from all my favorite retailers (mostly Amazon) and my favorite people (mostly my publishers!) And today was no exception. In a rare freak coincidence, I got not ONE but TWO sets of First Pass pages today. One for LOVE UNDER COVER, my new adult book coming in November and one for THE KARMA CLUB, my new YA book coming out next spring! It really was like Christmas morning over here!

First pass pages are my favorite part of the publishing process (well, apart from receiving the finished books of course!) It's the first time you get to see your 300+ slaved over pages as anything other than just a word document. They're laid out on the page exactly as they will appear in the finished book. With fonts and spacing and chapter headings...and my name on the top of every page (I won't lie, that's a pretty freaking cool feeling!) Now if only I felt like I actually did write all those words...that part is still pretty surreal.

My YA publisher, FSG, is doing some really cool stuff with the title for THE KARMA CLUB. It's not finalized yet, but when it is, I'll be sure to share it here!

And later this summer, I'm going to be premiering the final trailer for LOVE UNDER COVER and the first released excerpt. So stay tuned!

French Release Day!

2009-05-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Yay! It's finally here! My French release day. Here's to lots of French sales...s'il vous plait!!!

Check it out on Amazon.fr

Je parle francais!

2009-05-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Check out this video my French publisher made while I was in Paris. So much fun! I've never seen myself speak French on camera before. It was hard to watch! Lots of cringing. But I at least hope my French teachers would be proud. :)

Interview with Daniel Kunka, screenwriter of the movie, 12 ROUNDS!

2009-04-26T09:31:00.001-07:00

Hey Everyone!

So you may have heard of this hit new movie called 12 Rounds starring John Cena that was recently released in theaters nationwide by 20th Century Fox. Well, my very talented friend, Daniel Kunka, wrote the script! And he's graciously agreed to come on my blog for a little Q&A. I figured since I interview so many authors, interviewing a screenwriter might be a nice change of pace and offer some insight to a whole other kind of storytelling.

Here's a brief synopsis of the plot:

Detective Danny Fisher discovers his girlfriend has been kidnapped by a ex-con tied to Baxter's past, and he'll have to successfully complete 12 challenges in order to secure her safe release.

So without further ado, here's my interview with 12 Rounds screenwriter, Daniel Kunka!

JB: How long did it take you to write 12 Rounds?

DK: It was a long process. I came up with the idea around August or September of ’05. It took me two or three months (and about eight tries) to get a solid outline. I then wrote the initial draft rather quickly, maybe over the course of three or four weeks, sticking relatively close to the outline. After we had the first draft I showed it to Josh McLaughlin (the producer of the movie) who then had a bunch of notes – basically, as with most first drafts, we were nowhere. I then took the better part of 2006 sitting around doing nothing, thinking about the script, not thinking about the script, until I had a couple of breakthroughs and got motivated. Rewriting is ALWAYS the toughest part of writing. I turned in my highly revised second draft at the end of 2006, then did a few polishes and sent the script to the studios in January of 2007. I put the script away until the WWE became involved and optioned the script in August of 2007. I then rewrote the script about eight more times (including moving the script location to New Orleans from Chicago) until we went into production in Spring of 2008. So all in, time wise it was about two and half years, with probably a good 18 months of that writing.

JB: The movie takes place in New Orleans. Was that always the location of the film? If not, what elements of the script did you have to update to accommodate the new location?

DK: I originally wrote the script set in Chicago. Chicago is my hometown and the old adage is true – write what you know. I was excited about incorporating things that I grew up with in the script, and I thought the signature set piece around an out of control ‘L’ train car would be quite fantastic on film. Unfortunately (and fortunately), we couldn’t shoot the movie in Chicago (too cold and too expensive) so we re-located to New Orleans. I actually think the move was for the better (or at least a push) – the city of New Orleans is fantastic and I loved finding new locations to set the action. And if you were to read the last Chicago script and the first New Orleans script I think you’d be surprised how well it translated. I would say 80% of the action just changed location, while the other 20% we exploited some things in New Orleans we could have never had in Chicago (the ferry across the Mississippi, the French Quarter).

