The Next Big Thing Blogfest Tour

I was invited to participate in The Next Big Thing Blogfest Tour to tell you about my, well, next big thing! The author who invited me was Jan Morrill at  http://janmorrill.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/next-big-thing-blogfest/ When you're finished here, hop over to Jan's blog to read all about her exciting news regarding the January release of her book, THE RED KIMONO!

Now, back to the tour. Here are the questions that all of the blogfest tour writers are answering because we know you're salivating to know exacty what we're working on, right? Okay, here goes.

What is the working title of your book?
THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS. I actually had a focus group at my house a few years ago, and over wine and pizza, several women read sample chapters and my suggested titles. I had secret ballots for input and the suggested titles tied between THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS and MEET ME AT COCONUTS.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
My brain. I've always had strong friendships with women so I wanted to write about three strong women who were close-knit and professional, yet whose personal lives were unraveling. That's how it is for all women, right? Please tell me it is.

What genre does your book fall under?
Women's fiction with elements of romance, suspense and humor. The hippie parents provide a lot of humor while the cop sets the mood for several suspenseful scenes. In fact, when I was writing this novel, I hadn't decided whether the cop, Tony, was going to be a good cop or a bad cop until the end!

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
That's a tough one but what fun to dream big!

Reese Witherspoon for Alex, the blonde bank marketer who has a touch of OCD.

Julianne Moore is more like the personality of the divorced, redheaded Suzy, the wedding planner, but the women are thirty-something so maybe Amy Adams is closer to the right age.

Melissa McCarthy would be a fabulous Hope who hates her frumpy looks and constantly "babysits" her codependent, albeit hiarious, hippie parents.

Mark Wahlberg would be fantastic as Tony, the cop, but I might have to change his hair color.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Oh, boy. That's a tough one.

A wedding planner who can't find her own wedded bliss, a bank marketer who gets involved with a married cop and a high school counselor who enables her hippie parents will make you cheer for the unbreakable bonds of friendship as the thirty-something women meet every Thursday at Coconuts to deal with betrayal, tragedy, grief, and homosexuality.  Okay, so that's a bit convoluted but you try to write about three protagonists using just one sentence!

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Three agents have requested a partial but I've yet to send it to them. In fact one asked over a year ago. *hangs head in shame* I am always and forever editing. Not really. That's a lie. I haven't touched my novel in two years and have worked solely on children's picture books and short stories due to a family tragedy. BUT I'm ready to get back to it. Rolling up sleeves, rear-end in chair...just as soon as the holidays are over!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Two years to write and another year to edit but I languished, gave myself several months off for holidays, travel or whatever reward I thought I deserved at the time. I truly work better with deadlines and fire-breathing bosses due to my stressful marketing background.

What other novels would you compare your story to within your genre?
I can't think of another novel per se, but if you like women's fiction books by Carol Snow, Madelaine Wickham or Jane Moore, you'll like this book.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
They say write what you know and I was a bank marketer, do have a touch of OCD and did date a cop. So there! But this is a work of fiction. Yes, it is.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
It's set in the Midwest and covers several serious topics including a stroke, betrayal, OCD and homosexuality, so eventhough it's women's fiction and a light-hearted, fun read for the most part, the characters tackle meaty topics. And there is a happily ever after for the romantics out there!

Next week, look forward to hearing about The Next Big Thing from my fellow friends and writers, Stephanie Jarkins at www.gothmomz.com and Shirley McCann at http://shirleymccann.blogspot.com

I hope you've enjoyed this installment of The Next Big Thing. :)

What Are You Working On?

I know several of my readers well since they're writer friends or family members, but some of you are new here. I thought it would be fun to fill each other in on our current projects. So, what are you working on both professionally and personally?

I'm working on a huge surprise birthday bash for hubby (I'd tell you the theme and more details, but with my luck, he'd read my blog for once. Doubtful--but you can never be too careful with a surprise party.)

Professionally, I've just started to query agents for my debut novel, THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS, a work of women's fiction set in the Midwest with four professional women who have chaotic lives, ridiculous family members and impossible situations. A normal day, right?!!

I'm almost half finished with the sequel to COCONUTS and two-thirds finished with a romantic suspense, yet to be titled, which is set on a college campus.

I've got a cookbook cooking and two ideas for non-fiction books simmering. There just aren't enough hours in the day, are there?

Finally, I've completed two children's picture books and may have an announcement soon! Fingers and toes crossed. I have more picture books drafted and waiting patiently in the wings.

How about you? What are you working on?