Interview with Melody Carlson

Captain's Log, Stardate 09.10.2007

Today I’ve got an interview with Melody Carlson about her latest chick lit novel, These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking.

Willing to make the necessary sacrifices–even skipping the occasional latte–to ensure career success, 31-year-old Cassidy Cantrell “invests” in a chic pair of boots, certain they’ll make a spectacular impression and help seal the deal on a long-anticipated promotion from her Seattle employer.

But reality tromps all over her expectations. Cassie’s job is abruptly eliminated–and her love life obliterated, when her longtime boyfriend dumps her for a “friend.” Her self-esteem in tatters, Cassie limps home to the resort town she once so eagerly fled–only to find her recently divorced mother transformed into a gorgeous fifty-something babe with a thriving social life. Cassie wrestles with envy and apathy as she considers the dismal shape of her own physique and romantic prospects. What will it take for her to jump back into life and regain her stride?

This sassy and hilarious novel leads readers on a romp through the wilds of relationships, romance, career, and spirituality, revealing that, while God’s plans may look drastically different than our own, it’ll always be a perfect fit.

Read an excerpt here.

And now, here’s me and Melody!

What inspired the plotline for These Boots Weren't Made for Walking?

Okay, it wasn't the song...although I did like it. Maybe it was because we girls all love shoes and I particularly like boots. But I wanted to start the story out in a "fun" place--where everything goes wrong after Cassie spends way too much for a gorgeous pair of designer boots. After that, it was easy. I simply let the story play out, problems pile up, more things go wrong--and all the while I try to incorporate some humor.

Your heroine, Cassidy, sounds like a hoot! What would be Cassidy's dream vacation and why?

Early on in the story, Cassie probably would've opted for an escapist vacation, like a Caribbean cruise or a shopping trip in Paris. But after she started looking at life differently, she might've gone for something more down to earth, perhaps even something philanthropic like going down to Mexico to help build an orphanage. And for the honeymoon ... I think she and Will would probably go someplace rustic like Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. J

I totally love ethnic food (actually, I like all food, so I guess that's not saying much). What's your favorite ethnic cuisine and why?

Although I like most ethnic foods, I adore really good Thai food—especially when it involves peanut sauce. The first Thai food I had was when I spent a year in Papua New Guinea (long ago) and a guy friend from Malaysia, who was an excellent cook, made an unforgettable Thai style meal for some friends and me—and I was hooked.

Do you prefer coffee or tea and why?

Both. But I would be a mess without my morning coffee. I usually drink green or white or Earl Grey decaf tea in the afternoon.

If you were transformed into any animal, what would you be and why?

Some kind of bird ... because I would love to fly! Maybe even a hummingbird, which we’re inundated with this time of year (I can hardly keep my four feeders full) but those little birds seem to have such a good time. And they maneuver about so well, flying straight up, straight down, hovering ... plus they go to Mexico for the summer. What a life, eh?

You're off the hotseat! Any parting words?

Thanks for inviting me to join you. I’m in a chick lit frame of mind today since I’m editing my next chick lit book A Mile in My Flip-flops (releases next June).

Camy here: Sounds cool! Thanks for being here, Melody!

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