JB: How different was the final shooting script to the screenplay you originally wrote? What about the final movie?

DK: The first draft to final draft is different but not really THAT different. I mean, the movie was always called 12 ROUNDS, so the conceit of the movie and the structure was always followed pretty close. The opening sequence was completely different from the original screenplay, and the original screenplay, although it had some elements of the final twist, was missing the final beats of the story that make everything come together. Some character stuff was different as well – we went back and forth about Danny and Molly’s relationship (although she was originally named Janine – I’m terrible with names). At first the were getting married, then the were living together but not engaged, then they were engaged. If there was one thing I could change about the final movie it would be to go back to some of those earlier scenes I had written for Danny and Molly – for myriad (and uninteresting) reasons we changed some of the character arcs around, but I still like some of those earlier scenes I had written. As for the final shooting script to the actual movie? I’d say it’s 95% there. We did add three additional small scenes I wrote after the movie was shot, but otherwise it’s very true to the script.

JB: I know novelists like to base their characters on people they know. Is anyone in 12 Rounds based on someone you know?

DK: I think all writers base characters on things that they know. Danny (who, by the way, is NOT named after me – I’m terrible with character names and I was trying to think of a likeable name for a guy in his mid-twenties and I always thought that anyone over the age of ten who could get away with being called Danny was a likeable guy. Me? I’ve always been Dan or just Kunka) is a guy who’s at a really great stage in his life – he’s got a job, he’s got a house, he’s got a great girlfriend. But maybe Danny doesn’t fully take on the responsibility of being an adult yet. I think that’s very familiar to people I know, that idea of not only becoming an adult, but embracing being an adult. Danny, I think, at the beginning of the movie would be a beat cop all his life. He’s not looking to move up or move on, he just wants to be able to drink beer on the weekends and watch sports. Oddly enough, I think Miles is more based on me than Danny is in some ways – I’ve been known to obsess over games and try to be the smartest guy in the room at times. So yeah, I think every character has some basis on either me or someone I’ve met in my life.

JB: 12 Rounds is your first produced screenplay (congrats, btw!) What was your process for getting it produced and released in theatres?

DK: It was long and arduous, and I’d like to say it was simply my great writing that got this thing on the big screen, but there was a lot of luck involved. Josh McLaughlin was a producer who I met after he had read one of my earlier screenplays – he liked the writing and liked me and offered to help me write the next one. I came up with 12 Rounds and Josh helped guide me through those early rough drafts, then eventually was the one who got the script into the hands of John Cena and the WWE. That was almost two and half years later and I thought the script was dead, to be honest, but suddenly we went from zero to sixty in about six seconds. Once the WWE signed on, they’re very much NOT like other companies – they had the money, they liked the script, and they were gonna make it. It all went very quickly after that, and as many people have said since, they won’t all be like this (meaning, most of the time in Hollywood is spent NOT making movies, rather than the other way around).

JB: Does this make it easier for you to get another film produced? Is there anything in the works?

DK: It helps me get in the door and get my voice heard. Having sole screenplay credit on a produced movie (and for it to be my first script to sell) is a complete anomaly. So that experience is invaluable, and moves me up a couple of rungs on the ladder. As for what’s next – I’m always writing the next script, and I’d also love to get into TV.

JB: Did you get to go on set during the shooting? What was that like?

DK: I was in New Orleans for about 6 weeks of shooting and it was completely surreal. Just to see the amount of people involved, all the crew, the guys working 16 hour days to bring your vision to the screen, it was both humbling and completely awesome. I love writing and I’ll write for the rest of my life, but this whole process has made me re-fall in love with making movies. That’s where the action is at, putting the story on screen.

