Today's author in the spotlight is the multi-talented Nancy Scrofano! In addition to having just released her first Chick Lit novel, TRUE LOVE WAY, Nancy runs two very entertaining websites that everyone needs to check out: Chick Lit Bee and Good Humor Girl - in the interest of full disclosure, I should note that I write humorous articles for GHG, along with a bunch of other fab Chick Lit/Women's Fic authors, including Nancy herself!
Nancy has generously offered to give away one Kindle copy of her e-book. So, be sure to leave a comment, including your e-mail address, below to be entered for a chance to win. This giveaway is open to US residents only.
Read on to learn more about Nancy and TRUE LOVE WAY . . .
1) Can you give us a
brief overview of TRUE LOVE WAY
Sure! Here’s the description: Marlo Spencer relishes all
things retro. Old TV shows, classic movies, and even the collectible lunch
boxes to go with them. In fact, she’s quite cozy in her Malibu
apartment, surrounded by her treasured knick-knacks and vintage memorabilia.
It’s her best friend, Nik, who doesn’t get her fascination with all that “old
junk,” as he calls it. He especially doesn’t understand why she’s so keen to
get back to their hometown of Napa
when her high school sweetheart, Josh, suddenly returns after twelve years in Paris
and nary a single phone call, eager to reunite with her. So, when Marlo heads
up north to wine country to rekindle her relationship with Josh, Nik tags
along, claiming he was already planning to visit his sister, Savannah ,
Marlo’s gal pal. Once they reach Napa ,
however, dreams of a blissful reunion are shattered as old secrets and past
betrayals are revealed, leaving an unsuspecting Marlo to pick up the pieces.
Can she forgive and forget, or will true love find a different path to her
heart?
2) What's your
favorite quality about your hero/heroine?
I love how passionate Marlo is about everything vintage, but
more importantly, how much she values her friendships.
3) What made you want
to write this book?
Initially, I wanted to write a novel about friendship.
Specifically, childhood friendships turned into adult friendships and how they
transitioned and changed throughout the years. I wanted to see what would
happen if there were something that forced two childhood friends to work out
whatever problems they had. I knew the main character would be stuck in the
past because the story would essentially be about how she finally moves forward
with her life. I wanted to give her a huge obstacle that would be the ultimate
test of friendship and forgiveness.
4) What are you
working on now?
I’m currently writing a young adult novel and another
women’s fiction/romantic comedy novel. The young adult novel is about three
quarters of the way finished, and I just started the women’s fiction novel, so
I have completed a few chapters so far.
5) What comes first
for you -- character idea, plot idea?
The story idea comes to me first, and then I see if I can
create characters for that particular storyline. If the characters I come up
with don’t quite fit the story, then I set it aside and move on to something
else. I take notes and keep files of all the story ideas I think of, but the
story and characters have to fit together and develop together for me to
continue working on it. It might seem like a writer could definitely come up
with characters for any story, but I’ve found that I can’t force characters
into a story. They have to be there for a reason. It's possible that someday
I’ll come up with the right characters for all the story ideas I have, but I’ve
learned that the process has to happen naturally.
6) How do you think
of titles?
The title TRUE LOVE WAY is the same title as a Kings of Leon song. Kings of Leon is one of my
favorite bands, and when I heard the song I knew that it had to be the title of
my book. But it didn’t come easy. When my book was still untitled, I posted on
my blog about searching for a title, and you can read that post here.
Eventually, after I stopped trying so hard and driving myself crazy, I heard
the Kings of Leon song that I had heard a million times before, and it just clicked.
Sometimes what you’re looking for is right there in front of you all along.
7) What are your
thoughts on love scenes in books? Do you prefer to read/write sweet/romantic
encounters between your hero and heroine or spicy ones?
My books will never have any graphic sex scenes or any
overly detailed intimate moments between characters. I don’t write romance
novels. I write women’s fiction (chick lit), and I don’t foresee ever writing
the really racy stuff. I think it’s good to leave some things to the readers’
imaginations. Less is more. One of the big differences between chick lit and
romance novels is that chick lit has the sweet, romantic scenes and romance
novels have the steamy, intense love scenes.
8) Who are the
authors who inspire you?
Hester Browne and Sophie Kinsella inspire me the most. I
adore their novels, and I think they are the best in the chick lit genre.
