CHARACTER INTERVIEW - JANE FRANK (A STATE OF JANE)

Today, I'm doing something a little different here at Books by Banister. My friend and fellow Chick Lit author, the wonderful Meredith Schorr, and I are joining forces to do an interview swap. But rather than ask each other questions, we're talking to the heroines of our novels (They're much more interesting than we are!) I had the pleasure of posing some hard-hitting questions to aspiring lawyer Ms. Jane Frank (What? You don't think that playing a few rounds of Marry/Bury/Do tests a girl's intellect, moral fiber, and character? Au contraire, mes amies!) So, read on to learn more about the very opinionated (and entertaining) Jane and be sure to pick up a copy of Meredith's fab new book, A State of Jane (purchase links are listed below.) After you're done here, please pop over to Meredith's blog and check out her interview with my heroine, Latina psychologist Pilar Alvarez (In Need of Therapy.)

 

1) Ally McBeal (Ally McBeal), Miranda Hobbes (Sex and the City), Alicia Flornick (The Good Wife), or Grace Van Owen (L.A. Law) - Which fictional lawyer do you most relate to and why?

Ally McBeal – NOT! She's so skinny! And Miranda was so cynical. I would have to say Grace Van Owen. She was ambitious and smart but also feminine without being flighty. I think... I was really young when this show came out, but remember watching it with my parents.

2) What's your 10-Year Plan?

Go to law school; Get engaged during 3rd year; Get job at global law firm; Get married (after a 1.5 year engagement); Get pregnant after one year of marriage; Switch to my father's firm after maternity leave is over; Have 2nd child two years later; Become partner.

I’m not sure how I will manage work and two small children but like my father always says, "Where there's a will, there's a way."

3) What would you say are your best qualities? And your worst?

Best qualities include organizational skills, great cook and eternal optimist. Bad qualities include a stubborn streak, a weakness for chocolate and a tendency to be too trusting of the opposite sex. I have also been told I can be a bit self-absorbed but I don't agree!

4) Describe your dream man.

Four years older than me (30), 5 inches taller (5"11'), hardworking and intelligent. Cute, preferably with dimples, and funny.

5) Who makes better friends - men or women?

Definitely women! At least I know my girlfriends aren't using me for sex or constantly looking over my shoulder for the next best thing. Although my officemate Andrew is a really good listener and *sometimes* gives good advice.

6) Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Eating cupcakes make me feel guilty but they are so good! And I have recently gotten hooked on True Blood, thanks to my best friend Marissa. I am also a sucker for mushy romance novels.

7) Worst date you ever had - give us all the gory details!

I only recently started dating. I broke up with my first and only boyfriend of 9 years a year ago but, oh God, there was this time I got really drunk and well I don't usually drink that much and I, uh, well there was this strip tease. *turns red*. I can’t talk about it anymore. Way embarrassing but you can read it in my memoir. Only a $2.99 download!

8) If you couldn't be a lawyer, you'd be _____?

A baker!

9) Your life story is being turned into a movie.  Who should play the role of Jane Frank?

I've been told I resemble Ashley Williams, although her eyes are blue and mine are brownish/gold. She played Victoria, one of Ted's girlfriends on How I Met Your Mother. She also played that annoying girl in the movie Something Borrowed.

10) What was the last book you read?

The LSAT practice guide. Does that count as a book? I haven't really read as much as I should. Shh don't tell my dad.

11) Marry, Bury, or Do?

Zac Efron - MARRY (Because I'd get to do him for the rest of my life.)

Justin Bieber - BURY (No explanation required.)

Robert Pattinson - DO (I've had more practice with one-night-stands lately so I think I can handle it.)

Ryan Gosling - MARRY (Not only is he hot, but he is a great actor and could probably support me for the rest of my life. And he likes women with curves.)

Bradley Cooper - BURY (At least if he is buried, we won't need to worry about a Hangover 46. The first one was funny but enough...)

Johnny Depp - DO (He's sexy but getting old, so I'd better do him now before he needs Viagra.)

PS - that was really hard. I would love to have sex with Bradley Cooper!!!

Sting - MARRY (He's got such a soulful voice and he's aging really well.)

Paul McCartney - DO (At least I can say I slept with a member of the Beatles. And he doesn't have the best track record with marriage anyway.)

Mick Jagger - BURY (He'll probably die soon anyway, right?)   

Jimmy Kimmel - DO (I bet he's kinky and I've been trying to experiment lately.)

Conan O'Brien - MARRY (He’s hilare! And I love the height! I normally don’t like “gingers,” but my officemate Andrew has warmed me to them.)

David Letterman - BURY (He cheated on his wife, didn’t he? Douchebag)

12) On which reality show would you excel and on which would you fail miserably?

Excel: Top Chef.

Epic fail (my ex's favorite phrase): America's Next Top Model. The winner never has curves!

13) What is your favorite curse word?

“Fuck.” It's so simple yet says so much if used properly and not too often. Using it too often dilutes the effect.

14) Would you rather be: 20 and the most beautiful woman in the world, 30 and the smartest woman in the world, or 40 and the richest woman in the world? 

30 and the smartest, although beautiful would be nice too. I don't want to even think about being 40 until I am in a committed relationship and am certain marriage is imminent.

A big "Thank you!" to Jane Frank for dropping by Books by Banister and to Meredith Schorr for letting her heroine spend some time with us.

Author bio:  A born and bred New Yorker, Meredith Schorr discovered her passion for writing when she began to enjoy drafting work-related emails way more than she was probably supposed to, and was famous among her friends for writing witty birthday cards. After dabbling in children’s stories and blogging her personal experiences, Meredith found her calling writing “real” chick lit for real women. When Meredith is not hard at work on her current work in progress, she spends her days as a trademark paralegal at a law firm in New York City. Meredith is a loyal New York Yankees fan and an avid runner. She also loves to read and is always on the lookout for her new favorite author. A State of Jane is her second novel.

Book blurb:  Jane Frank is ready to fall in love. It's been a year since her long term relationship ended and far too long since the last time she was kissed. With the LSAT coming up she needs to find a long term boyfriend (or husband) before acing law school and becoming a partner at her father's law firm. There's just one problem: All the guys in New York are flakes. They seemingly drop off the face of the earth with no warning and no explanation. Should she join her best friend Marissa in singlehood, making cupcakes and watching True Blood? Or should she follow her co-worker Andrew's advice and turn the game back on those who've scorned her? As Jane attempts to juggle her own responsibilities and put up with the problems of everyone around her, she starts to realize that the dating life isn't as easy as she originally thought.

Purchase A State of Jane:

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Also, available at iTunes!

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