JB: When you see the film in the theatre are there any cringe moments? Dialogue you wish you could go back and change?

DK: Oh yeah. The writer’s process is never over! I’m sure you probably feel the same way – once the book is published, once the movie is screened it really IS over. But it never feels that way. If I could go back there wouldn’t be a 100 things I’d like to change, but there would definitely be a few. It’s also different in movies because I’m not the final say – there are actors and directors and camera guys brining my vision to the screen. So as much as maybe I’d change something a little here and there, there’s also plenty of things on screen I had nothing to do with! But like I always say, there’s no shame in stealing a good idea and putting it up on screen, especially when you’re the one getting the credit!

Thanks Dan!

12 Rounds will be released on DVD will be released in July. Click here to pre-order it on Amazon!

Paris!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

Bonjour from beautiful Paris!

I'm here promoting the French release of The Fidelity Files (French Title: Confidentialite Assuree") The weather is perfect, the sites are amazing, and the French press has been so welcoming receptive to my book. I've been speaking French for three days straight and I'm mentally exhausted but ready for my free day of sightseeing and fun!

A bientot!
Jessica

Guest Star: April Henry!

2009-04-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

Time for another guest star! This week it's April Henry, co-author of the bestselling mystery novel, FACE OF BETRAYAL.

Face of Betrayal
Thomas Nelson Books
April 7, 2009
ISBN: 978-1595547057
Author's Website

"A sizzling political thriller… The seamless plot offers a plethora of twists and turns." - Publisher's Weekly

When 17-year-old Senate page Katie Converse goes missing on her Christmas break near her parents' white Victorian home in Portland, Ore., law enforcement and the media go into overdrive in a search for clues. Three friends at the pinnacle of their respective careers--Allison Pierce, a federal prosecutor; Cassidy Shaw, a crime reporter; and Nicole Hedges, an FBI special agent--soon discover that Katie wasn't the picture of innocence painted by her parents. Did Katie run away to escape their stifling demands? Was she having an affair with the senator who sponsored her as a page? Has she been kidnapped? Is she the victim of a serial killer?

And here's a special interview with me and the author:

1. How do you come up with the names for your characters?

For my teen books, I keep a list of kids at my daughter’s school, because kids these days are certainly not named Debbie, Nancy, or Lisa. I write down unusual names I hear and like. For this adult mystery series, it was hard to find good names for the three main characters. Originally, they were called Allison, Jacqueline, and Cassidy, but Allison and Jacqueline were too similar. We finally settled on Allison, Nicole, and Cassidy.

2. What's your favorite part about the publishing process? Your least favorite part?

I like thinking of new plot twists and turns. Beginnings are fun. There are so many possibilities. Really detailed editorial letters are hard. I have to psych myself up to act on them.

3. When you got that first phone call announcing your had sold a novel, how did you react? How did you celebrate? If you've sold more than one novel, do you have a celebration ritual for subsequent sales?

I’m not very good at celebrating or relaxing. When I got my first contract, a group of friends broke out a bottle of champagne, and that was wonderful. And quitting my day job a year ago was the best celebration ever. Sometimes I’ll let myself take a day or two to relax and read one of the hundreds of books I keep meaning to read “someday.” But I feel at loose ends if I’m not writing.

4. Desert Island time. You can bring one person and one "thing." What would you bring?

My husband and a satellite phone for when we need to be rescued.

5. Since becoming a writer, what's the most glamorous thing you've ever done?

I’ve had my face made up for a TV appearance. TV studios are dinky and drab. But on camera I looked great. It’s all about illusions, baby!

6. What line or section of your novel are you most proud of? Is there a story behind it? Or a reason why you like it so much?

There’s a section where a runner finds a body part. We had written that scene, but then I started thinking we needed a new scene with him, even though he is just a walk-on character. So we worked on another scene where he realizes that he needs to take the body part out of the woods with him (for reasons that might be spoilers). It was fun to write about his dawning horror.

