I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
Captain’s Log, Stardate 02.05.2007
Today I have and interview with my California beach-babe friend Julie Carobini about her new mom lit novel, Chocolate Beach!
Even a laid-back beach girl has her doubts....
Bri Stone has it all: the man of her dreams and their surf-ridin' teenage son, a chocolate-loving best pal, an adorable beach bungalow, and a kicky job as a Southern California tour bus host.
She also has a few things she didn't ask for: a know-it-all friend, a snobby mother-in-law, and a Fabio-meets-Dilbert boss. All three of them seem eager to share their strong opinions and suspicions about Bri's relationship with her husband, Douglas.
When Bri's rose-colored glasses crack after she finds evidence that Douglas has grown tired of her carefree ways, she resolves to win him back. Can Bri reinvent herself--and recapture his heart?
And now, here’s Julie!
You've written tons of articles. Have you always wanted to write a novel but did articles to get your feet wet? Or did you decide one day to come over to the dark side?
I always wanted to write romance novels, but as my relationship with God grew, I couldn’t stomach writing the kinds of things that I’d read as a young adult. I was at a standstill, and eventually realized I didn’t know what I was doing anyway. Other than college, I’d had no formal writing training. That’s when my friend Kathi Macias offered a writing class in town. She talked about all the opportunities out there to write for God’s glory. I’d had no idea! Even though my eventual goal was to write novels, I decided to learn the craft in bits, through writing personal experience stories. Eventually I began to write full features for magazines and our local paper. In between, I wrote two novels that didn’t sell. Chocolate Beach, well, third time’s a charm, you know?
You have one of the most luscious covers I've ever seen. Did you or your publisher come up with the title, and do you have lots of rampant chocoholism on the beach in your book? (That brings up such wild and crazy visuals!)
Um, yeah, it does, Camy. :) Back to your questions, I agree, my book is wrapped in a decadent cover. Thanks to artist, Ann Gjeldum! As for the title, I came up with that. Don’t ask me how. It just popped into my head and wouldn’t leave. Bri and Gaby, the gal pals in Chocolate Beach, regularly wallow at the beach with a basket of brownies, and Bri eventually discovers chocolate’s versatility. So there you go.
Do you have a Bible verse for your writing?
Dt. 31: 6--Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." AMEN!
Finish this sentence: Writing a novel is…
exhausting, exhilarating, fattening (from all the sitting), fun, disconcerting, and a dream come true.
If you were a chocolate, what would you be and why?
The finest pure chocolate truffle. Two reasons: That’s how God sees me (and you too!), and besides, life’s too short for cheap chocolate!
Amen to that!!!
If you could do any type of extreme sport professionally, what would you do and why?
I’d want to run ultramarathons! That’s 100 miles, baby!
Whoa! Are you serious? I’m tired just thinking about it.
You're off the hotseat! Any parting words?
Thanks for the fun interview, Camy, and thanks for those of you who took the time to read it! Drop me a note sometime, and tell me how you like Chocolate Beach. Now go forth and eat chocolate . . . !
Camy here: Yes, ma’am!
Today I have and interview with my California beach-babe friend Julie Carobini about her new mom lit novel, Chocolate Beach!Even a laid-back beach girl has her doubts....
Bri Stone has it all: the man of her dreams and their surf-ridin' teenage son, a chocolate-loving best pal, an adorable beach bungalow, and a kicky job as a Southern California tour bus host.
She also has a few things she didn't ask for: a know-it-all friend, a snobby mother-in-law, and a Fabio-meets-Dilbert boss. All three of them seem eager to share their strong opinions and suspicions about Bri's relationship with her husband, Douglas.
When Bri's rose-colored glasses crack after she finds evidence that Douglas has grown tired of her carefree ways, she resolves to win him back. Can Bri reinvent herself--and recapture his heart?
And now, here’s Julie!You've written tons of articles. Have you always wanted to write a novel but did articles to get your feet wet? Or did you decide one day to come over to the dark side?
I always wanted to write romance novels, but as my relationship with God grew, I couldn’t stomach writing the kinds of things that I’d read as a young adult. I was at a standstill, and eventually realized I didn’t know what I was doing anyway. Other than college, I’d had no formal writing training. That’s when my friend Kathi Macias offered a writing class in town. She talked about all the opportunities out there to write for God’s glory. I’d had no idea! Even though my eventual goal was to write novels, I decided to learn the craft in bits, through writing personal experience stories. Eventually I began to write full features for magazines and our local paper. In between, I wrote two novels that didn’t sell. Chocolate Beach, well, third time’s a charm, you know?
You have one of the most luscious covers I've ever seen. Did you or your publisher come up with the title, and do you have lots of rampant chocoholism on the beach in your book? (That brings up such wild and crazy visuals!)
Um, yeah, it does, Camy. :) Back to your questions, I agree, my book is wrapped in a decadent cover. Thanks to artist, Ann Gjeldum! As for the title, I came up with that. Don’t ask me how. It just popped into my head and wouldn’t leave. Bri and Gaby, the gal pals in Chocolate Beach, regularly wallow at the beach with a basket of brownies, and Bri eventually discovers chocolate’s versatility. So there you go.
Do you have a Bible verse for your writing?
Dt. 31: 6--Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." AMEN!
Finish this sentence: Writing a novel is…
exhausting, exhilarating, fattening (from all the sitting), fun, disconcerting, and a dream come true.
If you were a chocolate, what would you be and why?
The finest pure chocolate truffle. Two reasons: That’s how God sees me (and you too!), and besides, life’s too short for cheap chocolate!
Amen to that!!!
If you could do any type of extreme sport professionally, what would you do and why?
I’d want to run ultramarathons! That’s 100 miles, baby!
Whoa! Are you serious? I’m tired just thinking about it.
You're off the hotseat! Any parting words?
Thanks for the fun interview, Camy, and thanks for those of you who took the time to read it! Drop me a note sometime, and tell me how you like Chocolate Beach. Now go forth and eat chocolate . . . !
Camy here: Yes, ma’am!