Welcome to my blog Judith. Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions about yourself, your writing career, and your books. Congratulations on your book ‘Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever’, which I understand has been optioned for the Big Screen. Congratulations on winning the Jack London Prize from the California Writers Club.
Q. Judith you have an interesting background. Could you tell our readers a little about yourself? What are some of the events that have influenced your life as it is today?
A. A major influence in my life was being the only child of warring parents, thrown together out of need rather than love. Consequently, I spent most of my childhood escaping to the movies. Slumped down in the dark, munching on Jujube’s and Milk Duds, my worries would rise up and dissolve in the light of the projector. I pictured myself as Deborah Kerr in “An Affair to Remember,” and Jennifer Jones in “Love is a Many Splendored Thing.” Learning to use my imagination at a young age has served me well as an author.
Q. Judith can you please tell us about your book and why you chose to write about this subject?
A. My novel is about a group of women in their late 50s who first met in high school in the 1950s. Their enduring friendship has carried them through multiple marriages, dramatic divorces and even maddening menopause. Yet, they still have secrets from each other.
I chose my subject because I was sick of reading fluffy chicklit. I wanted to write a story about mature women with real problems. I think I succeeded because the book caught the attention of a Hollywood producer and has been optioned for the big screen.
Q. Have there been any Authors in particular, that inspired the writing of this book?
A. In 1997, a friend of mine sent me a copy of “The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood.” When I’d finished reading the book, I slammed it shut and said, “That bitch wrote my book.” (can a say that?) Anyway, at that moment I decided to quit my job as an HR executive and write while I still had a few brain cells left.
Q. What is the hardest part of writing for you?
A. Revision is the hardest for me. Reading a draft with an objective eye is difficult. I also hate deleting some of my favorite scenes, paragraphs, or words because they don’t move the story forward.
Q. What is the most positive experience in your writing process?
A. I love finding the exact word or phrase that communicates perfectly what I’m trying to say. But what I love best is typing “The End.”
Q. What other projects are you currently working on or about to start?
A. After the second revision of “Husbands,” I put it away for a while and wrote a second novel entitled, “Staying Afloat,” the story of a devoted stay-at-home wife and mother who morphs into a sex-starved adulteress. The book has been professionally edited and is ready to go, but I don’t plan to send it out into the world until my option for “Husbands” is exercised.
Q. Could you share some of your marketing strategies? Which ones are the most effective in your opinion?
A. One strategy that has worked for me is putting on author panels at local libraries, where three or four authors talk about their writing process and sell their books. I’ve also found guest posting on other sites, not necessarily related to writing, to be effective. I think it’s important to connect with people in a variety of ways. For instance, I’m a former professional model and I have maintained my interest in fashion over the years. I now write a regular column in my local newspaper entitled “FashionOverFifty,” where my byline mentions my book -- a soft-sell approach.
Q. Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
A. Believe in yourself and your work. Don’t give up. Success as a writer requires passion, persistence and patience.
Q. What do you read for fun when you’re not writing?
A. I like to read a variety of genres. I just started “Unbroken,” by Laura Hillenbrand.
Thank you Judith for a very interesting interview. Good luck with your current and future publications.
For more information and where to buy Judith’s books see links below:
Great book idea! I look forward to reading it! Great interview! Blessings, Kathy
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Best of luck to Judith with the possible movie and any future projects. I'll be crossing my fingers for her.
ReplyDeleteI'm following you, too, by the way. Looking forward to more great interviews and reviews.
Jonathan @ I Read a Book Once...
Thank you Kathy and Jonathan for checking out my blog and Judith's interview and book. Yes, it is exciting to have an author whose book could be a movie!
ReplyDeleteDee