Visit April Henry's website here! Or pick up a copy of Face of Betrayal here!

National Reader's Choice Award Finalist!

2009-04-18T08:55:00.001-07:00

Hey All! I just got word that THE FIDELITY FILES is a finalist in the "mainstream" category for the National Reader's Choice Award!

The winners will be announced in August at the national Romance Readers of America conference in Washington D.C. Obama, here I come!

Love Under Cover...COVER!

2009-04-01T09:17:00.001-07:00

When I say "November," what's the most exciting thing that pops into your mind? If you said, "The New Moon movie release," then I say, "Okay, fine, what's the second most exciting thing that pops into your mind?"

Of course! It's the release of LOVE UNDER COVER on November 10th! And now I have the beautiful cover art to share with everyone! Ooh...ahh...[click] [click] (that was the sound of cameras flashing on the red carpet, in case my onomatopoeia were ineffective.)

AND...the book is now available for pre-order from Amazon. Just click here! Buy Now, Pay Later (like not until November!) How's that for a good deal? The economy is BOUND to be in better shape in November. So go ahead, pre-order away!

New Moon Movie Posters - Pick your favorite!

2009-03-31T13:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, so last week I posted what I thought was the official poster for the upcoming release of New Moon. And the only reason I thought that was because it was SO well done. It totally looked like an official studio poster (and I used to work for a movie studio!). But I was quickly made aware by a knowledgeable blog commenter that it was in fact, a fan poster. And then I was made aware by another knowledgeable blog commenter that there are tons of other cool fan-made posters out there as well. So that got me thinking...why not post some of the really good ones and have everyone pick their favorite! (And yes, I realize I'm not the first person to come up with this idea!) So I scoured the internet for (what I think are) the ten best fan made posters out there right now ("best" meaning the most professional looking and studio-worthy).

Please vote for your favorite in the poll below!

**Also, unfortunately because these posters are posted all over the web, I don't know the names of all the talented artists who created them. So if you see your poster here, please comment and tell me who you are and if you have a website so I can give credit where credit is incredibly due.

#1: Half-Wolf Jacob by MPGraphics

#2: Bella/Edward Clocktower by MPGraphics

#3: Wolf Howling

#4: Bella/Jacob Cliff Background

#5: Bare-chested Edward

#6: Never Existed

#7: Love Triangle

#8: Edward/Bella Split

#9: Bella in the Fog

10: Bella in Bed

Vote Here!

poll by twiigs.com

Twilight Easter Eggs...Part 3

2009-03-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, so now that everyone has the DVD (including yours truly) and has been able to watch it on a continuous loop since Saturday morning, a bunch of newly discovered Twilight Easter Eggs have been pouring in from my blog readers. So I thought I'd create yet another addendum to my original post and the follow-up post. This one should be called: Twilight Easter Eggs: Special Blog Reader's Edition, since I did not, myself, locate any of these (although some of them are SO good, I wish I had!)

For those of you newbies, an "easter egg" is a hardly-noticeable little detail that filmmakers or authors drop into their films or books for diehard fans (or just extremely observant people) to find. I try to do it with all my books and it seems Catherine Hardwick and the creators of the Twilight movie, had just as much fun hiding these little details in the film.

So here they are...the new Twilight Easter Eggs!

1) This is one is officially my new favorite: When Bella meets the Cullens, you see an ode to Breaking Dawn behind Bella and Edward. There is a chess set with red and white pieces. - Discovered by "Bittersweetm," and "Anonymous"

2) When Bella's in the hospital, if you look at the TV, the scene you just watched in the movie is playing on the TV - Discovered by "Jo"

3) In the book there's mention of Carlisle keeping the cross from his father's church - in the movie, you SEE said cross near the stairway in the Cullen's house. - Discovered by "Sarahllujia"

4) When Edward and Bella are at the prom, you see Victoria amongst the others, just prior to their solo dance. - Discovered by "Anonymous"