9) What genres do you
like to read? Do you stick to one or are you eclectic in your reading
tastes?
I like to read women’s fiction, romantic comedies, and chick
lit, which usually get lumped into one category, though they do have different
elements. I also enjoy romance novels every once in a while and the occasional
mystery and thriller. I like young adult books, but I tend to gravitate to the
romantic comedy type young adult books. No vampires for me. I also like to read
memoirs.
10) What was the last
book you read that really WOWed you?
I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER
by Sophie Kinsella. She’s the best at what she does.
11) Do you prefer a
series or stand alone novels?
I don’t really have a preference. If I love a book and want
to see what the characters will do next, then I definitely want a sequel, and
possibly a series. However, sometimes a story is better when it’s left as one
book, not because it isn’t good, but just because the journey of those characters
reached its conclusion. It’s really up to the author whether or not a series is
appropriate, and also up to the readers if enough of them show an interest in
the story for it to continue past one book.
12) If you could be
plopped down in the middle of any book, which one would it be?
SWEPT OFF HER FEET
by Hester Browne. I would love to dance at a castle in Scotland
with a handsome gentleman.
13) If you could
invite any five people (living or dead) over for a dinner party, who would
they be and why?
The five guys from One Direction (Harry Styles, Louis
Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, and Niall Horan) because I love their music,
their British and Irish accents, and their personalities. And how cool would it
be to say that I had dinner with the most popular boy band in the world? I’ve always loved boy bands.
Fast and Flirty
Favorite scent? Chocolate
chip cookies
Favorite color? Pink
Favorite food? Pizza
Favorite word? I
can’t choose just one. I love words!
Dream vacation spot? Rome , Italy
Favorite time period
in history? 1950s
Favorite girl's night
out drink? Lemonade ( I don’t drink
alcohol)
Favorite date night
activity? Going to see a movie
Coffee or tea or soda? Soda
Strong but lean or
built and burly? Strong but lean
Scruffy or clean-shaven? Depends on the guy
Dark-haired or blond? Dark-haired
Celebrity hottie on
your laminated list? John Stamos
Novel hero crush? Robert
from SWEPT OFF HER FEET by Hester
Browne
Thanks so much for visiting Books by Banister, Nancy! Good luck with TRUE LOVE WAY and all your future writing endeavors!
Leave a comment below telling me about one piece of vintage memorabilia that you treasure and you'll be entered to win a Kindle copy of TRUE LOVE WAY. Don't forget to leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win! Contest is open to US residents only! Drawing will take place on Friday, June 22nd, so get your comments in by midnight on Thursday, June 21st.
Purchase TRUE LOVE WAY at:
Visit Nancy at:
I'm not sure this can be described as "vintage memorabilia" but it's old - I still own (and cherish) the mickey mouse stuffed animal I've had since I was under 3 years old. It's missing one eye and tattered by I love my mickey! I also have an old pink elephant stuffed animal from when I was really young. It's also missing an eye. I sense a pattern!
ReplyDeleteMeredithgschorr at gmail dot com
My favorite piece of vintage memorabilia is a pearl ring my grandmother gave me when I turned 16. Her older brother gave it to her on her 16th birthday after he returned from fighting in WWII. If I ever have a daughter, I hope to pass it on to her on her 16th birthday.
ReplyDeleteDon't enter me into the contest. I've read (and loved!) TRUE LOVE WAY. ;-)
I have a beautiful cross necklace my grandmother gave me for my first communion, it was also hers when she was little..A treasure always.
ReplyDeletelparsons15@yahoo.com
Nancy, you're book sounds fabulous! I just got back from the Napa area and think I'll be needing to bump your book up on my summer time to-read list. :)
ReplyDeleteMy fave piece of vintage memorabilia would be the gold sand dollar earrings and matching necklace gifted from my Nana. Every single grandchild lovingly used that necklace that my Nana wore day-in and night-out as a teething ring. haha Sounds a little gross, but it has so much sentimental value to me (and is beautiful to boot) and I'm so happy that I, as the eldest grand baby, have the lovely and meaningful set. By far my favorite 'old' item!
-Savannah Page
info[at]savannahpage[.]com
Thanks, Savannah! I hope you enjoy my book! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, Tracie, for posting my interview. It was fun!