My friend and colleague, Trish Jensen, a USA Today Bestselling author, doesn't have her own blogsite to inform you about her latest work in progress. So I'm going to do that here. Trish answers the "Next Big Thing" questions below.
Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:
What is your working title of your book?
No Clue Yet.
Not really, but that's the truth at the moment. The story begins at Christmas, but isn't a Christmas story. My editor and I are still brainstorming the perfect title. We'll let you know for sure as soon as we're for sure.
Not really, but that's the truth at the moment. The story begins at Christmas, but isn't a Christmas story. My editor and I are still brainstorming the perfect title. We'll let you know for sure as soon as we're for sure.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I was robbed last Christmas. Wouldn’t that put anyone in the mood to write a novel?
What genre does your book fall under?
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| Trish Jensen |
Women's fiction with lots of comedy. I’ve been dubbed the undisputed Queen of comedic romance, but women’s fiction is a new genre for me.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Hmmm. Is Denzel Washington too old? Probably. I'd go with Matthew MacK...whatever as the primary, Rob Lowe as the secondary. I have no idea about the women, except Doris Roberts as the interfering mother.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A Christmas robbery turns a woman's life upside down.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Neither. The novel will be published by Bell Bridge Books, a publishing house for whom I very much wanted to write. I parted ways with my agent when she wanted me to sell my work only to the major publishers. I knew, loved and respected the publisher (Debra Dixon) of Bell Bridge Books and was in love with the editor's work (that would be Deborah Smith, my hero). As much as I cared about my agent, who stood by me when I was extremely ill and not writing, I just didn't have the same vision for my future that she did. We parted amicably, and are friends to this day. But I sure do love those royalty checks that don't have minus 15%. :) Signing with Bell Books is the best move I've ever made career-wise.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
LOL! You mean how long will it take?
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I have no idea, because I've never written in this genre before.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The guy who tried to rob me. It was actually more sad than frightening (although it was definitely frightening at first). All the guy wanted was my groceries. He didn't ask for my money, wallet, ATM card, nothing. He just wanted the groceries because he assumed the bags were full of Christmas fixin's. Poor guy robbed the wrong shopper. My bags were filled with dog food and dog treats. He deflated and begged me not to turn him in. All he'd wanted was to give his two kids a Christmas supper to remember.
I caved at his story. I knew, obviously that if he wasn't asking for money for say, drugs or something, that he was serious about just wanting to feed his children something special. I'd just taken $40 out when I paid for my groceries, so I handed him the money and said, "Merry Christmas to you and your kids. Go buy Christmas dinner HONESTLY." Him striding into the store, head held high was a sight to behold. So, even shaken, my mind began chugging on the drive home. By the time I arrived I ran straight to the computer to write to Deb Smith asking, "What do you think about this?" Amazing where we find our stories, isn't it?
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
People in terribly hard situations could use compassion. What would drive you to break the law?
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