5) When they are in Port Angeles, and he is staring at the guys that were going to hurt Bella, listen very closely to Edwards deep glutural growl. The same growl can be heard when he is sucking the venom out of Bella's blood in the ballet studio. - Discovered by "Renee Dean"

6) In the hospital room at the end there is a drawing of the ballet studio. - Discovered by "Emily"

7) When Bella enters the biology lab at school, there is a picture of an owl behind Edward that makes him look like an angel. - Discovered by "Anonymous" and "Renee Dean"

8) Ooh...this is a good one! The book that Bella bought in Port Angeles talked about vampires on page 135, also the same page in the Twilight book where Bella discovers the Cullens are vampires. - Discovered by "Hungrygurl"

Thanks to everyone who submitted their found easter eggs to me. If you find anymore as you're watching, please post them! And if you missed my previous posts on Twilight Easter Eggs, you can find the first one here and the second one here.

Happy Hunting, Twi-Fans.

Czech Book Release!

2009-03-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

So I was just casually cruising around my Czech book publisher's website, you know, cause I like browsing websites I can't understand, and I noticed that my name, or something remarkably close to it (Jessica Brodyova) was displayed at the top of the page with this picture next to it!

Which only means one thing...my book has released in the Czech Republic!

This is a very significant occasion for me because the Czech Republic was actually the very FIRST foreign country to buy THE FIDELITY FILES. And I'll never forget the email I received from my editor when she told me it had sold there. My reaction was something along the lines of, "You mean OTHER countries can buy my book too!? Whoopee!" So the Czechs will always hold a special place in my heart. And now that they gave it this kick-ass cover that I'm totally digging right now, I love them EVEN more!

Oh, and in case you're wondering, the title translates to: "Test of Loyalty." Yes, another trip to Google translate was required to obtain that information. Google Translate is starting to become my new favorite website.

Wait, does this mean I'll start getting checks from the Czechs? Sorry, I couldn't resist.

NEW MOON Movie Poster!

2009-03-16T07:08:00.001-07:00

The official New Moon poster has been released! And I LOVE it! Knowing Hollywood, it'll probably be changed at least once before the movie releases in November but I'm going to post it here anyway, because it's fantastic!

I hope to have my own November-release artwork ready to post in a few days (i.e. my cover art for LOVE UNDER COVER!) So stay tuned!

Addendum: It has been brought to my attention by one of my studious blog readers that this is NOT an official Summit Poster. But rather a fan-made poster. And to that, I just have to say, well done, fan! This is a really cool and professional-looking poster. And for someone who used to work in the movie business, I can say that with at least some authority. My apologies for the incorrect information.

THE FIDELITY FILES is optioned for TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-05T18:17:00.001-08:00

Very exciting news announced today!

THE FIDELITY FILES has been optioned to Marina Grasic (executive producer of Crash) at Curious Pictures for development as a television series!

YAY!!!

Hopefully it'll be on right after Grey's Anatomy next year. Stay tuned...

German Release Day

2009-03-02T09:08:00.000-08:00

Guten Tag!

Today is the official release date of the German translation of The Fidelity Files.

The title has been translated to: Treuetest (which means "loyalty test" or "fidelity test") and Random House Germany released it today!

Thanks to the wonderfully talented, Ursula Christine Sturm, who translated my 127,000 rambling words into the German language (INCLUDING my four pages of acknowledgments!) I think she deserves a medal. Although, to be fair, I have no idea how well she did. I just have to trust that those pages upon pages of German text are even remotely similar to the manuscript I turned in two years ago.

In case any of you blog readers out there speak German, know someone who speaks German, want to impress a German-speaking potential mate, or just want a good, entertaining German book to stare at without understanding a single word, pick up your copy on amazon.de. Or visit the publisher's page for more purchase options.

