I am very proud to present my longtime friend and agent buddy - Malena Lott!
Her latest -Dating DaVinci (how cute is that title??) - opens with the sad state of Ramona Elise’s life. Widowed, 36, with two children, Ramona is a pro when it comes to making her kids happy, but what about herself? Will a young Italian student help her find her way?…
Q. Readers of this blog know I am very seriously into travelling - what’s your idea of the perfect travel destination and why?
As a manic mod mama of three, I don’t get to travel nearly as often as I’d like. That being said, I love to get away with the whole family at least twice a year - this year we went to Branson, MO, Colorado and Ft. Worth (on the train!). I love spending as much time as possible in nature. My favorite vacay was Kauai, Hawaii -it’s just so picturesque and tranquil. Must. Return. Soon.
Q. How do you go about choosing a setting for your novel? Does it, like New York in Sex and the City, almost play the part of another character in the book, or could the plot be transported to another setting and work?
Picking the setting is one of my favorite parts of brainstorming upfront, because I do think it’s so important. I selected Austin, Texas as the setting for Dating da Vinci because I wanted a college town and Austin is the home of UT (rival to my beloved Sooners), because I needed Leonardo da Vinci to be in America on a student visa and Ramona is finishing her Ph.D. And I’ve actually been there several times, so that helps, too.
Q. What would you change about your life if you became the next Sophie Kinsella?
After hiring the cook, the nanny and the housekeeper, I guess I’d start interviewing stylists and personal shoppers (loathe grocery shopping.) No, seriously, I don’t think much about my life would change except that I wouldn’t get “that look” from my darling husband when I’ve gone on a shopping spree and I’d get to vacation more and feel good that my kids can go to college easily and perhaps not have to work as much as I did. not that I’m complaining. On second thought, maybe I would spring for the housekeeper. Loathe laundry nearly as much as grocery shopping. That reminds me, that load needs to be changed out. Be back in a sec.
Q. Any tried and true tricks for beating procrastination?
I have to say, I’m pretty lucky. Hugh (Jackman) typically promises a shirtless steak dinner (him, not me) if I meet my word count goal. If that’s not enough motivation, Brad’s aromatherapy massages usually get me in the mood, though sad to say, it’s not for writing. Heck, usually my imagination can trick me into getting back on the laptop to write away into the sunrise. Like, “finish this and you’ll be as famous as Sophie Kinsella and you’ll never have to buy groceries again and you can spend all your time lounging on the beaches drinking frozen Flirtinis!” I’m so easy.
Thanks Malena!