I got my author copies of the other day and I'll tell you, it's pretty freaking cool looking! But I realize, I might be just a tad bit biased.

Auf Wiedersehen! (That means good bye...courtesy of Google Translate, of course)

Goodie! Goodie! Goodie!...bag

2009-02-25T08:09:00.000-08:00

So my good friends at Pink Veil (a blog for everything Bachelorette Party related) chose THE FIDELITY FILES as one of their MUST INCLUDE books for bachelorette party goodie bags! I love being listed alongside authors like Sophie Kinsella and Lauren Weisberger (two of my idols!)

Thanks Pink Veil!

Bachelorette party go-er or no, be sure to check out this fab site!

Guest Star: Carolyn Jewel

2009-02-24T12:08:00.000-08:00

Hello all! Time for another guest star! This week it's Carolyn Jewel, author of the fantastic new romance novel, SCANDAL.

Scandal
Berkley Sensation
February 3, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-425-22551-6
Author's Website

The earl of Banallt is no stranger to scandal. But when he meets Sophie Evans, the young wife of a fellow libertine, even he is shocked by his reaction. This unconventional and intelligent woman proves to be far more than an amusing distraction-- she threatens to drive him to distraction. Unlike the women who usually fall at Banallt's feet, and into his bed, Sophie refuses to be seduced. And soon Banallt desires her more than ever-- and for more than an illicit affair.

Years later, the widowed Sophie is free, and Banallt is determined to win the woman he still loves. Unfortunately, she doesn't believe his declaration of love and chivalrous offer of marriage-- her heart has already been broken by her scoundrel of a husband. And yet, Sophie is tempted to indulge in the torrid affair she's always fantasized about. Caught between her logical mind and her long-denied desire, Sophie must thwart Banallt's seduction-- or risk being consumed by the one man she should avoid at all costs...

And here's a special interview with me and the author:

1. Who is your most embarrassing in-retrospect heartthrob?

I have only ever loved Adrian Paul and Jet Li. Ever in my whole life.
But Ringo was my favorite Beatle.

2. Since becoming a writer, what's the most glamorous thing you've ever done?

HAHAHAHAHA! The dishes?

3. What's the main thing you hope people take away from your book?

A burning and insatiable desire to buy my backlist and everything else I ever write for the rest of my life. And to tell everyone they know to do the same thing. OK, seriously, I just hope they enjoy the heck out of the story.

4. What is your process of getting out a first draft? How long might it take?

I print out drafts from time to time because the words look different on paper. I rarely have a complete draft. I just have more and more words that make up a mess that needs constant and massive fixing which I do constantly until somehow the story isn't a mess any more. And then it's done.

5. If you could only own and read 5 books for the rest of your life, (excluding your own) what five books would you choose?

Villette by Charlotte Bronte, Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Some edition of O'Henry Best Short Stories, A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh.

The Oscars: My Take

2009-02-22T21:09:00.001-08:00

Just finished watching the Oscars. Here are my two cents (for whoever is interested):

- Sean Penn, next time you win an Oscar for best actor, remember to thank your wife! She's the woman who was sitting next to you in the beautiful black dress. Does "Jennay" ring a bell? Ask Tom Hanks, he'll point her out for you.

- You would think that Angelina and Brad (both best actor nominees!) could do a better job pretending to smile when Jennifer Aniston was on stage. You're actors for God's sake! I've seen better fake pleasantries on the Hills.

- Way to go Slumdog Millionaire! It's not often that I've not only seen the landslide winning film but actually thought it deserved to win.

- Edward Cullen was AT. THE. OSCARS! Need I say more? Although, why'd he have that silly British accent?

- Congrats to Kate Winslet. Well deserved. But to be honest, you had me at Titanic.

- The Duchess won for costume design. No surprise there. The period piece ALWAYS wins! My observation: the older the time period of the film, the higher chance of it winning. Yes, you can quote me on that (although I doubt anyone will care.)

What's your take?